August 18 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Flowers from Pat Cleaveland

Bells offer today's anthem

Fellowship time!

 Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Today’s Meditation Verse: “Praise the Lord! I thank the Lord with all my heart in the company of those who do right, in the congregation.” —Psalm 111:1

Welcome...Pastor Charles

Prelude...Suzanne Polacek / “There Is a Balm in Gilead,” arranged by Glenda Austin

*Call to Worship (inspired by Isaiah 40:28-31)...Rebecca Glancy

Leader: Have you not known?

People: Our God is the everlasting God, Creator of the ends of the earth.

Leader: Have you not heard?

People: God does not faint or grow weary.

Leader: Have you not known?

People: God’s understanding is unsearchable.

Leader: Have you not heard?

People: God gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless.

Leader: Have you not known?

People: Those who wait for God will renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles.

Leader: We come to hear.

People: We come to know. Thanks be to God.

—by Joanna Harader, posted on Spacious Faith

*Hymn...“All Things Bright and Beautiful” (UMH #147)

Almost a Creed (inspired by Psalm 20)...Rebecca Glancy

L: Do we believe?

P: Yes, in spite of ourselves, we do believe!

L: While some follow fad and fashion, changing with the seasons in Paris, London, and New York,

P: We follow the man from Nazareth.

L: While some put their hope in a big lotto win or chase profits at no matter what cost to family,

P: We put our hope in loving one another as our Christ has loved us.

L: While some may give in to a sophisticated cynicism or fall into apathy or despair,

P: We put our faith in the God who has given us his only true son.

L: While some may boast of their superior education, culture, race, or living standard,

P: We boast in the self-giving of the Son on a Cross.

L: While some try to justify themselves by prizing fame or power or by claiming superior morals,

P: We allow the grace of our Lord to Jesus to be our best prize.

L: Because of Jesus, yes, we believe in the living God by whose Holy Spirit all things are open to change and renewal.

P: And that includes us and the church, thanks be to God!

—written by Bruce Prewer

First Lesson: Luke 18:35-42...Rebecca Glancy

Special Music...Bell Quintet / “God of Grace and God of Glory,” arranged by Jason W. Krug

Community prayer concerns and celebrations

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

Second Lesson: Luke 19:1-10...Pastor Charles

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

People: Thanks be to God.

Sermon...Pastor Charles / “Zaccheaus’s vantage point”

(Zaccheaus Was a Wee Little Man)

*Hymn...“I’ll Praise My Maker While I’ve Breath” (UMH #60)

*Words for the Journey...Pastor Charles

*Response...“God Be With You Till We Meet Again” v. 1 and chorus (UMH #672)

Postlude...Suzanne Polacek / “To God Be the Glory,” arranged by Lloyd Larson