November 14, 2021
In-Person Sunday Morning at 9:30 am
or
Pre-Recorded Worship Service
To access, please visit our website at www.umcw.org/sermons
Order of Worship
BOLD indicates congregational SPEAKING participation
* stand with your heart or with your posture
GATHERING AS THE BODY OF CHRIST

Welcome and Sharing of Announcements

A Time to Make Connections
(in-person service only)
Call to Worship

Liturgist: With the whole church 
People: We affirm that we are made in God’s image, befriended by Christ, empowered by the Spirit. 
Liturgist: With people everywhere 
People: We affirm God’s goodness at the heart of humanity, planted more deeply than all that is wrong. 
Liturgist: With all creation 
People: We celebrate the miracle and wonder of life, the unfolding purposes of God, forever at work in ourselves and the world.
Liturgist: God calls us each by name. And in baptism, God gives us the name Child of God.
People: Therefore, let us worship God as the named and loved Children of God that we are. Amen

Opening Prayer

Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be, Creator of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven: The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth. With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and test, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen
(New Zealand Prayer Book)

Opening Hymn
"Be Thou My Vision"
 UMH #451
Confession 
Loving God, Our hearts are broken. We don’t know how to love properly. Our trust is broken. We cannot earn it faithfully or give it freely. Our community is broken. We cannot love our neighbor as ourselves. We confess that we are both the victims and the perpetrators of our brokenness. We implore you, dear God: Break the cycle of brokenness. Provide the grace and trust that we cannot provide. Open our eyes to our neighbors who are near to us, and those who are far away. Heal our hearts. Restore our trust. Build our human community. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Companion and Protector. Amen

Absolution
God created you, knows you intimately, and calls you “Good.” As a minister of Christ, I proclaim that God loves you and forgives all your sins. But this absolution is not just for you. We live as forgiven in cycles of oppression. As forgiven Children of God, created in God’s image, our forgiveness creates our ability to fight the unjust system we find ourselves in. Go forth as created, known, and loved people, forgiven to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim God’s favor.

Joys and Concerns (in-person service only)

Recognition of Veterans
O almighty God and most merciful Father, as we remember these your servants, remembering with gratitude their courage and strength, we hold before you those who mourn them. Look upon your bereaved servants with your mercy. As this day brings them memories of those they have lost awhile, may it also bring your consolation and the assurance that their loved ones are alive now and forever in your living presence. Amen.

Pastoral Prayer and The Lord's Prayer

Prayer Response
"Give Thanks"
TFWS #2036

ATTENTION TO THE WORD OF GOD

Scripture
 Hebrew 13:1-2; Matthew 13:1-12 

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 Let anyone with ears[a] listen!” 10 Then the disciples came and asked him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 He answered, “To you it has been given to know the secrets[b] of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.

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

Message
“Discerning God's Plan for Us”
Pastor Seok-Hwan 
Message in Music
Lead me, Lord in Thy Righteousness
Samuel Sebastian Wesley
Adult Choir (singing from our homes)

*Offertory Prayer

Holy God, thank you for sending your Spirit, the Spirit of the risen Christ, from heaven. Help us to be like the early disciples, praying patiently as we wait for your guidance and power. Fill our hearts and minds with your gifts of faith, hope, and love. May our conversations with people of every language and culture around us witness to your grace and mercy. We dedicate ourselves and our offerings to your good purposes in the world through our church’s mission by the power of your Spirit. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Acts 2:1-21)
*Closing Hymn
 “Grace Alone”
TFWS #2162

The Blessing and Sending Forth
In work and worship, God is with us. Gathered and scattered, God is with us. Now and always God is with us. God is with you - of whom shall you be afraid? May you go out into the world filled with the Spirit of the God who made you, loves you, and empowers you to live fiercely. Amen.

Online Service

Video: Mark Beatty
Liturgist: Nancy Burns

Adult Choir Singers
Marge Barnett, Jane Beatty, Mark Beatty, Morgan Bott, Beth Fowler, Bella Guilmartin, Larry Guilmartin, Claire Hall, Scott Hall, Mark Johnson, Ken Muzykewicz, Louise Provan
Marilyn Seymour
In Person Services

Liturgist: Nancy Keelan
Usher: Roy Higgins
Sound Board: Valarie Wilder
Projection: Sharon Lipp
Organist: Matt Cron
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”.