January 16 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Second Sunday after the Epiphany / Human Relations Sunday

Today’s Meditation Verse: “Then the Lord came and stood there, calling just as before, ‘Samuel, Samuel.’ Samuel said, ‘Speak. Your servant is listening.’”

–1 Samuel 3:10

Welcome… Pastor Charles                

Prelude… “Immortal, Invisible” by Lorie Courier

Call to Worship (Psalm 139:1-5) ... Pastor Charles (Leader) and Joey Vander Vorste (People)

Congregation is encouraged to read People’s response aloud on mute setting

Leader: Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.

People: Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.

Hymn… “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” 

Prayer for Human Relations Sunday… Joey Vander Vorste

Congregation is encouraged to pray aloud on mute setting

 

God of justice, we confess that in the pursuit of our own dreams and desires, we have not always been civil, not always humane, not always right. Guided by your Spirit, what we would like to do is change the world – make it a little simpler for people to feed, clothe, and shelter themselves as You intended them to do. Help us to be your witnesses, by fighting for better conditions, by crying out unceasingly for the rights of the workers, the poor, of the destitute – the rights of the worthy and the unworthy poor, so that we can, with your help, change the world. Enlarge our hearts to love each other, to love our neighbor, and to love our enemy as our friend. Amen. —inspired by a quote from Dorothy Day, written by Eric Thomas (https://mlp.org/2014/01/18/mlk-sunday)

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations…Pastor Charles Pastoral Prayer / The Lord’s Prayer… Pastor Charles  Congregation is encouraged to offer the Lord’s Prayer aloud on mute setting

Epistle Lesson… I Corinthians 12:1-11… Joey Vander Vorste

Musical offering… “Down to the River to Pray” by Lorie Courier         

Gospel Lesson… John 2:1-11… Pastor Charles                                                               

Sermon… “What’s the big deal? ... Pastor Charles

Hymn… “I’m Gonna’ Sing”

Words for the Journey… Pastor Charles              

Postlude… Suzanne Polacek