Worship Service
November 8, 2020
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
Dearest Lord,
Thank you for this glorious day, a precious gift of sunlight and warmth just as the dark time of year closes in.
We watch not just November darkness, but also darkness in our souls—the darkness of pandemic, of worry for our loved ones, of loneliness and uncertainty.
And now, the darkness of political strife disrupts our thoughts, our relationships and our sleep. Our uneasiness and fear about the future move us toward un-Christian thoughts about our neighbors, divide into us into camps of us and them, and sometimes even propel us towards violence.
And yet, Lord, your sun shines on us all with equal strength. Your sun warms us all together. When we turn our faces to the sky, we feel your gracious love, and are reminded that we are all your children. And our fears and disagreements, as important as they seem to us, pale when we consider God’s realm, and God’s magnificent power to love. We are wrapped in God’s love. We only have to open our eyes, our minds, and our hearts to know it and live our lives as God’s miraculous creations. Amen
SONG – Come Back Quickly to the Lord UM Hyman # 343
CHILDREN’S TIME
SONG – Gather Us In
STEWARDSHIP TESTIMONY
We are TRANSFORMED by the Word of Jesus Christ
EXODUS 35:21, 29
21 All whose hearts were willing and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the LORD. They brought all the materials needed for the Tent of Meeting, for the performance of its rituals, and for the sacred garments.
29 All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the LORD freewill offerings for all the work the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do.
LEVITICUS 1:1
Then the LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting.
MATTHEW 11:28-30
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
GOOD NEWS Vayikra (The Lord Called)! Would you qorban (Come Near)? part 2
SONG – The Summons Faith We Sing # 2130
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).
PRAYER FOR AFTER ELECTION DAY
RECOGNITION OF ALL THE VETERANS AMONG US
PRAYER FOR VETERANS
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.