October 4 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

 

18th Sunday after Pentecost/World Communion Sunday 

Today’s Meditation Verse: “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of His sufferings by becoming like Him in His death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” —Philippians 3:10-11

Welcome—Pastor Charles

Prelude: “Nearer My God To Thee” by Christopher W.

Call to Worship (Psalm 19 and Exodus 20 by Nancy Townley)—Pastor Charles (Leader) and Angela B. (People) — Congregation is encouraged to read People’s response aloud on mute setting

 

Leader: All heaven and earth proclaim the majesty of God’s creative power!

People: Praise God for the amazing and awesome beauty.

Leader: God has given to us codes by which to live together in harmony and peace.

People: In these commandments, God has summed up the ways we must respect one another.

Leader: Rejoice in the goodness of God.

People: Praise God for God’s complete and steadfast love for us. Amen.

Hymn: “How Firm a Foundation”—Christopher W. and Rebecca G. —Congregation is encouraged to sing along on mute setting; words and music will be provided onscreen.

A Call to Reconciliation (the Rev. Thom Schuman)—Pastor Charles (Leader) and Angela B. (People) —Congregation is encouraged to read People’s response aloud on Mute setting

 

Leader (Call to Reconciliation): At the center of the law is God’s love--that divine nonsense shown in becoming human for our sake; that weakness for us which defeats the strongest powers. This love, this grace is of more value to us than all the stocks in our pension funds. Let us open ourselves to such love as we open our hearts to confess our sins to God.

People (Unison Prayer for Forgiveness): You give us Your commandments, Holy One, so we may have new life, but we continue to make the same old choices. Your love can anchor us when life threatens to overwhelm us, but we choose to cling to the slippery rocks of anger and bitterness.  Your Word can strengthen us for every moment, but we listen to the foolish promises of the world. Forgive us, Redeemer of our lives: may every word be shaped by Your Word; may every thought be refined by Your grace; may every deed be inspired by Your Spirit, so we may tell everyone we meet of Your work in us, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Leader (Assurance of Pardon): When brokenhearted prayers replace piety, when we seek wholeness through the One broken for us, then we remember we are saved by God’s powerful love.

People: We are healed, to bring healing to our world; we are strengthened in faith, to become spent for others; we are set free from our bondage to sin, so we may become servants of Christ. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations—Pastor Charles

Pastoral Prayer—Pastor Charles

First Lesson: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9—Angela B.

Musical Offering: “Fairest Lord Jesus” by Christopher W.                          

Second Lesson: Exodus 20:12-20—Pastor Charles

Sermon: “Only ten?”—Pastor Charles

Communion 

The Lord’s Prayer —Congregation is encouraged to pray The Lord’s Prayer aloud on mute setting

Words for the Journey—Pastor Charles

Postlude: Alpha & Omega

Reminder: Gifts and tithes can be sent directly to Martha B. Contributions to the PATH Fund can be marked “PATH Fund” in the memo line.