July 13, 2025 Order of Worship
Listen, God Is Calling (setting by Anne Krentz Organ) – Geoffrey Liu
Welcome – Terry Bolender
Opening Prayer – Terry Bolender
Leader: Lord, thank you for a terrific week of Vacation Bible School. Thank you for all the teachers, leaders, and helpers who poured out into us, who showed us what it is to love Jesus and our neighbors, and who taught us that you are always the way, the truth, and the life. You are always our True North!
People: Thank you, Jesus!
Leader: When we don’t know the answers, are unsure, or wonder which way to go…
People: We trust you, Jesus!
Leader: When we are lost, lonely, or feel alone…
People: We trust you, Jesus!
Leader: When we are unsure, without a voice, and feel powerless…
People: We trust you, Jesus!
Leader: When the future seems lost and we need hope…
People: We trust you, Jesus!
Leader: When the world needs more than we have to give and when we need help…
People: We trust you, Jesus!
Leader: As we come to worship, our eyes and hearts and minds are set on you because…
People: We trust you, Jesus!
All: Amen and amen!
True North VBS Highlights
Time with Young Disciples – Stephanie McIlwain Miller
Scripture Readings – Elaine Lowell
Introduction to the First Scripture Reading
Our first scripture reading comes from Proverbs. The big idea of this part of scripture: wisdom is trusting God and leads to life – folly is distrusting God and leads bad things happening. Our reading is a couplet of just two lines that focuses us on raising our children with faith.
Proverbs 22:6 (The Message)
Point your kids in the right direction—
when they’re old they won’t be lost.
Introduction to the Second Scripture Reading
If you were going to summarize for your kids what is most important of all in life, what would you say? Moses says, “Love God with your whole heart!” This is how he begins his long teaching about how to live the best life. Here’s what Moses teaches in Deuteronomy 6:1-9…
Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (The Message)
This is the commandment, the rules and regulations, that God, your God, commanded me to teach you to live out in the land you’re about to cross into to possess. This is so that you’ll live in deep reverence before God lifelong, observing all his rules and regulations that I’m commanding you, you and your children and your grandchildren, living good long lives.
Listen obediently, Israel. Do what you’re told so that you’ll have a good life, a life of abundance and bounty, just as God promised, in a land abounding in milk and honey.
Attention, Israel!
God, our God! God the one and only!
Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got!
Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates.
Message – Everything Everywhere All at Once – Pastor Jim
Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus – Congregational Singing
The Lord’s Prayer
Offering Our Gifts to God – Shine, Jesus, Shine (setting by Peggy Bettcher) – Geoffrey Liu
Doxology – Many Gifts, One Spirit – UMH #114, refrain
Prayer of Dedication
Leader: 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.
This Is the Day – Congregational Singing
Blessing – Pastor Jim
Marche Triomphale (Jacques-Nicolas Lemmens) – Geoffrey Liu
Resources for Worship
Opening Prayer is by Pastor Jim, based on our daily 2025 VBS Bible messages, July 13, 2025.