Prelude
Welcome
Sharing the Peace of Christ
Hymn Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me (UMH 361)
Call to Worship
Leader: Let this be the place of welcome,
a place for returning and renewing.
People: From us, O Lord, make a church.
Leader: Let this be the place of love,
a place where every child of God is embraced.
People: From us, O Lord, make a church.
Leader: Let this be the place of hope,
a place where God makes all things new.
People: From us, O Lord, make a church.
Leader: Let this be a place of love,
a place where the Holy Spirit lives and works in us all.
People: With us, O Lord, make a church.
Hymn I Need Thee Every Hour, v.1-2,4-5 (UMH 397)
Children’s Message
Children’s Hymn Deep and Wide
Prayer for Illumination (UMH 602)
Blessed Lord, you have caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning. Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.
New Testament Reading Acts 1:1-11
Leader: The word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
Message We Are the Church
Hymn We Are the Church, v.1-4 (UMH 558)
Giving Our Tithes and Offerings
Offertory
Doxology (UMH 94)
Prayer of Thanksgiving
God of all times and places,
we pray today for your Church,
across the whole world and here in this space.
Grant us the presence of your Holy Spirit,
to nourish within us the flame of your love
that cleanses us from all fear.
May the limitations of this offering
force us to rely on the only truly unlimited resources:
the hope and faith found in your presence.
Amen.
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer (UMH 895)
Sending Forth And Are We Yet Alive, v.1,3-4,6 (UMH 553)
Benediction
Postlude