Welcome and Invitation to Worship
Announcements
Good News
Prayer Concerns/Prayer
Start the Day with Praise: “The God Who Stays” by Matthew West
Call to Worship
Psalm 106:1–3 AMP
Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and lovingkindness endure forever! Who can put into words the mighty deeds of the Lord? Or who can proclaim all His praise that is due Him? Blessed are those who observe justice by honoring God’s precepts, who practice righteousness at all times.
Gathering Hymn: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” CCS 99
Invocation
Light the Candle of Peace and Prayer for Peace
Leader: Oh Lord, we pray for the power to be gentle, the strength to be forgiving, the patience to understand, and the endurance to accept the consequences of holding to what we believe to be right.
People: May we put our trust in the power of Good to overcome evil and the power of Love to overcome hatred.
Leader: We pray for the vision to see, and the faith to believe, in a world emancipated from violence – a new world where fear shall no longer lead humans to commit injustice or selfishness that brings suffering to others.
People: Help us, Lord, to devote our whole life and thoughts, and energy, to the task of making peace. Help us to pray always for the inspiration and the power to fulfill the destiny for which we and all beings were created.
All: In the name of the God of Peace, Amen.
Disciples’ Generous Response
Generosity Statement
Today we focus on generosity. This is a time set aside to recognize the Grace of God and to discover a deeper joy in discipleship through intentional whole-life stewardship. We receive God’s gifts freely. We do not earn them through our faithful works. As disciples, we are called to share God’s gifts with others. Our giving blesses us and creates new relationships that offer more opportunities to share. And the cycle continues. Receiving and responding are equal and reciprocal actions that create an ongoing cycle. May we take time to reflect on God’s generous gifts in our lives and how we respond as disciples to those blessings.
Receiving of Offerings and Prayer over the Offerings
Children’s Moment: “The Golden Calf”
Morning Message
Closing Hymn: “Standing on the Promises” CCS 257
Benediction
We welcome our guests and visitors today. Please come worship with us again!