(View this service: YouTube)
Call to Worship
L: Blessed are those who do not walk in the counsel of the unmerciful and unjust or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
All: Their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, they meditate day and night.
L: They are like a tree planted by streams of water, whose leaf does not wither and yields fruit in season.
All: The Lord watches over the way of the righteous.
Song – Now Thank We All Our God – UMH 102
Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done, in whom this world rejoices;
who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
and keep us still in grace, and guide us when perplexed;
and free us from all ills, in this world and the next.
All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given;
the Son and him who reigns with them in highest heaven;
the one eternal God, whom earth and heaven adore;
for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.
Prayer:
(All) Loving God, your son Jesus taught many things that helped people know how deeply you love humanity. Help us to live in your love, so that we might be beacons of light for others. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen
Scripture Reading – Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he began to speak and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
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.
Anthem – Choir
Our Offering to God
Doxology – Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow – UMH 95
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures here below.
Praise him above the heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
Offering Prayer
Message – Pastor Gayle
Prayer of Confession – UMH 8
Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
P: Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
All: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! Glory to God. Amen
Passing the Peace
The Great Thanksgiving – UMH 9
P: 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: And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join 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: 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.
The Lord’s Prayer – UMH 895
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. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Amen,
Sharing the Bread and Cup
Song – Come to the Table of Grace – WAS 3168
Barbara Hamm 7034746
Come to the table of grace. Come to the table of grace.
This is God’s table, it’s not yours or mine. Come to the table of grace.
Come to the table of love. Come to the table of love.
This is God’s table, it’s not yours or mine. Come to the table of love.
Come to the table of peace. Come to the table of peace.
This is God’s table, it’s not yours or mine. Come to the table of peace.
Come to the table of joy. Come to the table of joy.
This is God’s table, it’s not yours or mine. Come to the table of joy.
Announcements
Benediction
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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.
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.
Clothing for Featherstone School: small and medium size sweatpants in blue, gray or black
Please keep in prayer: Blanche and family, Charles Crist, Kyle Keen and family, Kaye, Charline, Marion Gherke, Valerie Hoyt, Mike Petitt, Millie, Mary Baker, Donna and Roshier Bailey, Mary Jane Fizer, John Kelly, Louise and Mark Young, Jane Foster, Claire Such-Hutton, Marian Ivy, Ellen and Carlos Kuvaszko, Al Firth, Margaret Franklin, Hallman family, Debbie, Lilli, Ollie, Linda, Chrissie, Toye, Wenona, people living with cancer, battling addictions, struggling with life changes, seeking the Lord. The ministry of Cokesbury. Featherstone School students, teachers, staff, parents.
Licensing *CCLI copyright #21178338 and streaming #21178321.
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Welcome Table second Sundays following worship
February 25th Discovering the Possibilities workshop 8:30am-3pm.
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In preparation for the Discovering the Possibilities workshop, please pray every day at 8:59am or 8:59pm, or both. “8:59” is derived from the August 1959 date of the founding of Cokesbury UMC:
Cokesbury UMC 8:59 Prayer
Lord, we trust you to help us to journey beyond the familiar and into the unknown. Give us faith to leave old ways and break fresh ground with you. We believe you will make a way for us and provide for us if only we trust you and obey. Focus our minds and our hearts upon you. Strengthen us with your blessing and appoint us to the task at hand. Teach us to live with eternity in view. Tune our spirits to the music of heaven. Amen.
Celtic Daily Prayer Northumbria Community