Order of Worship

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

BOLD indicates congregational SPEAKING participation

GATHERING AS THE BODY OF CHRIST

Prelude

The Call (Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life) 

UMH #164

 (in-person only) 

Welcome and Sharing of Announcements

A Time to Make Connections

Introit

“I Love You, Lord”  

Adult Choir

by Laurie Klein (based on Psalm 35:9)

by Helen H. Lemmel

Call to Worship

Liturgist: What does God require of us?

People: God wants justice.

Liturgist: What else does God want?

People: God wants faithful love.

Liturgist: Anything else?

People: God wants us to walk humbly with God.

Opening Prayer

Come, Holy Wisdom, and show us your ways. In our confusing world, many voices demand our attention. Teach us to look with your eyes. Help us walk humbly beside you— doing what is right, speaking your truth. You alone are our guide and guardian on paths of peace and reconciliation. Amen.

Opening Hymn

 “We Are Called”

TFWS #2172

Children's Time

Courtney Till

(In- person only)

Joys and Concerns

(In- person only)

Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

Prayer Response

“Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart”

UMH #500 (verses 1 & 4)

ATTENTION TO THE WORD OF GOD

  Scripture Readings:

Matthew 5:1-12

When Jesus[a] saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he began to speak and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely[b] on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Liturgist: The word of God for the people of God.

People: Thanks be to God.  

Message

 “Truly Being Blessed”

 Pastor Seok-Hwan

We Respond

Offering

“Just a Closer Walk with Thee”

TFWS #2158 

Doxology

 UMH #95

Offertory Prayer

Generous God, you give us all we need. You ask only for faithful living in return. We bring these gifts to you today, that they may support your work of justice. Through this offering, we commit ourselves to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with you. Amen.

Closing Hymn

“O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee” 

UMH #430

The Blessing and Sending Forth

No matter where life takes you, God is with you. Go from this place filled with joy, trusting the blessings promised by our God, the bestower of faithful love. 

Postlude

"Psalm 34"

Ralph Vaughan Williams

(Worship material comes from

The Abingdon Worship Annual 2023 (pp. 7-8)