(Image: Eastern PA Conference United Women in Faith)
©Order of Worship for Sunday October 15, 2023
20th Sunday after Pentecost
Hispanic Heritage Month
Laity Sunday
“All Christians are called to minister wherever Christ would have them serve and witness in deeds and words that heal and free”. (BOD 128)
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……“Brethren, We Have Met to Worship”……Greg D.
Words: G. Atkinson Music: W. Moore © 2008 Van Ness Press, Inc.
Coming of the Light:………………………………………….
Greetings:……………………………………………………..Lusi R.
Opening Prayer:……………..……….…………….Ian D.
We are called to hold tight to words that bring life.
We know God is speaking good news through scripture, song, and neighbors, both known and new to us.
We listen for grace at work in everything, for good, for life.
We know wise words serve Love’s purpose.
In all we say and do, we are learning what it means to be faithful – as those called “to serve and witness in deeds and words that heal and free.”
We thank God for the good news of Jesus’ love and healing words of life.
Opening Hymns:….“Here I Am, Lord” #593 UMH
© 1981, 1983, 1989 Daniel L. Schutte and NALR
1. I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save.
I have made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
2. I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them. They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
3. I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them. My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.”
“Wonderful Words of Life” #600 UMH
Words and Music: Philip P. Bliss, 1874
1. Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life;
let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;
words of life and beauty teach me faith and duty.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
2. Christ, the blessed one, gives to all wonderful words of life;
sinner, list to the loving call, wonderful words of life;
all so freely given, wooing us to heaven.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Sweetly echo the gospel call, wonderful words of life;
offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior, sanctify forever.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Passing of the Peace:……………………………………Diane C.
Let us show signs of reconciliation and love 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:…….
You can do this with no ok fee through your bank’s online bill pay option. It is easy to set up for automatic monthly giving. Or, you can use this link: Online Giving
Offertory: ……..…“Share His Love”………..Samantha M./Choir
Words and Music: William J. Reynolds, 1972 © 1973 Broadman Press
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:…………………………Samantha M.
Prayers of the People:……………………………Chris Morris
Anthem:………..“Take My Life and Let It Sing”………….Choir
Words and Music: Joseph M. Martin © 2023 HAL LEONARD
Old Testament Lesson:….…Leviticus 16:1-5,20-22……Ian D.
The Day of Reconciliation
After the death of Aaron’s two sons, which happened
when they approached the LORD and died, the LORD spoke to Moses:
Tell your brother Aaron that he cannot come whenever he wants into the holy area inside the inner curtain, to the front of the cover that is on the chest, or else he will die, because I am present in the cloud above the cover.
He will take from the Israelite community two male goats for a purification offering and one ram for an entirely burned offering.
When Aaron has finished reconciling the inner holy area, the rest of the meeting tent, and the altar, he will bring forward the live goat.
Aaron will press both his hands on its head and confess over it all the Israelites’ offenses and all their rebellious sins, as well as all their other sins, putting all these on the goat’s head. Then he will send it away into the wilderness with someone designated for the job.
The goat will carry on itself all their offenses to a desolate region, then the goat will be released into the wild.
Hymn of Preparation:…..“Together We Serve” #2175 TFWS
Words and Music: Daniel Charles Damon
© 1998 Hope Publishing Co.
1. Together we serve, united by love,
inviting God’s world to the glorious
feast. We work and we pray through
sorrow and joy, extending your love to
the last and the least.
2. We seek to become a beacon of hope,
a lamp for the heart and a light for
The feet. We learn, year by year, to let
love shine through until we see Christ
in each person we meet.
3. We welcome the scarred, the wealthy,
The poor, the busy, the lonely, and all
who need care. We offer a home to those
who will come, our hands quick to help,
our hearts ready to dare.
4. Together, by grace, we witness and
work, remembering Jesus, in whom we
grow strong. Together we serve in Spirit
and truth, remembering love is the
strength of our song.
Sermon:…………..“Scapegoating”…………….Cullen W.
Closing Hymn: “We are the Body of Christ” #2227 TFWS
Words and music by Scott Wesley Brown and David Hampton (1 Cor. 12)
© 1996 New Spring Publishing, Inc.
One heart, one spirit, one voice to praise you,
we are the body of Christ.
One goal, one vision: To see you exalted.
We are the body of Christ.
And to this we give our lives to see you glorified.
One heart, one Spirit, one voice to praise you,
we are the body of Christ.
One goal, one vision: To see you exalted.
We are the body of Christ.
And to this we give our lives to see you glorified.
One heart, one Spirit, one voice to praise you,
we are the body of Christ.
One goal, one vision: To see you exalted.
We are the body, we are the body,
We are the body of Christ.
Dismissal with Blessing: ……..…………..Melanie B.
Postlude:…………“The Family of God”…………………..Greg D.
Words and Music: W. Gaither © 1970 William J. Gaither, Inc.
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Sunday October 15th Worship Service In Person and Online