Online Worship
Sunday, November 22, 10 a.m.

Join Pastor Melody this Sunday for worship at 10 a.m. on Facebook live! 

Instructions:
  • Click here to go to our Facebook page and scroll down until you see the video of worship.
  • The link and video are viewable even if you don't have a Facebook account!
  • If you do have a Facebook account, then "like" our page to receive a notification when the service begins.
  • Please write your name in the comments so we know you are worshiping with us.
  • Follow along with our worship service using the order of worship below.

Streaming licenses: Ghent UMC is licensed to stream our FB Live worship services with permission under CCLI #20175590 and One License A-727358. All rights reserved.
Order of Worship
Sunday, November 22, 2020
Gathering & Prelude: "Si tuvieras fe / If You Only Had Faith"; Tune: Si Tuvieras Fe
Words and music: One license #A-727358

  • Click here to view the sheet music.
  • Words:
  • If you only had faith, just like a little seed of mustard: this is what Jesus had said. Repeat
  • You would be able to tell this mountain: Move away! Move away! Repeat
  • And then the mountain will move away, will move away, will move away. Repeat

Greeting & Announcements

Call to Worship
  • Though the dark clouds cover us and the violent storms assail;
  • God seeks us out and protects us. God brings us to the safe shelter of God’s compassion.
  • When we feel lost and alone, wondering who will save us;
  • God reaches out in love, healing our wounds and transforming our lives.
  • Thank God who loves us so much.
  • Praise God who searches for us and brings us home. AMEN.

Opening Prayer
Tender, comforting Shepherd, your steadfast love is present in this place and resides within each of us. But sometimes it is hard, so very hard, to open ourselves to your love. We feel like scattered sheep, frightened and alone. Help us know your loving presence as we live as your gathered community. Enlighten our hearts, that we may know the hope to which we have been called. Amen.

Opening Hymn: "10,000 Reasons" by Jonas Myrin and Matt Redman; Words and music: CCLI #2723293
  • Click here to view the sheet music.
  • Words:
  • Chorus: Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul; Worship His holy name. Sing like never before, O my soul; I’ll worship Your Holy name.
  1. The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning, it’s time to sing Your song again. Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me, let me be singing when the evening comes. Chorus
  2. You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger. Your name is great and Your heart is kind. For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing; Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find. Chorus
  3. And on that day, when my strength is failing, the end draws near, and my time has come; Still my soul will sing Your praise unending ten thousand years, and then forevermore! Chorus

Prayer of Confession
Holy One, we are like sheep that stray from your fold. We are the perpetually hungry, ever in spiritual need,
and at times in physical want. We are the naked, with wounds exposed and bleeding. We are the sick,
fevered, chilled, and in pain. We are the strangers, separated from others and even from ourselves. Hear us now as we confess our brokenness and our need. Amen.

Words of Assurance
Our creator God sees our hunger and gives us food. Christ, the healer, touches our wounds, offering comfort and blessed relief. The Spirit blows through us, cools our fever, and eases our pain. God sees and touches and heals our wounds.

First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16,20-24 (NRSV) Click here to read the scripture.

Second Reading: Matthew 25:31-46 (NRSV) Click here to read the scripture.

Sermon: Lost & Found

Sermon Hymn: "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone" by Chris Tomlin & Louie Giglio
Words and music: CCLI #2723293; from WorshipTogether.com, click here
  • Words:
  • 1. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me; I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.
  • 2. 'Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear, and Grace my fears relieved; How precious did that Grace appear, the hour I first believed.
  • Chorus My chains are gone, I've been set free, my God, my Savior has ransomed me; And like a flood His mercy rains, unending love, Amazing Grace.
  • 3. The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.
  • 4. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine; But God who called me here below, will be forever mine. Will be forever mine. You are forever mine.

A Statement of Faith of the United Church of Canada
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 live with respect in Creation, 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.

Prayers for Intercession

The Lord's Prayer
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. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Offering
  
Doxology: "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow" by Jimmy Owens; Words and music: CCLI #2723293
  • Click here to view the sheet music.
  • Words: Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise him all creatures here below; praise him above, you heavenly host, praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Love Feast
  1. Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One; Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son. Repeat
  2. And now let the weak say, "I am strong," let the poor say, "I am rich because of what the Lord has done for us. Repeat

Closing Hymn: "He Is Exalted" by Twila Paris; Words and music: CCLI license #2723293
  • Click here to view the sheet music.
  • Words:
  • He is exalted, the King is exalted on high, I will praise Him. He is exalted, forever exalted, and I will praise His name!
  • Chorus: He is the Lord, forever His truth shall reign. Heaven and earth rejoice in His holy name. He is exalted, the King is exalted on high!

Benediction

Postlude
Daily Prayer Starter

Please set aside time each day to pray for 2-3 minutes. This week's prayer starter is: 

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me..."

For prayer requests, contact Pastor Melody Tanner.

For more information about Ghent United Methodist Church, please click here to visit our website.

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28
Citation

The liturgy in this service is by Ken Burton & Nancy C. Townley for ministrymatters.com.