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Greeting – Greet each other in the name of the Lord
Call to worship:
L: If God does not build a house, it’s builders toil in vain.
All: How blessed are those who put their trust in the Lord.
L: If the Lord had not been on our side, we would not have survived.
All: Blessed be the Lord for not letting us fall
L: The Lord encircles his people.
All: The Lord does good to those who do good and sincere at heart.
Songs – You Are Worthy – TFWS 2063:
You are worthy, God almighty, praise and honor to you belong.
You are worthy, God almighty, praise and honor to you belong.
King all glorious, all victorious, praise and honor are yours alone.
King all glorious, all victorious, praise and honor are yours alone.
Raquel Mora Martinez. Traditional Latin American. CCLI# 3409538
Thou Art Worthy – TFWS 2041:
Thou art worthy, thou art worthy, thou art worthy, O Lord,
to receive glory, glory and honor, glory and honor and power.
For thou hast created, hast all things created; thou hast created all things.
And for the thy pleasure they are created; thou art worthy, O Lord.
Pauline Michael Mills CCLI# 14789
Prayer:
Almighty God, Creator, Savior and Sustainer, we love you and give thanks that we are able to gather in your holy presence. As we prepare to hear your word and receive your message for us, make our ears attentive and free our thoughts as you open our eyes to your will and your way. Amen.
Scripture – Nehemiah 2:11-18:
When I reached Jerusalem and had been there for three days, I set out at night, taking only a few people with me. I didn’t tell anyone what my God was prompting me to do for Jerusalem, and the only animal I took was the one I rode. I went out by night through the Valley Gate past the Dragon’s Spring to the Dung Gate so that I could inspect the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down, as well as its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. Then I went on to the Spring Gate and to the King’s Pool. Since there was no room for the animal on which I was riding to pass, I went up by way of the valley by night and inspected the wall. Then I turned back and returned by entering through the Valley Gate. The officials didn’t know where I had gone or what I was doing. I hadn’t yet told the Jews, the priests, the officials, the officers, or the rest who were to do the work. So I said to them, “You see the trouble we’re in: Jerusalem is in ruins, and its gates are destroyed by fire! Come, let’s rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we won’t continue to be in disgrace.” I told them that my God had taken care of me, and also told them what the king had said to me. “Let’s start rebuilding!” they said, and they eagerly began the work.
L: The word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God!
Sermon – Rev. Gayle Porias
Prayer of Confession:
(All) Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
Pardon:
As far as the east is from the west, so our gracious Lord removes our sin from us. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are all forgiven.
Offering and signs of reconciliation and love: Our tithes, time, talent, prayer and witness
Song – Trust and Obey – UMH 467:
When we walk with the Lord in the light of his word, what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will, he abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
But we never can prove the delights of his love until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows, for the joy he bestows, are for them who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
John H. Sammis and Daniel B. Towner CCLI# 22094
Prayer of dedication:
Creator God, we humbly acknowledge that all things come from you and all that we have and all that we are belong to you. And so we give these offerings back to you desiring that they be used to further your kingdom here on earth by helping others to experience your unconditional love and care. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Intercession
The Lord’s Supper:
All are welcome at the Lord’s Table by the invitation of Jesus Christ.
The Great Thanksgiving:
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts
All: We lift them up to the Lord
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
P: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Almighty
God, creator of heaven and earth. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven
we praise your name and join in their unending hymn:
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
P: Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. Your Spirit anointed him to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, and to announce that the time had come when you would save your people. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and ate with sinners. By the baptism of his suffering, death and resurrection you have birth to your Church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit. At his ascension you exalted him to sit and reign with you at your right hand.
Words of Institution:
On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took break, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples and said: Take, eat, this is my body which is give for you. Do this in remembrance of me. When the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Drink from this, all of you, this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith:
All: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them to be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet. Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty God, now and forever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Sharing the Bread and Cup
Communion Song – All I Need Is You – TFWS 2080:
All I need is you, Jesus, all I need is you.
You are the source of all I need. All I need is you.
All I want is you, Jesus, all I want is you.
You are the source of all I need. All I want is you.
My only hope is you, Lord, my only hope is you.
You are the source of all I need. My only hope is you.
Dan Adler CCLI# 488384
Prayer of Thanksgiving:
Almighty God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. May our spirits be renewed and our lives transformed in obedience to you and in your Son Jesus Christ, who showed us the way and by the Holy Spirit who leads and guides us. Amen
Benediction
Song – Lord Be Glorified – TFWS 2150:
In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified; in my life, Lord, be glorified today.
In your church, Lord, be glorified, be glorified, in your church, Lord, be glorified today.
In our homes, Lord, be glorified, be glorified. In our homes, Lord, be glorified today.
Bob Kilpatrick CCLI# 26368
Announcements:
2021 Charge Conference has been set for Sunday, October 24 following worship.
The Finance Committee will be providing a monthly Cokesbury Financial Health report.
For 2021 to date:
Actual Expenditures: $72,429 (church operations and ministries- COM)
Tithes and Offerings received: $58,641
Shortfall: $13,788
The Cokesbury UMC Prayer Group meets weekly at the church on Mondays at 5:30pm in the church Fellowship Hall – all are invited to join and participate!
Please send or share all prayer concerns with Pastor Gayle so we may give each concern prayerful attention.
Messy Church: Introducing new people to Jesus through hospitality, friendship, story and creativity. Includes a meal, Bible story, arts and crafts, activities, celebration.
Coming Soon: “Questions God Asks Us” by Trevor Hudson- a small group discussion.
New Sermon Series: based on Dr. Amy Oden’s book God’s Welcome: Hospitality for a Gospel-Hungry World beginning September 12th,
A.C.T.S is in need of the following items:
Canned Vegetables, especially peas, 15 oz size, Low sodium canned vegetables, Snack items, individually packed, Pop-top canned prepared meals suitable for our homeless clients, Single serve prepared food suitable for our homeless clients, Laundry Detergent, Dish Detergent, Cleaning Supplies in general, Toiletries and Personal Hygiene Items, Size 4T pull-ups, Size 6 diapers.
Cokesbury Worship Update:
The Cokesbury Healthy Church Team met Tuesday evening, 8/31, to review the current plans for upcoming church worship services. Due to a variety of conditions, and through lots of prayer, it was determined that we should continue with Outdoor Worship through September, and hold off moving back to Sanctuary Worship until we can safely do so. The Team will meet again toward the end of September to review conditions and provide the next update to the congregation.
While many of us are anxious to return to Sanctuary Worship and all its inherent benefits, it was discerned that we can not now safely do so due to the continuing risks and conditions created by the Coronavirus Pandemic. Some of the risks and conditions considered, and how they may affect our unique congregation, were: the entire Commonwealth of Virginia is currently in the “High” COVID-19 infection risk level; all surrounding states are also at the “High” level with the exception of two counties in Maryland that are at the “Substantial” risk level; the daily new case infection rate for COVID-19, driven by the Delta Variant, continues its upward trend and now stands well above last summer’s peak rates; only 57% of Virginia’s population has been fully vaccinated and only 64% has received one dose; while the majority of new infection cases of COVID-19 Delta Variant are in unvaccinated individuals, vaccinated people are being infected as well, though with generally less severe symptoms; and church building preparations required including deep cleaning and air conditioning systems.
The Healthy Church Team monitors local, state, and national conditions for trend changes in the Pandemic with an eye toward safely returning to Sanctuary Worship. Until that becomes possible, we will continue with Outdoor Worship and work to enhance the Worship experience as best we can. If you have recommendations or comments toward that end, please let church leaders know.