Greeting
Passing the Peace – May the peace of Christ be with you.
Call to Worship:
L: Happy are those who walk in the way of the Lord.
All: I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
L: Happy are those who seek the Lord with their whole heart.
All: With my whole heart I seek you; I treasure your word in my heart.
L: Happy are those who praise the Lord with an upright and sincere spirit.
All: Open my mouth and I will sing your praises!
Hymn – Now Thank We All Our God – UMH 102
Our Offering to God – Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
Prayer
Let us pray together: Holy and loving God, open our eyes so that we may see your work of justice and mercy among us and in the world. Teach us your way of love without conditions and grace without limits. Give us understanding so that we may follow you and keep your commandments. Guide us in the path that leads to eternal life. Amen
Scripture Reading – Jonah 3:1-10
The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth. When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Then he had a proclamation made in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: No human being or animal, no herd or flock, shall taste anything. They shall not feed, nor shall they drink water. Human beings and animals shall be covered with sackcloth, and they shall cry mightily to God. All shall turn from their evil ways and from the violence that is in their hands. Who knows? God may relent and change his mind; he may turn from his fierce anger, so that we do not perish.” When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.
Scripture Reading – Matthew 4:12-23
Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.
L: The Word of God in scripture; for the Word of God within us and for the Word of God among us we say:
All: Thanks be to God.
Message – “Words Matter” – Rev. Larry Thompson
Prayers of the People
Announcements
Hymn – He Leadeth Me, O Blessed – UMH 128
Benediction
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Prayer List: Mary W., Barbara H., Marc T., Lily, Blanche, Bob and Kathy, Laura, Gloria, Horne family, Dorton family, Nalo, Fred and Beth W., Sather family, Wenona, Jewell family, Mary J., Mark Y., Fizer family, Marian I., Al. Requests will be kept on the list for 4 weeks and then may be re-submitted.
Growing in Grace through study:
Sundays following worship beginning September 17th. Groups for children, youth, and adults
Growing in Grace through fellowship:
Welcome Table every Second Sunday 11:30 am.
Growing in Grace through praying for others:
Wednesdays at 5:30pm in the sanctuary. Please send or share prayer concerns with Pastor Gayle.
Growing in Grace through service:
A.C.T.S Food Pantry.
Featherstone School: School supplies
Growing in Grace through worship:
Weekly service Sundays 10am.
Choir practice on Saturday 1pm. Children 2:30 pm
Front Porch Sitting Wednesdays 5:30pm outside sanctuary entrance.
English Language Ministry Saturdays at 10am Sept. 9-Oct 28
Community Garden Update: Fall planning meeting Sept. 13 5:30pm
Signature Ministry team meeting September 24th
Connect with Cokesbury:
703.494.5400
Gmail : CokesburyUMC@gmail.com
Website : CokesburyUMC.church
Facebook : facebook.com/cokesburywoodbridge
Instagram : instagram.com/cokesburyumc_woodbridge/