Gathering as the Body of Christ
Welcome and Sharing of Announcements
Ken Muzykewicz
Call to Worship
Liturgist: Look around.
People: Listen carefully.
Liturgist: Peer into your heart.
People: What do you see? What do you hear? What do you find?
(pause for silent reflection)
Liturgist: Let us seek the presence of God in this moment.
Together: And let us worship God.
Hold Fast to What is Good by Rev. Beth Merrill Neel
Opening Prayer
Jodie Kruger
Creator of all that is, all that was, and all that ever will be, you are light, and you separated light from darkness. You created the heavens and the earth. You gave shape and form to the sea and the land. You breasted life into everything that moves above, on, or beneath it. Come to us now in this moment and time. Remind us of what an incredible gift it is to sit in your presence, Creating, Redeeming, and Sustaining One. As we open ourselves to studying your holy scriptures, reveal yourself to us in a new and powerful way. Come, Holy Spirit, come!
The Abingdon Preaching Annual, 2018
Opening Hymn
“The Gift of Love”
UMH #408
Scripture Readings
Jodie Kruger
1 John 3:18-24
18 Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 19 And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him 20 whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; 22 and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.
Liturgist The word of God for the people of God.
People Thanks be to God.
Message
"Love One Another"
Rev. Rebecca Mincieli, John Wesley UMC, Falmouth MA
Message in Music
“Lord of the Dance”
Sydney Carter
Offertory Prayer
Ken Muzykewicz
Awesome, holy and loving God, we acknowledge that tears and smiles are both an important part of life. May these gifts be instrumental in wiping away tears and bringing smiles to your children throughout the world. Our prayer is that no one will miss the joy. Make it be so. Amen.
Herb Mather
Closing Hymn
“Blest Be the Tie That Binds”
UMH #557
The Blessing and Sending Forth
Ken Muzykewicz
May the love the Father enfold you,
The wisdom of the Son enlighten you,
And the fire of the Spirit kindle you,
And may the blessing of the Lord God
Come down up you and remain with you always. Amen.
From the Westminster Hymns
Online Servers
Worship Leaders: Ken Muzykewicz
Liturgists: Jodie Kruger
Video: Spencer Murata
