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Greeting
Call to Worship – Psalm 48
L: In the city belonging to our God, the Lord is great and so worthy of praise!
All: His holy mountain is a beautiful summit, the joy of the whole world.
L: God is in its fortifications, revealing himself as a place of safety.
All: We dwell on your faithful love, God, in your temple.
L: Your praise, God, just like your reputation, extends to the far corners of the earth.
All: Your strong hand is filled with righteousness.
L: Let Mount Zion be glad;
All: let the towns of Judah rejoice because of your acts of justice.
L: Walk around Zion; go all the way around it. Count its towers, examine its defenses closely, tour its fortifications so that you may tell future generations:
All: “This is God, our God, forever and always! God is the one who will lead us even to the very end.”
Song – Blessed Be the Name UMH 63
Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name of the Lord! (repeat)
Blessed Assurance UMH 369
1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
2. Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
angels descending bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
(Refrain)
3. Perfect submission, all is at rest;
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with his goodness, lost in his love.
(Refrain)
Prayer: Our heavenly Father, we your humble children invoke your blessing on us as we gather in your holy name. We come to worship you, whose name is love, whose nature is compassion, whose presence is joy, whose Word is truth, whose Spirit is goodness, whose will is peace, whose service is perfect freedom. Open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit to hear your message of abundant life and hope for us this day. Amen.
Scripture – Second Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10:
All the Israelite tribes came to David at Hebron and said, “Listen: We are your very own flesh and bone. In the past when Saul ruled over us, you were the one who led Israel out to war and back. What’s more, the Lord told you, you will shepherd my people Israel, and you will be Israel’s leader.” So, all the Israelite elders came to the king at Hebron. King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel and Judah in Jerusalem. David occupied the fortress, so it was renamed David’s City. David built a city around it from the earthen terraces inward. David grew increasingly powerful, and the Lord of heavenly forces was with him.
L: The word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God!
Sermon – “A Fierce Faith” Rev. Gayle Porias
Apostle’s Creed: 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 will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.
Song – Jesus Is All the World to Me – UMH 469
Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all.
He is my strength from day to day, without him I would fall.
When I am sad, to him I go, no other one can cheer me so.
When I am sad, he makes me glad, he’s my friend.
Jesus is all the world to me, my friend in troubles sore.
I go to him for blessings, and he gives them o’er and o’er.
He sends the sunshine and the rain. He sends the harvest’s golden grain.
Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain, he’s my friend.
Song – What a Friend We Have in Jesus UMH 526
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our Refuge. Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness. Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Prayer of Intercession Litany for the Church and for the World
Response: L: Lord in your mercy, All: Hear our prayer.
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.
Offering: Our tithes, time, talent, prayer and witness
Prayer of dedication: O God, most merciful and gracious, of whose bounty we have all received, accept this offering of your people. Remember in your love those who have brought it and those for whom it is given, and so follow it with your blessing that it may promote peace and goodwill among all peoples, and advance the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (UMC Book of Worship)
Benediction