Prelude
Welcome & Announcements – Advent Mission Project (video)
Hymn of Praise – 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,
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;
and the one eternal God,
whom earth and heaven adore; for thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.
Call to Worship:
Pastor: Come and give thanks to the Lord,
People: For God’s goodness will never end.
Pastor: Let all who serve God be unashamed to declare it;
People: For the Lord’s promises are steadfast and true.
Pastor: The Lord our God has met our every need,
People: We will therefore proclaim the name of the Lord!
Affirmation of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed UMH 881
Message in Music - "Take Up My Cross - The Old Rugged Cross" Jackie Jusino
Prayer of Intercession
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, you bless us richly each day as you guide us in the ways that lead to abundant life. We are thankful for your presence and generous provision, and we earnestly want for you to be the One in whom we live and move and have our being. Yet we forget you, Lord; trusting instead in our resources while neglecting your call to sacrifice and service. Forgive us, O God. Teach us humility, that we may acknowledge and trust in your power, bearing good fruit for the glory of Christ, our King. Amen.
Experiencing and Extending the Peace of Christ (Note: we will extend the Peace of Christ without physical contact.)
Offering
Prayer of Thanksgiving
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn – Seek Ye First (UMH #405)
Seek ye first the kingdom of God
and his righteousness,
and all these things shall be added unto you. Allelu, alleluia!
Ask, and it shall be given unto you;
seek and ye shall find;
Knock, and the door shall be opened unto you. Allelu, alleluia!
Sermon – Remember the Lord - Pastor Brad
Response – A Litany of Thanksgiving and Commitment
Pastor: We give thanks for our ministry together as the people of God,
People: Praise be to God for the fruit of our prayers, worship, and service together at St. John’s.
Pastor: We give thanks for our ministries that extend open arms and serving hands in the name Jesus Christ.
People: Praise be to God for all the lives formed and strengthened through the work of our congregation.
Pastor: We give thanks for the neighbors, strangers, and friends who are welcomed in the name of the Lord.
People: Praise be to God for the fellowship, warmth, and power of the Holy Spirit in our midst.
Pastor: We seek God’s strength and grace as we commit ourselves to continued service and ministry:
All: We are grateful, Lord, for the opportunity to be good and generous stewards of all you have given us. Bless and use our prayers, our offerings, our witness, and our service to transform lives through Christ, our Lord and King. Amen.
Hymn – Great is Thy Faithfulness (UMH #140)
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
there is no shadow of turning with thee;
Thou changest not, thy compassions,
they fail not;
As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.
Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and spring-time and harvest,
sun, moon, and stars
in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
thine own dear presence
to cheer and to guide;
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine,
with ten thousand beside!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided; Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Benediction
Postlude/Dismissal
Accompanist: Brian Barber
Jeff Cartwright, Amy Cons, Jackie Jusino, Lynne Tomlinson
