(Image: “Last Supper” John August Swanson, 2009, Los Angeles, CA United States)
©Order of Worship for Sunday September 01, 2024
Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Holy Communion
For the Avent Ferry UMC Worship Video Click Here (Link opens in a new window)
The worship video will be available live at 11:00 am
Prelude:.….“Be Known to Us in Breaking Bread”……Greg D.
Day’s Psalter, 1562
Coming of the Light:………………………………………..
Greetings:………………………………………Pastor Steven
Opening Prayer: …………………………..……Melrose D.
As the sun rises, so does our prayer, loving God.
With each new dawn, renew our trust in you,
our delight to do justice,
and our gladness to be in your presence. Amen
Opening Hymns: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” #526 UMH
Words: Joseph M. Scriven, ca. 1855
Music: Charles C. Converse, 1868
1. What a friend we have in Jesus, all our
sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to
carry everything to God in prayer! O what
peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain
we bear, all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.
2. Have we trials and temptations? Is there
trouble anywhere? We should never be
discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all
our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every
weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered
with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our
refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy
friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the
Lord in prayer! In his arms he’ll take and
shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there.
“Rock of Ages” #361 UMH
Words: Augustus M. Toplady, 1776 Music: Thomas Hastings, 1830
1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood, from thy wounded side which
flowed, be of sin the double cure; save from wrath and
make me pure.
2. Not the labors of my hands can fulfill thy law’s demands;
could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone; thou must save, and thou alone.
3. Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to thee for dress; helpless, look to thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.
4. While I draw this fleeting breath, when mine eyes shall close
in death, when I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy
judgment throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide
myself in thee.
Passing of the Peace:……………………………Pastor Steven
Let us offer signs of reconciliation and peace to one another.
Gloria Patri:………“Glory Be to the Father” #71 UMH
Words: Lesser Doxology, 3rd-4th century
Music: Henry W. Greatorex, 1851
Glory be to the Father
and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.
Announcements:…………………………………………Lorri B.
Giving of our tithes and offerings …………………
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Offertory: ………….……“Come Labor On”………….……Greg D.
Music: Thomas Noble © 1982 Belwin-Mills Publishing Corp.
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Offertory Response: “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” (The Doxology) #95 UMH
Words by Thomas Ken, 1674
Music attributed to Louis Bourgeois, 1551
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer After Receiving:………………………….Pastor Steven
Prayers of the People:……………………………Pastor Steven
Epistle Lesson………..…James 1:17-27.…..Melrose D.
Be doers of the word
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave birth to us by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
You must understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger, for human anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
But be doers of the word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act–they will be blessed in their doing.
If any think they are religious and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Hymn of Preparation: “Sweet Hour of Prayer” #496 UMH
Words: William Walford, 1845 Music: William B. Bradbury, 1861
1. Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! that calls
me from a world of care, and bids me at my Father’s throne
make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress
and grief, my soul has often found relief, and oft escaped
the tempter’s snare by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
2. Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! the joys I
feel, the bliss I share of those whose anxious spirits burn
with strong desires for thy return! With such I hasten to the place where God my Savior shows his face, and gladly take my
station there, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
3. Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! Thy wings shall
my petition bear to him whose truth and faithfulness engage
the waiting soul to bless. And since he bids me seek his face,
believe his word, and trust his grace, I’ll cast on him my every
care, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sermon:……..“What Are You Doer?”………Pastor Steven
Communion Hymn:“Take Our Bread” #640 UMH
Words: Joe Wise, 1966 Music: Joe Wise, 1966
© 1966 Jose Wise, by permission of G.I.A
Publications, Inc.
Refrain
Take our bread, we ask you;
take our hearts; we love you.
Take our lives, O Father,
we are yours, we are yours.
1. Yours as we stand at the table
you set; yours as we eat the bread
our hearts can’t forget. We are the
sign of your life with us yet,
we are yours, we are yours.
Refrain
Take our bread, we ask you;
take our hearts; we love you.
Take our lives, O Father,
we are yours, we are yours.
2. Your holy people standing washed in
your blood, Spirit filled yet hungry we
await your food. We are poor, but we’ve
brought ourselves the best we could;
we are yours, we are yours.
Refrain
Take our bread, we ask you;
take our hearts; we love you.
Take our lives, O Father,
we are yours, we are yours.
Service of Holy Communion:………………..Pastor Steven
CONFESSION & PARDON
Pastor Steven: Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
All pray in silence.
Pastor Steven: Hear the good news:
Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
All: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
All: Glory to God. Amen.
THE PEACE
Let us offer one another signs of reconciliation and love.
All, including the pastor, exchange signs and words of God’s peace by crossing hands, wave to one another due to social distancing guidelines.
Pastor Steven: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Pastor Steven: Lift up your hearts. The pastor may lift hands and keep them raised.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
Pastor Steven: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Pastor Steven: And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Pastor Steven: In union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
All: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Pastor Steven: All honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.
All: Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Communion Hymn:“Take Our Bread” #640 UMH
Words: Joe Wise, 1966 Music: Joe Wise, 1966
© 1966 Jose Wise, by permission of G.I.A
Publications, Inc.
Refrain
Take our bread, we ask you;
take our hearts; we love you.
Take our lives, O Father,
we are yours, we are yours.
1. Yours as we stand at the table
you set; yours as we eat the bread
our hearts can’t forget. We are the
sign of your life with us yet,
we are yours, we are yours.
Refrain
Take our bread, we ask you;
take our hearts; we love you.
Take our lives, O Father,
we are yours, we are yours.
2. Your holy people standing washed in
your blood, Spirit filled yet hungry we
await your food. We are poor, but we’ve
brought ourselves the best we could;
we are yours, we are yours.
Refrain
Take our bread, we ask you;
take our hearts; we love you.
Take our lives, O Father,
we are yours, we are yours.
Closing Hymn:“Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing” #671 UMH
Words: Attr. to John Fawcerr, 1773, Music: The European Magazine and Review, 1792
1. Lord, dismiss us with thy blessing; fill our hearts with
joy and peace; let us each thy love possessing,
triumph in redeeming grace. O refresh us,
O refresh us, traveling through this wilderness.
2. Thanks we give and adoration for thy gospel’s
joyful sound. May the fruits of thy salvation
in our hearts and lives abound; ever faithful,
ever faithful to the truth may we be found.
Dismissal with Blessing:…………………………….Pastor Steven
Postlude:………………………………………………………..Greg D.
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Sunday September 1st Worship Service