Prelude
Welcome
Sharing the Peace of Christ
Gloria Patri (UMH 71)
Call to Worship
Leader: Welcome! Open your hearts to God’s love today.
People: Praise God who has called us here.
Leader: May the Word of God offer healing and hope.
People: Praise be to God who continually blesses us!
Leader: Place your faith and trust in the Lord.
All: Our Lord is worthy to be praised! Amen.
Hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (UMH 384)
Pastor’s Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (UMH 895)
Children’s Message
Hymn Leave It There (UMH 522)
Scripture Luke 15:11-32
Leader: The word of God for the people of God.
People: Thanks be to God.
Message Returning to God
Hymn ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus (UMH 462)
Prayer of Confession
Dear Lord, today we encounter the Holy Mystery: Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again. This is a mystery we sometimes forget. As we seek to live out a life of faith, help us to celebrate you, Jesus. May you be our focus and our joy. Amen.
Special Music Goodness of God Gretchen Witt
Giving Our Tithes and Offerings
Offertory
Doxology (UMH 94)
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Jesus, you came to teach people the power of your love, grace, and authority. You performed countless miracles so that many would experience your love. You call us to remember the miracles that you continue to work in our lives today. May this offering support ministries that show others your love. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Prayers of the People
Affirmation of Faith (UMH 884)
We believe in the one God, creator and sustainer of all things, Father of all nations, the source of all goodness and beauty, all truth and love. We believe in Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, our teacher, example, and Redeemer, the Savior of the world. We believe in the Holy Spirit, God present with us for guidance, for comfort, and for strength. We believe in the forgiveness of sins, in the life of love and prayer, and in grace equal to every need. We believe in the Word of God contained in the Old and New Testaments as the sufficient rule both of faith and of practice. We believe in the church, those who are united in the living Lord for the purpose of worship and service. We believe in the reign of God as the divine will realized in human society, and in the family of God, where we are all brothers and sisters. We believe in the final triumph of righteousness and in the life everlasting. Amen.
Sending Forth They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love (FWS 2223)
Benediction
Postlude
