July 21 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Hank Troy (piano) & Wende Harston

Ice cream for fellowship!

Smiles all around!

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

(link to today's worship service)

Today’s Meditation Verse: “Some people trust in chariots, others in horses; but we praise the Lord’s name.” —Psalm 20:7

Welcome...Pastor Charles

Prelude...Hank Troy

*Call to Worship...Amy Abshire

Leader: Strength is commanding the wind and sea to obey;

People: Strength is wielding a slingshot in the face of a raging giant.

Leader: Strength is accepting vulnerability from inside the boat;

People: Strength is standing in solidarity with the powerless.

Leader: Strength is turning a cheek; strength is loving an enemy.

People: We come to worship a God who redefines our vision of strength.

—written by Katherine Hawker, 1997 posted on Liturgy Outside

*Hymn...“The Church’s One Foundation” (UMH #546)

Litany of Confession (Psalm 51 & Psalm 103)...Amy Abshire

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.

Our God is merciful and gracious, slow to get angry,

and full of unfailing love.

Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my shameful deeds—they haunt me day and night.

God will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.

Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.

God has not punished us for all our sins, nor does he deal with us as we deserve. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

I was born a sinner—from the moment my mother conceived me.

God is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he understands how weak we are; he remembers that we are only dust.

You desire honesty from the heart; teach me to be wise in my inmost being.

For our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone—as though we had never been here.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and make me willing to obey you.

For the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, those who obey his commandments.

The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Our God is merciful and gracious. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

—Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

First Lesson: 2 Samuel 11:1-4a, 12:16-24a...Amy Abshire

Special Music...Hank Troy and Wende Harston

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations

Pastoral Prayer / The Lord’s Prayer...Pastor Charles

Second Lesson: 1 Kings 1:28-37...Pastor Charles

Leader: This is the Word of God for the people of God.

People: Thanks be to God.

Sermon...Pastor Charles / “Bathsheba’s question”

*Hymn...“Lead On, O King Eternal” (UMH #580)

*Words for the Journey...Pastor Charles

Postlude...Hank Troy and Wende Harston