PRELUDE/ENTRANCE/LIFE OF THE CHURCH
*OPENING SONG
"Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" UMH 139
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Liturgist: God meets us in surprising yet ordinary places under a tree, in the smile of a stranger, in a refreshing breeze that comes at just the right time. People: God, open our hearts to notice your presence all around us.
Liturgist: God speaks to us in surprising yet ordinary ways in a well-placed word from a friend, in a prayer that comes at just the right time, in a song that resonates through our entire being. People: God, open our minds to recognize your voice all around us.
Liturgist: God fulfills God’s promises in surprising yet ordinary ways in an unexpected act of kindness, in providing just what we need at just the right time, in sending someone to listen when we feel alone. People: God, open our hands to receive your blessings all around us.
Liturgist: Beloved, in the surprising and ordinary ways that God shows up among us, may we meet God and our neighbors with open hearts, minds, and hands, ready to encounter God’s miraculous work. People: God, open our lives to receive your blessings that we may share together in the joy, wonder, and laughter of God’s miraculous works all around us.
Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, December 2025.
Opening Prayer
God, as you met Abraham in an ordinary moment of hospitality, meet us today in the ordinary moments of our lives. Open our minds to recognize your presence among us; open our hearts to receive your promises; open our arms to embrace your miraculous works with joy, wonder, and laughter. As we gather to worship, help us find the courage to hope, the wisdom to trust, and the perseverance to cooperate with you as you fulfill our promises as you work for abundant life for all creation.
Amen.
Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, and December 2025.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
SHARING GOD’S PEACE
GOD SIGHTINGS AND INTERCESSIONS
THE LORD’S PRAYER
PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE
A TIME FOR CHILDREN
SPECIAL MUSIC
FIRST LESSON Romans 5:1-8
SECOND LESSON Genesis 18:1-15
MESSAGE “Does God Laugh With Us?” Rev. Deb Rose
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
SONG OF RESPONSE
“I Love You, Lord” TFWS 2068
*OFFERING OF OURSELVES
*THE APOSTLES CREED UMH 881
*DOXOLOGY UMH 95
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
SENDING FORTH
*SONG OF DISMISSAL