August 23, 2020 Service

 

 

PETALUMA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

August 23, 2020

The 12^th Sunday after Pentecost

The Order of Service

 

 

PRELUDE:  “Onward Christian Soldiers”  (Marilyn Lee, Organist)

 

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:  (Rob Bickmore)

 

GREETING ONE ANOTHER:  (Rob Bickmore)   Yes, we are gathered in this moment from many places, unable to see one another but still held in the warm embrace of Christian community.   In this moment, please think of one member of this community whom you have not spoken with recently, and commit to giving them a call this afternoon.  Your love made visible will matter a great deal.

 

CALL TO WORSHIP:  (Sue Sarno)  

 

God calls us as people of faith to give of ourselves. It is in this giving that we find ourselves.  It is in our generous hearts that new life flowers.   Come, sisters and brothers, let us pour ourselves out in self-giving love as we worship together today.  AMEN

 

OPENING HYMN:   “Take My Life and Let it Be”   vs 1,2,3   (UM Hymnal #399)(Marilyn Lee, Organist)

 

1. Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee.

         Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise.

         Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of thy love.

         Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for thee.

 

2. Take my voice, and let me sing always, only for my King.

       Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from thee.

       Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.

          Take my intellect, and use every power as thou shalt choose.

 

3. Take my will, make it thine; it shall be no longer mine.

       Take my heart, it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne.

       Take my love, my Lord, I pour at thy feet its treasure store.

       Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee.

 

CALL TO CONFESSION:   (Pastor Schuyler)

Friends, God does not stand like some cosmic Cop, shining a bright light in our faces and demanding that we “confess our sins….”  No. Our God surrounds us with forgiving grace, offering us healing and new life before we have even admitted our frailties and our weaknesses. As we open our hearts to receive God’s grace, let us also take a moment to unburden ourselves and offer God the struggles, the pain and mis-steps we have made.

Let us take this moment in silence to connect and to share with God.

 

SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION:

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION:  (Charlotte Peterson)

 

Holy God, we come to you in prayer to say some difficult truths.

God, we have not followed your royal rule of love.

We have not forgiven as you have forgiven us.

We have not heard the cries of the poor.

We have not reached out to liberate the oppressed.

Forgive us God.  Have mercy on us and empower us, we pray, to be your church now and always in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON:  (Pastor Schuyler Rhodes)

Forgiveness comes to us even when we do not know or sense it.   For God has gone the distance, giving even God’s self in Christ Jesus so that we might be forgiven.   This beautiful reality both humbles and calls us forward!  In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

 

SCRIPTURE:   Psalm 124  Fijian reading ( Vakatawa Sekuri Yadraca) ; English reading (Sue Sarno)  

                                              

SCRIPTURE:   Romans 12: 1-8   (Sue Sarno)

 

SERMON:  “A Living Sacrifice” (Pastor Schuyler Rhodes)

 

THE PASTORAL PRAYER:   (Pastor Schuyler Rhodes)

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER:    Fijian,   (Vakatawa Sekuri Yadraka)

                                            English,(Elizabeth Truesdell)

 

INVITATION TO OFFERING: (Pastor Schuyler Rhodes)

 

OFFERTORY:(Marilyn Lee, Organist)

 

PRAYER OF DEDICATION: (Pastor Schuyler Rhodes)

 

CLOSING HYMN: “Many Gifts, One Spirit” (UMH 114, vs 1,2,3) 

 

1. God of change and glory, God of time and space,

       When we fear the future, give to us your grace.

       In the midst of changing ways give us still the grace to praise.

 

REFRAIN:

         Many gifts, Spirit, one love known in many ways.

      In our difference is blessing, from diversity we praise one Giver,

      One Lord, one Spirit, one Word known in many ways,

      Hallowing our days.  For the Giver, for the gifts, praise, praise, praise!

 

2. God of many colors, God of many signs,

 you have made us different, blessing many kinds.

 As the old ways disappear, let your love cast out our fear.  (Refrain)

 

3. Freshness of the morning, newness of each night,

       You are creating endless love and light.

       This we see, as shadows part, many gifts from one great heart.  (Refrain)

 

 BENEDICTION:  (Pastor Schuyler Rhodes)

And now may the God of peace, the God of hope and new beginnings call us each to become a living sacrifice, pure and holy, as we go forward in the name of the Creator, the Word and the Holy Spirit.

 

POSTLUDE:  "Honor, Glory, Power, and Salvation" (Marilyn Lee, Organist)