Here are the readings and songs for the Third Sunday after Pentecost – June 25, 2017

Act of Praise:    Psalm 85   –   UMH #806
First Scripture:    Genesis 21:8-21   –   Page 29

Prayer of Confession

Generous God, you are the source of abundant life. You reveal a great mystery: those who lose their life for the sake of your Son will find it. When we are aware of loss, send your Holy Spirit to help us trust in your steadfast love. You are transforming our lives and this world as surely as you have transformed the cross by Christ’s resurrection. Let whatever we can bring to you on this day of worship and everyday bring vitality to the healing ministries of this community of faith. We ask this in the name of our risen Lord Jesus. Amen.

Song of Praise:     I’ve Got Peace Like a River   –   TFWS #2145
Second Scripture Lesson:     Matthew 10:24-39   –   Page 1511
Sermon Title:     “From Chaos to Community: Weaning”
Closing Song:     His Eye Is on the Sparrow   –   TFWS #2146

Here are the readings and songs for the Fifth Sunday of Easter – May 14, 2017

Act of Praise:    Psalm 31   –   UMH #764
First Scripture:    Acts 7:55-60   –   Page 1704

Prayer of Confession

O God, our Redeemer, you are glorious! Your Son Jesus has won salvation for all who trust in you. Thank you for nurturing us through your word and the witness of faithful disciples. Fill our hearts with your Holy Spirit, so that we might speak boldly of your mighty acts. Let our worship and our physical and spiritual sacrifices be acceptable to you. We pray through Christ, our risen Lord, who stands at your right hand and governs our lives with wisdom, power, and love. Amen.

Song of Praise:     Shout to the Lord   –   TFWS #2074
Second Scripture Lesson:     John 14:1-14   –   Page 1888
Sermon Title:     “Becoming One With Christ”
Closing Song:     How Great Thou Art   –   UMH #77

Here are the readings and songs for the Fourth Sunday of Easter – May 7, 2017

Act of Praise:    Psalm 23   –   UMH #754
First Scripture:    Acts 2:42-47   –   Page 1694

Prayer of Confession

Dear Lord, our God, you guide us as a loving shepherd. In your presence, our spirits are renewed. In your wisdom, we discover peace. In fellowship together, we find ways to share your good news with others. As we enjoy your blessings, help us to give from our abundance with glad and generous hearts to all of those that we meet. We dedicate our worship and ourselves today in the name of Jesus, the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for his flock. Amen.

Song of Praise:     Spirit of the Living God, Fall Afresh on Me   –   UMH #393
Second Scripture Lesson:     John 10:1-10   –   Page 1666
Sermon Title:     “Awakening to Baptism”
Closing Song:     Precious Lord, Take My Hand   –   UMH #474

Here are the readings and songs for the Third Sunday of Easter – April 30, 2017

Act of Praise:    Psalm 116   –   UMH #837
First Scripture:    Acts 2:14a, 36-41   –   Page 1692

Prayer of Confession

Great Spirit, Creator, walking with us on the way, you open us and all our senses to knowledge and awe through all you have made. Even so, we are slow to understand and even slower to act. Open us now to wisdom in the proclaiming and hearing of your Word and help us respond with love and humility. Amen.

Song of Praise:     Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus   –   UMH #349
Second Scripture Lesson:     Luke 24:13-35   –   Page 1642
Sermon Title:     “Awakening to Table”
Closing Song:     I Come With Joy to Meet My Lord   –   UMH #617

Here are the readings and songs for the Second Sunday of Easter – April 23, 2017

Act of Praise:    Psalm 16   –   UMH #748
First Scripture:    Acts 2:14a, 22-32   –   Page 1692

Prayer of Confession

Author of faith, to you we lift our weary, longing eyes. Our fear would close us down to your love and your call on our lives. Even now, send your Spirit among us. Break into our shut-up hearts, unparalyze our fear-filled minds, and unclasp our clenched hands, that we may hear your words of life and truly live. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Song of Praise:     Open Our Eyes   –   TFWS #2086
Second Scripture Lesson:     John 20:19-31   –   Page 1686
Sermon Title:     “Awakening to Ministry”
Closing Song:     Easter People, Raise Your Voices   –   UMH #304

Here are the readings and songs for the Fifth Sunday of Lent – April 2, 2017

Act of Praise:    Psalm 130   –   UMH #848
First Scripture:    Ezekiel 37:1-14   –   Page 1345

Prayer of Confession

O God of miracles and mighty deeds, we acknowledge your healing and comforting presence in our lives. We confess that we have been blinded by materialism and driven by consumerism. Open our eyes to a new way of being. Send your anointing and grant us fresh insight for spiritual breakthroughs. Shine the light of your truth into our relationships and grant us victory over every secret and shame. We thank you in advance for healings and renewals in our lives. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Song of Praise:     Lord I Lift Your Name on High   –   TFWS #2088
Second Scripture Lesson:     John 11:1-45   –   Page 1668
Sermon Title:     “Believe”
Closing Song:     We Are Called   –   TFWS #2172

Here are the readings and songs for the Fourth Sunday of Lent – March 26, 2017

Act of Praise:    Psalm 23   –   UMH #754
First Scripture:    1 Samuel 16:1-13   –   Page 443

Prayer of Confession

O God of miracles and mighty deeds, we acknowledge your healing and comforting presence in our lives. We confess that we have been blinded by materialism and driven by consumerism. Open our eyes to a new way of being. Send your anointing and grant us fresh insight for spiritual breakthroughs. Shine the light of your truth into our relationships and grant us victory over every secret and shame. We thank you in advance for healings and renewals in our lives. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Song of Praise:     Come and Find the Quiet Center   –   TFWS #2128
Second Scripture Lesson:     John 9:1-41   –   Page 1664
Sermon Title:     “Nurture”
Closing Song:     The Summons   –   TFWS #2130

Readings and songs for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany – January 22, 2017

Act of Praise:    Psalm 27   –   UMH #758
First Scripture:    1 Corinthians 1:10-18   –   Page 1772

Prayer of Confession

God of salvation, it is a privilege to worship you! You are the fount of goodness, truth, and beauty. You love all you have made. In this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, we ask you to empower our brothers and sisters in Christ to share your good news in meaningful ways. Give all people of faith the joy of the psalmist, that we may bring our offerings to you with hearty songs of praise. We pray through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.

Song of Praise:     Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling   –   UMH #348
Second Scripture Lesson:     Matthew 4:12-23   –   Page 1500
Sermon Title:     “Follow Me”
Closing Song:     Would I Have Answered When You Called  –   TFWS #2137

Here are the readings and songs for Fourth Sunday of Advent – December 18, 2016

Act of Praise:    Psalm 80   –   UMH #801
First Scripture:    Isaiah 7:10-16   –   Page 1069

Prayer of Confession

Lord of Christmas Peace, we have done wrong. We have tarnished the gift you gave freely. We have buried you so deeply in our hearts, the world doesn’t see you. We have not followed Christ, we have ignored your teachings, we have lived lives of apathy against your love, we have built fences and fortresses to push people away, and we have silenced the screams of those in need. Forgive us, we pray. Free us from our sin, free us from our captivity, free us to a life lived in Joy through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Song of Praise:     O Come, O Come, Emmanuel   –   UMH #211
Second Scripture Lesson:     Matthew 1:18-25   –   Page 1497
Sermon Title:     “Dream”
Closing Song:     Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow   –   TFWS #2096

Here are the readings and songs for Third Sunday of Advent – December 11, 2016

Act of Praise:    Luke 1:47-55   –   UMH #199
First Scripture:    Isaiah 35:1-10   –   Page 1111

Prayer of Confession

With John’s disciples, we see now who you are, and we see who we are, and what we’ve done. We have left the blind among the blind, and the deaf among the deaf. We have made life harder for those with difficulty moving. We have created more lepers, and cleansed but few. We have consigned more and more to certain death. And the poor hear bad news from our lips. Have mercy. Forgive us. Then free us to see, hear, move, embody, and announce the way your kingdom is being made in this world. Amen.

Song of Praise:     Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming   –   UMH #216
Second Scripture Lesson:     Matthew 11:2-11   –   Page 1512
Sermon Title:     “See”
Closing Song:     It Came upon the Midnight Clear   –   UMH #218