Worship Service
January 17, 2021
Note: The prelude begins 15 minutes into the video and the audio file
We are RECEIVED as the Beloved of God
PRELUDE
WELCOME
OPENING PRAYER
Many are your gifts and great are your mercies, O God.
We are grateful for this day, and for this time which calls us together and to You.
You know the challenges of these days, O God. We are pained and anxious. We are worn and tested. We are mourning and uncertain.
Help us to remember:
[That] “your love never ends.
When all else fails, you still are God.
We pray to you for one another in our need,
and for all, anywhere, … [who are in need today].
To those who doubt, give light;
to those who are weak, strength;
to all who have sinned, mercy;
to all who sorrow, peace.
Keep true in us
the love with which we hold one another.
In all our ways, we trust you.”
[from the United Methodist Service of Death and Resurrection]
Continue to surround us with grace and fill us with strength and hope. Bless us in our worship today and as we serve in this world.
In Christ’s name. Amen.
SONG – Forever Worship & Song # 3023
CHILDREN’S TIME
SONG – Deo Decamus Gratias
We are TRANSFORMED by the Word of Jesus Christ
MATTHEW 13:1-9, 18-23
13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
GOOD NEWS God Persistently Broadcasts God’s Grace
SONG – Great Is Thy Faithfulness
RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE (OFFERING)
Pastor: God wants our love more than God wants our offerings; God cares about our hearts not the amounts of our offerings. (Hosea 6:6).
All: As we count all the blessings God has already given to us, we cheerfully give our offerings to God, the Provider, with grateful hearts. Amen! (2 Corinthians 9:7).
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORD’S PRAYER
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
We are SENT in the Power of the Holy Spirit
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLESSING AND SENDING
May the grace and peace of Christ be with you, my friends.
Go and share the love of God, love that never ends.