Sunday, June 20, 10 a.m.
In-person Worship*

Where? Our worship services will be inside our sanctuary during the month of June. Please use the sanctuary entrance that faces Stockley Gardens.

*COVID-19 Mitigation Plan Our fully vaccinated guests do not have to wear a mask; everyone else must wear masks that are well-fitted. 6 feet of physical distancing must be maintained by everyone, except for those who are in the same household group. Hugs and handshakes are not allowed. All are required to stay home when sick, and we ask everyone to self-check in at each entrance with our health acknowledgement poster. Mitigation measures, such as wearing a mask, may be reinstated if there is a surge in the positivity rate.
Online Worship

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 complete a Connection Card or write your name in the comments so we know you are worshiping with us. 

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.
Connect with us: Please click here to let us know you are worshiping with us today. Also, if desired, you may give or update your contact information, make prayer requests, indicate ministry interests, and/or request more information about the church or Methodism.
Thank you!...
To Doug Pilley and Nellwyn Beamon for leading today's worship service while Pastor Melody is on vacation! Nellwyn serves as our talented music director whose enthusiasm is contagious. Doug has been an active member of our church for 32 years and will often be the first person you meet at our door. Also, we give a special thanks to Doug for delivering today's message.
Gathering & Prelude: "Sanctus" by R. Bethancourt; Words and music: One License #A-727358
  • Click here to view the sheet music.
  • Words:
  • Part I: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord, God of pow'r, of power and might; Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
  • Part II: Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Greeting & Announcements

Call to Worship: Based on Psalm 9
  • Seek God; know God; trust God, O people.
  • Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion.
  • Declare God’s deeds among the people, for the needy are remembered, the poor have hope.
  • Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion.

Opening Prayer: based on 1 Samuel 17, Psalm 9, 2 Corinthians 6, Mark 4
Center us, O God, to worship you this day. Remove our needless armor. Be our stronghold. Grant us calm.
Give us joyful hearts and ready minds, that we may be open to your grace. Amen.

Opening Hymn #139: "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty;" Tune: Lobe den Herren; Words and music: Public domain
  1. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation! All ye who hear, Now to His temple draw near; Praise Him in glad adoration.
  2. Praise to the Lord, who o'er all things so wondrously reigneth; Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth! Hast thou not seen How thy desires e'er have been Granted in what He ordaineth?
  3. Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee; Surely His goodness, and mercy here daily attend thee. Ponder anew What the Almighty can do, If with His love He befriend thee.
  4. Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him! All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him. Let the Amen sound from His people again, Gladly for aye we adore Him.

Prayer of Confession: based on Mark 4
Merciful God, when lashed by life’s windstorms we often lash out in return. Forgive us when we blame you or others for our troubles. Teach us to find you in the eye of the storm. Show us the calm center that comes from a word of peace.

First Reading: Psalm 107:1-3,23-32 (NRSV) Click here to read the scripture.

Second Reading: Mark 4:35-41 (NRSV) Click here to read the scripture.

Sermon: "Unconditional Love"

Sermon Hymn #292: "What Wondrous Love;" Tune: Wondrous Love; Words and Music: Public Domain
  1. What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul, what wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of life to bear the painful cross for my soul, for my soul, to bear the painful cross for my soul.
  2. What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul, what wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of all to lay aside his crown for my soul, for my soul, to lay aside his crown for my soul.
  3. To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing, to God and to the Lamb I will sing! To God and to the Lamb, who is the great "I Am," while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing, while millions join the theme, I will sing!
  4. And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on, and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on! And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be, and through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on, and through eternity I’ll sing on!

The Apostles' Creed (Traditional Version)
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;* the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic** church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*Traditional use of this creed includes these words: "He descended into hell."
**universal
Pastoral Prayer

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.

Honoring of Fathers
Today we are honoring the fathers of seriously ill children by signing a big card to send to the dads staying at the Ronald McDonald House. There is also a place to write the name(s) of a father, step-father, and/or father-figure in your life who you wish to honor/memorialize.

If you feel led, we are also collecting monetary offerings for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Norfolk. Please place your donations in the basket when you come forward, or you may give through our online giving portal (the portal link can be found at ghentumc.org/give or click here). Please make checks payable to Ghent UMC with a memo for Ronald McDonald House.

The Ronald McDonald House's mission is to provide lodging to families so they can stay together, close to their children at the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. There is little or no cost for parents, so they can afford the best hospital care.

Offering
  
Doxology #95: "Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow;" Tune: Old Hundredth; Words and music: Public Domain
  • Click here to view the sheet music.
  • Words: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Closing Hymn #144: "This Is My Father's World;" Tune: Terra Beata; Words and Music: CCLI #2723293
  1. This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought.
  2. This is my Father's world, the birds their carols raise, the morning light, the lily white, declare their maker's praise. This is my Father's world: he shines in all that's fair; in the rustling grass I hear him pass; he speaks to me everywhere.
  3. This is my Father's world. O let me ne'er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father's world: why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King; let the heavens ring! God reigns; let the earth be glad!

Benediction

Postlude
Citation: Today's Call to Worship, Opening Prayer, and Prayer of Confession can be found at https://www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/2873/worship-elements-june-20-2021.
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Daily Prayer Starter

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

"God, Slow us down that we may hear and see you a little more clearly. Help us to confront the evil of racism and prejudice, to see and hear each other more truly. Our own ways have not worked. Help us to find Your way."

Citation: Ravi Verma, from Race and Prayer

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