(Image: “Sunrise” Hofheinz-Döring, Margret, painting, 1991)
©Order of Worship for Sunday August 10, 2025
Ninth 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:………“Love Overflowing”……………Greg D.
Words and Music: Ron Harris and Claire Cloniger © 1980 Ron Harris Music
Coming of the Light:
Greetings:……………………………………………….Pastor Liz
Announcements:…………………………………………Lorri B.
Call to Worship:……………………………………………..
Eternal God, hallowed be your name.
Early in the morning, before we begin our work,
we praise your glory.
Renew our bodies as fresh as the morning flowers.
Open our inner eyes, as the sun casts new light upon the darkness.
Deliver us from all captivity,
like the birds of the sky,
give us wings of freedom to begin a new journey.
As a mighty stream running continuously,
restore justice and freedom day by day.
We thank you for the gift of this morning,
and a new day to work with you. Amen.
Masao Takenara, Japan, 20th Cent.
Opening Prayer:………………………………………………...
We praise your abiding guidance, O God,
for you sent us Jesus, our Teacher and Messiah,
to model for us the way of love for the whole universe.
We offer prayers of love
on behalf of ourselves and our neighbors,
on behalf of your creation and our fellow creatures.
Loving God,
open our ears to hear your word
and draw us closer to you,
that the whole world may be one with you
as you are one with us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Opening Hymns:..“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
#384 UMH
Words by Charles Wesley, music by John Zundel
1. Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heaven, to earth come down;
fix in us thy humble dwelling;
all thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation;
enter every trembling heart.
2. Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit
into every troubled breast!
Let us all in thee inherit;
let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
end of faith, as its beginning,
set our hearts at liberty.
3. Come, Almighty to deliver,
let us all thy life receive;
suddenly return and never,
nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray and praise thee without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.
4. Finish, then, thy new creation;
pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee;
changed from glory into glory,
till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.
“When Love Is Found” #643 UMH
Words: Brian Wren, 1978 Music: Trad. English melody;
Words © 1983 Hope Publishing Co.; Music: © 1972 Hope Publishing Co.
1. When love is found and hope comes home,
sing and be glad that two are one.
When love explodes and fills the sky,
praise God and share our Maker’s joy.
2. When love has flowered in trust and care,
build both each day, that love may dare
to reach beyond home’s warmth and light,
to serve and strive for truth and right.
3. When love is tried as loved ones change,
hold still to hope though all seems strange,
till ease returns, and love grows wise
through listening ears and opened eyes.
4. When love is torn and trust betrayed,
pray strength to love till torments fade,
till lovers keep no score of wrong,
but hear through pain love’s Easter song.
5. Praise God for love, praise God for life,
in age or youth, in husband, wife.
Lift up your hearts, let love be fed
through death and life in broken bread.
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
AFUMC Online Giving Link: https://afumc.com/give/
Offertory:………….“Love in Any Language”……………Greg D.
By Jon Mohr and John Mays. © 1985 Birdwing Music/Sutton Hill Music.
“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
Anthem:……………“Jesus Loves Me.”……………..Jackie J.
Words: Anna B. Warner and David Rutherford McGuire, 1860
Music: William B. Bradley, 1862
Gospel Lesson:…………….John 13:34-35………………
34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Hymn of Preparation:“What Feast of Love” #3170 W&S
Words: Delores Dufner Music: English melody, 16th cent.
Words © 1993 Delores Dufner, OSB admin. OCP
1. What feast of love is offered here, what banquet
come from heaven? What food of everlasting life,
what gracious gift is given? This, this is Christ the king,
the bread come down from heaven. Oh, taste and see
and sing! How sweet the manna given!
2. What light of truth is offered here, what covenant from
heaven? What hope of everlasting life, what wondrous
word is given? This, this is Christ the king, the sun come
down from heaven. Oh, see and hear and sing! The Word
of God is given!
3. What wine of love is offered here, what crimson drink
from heaven? What stream of everlasting life, what precious
blood is given? This, this is Christ the king, the sweetest
wine of heaven. Oh, taste and see and sing! The Son of
God is given!
Sermon:………………………………………………….Pastor Liz
Service of Holy Communion:
CONFESSION & PARDON
Pastor Liz: 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 Liz: 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 Liz: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Pastor Liz: Lift up your hearts. The pastor may lift hands and keep them raised.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
Pastor Liz: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Pastor Liz: 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 Liz: 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 Liz: All honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.
All: Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn:……“Love Lifted Me”#3101 W&S
1. I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more;
but the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,
from the waters lifted me; now safe am I.
Love lifted even me! Love lifted even me!
When nothing else could help. Love lifted me.
Love lifted even me! Love lifted even me!
When nothing else could help. Love lifted me.
2. Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves;
he will lift you by his love out of the angry waves.
He’s the Master of the sea, billows his will obey;
he your Savior wants to be — be saved today.
Love lifted even me! Love lifted even me!
When nothing else could help. Love lifted me.
Love lifted even me! Love lifted even me!
When nothing else could help. Love lifted me.”
Dismissal with Blessing:………………….Pastor Liz
Postlude:……………………………………………………Greg D.
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Sunday August 10th Worship Service