PRELUDE/ENTRANCE/LIFE OF THE CHURCH
*OPENING SONG
“O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee” UMH 430
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Liturgist: Family of God, whom do you serve? People: We serve God, who calls us to love our neighbors, tend creation, and care for the least of these.
Liturgist: Family of God, in a world that values productivity and profit, whom do you, serve? People: We serve God, who calls us to value equity, justice, and Sabbath for all.
Liturgist: Family of God, in a world that privileges power over others instead of power shared with our neighbors, whom do you serve? People: We serve God, who calls us to privilege the agency and flourishing of ourselves, our neighbors, and all creation.
Liturgist: Family of God, we gather here to grow in love of God, neighbor, self, and all creation. Let us now enter the joy of serving God, who is Love. ALL: We gather to worship God and work for God’s purposes until God’s kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, August 2026.
Opening Prayer
God, our kind and loving Parent, you no longer call us servants but friends. There is so much you have entrusted to us, even the future of your kingdom of justice and love. Give us the grace to work out with you the growth of mercy and goodness in this world, to be united with all Christians and with all who seek you with a sincere heart in bringing reconciliation and joy to everyone. Let us go together the way to you, our living and loving God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Adapted from Liturgies Alive, Models of Celebration; reposted on the re: Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/10/opening-prayer-matthew-25-14-30.html.
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 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
*GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 25:14-30
MESSAGE
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
SONG OF RESPONSE
“I'm Gonna Live So God Can Use Me" TFWS 2153
*OFFERING OF OURSELVES
THE APOSTLES CREED UMH 881
*DOXOLOGY UMH 95
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
SENDING FORTH
*SONG OF DISMISSAL
“Take My Life, and Let It Be" UMH 399
*BENEDICTION
*PEACE
“Shalom to You” UMH 666