(View this service: YouTube)
Call to Worship:
L: The Lord is our shepherd, we shall not want.
All: You prepare a table before me, even in the presence of my enemies.
L: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives.
All: And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Song – There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy – UMH 121
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy like the wideness of the sea;
there’s a kindness in God’s justice, which is more than liberty.
There is welcome for the sinner, and more graces for the good!
There is mercy with the Savior, there is healing in his blood.
For the love of God is broader than the measure of our mind;
and the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more simple, ,we should rest upon God’s word;
and our lives would be illumined by the presence of our Lord.
Prayer:
(All) Gracious Lord, just as you welcomed everyone who came to you, you welcome us into your presence. And just as you sat at the table with the religious and the non-religious, the do-gooders and the rascals, the poor as well as the rich, so you sit at table with us, sharing your grace and mercy. Teach us, Lord, to welcome others as we have been welcomed. Show us our true selves and then heal us with your mighty power. Amen.
Scripture Reading – Matthew 9:9-13
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax-collection station, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
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.
Our Offering to God
Anthem – Choir
Doxology – Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow – UMH 95
Offering Prayer: Gracious Lord, we thank you that you have prepared a place at the table for each one of us. At your table there is always room for one more. Out of gratitude we return to you a small portion of what we have received. Humbly, we ask that you receive it and bless it and transform it into seeds of hope for others. Amen.
Message
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
Sharing our joys and concerns
Pastoral Prayer
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
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Announcements
Song – A Place at the Table – WAS 3149
Shirley Erena Murray and Lori True. CCLI# 7123251
For everyone born, a place at the table,
for everyone born, clean water and bread, a shelter, a space,
a safe place for growing, for everyone born, a star overhead.
Refrain:
And God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy,
yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy!
For young and for old, a place at the table,
a voice to be heard, a part in the song,
the hands of a child in hands that are wrinkled,
for you and for old, the new way to live.
Refrain
For everyone born, a place at the table,
to live without fear and simply to be,
to work, to speak out, to witness and worship,
for everyone born, the right to be free.
Refrain
Benediction
Licensing
*CCLI copyright #21178338 and streaming #21178321.
**One License Licensing Permission # A-741072.
All Rights Reserved. Reprint/Streamed.
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Please keep in prayer: Nina J., Edna P., Farrah, Melissa, Ruth, Bridget, Sandy, Johnnie K, Susan L., Lydia, Tina, Blanche and family, Charles C., Kyle and family, Kaye, Charline, Marion G., Valerie H., Millie, Mary, Roshier , Drema, Mary Jane, John, Louise and Mark, Jane, Claire. Marian, Carlos, Al, Margaret Franklin, Hallman family, Debbie, Lilli, Ollie, Linda, Chrissie, Toye, 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.
Discernment: 859 Prayer
Please pray about Community garden, English language classes, Flea Market.
Wednesday prayer service at noon during Lent
Scripture Focus for Lent: Read Romans 12 every week.
Next Week: Sunday March 12th the Confirmands from area United Methodist Churches will be joining us for 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.
Sign ups for Liturgists, Ushers, Greeters, Altar Care, Communion Steward, Worship banners.
All Men: Sunday following worship March 26 th in the fellowship hall. Enjoy refreshments and hear about exciting, upcoming mission projects.