(Image: “Reading From the Torah”, Hochhalter, Cara B., Print, 2019)

©Order of Worship for Sunday August 24, 2025

Eleventh 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:……….…………………..………..Valerie W.
 
Coming of the Light:
 
Greetings:…………………………………………….Pastor Liz
 
Announcements:………………………………….Lorri B.
 
Call to Worship:…………………………………..Chad/Joe
Lord of the morning I awake to this new day with all of its possibilities,
its uncertainties its many faces,
and its underlying mystery.
May I be able in your strength to move
through this day free of anger or bitterness,
So that when I meet my neighbor or encounter the stranger,
I may recognize your face.
(Peter W. Millar)
Opening Prayer:……………………………………………..Chad/Joe
It is by our love that we are known to be followers of Christ.
       It is by trusting
       that we become fully human.
       It is by changing
       that we hope to grow.
What we were when we came here,
       we will not be when we leave,
       for we have met each other
       in the presence of God.
Let us therefore show love for one another. Amen.
(Brian Wren)
   
Opening Hymns:“Lead On, O Cloud of Presence”  #2234 TFWS
Words: Ruth Duck (Exodus 13: 21-22)
Music: Henry T. Smart
© 1992 GIA Publications, Inc.
 
1. Lead on, O cloud of Presence, the exodus is come,
in wilderness and desert our tribe shall make its home.
Our slavery left behind us, new hopes within us grow.
We seek the land of promise where milk and honey flow.
 
2. Lead on, O fiery Pillar, we follow yet with fears,
but we shall come rejoicing though joy be born of tears.
We are not lost, though wandering, for by your light we come,
and we are still God’s people. The journey is our home.
 
3. Lead on, O God of freedom, and guide us on our way,
and help us trust the promise through struggle and delay.
We pray our sons and daughters may journey to that land
where justice dwells with mercy, and love is law’s demand.
 
“Be Thou My Vision“ #451 UMH
Words:  Eleanor H. Hull, 1912
Music: Trad Irish melody
 
1.Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
 
2.Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
Thou and thou only, first in my heart,
Great God of heaven, my treasure thou art.
 
3.Great God of heaven, my victory won,
may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
 
Passing of the Peace:………………………………..Pastor Liz
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……………..Pastor Liz
 
Offertory:……………………………………………….Valerie W.
 
“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:……………………………..Pastor Liz
 
The Prayers of the People:…………………………Pastor Liz
 
Gospel Lesson:……………..Luke 4:14-21……..Chad/Joe
Jesus reads the prophet Isaiah
Then Jesus, in the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding region. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
 
When he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
 
And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
 
Hymn of Preparation:“Lead Me, Guide Me” #2214 TFWS
Words and Music: Doris Akers
© 1953 Doris Akers, admin. By Unichappell Music, Inc.
 
Refrain
Lead me, guide me, along the way, for if you lead
me, I cannot stray. Lord, let me walk each day with
thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
 
1. I am weak and I need thy strength and power
to help me over my weakest hour.  Help me
through the darkness thy face to see,
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
 
Refrain
Lead me, guide me, along the way, for if you lead
me, I cannot stray. Lord, let me walk each day with
thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
 
2. Help me tread in the paths of righteousness, be my
aid when Satan and sin oppress.  I am putting all
my trust in thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
 
Refrain
Lead me, guide me, along the way, for if you lead
me, I cannot stray. Lord, let me walk each day with
thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
 
3. I am lost if you take your hand from me, I am
blind without thy Light to see, Lord, just always
let me thy servant be. Lead me, O Lord, Lead me.
 
Refrain
Lead me, guide me, along the way, for if you lead
me, I cannot stray. Lord, let me walk each day with
thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
 
Sermon:……………………………………………….Pastor Liz
 
Closing Hymn:……“Guide My Feet” #2208 TFWS
Words and Music: African American spiritual
Harm. © Estate of Wendell Whalum
 
1.Guide my feet while I run this race.
Guide my feet while I run this race.
Guide my feet while I run this race,
for I don’t want to run this race in vain!
 
2.Hold my hand…
3.Stand by me…
4.I’m your child…
5.Guide my feet…
 
Dismissal with Blessing:………………..….Pastor Liz
 
Postlude:……………………………………………….Valerie W.

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Back to School – Back to College
Backpack Blessing Reminder!!!!  

This Sunday August 24th!!!!

If you are a teacher, school volunteer, faculty or professor, and you are returning to school or your college campus, bring your Backpacks, satchels, briefcases, or whatever you carry to class with you on Sunday to receive a back to school blessing.

If you are starting school, going back to school, starting college or going back to college.  Bring your Backpacks, or satchels to Worship on Sunday (tomorrow) for your back to school blessing.