Call to Worship
L: The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed.
All: It is a small seed, but has some surprises in store for us.
L: When is it grown, it is a very large shrub
All: Even the birds can find places in its branches for their nests.
L: God’s transforming love begins in small ways to enter our hearts.
All: Lord, plant those amazing seeds of transforming love in us that they may grow into deeds of service to others in your name.
Song – Leaning on the Everlasting Arms – UMH 133
Elisha Hoffman and Anthony J. Showalter
What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms;
what a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain:
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain
What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain
Prayer:
(All) Lord of mustard seeds and yeast, we come to you this day, seeking your word and will for us. Make us people who care deeply about the well-being of others. Give us courage to be yeast for the rising of hope and peace throughout the world. Open our hearts to your redeeming love, for we ask this in Christ’s name. Amen
Scripture Reading – Matthew 13:31-32
31 He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; 32 it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
Message
Apostles Creed – UMH 882
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.
Reception of New Members
P: The church is of God, and will be preserved to the end of time, for the conduct of worship and the due administration of God’s Word and Sacraments, the maintenance of Christian fellowship and discipline, the edification of believers, and the conversion of the world. All, of every age and station, stand in need of the means of grace which it alone supplies.
P: Let those persons who are members of other congregations of the United Methodist Church, and who now desire to enter into the fellowship of this congregation, present themselves to be welcomed.
Introduction of new members: Salina Odei and Julius Porias
P: Brothers and sisters, I commend to your love and care these persons whom we this day receive into the membership of this congregation. Do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their hope, and perfect them in love.
Congregation:
We rejoice to recognize you as members of Christ’s holy church, and bid you welcome to this congregation of the United Methodist Church. With you we renew our vows to uphold it by our prayers, our presence, our witness, our gifts and our service. With God’s help we will so order our lives after the example of Christ, that surrounded by steadfast love, you may be established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal.
P: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit bless, preserve, and keep you, now and evermore. Amen.
Song – My Faith Looks Up to Thee – UMH 452
Ray Palmer and Lowell Mason
My faith looks up to thee, thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away,
O let me from this day be wholly thine!
May thy rich grace impart strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire!
As thou hast died for me, O may my love to thee pure,
warm and changeless be, a living fire!
While life’s dark maze I tread, and griefs around me spread, be thou my guide;
bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow’s tears away,
nor let me ever stray from thee aside.
Prayer of Intercession
Our Offering – How will we serve and honor God this week?
Offering Prayer: Gracious God, you give us the opportunity to share from our bounty for the ministries of our church that Christ’s redeeming love may be known to all people. Receive our gifts and our lives. Cause all of these blessings to work for you in this world which you have loaned to us for safekeeping. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.
Announcements
Song – Precious Name – UMH 536
Lydia Baxter and William H. Doane
Take the name of Jesus with you, child of sorrow and of woe;
it will joy and comfort give you; take it then, where’er you go.
Refrain:
Precious name, O how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven.
Precious name, O how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven.
O the precious name of Jesus! How it thrills our souls with joy,
when his loving arms receive us, and his songs our tongues employ.
Refrain
At the name of Jesus bowing, falling prostrate at his feet,
King of kings in heaven we’ll crown him, when our journey is complete.
Refrain
Benediction – Go forth with joy, celebrating all the many ways for us to serve our Lord. Give us courage, hope, peace and love that we might bear these gifts to others. Go in peace. Amen.
Please keep in prayer: Valerie Hoyt, Nanette, Blanche Lowery, Millie, Mary Baker, Eunice Bonner, Donna and Roshier Bailey, Mary Jane Fizer, Deirdre and John, Louise and Mark Young, Marian Benson, Ellen Kuvasko, Al Firth, Margaret Franklin, Willis family, Bagby family, Debbie, Lilli, Ollie, Linda, Chrissie, Toye, Wenona, people living with cancer, battling addictions, struggling with life changes, seeking the Lord. The ministry and vision of Cokesbury.
Contact Pastor Gayle: email: gayleporias@vaumc.org or phone: 703.980.1029
Jeremiah Project Link: https://vaumc.org/resources-mentioned-in-july-12-qa-webinar/
The Way of Discipleship
Growing in Grace through study: New groups forming in the Fall. Wednesday evenings. Sundays following worship. We will be reading The Deeply Formed Life by Rich Villodas.
Growing in Grace through fellowship and more: Welcome Table Every Second Sunday 11:30 am
Growing in Grace through fellowship, service and mission: United Methodist Men meeting every third Sunday following worship. Work day Saturday August 6th 9:30 am-noon. All men are invited to participate.
Growing in Grace through intercessory prayer: Prayer group meets Mondays at 6pm. All are welcome to join in prayer. Please send or share prayer concerns with Pastor Gayle.
Prayer Shawls: You may have noticed the throws on the chairs in the narthex. These were made by our own Prayer Shawl ministry. These “shawls” represent prayer and hugs for people in need. If this describes you or yours, please take one.
Growing in Grace through service:
A.C.T.S Food Pantry:
Canned Vegetables 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, dog food.
Trustees Meeting today at 11:30am
Nominations Meeting July 26th 1pm in narthex
Administrative Council meeting July 31st following worship.
You shop, AmazonSmile donates. Shop at smile.amazon.com to generate donations for Cokesbury UMC at no extra cost.
Venmo donations QR code on table in narthex
June Deposits $12,878.78
June Expenditures $14,015.55