PRELUDE/ENTRANCE
GREETING/ANNOUNCEMENTS
*OPENING SONG
"We've a Story to Tell to the Nations" UMH 569
*CALL TO WORSHIP (based on Acts 4:1-12)
Liturgist: Gathered here, we draw inspiration from the boldness of the apostles, who fearlessly proclaimed the risen Lord.
People: Their courage, rooted in the truth of Christ's resurrection, challenges us to speak with the same conviction.
Liturgist: They stood firm, asserting, "This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.”
People: In His resurrection, we find not just a cornerstone, but the very essence of our hope and salvation.
Liturgist: “There is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”
People: Empowered by this truth, we worship Jesus Christ, risen and reigning, the basis of our faith and our proclamation.
Liturgist: Let our voices rise in praise of the One who was raised from the dead, emboldening us to declare the wonders of His love.
ALL: In the power of His name, we stand together, bold and resolute, to celebrate the life and victory of our risen Lord!
OPENING PRAYER (based on 1 John 3:16-24)
Let us pray, Loving God, we come before You in the spirit of the words from 1 John 3, where we are taught about the depth of Your love, a love so profound that Jesus laid down His life for us. This scripture not only defines love in the ultimate sense but also calls us to embody that love in our actions and truths. We acknowledge, O Lord, that your love is not merely in word or speech but in truth and action. As we reflect on the sacrificial love of Christ, help us to grasp the breadth and length, the height and depth of such love, and inspire us to love one another earnestly, following Jesus’ example. Guide us, Father, to put our faith into action, caring for those in need and being bearers of your peace and love in every aspect of our lives. Help us to live in the assurance that comes from abiding in you and you in us, through the Spirit You have given us. We pray for the courage to face the challenges of living out this love in a world that often rejects selfless acts and sacrificial living. Strengthen us to be your hands and feet, showing love not only in words but through our deeds and truth.
In our worship today, may we be reminded of the confidence we have before you—that if our hearts condemn us, you are greater than our hearts, and you know everything. Help us to rely not on our understanding but on your vast, unfathomable love that transcends our doubts and fears. As we continue to walk in the commandments of love and faith, as Jesus taught us, let our hearts be reassured in your presence, knowing that we belong to the truth, and ensure our hearts in your sight. We ask all these things in the name of Jesus, who showed us the greatest love of all, laying down His life for us, that we might live through Him. Amen.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
SHARING GOD’S PEACE
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE
A TIME FOR CHILDREN
SPECIAL MUSIC Barbara Swingle
FIRST SCRIPTURE John 10:11-18
SECOND SCRIPTURE 1 John 3:16-24
MESSAGE “Sacrifice”
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
*SONG OF RESPONSE
"His Name Is Wonderful" UMH 174
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORD’S PRAYER
*OFFERING OF OURSELVES
*DOXOLOGY UMH 95
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
BAPTISM UMH 33
SENDING FORTH
*SONG OF DISMISSAL
"My Hope Is Built “ UMH 368