January 16, 2022
Pre-Recorded Worship Service
To access, please visit our website at www.umcw.org/sermons
Order of Worship
Second Sunday after Epiphany
BOLD indicates congregational SPEAKING participation
* stand with your heart or with your posture
GATHERING AS THE BODY OF CHRIST


Welcome and Sharing of Announcements
Call to Worship

Liturgist: Jesus the Good Shepherd calls our names to come and follow him.
People: His voice, speaking our names, draws us to him.
Liturgist: We follow without fear, for the shepherd cares for us.
People: Our hearts rejoice and we can place our trust in the Good Shepherd.
Liturgist: Come, let us enter the gate with thanksgiving!
People: Let us go forth confidently with songs of praise! AMEN.
Opening Prayer

We are standing at the gate, O loving Shepherd, not sure about the journey. But you have called our names, and in your voice we hear such love and surety. Bring us safely on the journey and strengthen us that we may serve you in all that we do. AMEN.
(MinistryMatters)
Opening Hymn
"Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us"
UMH #381

Prayer Together and Lord’s Prayer 

Prayer Response
"Lead me Lord"
UMH #473 (2 times)
ATTENTION TO THE WORD OF GOD

Scripture
John 10:27-30

My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand.

Liturgist: The word of God for the people of God.
People: Thanks be to God.  

Message
"The Lord, My Shepherd"
Beverly Welsh
(lay minister)
Message in Music
“Amazing Grace”
by John Newton
Nancy Burns
WE RESPOND
*Offertory Prayer

Gracious and loving God, receive our gifts of self and substance. They have belonged to you
since our very beginning. We give them freely, joyfully, prayerfully. With them we praise you. With them we celebrate the great power that is love— a love that abides always, a love that radically transforms, a love that makes us whole. In Jesus’s Name we pray. Amen.


*Closing Hymn
“It is Well with my Soul”
UMH #388 (vs. 1&4)

Blessing and Sending Forth

Go now with your trust in the good shepherd,
and let us love, not just in words,
but in truth and action.
Believe in the name of Jesus Christ,
and love one another, just as he has commanded us.
We go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Amen.
(re:Worship Scripturally-based resources for worship planners and leaders)



‌
Online Service

Video: Bill Kruger
Liturgist: Pete Seymour
No in-person services for January
Our Mission Statement
“God calls us to be disciples of Jesus, building community through service and fellowship and sharing the love of Christ with all.”

Our Openness Statement
“The United Methodist Church of Westford is an open and welcoming community of Christian Faith. Without any exceptions, we welcome anyone who seeks to love and to serve God.”
Please click here for “A Statement of Our Openness”.