Worship Service (at home)
July 12, 2020 (during the season of COVID-19 Virus Quarantine)
Faxon-Kenmar United Methodist Church, Williamsport, PA
July 12, 2020 Order of Worship
(We welcome you to worship with us today. Prepare your heart and mind with expectation that you may experience God this day.)
PRELUDE “A Mighty Fortress is our God” – Luther/McDonald
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CALL TO WORSHIP
L: Welcome to this house of the Lord!
P: Thank you. We are glad to be here this morning.
L: This is a time to offer our praise to God.
P: With joy we thank God for all the blessings that have been poured on us.
L: Come, let us worship God who showers us with mercy.
P: Give praise to God who offers us rest and peace. AMEN.
OPENING PRAYER
God of abundant love, we come to you this day in the midst of a season of great growth and coming harvest. All around us are signs of growth, in our earth, in our families, in our nation, in our world. We come this day, seeking your healing love and abounding mercy. Open our hearts to receive all that you offer that we may become mighty fruitful workers for you. AMEN.
SPECIAL MUSIC “Those Who Wait on the Lord”
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PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Lord, forgive us when we doubt your mercy and your love. We are so caught up in getting everything that we want; and we want it all right now. We have trouble waiting and remembering that it is in the waiting that we might hear your voice. It is difficult for us to believe that we can be fruitful, good soil for your words and work-especially when we are so uncertain about the spread of racism and the spread of the virus. We find excuses not to be attentive to you, but to focus instead on our own desires. Slow us down, Lord. Remind us again of your mercy and your love; for we offer this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
God hears your cries and heals your wounded hearts. God is preparing you for good things to come. Place your trust in God who has always loved you and will always love you. AMEN.
MEDITATION “He Who Began a Good Work in You” – Mohr
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PASTORAL PRAYER
Lord, our spirits are on a summertime schedule. Our summer is so different this year-less time with families and friends, times of travel. We have had to change the way we do things because of the pandemic. We still need time of rest in the midst of turmoil in our country. Help us remember that in all these things you are with us. Hear our cries of frustration when the plans that we have so carefully crafted do not work out. Be with us in all of our journeys, guiding our lives and our steps. Again, lavishly pour your love and mercy on us. Prepare us to serve you in all that we do-finding new ways to be your church. Lead us, O God. AMEN.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
SCRIPTURE Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
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MESSAGE “Finding Rest with Jesus”
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OFFERING OF TITHES AND OFFERING
(Please take this time to give from your heart to God, so that our offering may be used to spread the word of Jesus Christ. Your envelopes may be sent to our church address or you may inquire how to set up electronic giving.)
PRAYER Lord God, we give you thanks for your generosity of love and mercy. Bless all that we give that we may glorify You in our giving and that countless people may be transformed by you and become followers of Jesus. Amen.
BENEDICTION May the peace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, be with you. Carry the peace with you into the world this week.
POSTLUDE “Flourish on ‘Saltzburg’” – Wagner
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Rev Susan Halverstadt, Pastor
David Koskey, Director of Music
Scott Schell, Special Music
Faxon-Kenmar UMC is using CCLI Streaming License 3356248 Exp. 3.31.21.
