Gathering as the Body of Christ
Welcome and Sharing of Announcements
*Call to Worship
Liturgist: Friends, we gather together this morning to proclaim the ways in which God is working within our midst.
People: We have been blessed by God!
Liturgist: We gather together to give thanks for the ways in which God is working within our midst.
People: We are being blessed by God!
Liturgist: We gather together to open our eyes to the ways God is using us to work within our midst.
People: We will continue to be blessed by God!
Liturgist: Dear ones, God has given us so much and is very much alive, at work and still speaking among us. We are called to give back.
People: We are called to be good stewards; good stewards of our time, of our resources and of our money.
Liturgist: Let us give thanks to our God of blessings and affirm our commitment to the ministry God is calling us into.
People: Let us give thanks to God! Let us proclaim our faith in God! Let us worship God!
*Opening Prayer
Abundant God, you made us in your image and breathed in us a spirit of generosity that is both gift and response. Move us, we pray, to give as we have received--abundantly, generously, and joyfully that our common ministry may ever bear witness to your unfailing grace. In the name of the Three in whom we are One, Amen.
Opening Hymn
“Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”
UMH #473
Joys and Concerns
(in-person service only)
Pastoral Prayer
Prayer Response
“Lead Me, Lord”
UMH #473
Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness;
make thy way plain before my face.
For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only,
that makest me dwell in safety.
Scripture Readings
Philippians 4:10-13
10 I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. 11 Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Mark 10:17-25
17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” 20 He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” 21 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 22 When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. 23 Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
Liturgist The word of God for the people of God.
People Thanks be to God.
Message
"A River Runs Through It"
Mr. Gary Melville
Director of Development
Planned Giving of the United Methodist Foundation of New England
Message in Music
“A Thanksgiving Garden”
by Joseph M. Martin
Adult Choir (singing from our homes)
(online service only)
Stewardship Witness
Courtney Till
ANNUAL PLEDGE for 2021
John Wilder
Stewardship Prayer Of Dedication
Receive these gifts, O God. We offer to you, O God, these gifts in humble thanks for the creating love you give to us. Receive these pledges, O God. We offer to you, O God, these pledges in unassuming thanks for the redeeming love you give to us. Receive these commitments, O God. We offer to you, O God, these commitments in grateful thanks for the sustaining love you give to us. Let us be surprised this year. May our eyes, our minds and our hearts be opened this year. May we be surprised in our lives, in our church and in our ministry together. Thanks be to God! Thanks be to God! Amen.
Preaching in Pumps, Rev. Sarah Weaver
Closing Hymn
“Now Thank We All Our God”
UMH #102
The words for this hymn were written during a severe plague in Germany in 1636 by Martin Rinkart, the only surviving pastor in his town.
The Blessing and Sending Forth
In-person Servers
Organist: Matt Cron
Liturgist: Pastor Seok-Hwan
Greeter: Sharon Lipp
Usher: Roy Higgins
Online Servers
Liturgist: Pete Seymour
Video: Mark Beatty
