Worship June 28, 2020
Welcome
I welcome you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
This is the day the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice in it.
Opening Prayer
Join me in prayer
Gracious God of mercy, we thank you for your presence with us. As we gather in this community to share our faith, we open our hearts to the future. We ask that you make us a blessing to all, Prepare us to serve and celebrate the mission field you place before us. Giver of everlasting life fill us again with your spirit, for it is in Christ’s name we pray. AMEN.
Hymn TFWS 2222 The Servant Song
Children’s Message Ben Ziegler
Scripture Matthew 10:40-42 (New International Version)
Please pray with me.
Calm us now, O Lord, into a quietness that heals and listens. Open wounded hearts to the balm of your Word. Speak to us in clear tones so that we might feel our spirits leap for joy and skip with hope as your resurrection witnesses. Amen.
40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.
41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.
42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
In addition to this scripture the meditation today is based on Ezekiel 37:1-14 (The Message), focuses on how God is with us in times of despair to breathe fresh breath, transform us, and give us dreams and new vision that we may experience life anew. Therefore, we stand ready always to give a reason for our hope.
Immediately following the sermon we are moving into Holy Communion. If you have not gathered your juice and bread do so now while Ada Halverson plays a piano solo for us.
Meditation Prayer…
Today’s meditation is provided on-line only and is provided by Rev. Cynthia Williams, District Superintendent of the MN River Valley District of the United Methodist Church.
Sharing the elements
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as 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.
The body of Christ broken for you, take and eat
The blood of Christ shed for you, take and drink
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery
in which you have given yourself to us.
Grant that we may go into the world
in the strength of your Spirit,
to give ourselves for others,
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymn UMH 437 This is my Song
Offering
Paul tells the Romans, “The wages of sin is death.” That’s a tall price to pay for bad choices, lapses in judgment, giving into our human condition. But Paul reminds us, “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Yes, we have all fallen short of God’s glory. And yes, we’ve all been picked up, dusted off, and offered another chance. Each new day is an opportunity, not to earn God’s grace, but to live out the grace already given.
And now, it’s our turn. It’s our turn to offer the gift. We don’t do so out of obligation or compulsion. We give out of our abundance, from the storehouse of blessing God has bestowed on us. There are others who have fallen short, who need to be reminded they have not been forgotten, who need to know that the free gift of Christ’s love is still offered. We don’t offer these gifts in order to gain something; we offer them because of what we have been given. As we have been blessed, so we are called to be a blessing. Let us receive our tithes and offerings.
Prayer of Dedication
Gracious God, you have given us so much more than we could ever hope for or deserve. As your servants, may we be obedient to your call to be generous, following your example. May the gifts help lead others to the realization that they are loved beyond measure and that the gift of Jesus Christ was given for them. Amen.
Benediction
God of peace and mercy send us into your world with confident joy. Help us to reach out to others and care for them as you always care for us. AMEN.
Announcements
- Sincere thank you to Rev. Cynthia Williams, District Superintendent of the River Valley District of the Minnesota United Methodist Church.
- Thank you to music leader Ellen Timmers and accompanist Elaine Keehr.
- Thanks to Ben and his helpers for the children’s message
- If you are interested in receiving an Upper Room Meditation for July and August contact the church office.
- Mora and Ogilvie United Methodist Church will not offer
in-person worship until we can do so safely, adhering to federal and state recommendations, and the guidance of the Minnesota Annual Conference.
As we continue to navigate this challenging season, let us remember that God is with us.
So until we meet gather again, I wish you peace.