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Celebrating the Wonders of the Spiritual Life
We greet each other in Christ’s name as we enter into worship together. In consideration of others, please silence your cell phones. The prelude calls us to worship; let us listen quietly in reflection and prayer.
Today’s Meditation Verse: “He said, ‘My grace is enough for you, because power is made
perfect in weakness.’” —2 Corinthians 12:9
Welcome...Pastor Charles
Dear friends, rejoice that God so moved the hearts of people that this house has been built for praise and prayer. Let us now reconsecrate it for service and celebrate its holy use:
O eternal God, mighty in power and of incomprehensible majesty, whom the heavens cannot contain, much less the walls of temples made with hands, You have promised Your special presence whenever two or three are assembled in Your name to offer praise and prayer. By the power of Your Holy Spirit consecrate this house of Your worship. Bless us and sanctify what we do here, that this place may be holy for us and a house of prayer for all people. Guide and empower in this place by the same Spirit the proclamation of Your Word and the celebration of Your Sacraments, the pouring out of prayer and the singing of Your praise, professions of faith and testimonies to Your grace, the joining of men and women in marriage and the celebration of death and resurrection. Save us from that failure of vision which would confine our worship within these walls but send us out from here to be Your servants in the world, sharing the blessings of Christ with the world He came to redeem. Now, O God, sanctify this place, for everything in heaven and on earth is Yours. Yours, Lord, is the dominion, and You are exalted as head above all. Amen.
—From “A Service for the Consecration or Reconsecration of a Church Building,” The Book of Worship ©1992 UMPH.
Prelude “Doxology” arranged by Mark Hayes...Lorie Courier
*Call to Worship (Psalm 48:9-11 CEB)...Rebecca Glancy
Leader: We dwell on Your faithful love, God, in Your temple.
People: Your praise, God, just like Your reputation, extends to the far corners of the earth.
Leader: Your strong hand is filled with righteousness.
All: Let Mount Zion be glad; let the towns of Judah rejoice because of Your acts of justice!
Praise Hymn...“God of the Ages” (UMH #698)
God Calls Us Together To Pray
Prayer for Independence Day...Rebecca Glancy
Gracious God, As we reflect on our upcoming Independence Day, we give thanks for our country. We thank you for the ideals of freedom, equality, and inclusion that our country seeks to have. We pray for our leaders and ask that you guide them in making wise decisions that benefit the whole, not just a few. And we ask that you help us discern the division between country and faith so that all may have the same freedoms we so enjoy. May we also be reminded of all those who have sacrificed for our freedom, following the example of your Son, Jesus Christ. May we not take our freedom, both physical and spiritual, for granted. May we always remember that our freedoms came at a high cost; our freedoms have cost many their very lives. Lord, bless those who have served, as well as those who continue to serve, offering their lives to maintain our freedoms. With favor and bounty meet their needs and watch over their families. Help us to live our life in a way that glorifies you, Lord. Give us the strength to be a blessing in someone else’s life and grant us the opportunity to lead others into the freedom that can be found in knowing Christ. Amen.
Offering/Doxology
Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations
Moment of Silence and Reflection
Pastoral Prayer
Receiving the Blessings of God’s Word
Hymn of Response...“This Is My Song” (UMH #437)
Gospel Lesson: Mark 6:1-13...Rebecca Glancy
Special Music“‘How Great Thou Art” ...Hannah Gu
Second Lesson: Tobit 13:1-13...Pastor Charles
Sermon “Echoes of Another Voice” ...Pastor Charles
Responding to the Blessings of God’s Word
Communion
The Lord’s Prayer
Music during communion “Gounod Ave Maria” by Bach
Sharing God’s Word With the World
Hymn for the Journey... “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations” (UMH #569)
Words for the Journey...Pastor Charles
Postlude...Louise Cook and Suzanne Polacek
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