Sunday August 3rd Worship Service

(Image: Gregory T. Smith openart.ai)

©Order of Worship for Sunday August 03, 2025

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

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:…………….…“Higher Ground”………………..…Greg D.
Words: Johnson Oatman, Jr. Music: Chas H. Gabriel
 
Coming of the Light:
 
Greetings:…………………………………………………………Lusi R.
 
Announcements:……………………………………………….Lorri B.
 
Call to Worship:………………………………………………….Ian D.
Here in this sanctuary,
    we remember, O God, your gift of life to each of us;
       and we seek to carry it to the streets-
               wherever there is death and violence
                           where there is grief and loss.
 
 
Here in this sanctuary,
    we remember, O God, your invitation to belong and
    find shelter;
    and we seek to carry it to the streets-
         wherever there is loneliness and rejection
           where there is homelessness and people are displaced.
Here in this sanctuary,
       We remember, O God, your reign of justice and                                             righteousness;
       and we seek to carry it to the streets-
Here in this sanctuary,
       we remember, O God, your sacrifice of love and mercy;
       and we seek to carry it to the streets-
                     wherever there is hatred and evil
            wherever there is hopelessness, regret, and guilt.
Here is this sanctuary, where we remember all that you have                                                 done for us, O God
           we remember also your call to live what we sing and pray.
And so we commit ourselves again
       to carry our worship from the sanctuary
                                             to the streets.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
 
Opening Prayer:………………………………………………...Ian D.
Prayer for Illumination
Holy Spirit, you who inspires prophets and bestows grace upon grace to us, make us ready to hear and receive the proclamation of the Scriptures, that we may be sent forth to love and to serve in your name. Amen.

Opening Hymns:……….“Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore” (Tu Has Venido a la Orilla”  #344 UMH
Words & Music by Cesareo Gabarain; translated by Gertrude C. Suppe, George Lockwood, and Raquel Gutierrez-Achon 1987; harmony by Skinner Chavez-Melo 1987
© 1979 Ediciones Paulinas; translation © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; harmony © 1987 Skinner Chavez-Melo
 
1. Lord, you have come to the lakeshore looking neither for wealthy or wise ones;
you only asked me to follow humbly.
O Lord, with your eyes you have searched me,
and while smiling have spoken my name;
now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me;
by your side I will seek other seas.
 
2. You know so well my possessions;
my boat carries no gold and no weapons;
you will find there my nets and labor.
O Lord, with your eyes you have searched me,
and while smiling have spoken my name;
now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me;
by your side I will seek other seas.
 
3. You need my hands, full of caring
through my labors to give others rest,
and constant love that keeps on loving.
O Lord, with your eyes you have searched me,
and while smiling have spoken my name;
now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me;
by your side I will seek other seas.
 
4. You, who have fished other oceans,
ever longed for by souls who are waiting,
my loving friend, as thus you call me. 
O Lord, with your eyes you have searched me,
and while smiling have spoken my name;
now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me;
by your side I will seek other seas.
 
“Tell Me the Stories of Jesus” #277 UMH
Words: William H. Parker, 1885 Music: Frederic A. Challinor, 1903
 
1. Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear;
things I would ask him to tell me if he were here:
scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,
stories of Jesus, tell them to me.
 
2. First let me hear how the children stood round his knee,
and I shall fancy his blessing resting on me;
words full of kindness, deeds full of grace,
all in the love light of Jesus’ face.
 
3. Into the city I’d follow the children’s band,
waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand;
one of his heralds, yes, I would sing
loudest hosannas, “Jesus is King!”
 
Passing of the Peace:………………………………………….Lusi R.
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.

Giving of our tithes and offerings………………………….Lusi R.
AFUMC Online Giving Link: https://afumc.com/give/

Offertory:…………“Be Thou My Vision”………………Greg/Mark
Irish Folk song, Arr. by Carlton Young © 1958 Neil A. Kjos Music Co.
Publisher, Renewed 1986
 
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” (The Doxology) #94 UMH
Adapted © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House
Words by Thomas Ken, 1674, adapted by Gilbert Vieira, 1978
Music: Geistliche Kirchengesänge, 1623; harmony by Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906
 
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
 
Prayer After Receiving:……………………………………….Lusi R.
 
The Prayers of the People:…………………………………..Lusi R.
The Lord’s Prayer:
 
Anthem:..“Jesus, the Very Thought of You”…Lori/Mark/ Greg
Words: Don Besig and Jancy Price Music: Don Besig ©Harold Flammer Music
 
Gospel Lesson:…………Mark 2:1-12…….………………….Ian D.
 
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
 
When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.  So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them.
 
Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.  And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay.  When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
 
Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”  At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts?  Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’? 
 
But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.”  And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
 
Hymn of Preparation:“People Need the Lord” #2244 TFWS
Words and Music: Greg Nelson and Phill McHugh
© 1983 River Oaks Music Co/Shepherd’s Fold Music
 
1. People need the Lord, people need the
Lord; at the end of broken dreams,
he’s the open door.
 
2. People need the Lord, people need the
Lord; when will we realize
people need the Lord.
 
Sermon:……………….“Mat Bearers”……………………..Lusi R.
 
Closing Hymn:…….“In Christ There Is No East or West” #548 UMH
Words: Sts. 1,2,4, John Oxenham, 1912 st. 3, Laurence Hull
Stookey, 1987 Music: Afro-American spiritual
 
 
1. In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south
or north; but one great fellowship of love throughout
the whole wide earth.
 
2. In Christ shall true hearts everywhere their high
communion find; his service is the golden cord close
binding humankind.
 
3. In Christ is neither Jew nor Greek, and neither slave
nor free; both male and female heirs are made, and
all are kin to me.
 
4. In Christ now meet both east and west, in him meet
south and north; all Christly souls are one in him
throughout the whole wide earth.
 
Dismissal with Blessing:……………………………….…….Lusi R.
What does the Lord require of you as you go from
    this place but to do justice, to love mercy, and to
            walk humbly with God?  In the name of Jesus
       Christ, go to serve God and your neighbor in all
                                                   that you do.
Thanks be to God!
 
Postlude:…………………………………………………………Greg D.

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