Sunday, June 22 Order of Worship
All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name (James Ellor, arr. Jack W. Jones) – Alec Manullang
Welcome – Terry Bolender
Opening Prayer – Taryn Pfeiffer
Leader: Beloved of our hearts. You are kind. Your steadfast love endures forever.
People: Let all the earth say it loudly, “Your steadfast love and faithfulness endure forever!”
Leader: You give me courage to face the fears within and threats without.
People: When my fears surround me like bees,
Leader: Like the wind you scatter them.
People: I rest in your strong presence.
Leader: You are my forever home.
People: “Your steadfast love and faithfulness endure forever!”
Leader: Let those who need you most seek you with their whole heart crying,
People: “Your steadfast love and faithfulness endure forever!”
Leader: Give me an unshakable commitment to You, God, and a deep, deep love for my neighbors.
All: Lord, fill me with Your grace so that I might be steadfast and faithful, too!
God of Love and God of Power – UMH #578
Time with Young Disciples – Pastor Jim
Scripture Readings – Taryn Pfeiffer
Introduction to the First Scripture Reading
In the Bible, for the most part, the people of God try to trust God’s promises. One of God’s most famous promises is made through the prophet Isaiah about a coming king who will lead us in wisdom, with justice, righteousness, and faithfulness. Can you guess who this is? Here’s what Isaiah says…
Isaiah 11:1-5
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see
or decide by what his ears hear,
but with righteousness he shall judge for the poor
and decide with equity for the oppressed of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist
and faithfulness the belt around his loins.
Introduction to the Second Scripture Reading
The Apostle Paul says that Jesus comes on behalf of God’s faithfulness to be our rock-solid and trustworthy king whose kingdom will endure forever. Jesus comes not just for us but for all people everywhere. Listen to what Paul says…
Romans 15:7-13 (The Message)
Reach out and welcome one another to God’s glory. Jesus did it; now you do it! Jesus, staying true to God’s purposes, reached out in a special way to the Jewish insiders so that the old ancestral promises would come true for them. As a result, the non-Jewish outsiders have been able to experience mercy and to show appreciation to God. Just think of all the Scriptures that will come true in what we do! For instance:
Then I’ll join outsiders in a hymn-sing;
I’ll sing to your name!
And this one:
Outsiders and insiders, rejoice together!
And again:
People of all nations, celebrate God!
All colors and races, give hearty praise!
And Isaiah’s word:
There’s the root of our ancestor Jesse,
breaking through the earth and growing tree tall,
Tall enough for everyone everywhere to see and take hope!
Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!
Message – Faithfulness Matters – Pastor Jim
Take My Life and Let It Be – UMH #399
Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer
Offering Our Gifts to God – In His Presence – Elaine Lee Paoliello
Doxology – Many Gifts, One Spirit – UMH #114, refrain
Prayer of Dedication
Pastor: All that we have, we have from you, Creator and Preserver of all.
People: Accept these gifts which we now offer. Help us to make the whole of life an offering and every thought a prayer.
Standing on the Promises – UMH #374
Blessing – Pastor Jim
Crown Him with Many Crowns (setting by Anna Laura Page) – Alec Manullang
Resources for Worship
Opening Prayer is by Jim Head-Corliss for worship at Kent UMC, based on Psalm 118.