PRELUDE/ENTRANCE

GREETING/ANNOUNCEMENTS

*OPENING SONG

"We, Thy People, Praise Thee" UMH 67

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Liturgist: Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart in the company of the upright in the congregation. People: Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.

Liturgist: The works of God’s hands are faithful and just; all God’s precepts are trustworthy. People: They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

Liturgist: God’s works extend to you and me and the whole community as the Spirit nurtures gifts and graces in each of us.

People: Great are the works of the Lord, whose love and grace endures forever!

Liturgist: God raises up some to be prophets to help us follow God’s voice, yet all are called to lead by following.

ALL: We affirm the gifts of those who are called to be truth-tellers in our midst, helping us all to answer the call to be truth-doers. Great are the works of the Lord! Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, August 2023.

OPENING PRAYER (Together)

God of power and might, you sent prophets to your people, calling us back to your covenant, and teaching us your ways. In the fullness of time, you sent us your Son Jesus, teaching with such authority, that our eyes were opened to see your ways anew. Open our hearts and

minds, that we may understand and proclaim your

teachings for all to hear. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. From the Worship Elements page of the Ministry Matters website. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog, https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/01/opening-prayer-epiphany-4b.html.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

SHARING GOD’S PEACE

JOYS AND CONCERNS

PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE

A TIME FOR CHILDREN

SPECIAL MUSIC

*FIRST SCRIPTURE Deuteronomy 18:15-20

SECOND SCRIPTURE Mark 1:21-28

MESSAGE “Demons in the Church”

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

*SONG OF RESPONSE

"Heal Me, Hands of Jesus" UMH 262

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

THE LORD’S PRAYER

*OFFERING OF OURSELVES

*A STATEMENT OF FAITH OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA UMH 883

*DOXOLOGY UMH 95

*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

SENDING FORTH

*SONG OF DISMISSAL

"Near to the Heart of God" UMH 472

*BENEDICTION

*PEACE “Shalom” UMH 666