Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above.
James 1:17a
Bells
Opening Prayer 1
Spirit of God, enlighten our hearts to the reality of divine presence in our midst. Let our worship be pleasing in your sight, so that our gathering is an experience of deep communion with you and one another. In the name of Jesus Christ, this is our prayer. Amen.
Welcome
Introit
Call To Worship 2
ONE: Awe-inspiring God, we gather together to praise you for your tender compassion and care of needy people.
ALL: Come, all who seek the Lord God, offer your prayers.
ONE: Listening God, we gather to revere and honor your supportive concern for people who cry to you for help.
ALL: Come, all who seek the Lord God, offer your praise.
ONE: People of every nation are called to gather together to worship God, in thankfulness for God's loving mercies.
ALL: Come, all who seek the Lord God, offer your worship. Amen
Hymn 638 O Come and Sing Unto the Lord
Confession of Faith 2
When sin and death hover around us, like famished vultures, you fill us with new strength so they cannot feed on us; when our bitterness clamps tight around our hearts with its steel-like teeth, you pry us loose with your scarred hands so we might walk in faith with you; when we stack our hurts one on top of the other, like kindling wood, ready to set the match of our anger to the pile, you pour your spirit of forgiveness upon them, until they are soaked so thoroughly, nothing can ignite them. Our help, our hope, our life, our peace are truly found in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen!
Response Hymn 175
Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and its righteousness,
and all these things shall be added unto you. Allelu, alleluia!
Assurance of Pardon
ONE: The good news is this: God loves the world so much as to make it a fit place to live; God loves us so much as to reshape us into people of faith. Like a cup of cold water, forgiveness revives us, restores us, gives us new life.
ALL: Thanks be to God, we are forgiven! Amen.
Sharing the Peace of Christ
ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.
RESPONSE: And also with you.
Response Hymn 95
Prepare the way of the Lord.
Prepare the way of the Lord,
And all people will see the salvation of our God
Scripture: James 3:1-12
ONE: This is the word of the Lord.
RESPONSE: Thanks be to God.
Anthem Reminding Ourselves Craig Bray
Sermon Rev. Debra McGuire
Hymn 610 O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Invitation to the Offering
Gracious and generous God, we give of ourselves for the same reasons that you offer yourself: to touch lives, care for the poor, lift up the broken-hearted, and bring comfort to those in need. May our giving be an extension of our gratefulness for the gifts you have given us. Let us continue our worship by offering our gifts to God.
Offertory
Prayer of Dedication
Almighty God, giver of every good and perfect gift, teach us to give to you all that we have and all that we are, that we may praise you not with our words only, but with our whole lives. We ask you to bless all of the gifts that we give, and bless what we keep, and fill us with joy as we discover ways to use our resources for your work in our world. Amen.
Prayers of the People
ONE: Lord in your Mercy,
ALL: Hear our prayers.
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Hymn 546 Lord Dismiss Us With Your Blessing
Pastoral Blessing
Community Charge
Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!
Postlude Revelation Song Jennie Lee Riddle
1 Norman D. Yeater
2 Joan Stott
3 Thom Shuman, Lectionary Liturgies
January 12, 2025
Reverend Debra McGuire
Music Director - Jessica Reddell-Popovich
Liturgist -