Gathering as the Body of Christ
Welcome and Sharing of Announcements
Call to Worship
Liturgist: People of God, look about and see the faces of those we know and love.
People: We see neighbors and friends here, sisters and brothers, and community of kindred hearts.
Liturgist: People of God, look about and see the faces of those we hardly know.
People: We see strangers, sojourners, forgotten friends, and ones who need an outstretched hand.
Liturgist: People of God, look about and see all the images of God assembled here.
People: In me, in you, in each of us, God’s Spirit shines for all to see.
Liturgist: People of God, come!
All: Let us worship together!
Opening Prayer
Loving God, may we find a place called home, a place where faith holds us, grace renews us where forgiveness longs for us to be who you will us to be. May we find a place called home
where we are accepted as we are, where we are taken in and loved unconditionally. Gracious God may we find a place called home where we belong, our souls fit, our questions are allowed, our anger is heard, our needs are recognized, our pain is held and our names are known. May United Methodist Church of Westford be that place, O God, this community, this group of travelers, doubters and companions on the way. Loving God and Homecoming God may we make this a home to all who still yet seek a place of grace-filled sanctuary and gracious welcome. So be it. Amen.
Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Mucky Paws. http://www.nkchurch.org.uk/index.php/mucky-paws
Opening Hymn
“Good Christian Friends, Rejoice”
UMH #224
Scripture Readings
(The Message)
Matthew 4:18-19
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.”
John 8:12
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
Romans 12:1-2
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
Liturgist The word of God for the people of God.
People Thanks be to God.
Message
"God, Always Tapping My Shoulder"
Mr. John Wilder
Finance Committee Chair
Message in Music
“Go, Tell It On the Mountain”
Afro-American Spiritual
Youth Choir and Youth Choir Alum (singing from our homes)
Offertory Prayer
We are the Receivers, receivers of love, receivers of grace and receivers of Jesus. We are the Givers, following God’s call, following Jesus, following our hearts. Lord, we give these offerings for the work of your kingdom, with humble thanks for mercies received. Amen.
Worship Resources in a Mennonite Voice for Ears of All Kinds
Closing Hymn
“Love Came Down at Christmas”
UMH #242
The Blessing and Sending Forth
Liturgist: From where we are to where you need us,
People: Jesus, now lead on.
Liturgist: From the security of what we know to the adventure of what you will reveal,
People: Jesus, now lead on.
Liturgist: To refashion the fabric of this world until it resembles the shape of your kingdom,
People: Jesus, now lead on.
Liturgist: Because good things have been prepared for those who love God,
People: Jesus, now lead on.
1999 Wild Goose Resource Group, admin. By GIA Publication, Inc.
Online Servers
Welcoming: Murata Family
Liturgists: Hannah Kruger and Sharon Lipp
Video: Spencer Murata
