Welcome
Call to Worship
L: The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
All: The Lord is good to all, his compassion is over all creation.
L: All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord.
All: and your faithful ones shall bless you!
Song – I Love to Tell the Story – UMH 156
I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story, because I know ‘tis true;
it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story, ‘twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story more wonderful it seems than all the golden
fancies of all our golden dreams. I love to tell the story, it did so
much for me; and that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.
Refrain
I love to tell the story; ‘tis pleasant to repeat what seems,
each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
the message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.
Refrain
I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
‘twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.
Refrain
Prayer – Almighty and everlasting God, in whom we live and move and have our being, you created us for yourself, so that our hearts are restless until they find rest in you. Grant to us such piety of heart and strength of purpose that no selfish passion may hinder us from knowing your will, and no weakness from doing it. In your light may we see life clearly and in your service find perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Our Offering to God
Anthem – Choir
Doxology – Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
Offering Prayer
Scripture Reading – Luke 14:27-32
“Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace.
L: For 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 – “Counting the Cost”
A Statement of Faith – UMH 884
We are not alone, we live in God’s world. We believe in God who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the church: to celebrate God’s presence, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen
Sharing our joys and concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Announcements
Voting
Song – Eternal God Transcending Time
Carl P. Daw, Jr
Eternal God transcending time, yet mindful of the fears,
the hopes, the questions raised for us by everchanging years:
so guide us through our pilgrim days that we may find a home
where justice, truth, and mercy meet, fulfilled in your shalom.
Incarnate God revealed in time, true Word in flesh retold,
who marked the years from birth to death, then rose to break death’s
hold: by your becoming one with us, help us to know and claim
the unity of all baptized in your redeeming name.
Life-breathing God enlivening time, awaking heart and tongue,
inspiring prophets, bringing hope, consoling old and young:
draw us to those denied your gifts by bias, want, or strife,
convert our wills and form through us new channels of your life.
Great Triune God, so bless the time entrusted to our care,
that all our varied ministries may form a common prayer;
then when time ceases, bring us where divisions are undone,
that in your presence, joined in praise, at last we may be one.
CCLI # 5002414
Benediction
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Licensing
*CCLI copyright #21178338 and streaming #21178321.
**One License Licensing Permission # A-741072.
All Rights Reserved. Reprint/Streamed.
Please keep in prayer: Cheryl, Hogan family, Bockes family, Nema, Chris, Don and Peggy, Pearl, Ayinde, Nalo, Robert, Nina J., Edna P., Farrah, Melissa, Ruth, Bridget, Sandy, Johnnie K, Susan L., Lydia, Tina, Blanche and family, Charles C., Kyle and family, Kaye, Charlene, Marion G., Valerie H., Millie, Mary, Rosier , Drema, Mary Jane, John, Louise and Mark, Jane, Claire. Marian, Carlos, Al, Margaret Franklin, Hallman family, Debbie, Lilli, Ollie, Linda, Wenona. The ministry of Cokesbury. Streetlight, Featherstone School students, teachers, staff, parents. People struggling with mental illness.
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.
Church Conference to vote on Discovering the Possibilities today following worship
The Way of Discipleship
Growing in Grace through study:
Sundays following worship. The Deeply Formed Life by Rich Villodas
Growing in Grace through fellowship and more:
Welcome Table every Second Sunday 11:30 am. Come and share a meal and conversation.
Friday with Friends every Third Friday 11am in Narthex. Bring bag lunch.
Growing in Grace through intercessory prayer:
Prayer group meets Mondays at 5:30pm on Zoom. All are welcome to join in prayer. Please send or share prayer concerns with Pastor Gayle.
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.
Featherstone School: personal hygiene products: toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, soap, shampoo, conditioner, brushes and combs. Small and medium size sweatpants in blue, gray or black
Hilda Barg Shelter See sign-up.
Growing in Grace through worship.
Weekly service Sundays at 10am.
Choir practice on Saturdays. Children at 2:30 pm every other week Adults and youth at 3pm every week.
English Language Ministry Saturdays at 11am
Community Garden Update