July 3 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
 

Today’s Meditation Verse: “I was glad when they said unto me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.” —Psalm 122:1 (KJV)

Welcome... Pastor Charles

Prelude... Louise Cook / “Morning Has Broken,” arranged by Don Hustad

*Call to Worship (Psalm 30:4-5, 11-12, CEB)... Claudia Mills

You who are faithful to the LORD, sing praises to God; give thanks to God’s holy name! His anger lasts for only a second, but God’s favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay all night, but by morning, joy! You changed my mourning into dancing. You took off my funeral clothes and dressed me up in joy... So that my whole being might sing praises to you and never stop. LORD, my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

*Hymn... “God of the Ages” (UMH #698)

Independence Day Confession... Claudia Mills

The roots of our freedom were planted in this soil by our Pilgrim forbearers who believed that Jesus means freedom. That conviction did not always save them from fear and prejudice, nor does it always save us. But it can be where we start and start again. Jesus demands of us the courage to love those whom we  naturally fear. Let us pray. O God, we have not always been equal to the task. We have relied on superior force and dire threats, when love alone has the power to turn an enemy into a friend and secure our safety. Forgive us, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Assurance: Do not fear – the lust of nations shall be overcome by the love of God, and you shall be love’s courier. The narrowness of your love shall be broken open by the breath of God’s kindness toward you. Nor will God allow the sins of your past to keep you from the task God has for you, for in all things the ultimate victory belongs to Christ, and He has overcome the world.

—Reprinted by permission of the publisher from Before the Amen, © 1985 Maren Tirabassi & Maria Tirabassi, eds., Pilgrim Press.

*Offering/Doxology

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations / Pastoral Prayer... Pastor Charles

First Lesson: Isaiah 55:10-13... Claudia Mills

Special Music... Louise Cook / “Just As I Am,” arranged by William B. Bradley

Second Lesson: 2 Timothy 3:14-17... Pastor Charles

This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Sermon... Pastor Charles / “I don’t read the cookbook anymore”

Communion / The Lord’s Prayer 

*Hymn... “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations” (UMH #569)

*Words for the Journey... Pastor Charles

*Postlude... Louise Cook / “Be Thou My Vision,” arranged by Joel Raney