October 29, 2023

October 29, 2023
 
Prelude
Stephanie Shorden

Greeting
Rev. David Petty

Threshold Song
Come to the Table of Grace
W & S #3168
Barbara Hamm
© 2008 Barbara Hamm
 
1. Come to the table of grace.
Come to the table of grace.
This is God’s table;
it’s not yours or mine.
Come to the table of grace.
 
2. Come to the table of peace.
Come to the table of peace.
This is God’s table;
it’s not yours or mine.
Come to the table of peace.
 
3. Come to the table of love.
Come to the table of love.
This is God’s table;
it’s not yours or mine.
Come to the table of love.
 
4. Come to the table of joy.
Come to the table of joy.
This is God’s table;
it’s not yours or mine.
Come to the table of joy.
 
*Call To Worship
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

Leader: We know that there is a place for us at this table.
People: Our hearts are filled with gratitude!
Leader: We notice that there is a place for those not like us.
People: We come ready to open our hearts beyond their current size.
Leader: We humbly take our seat.
People: We look into each face and know the presence of Jesus!
Leader: This is the day that the Lord has made.
People: We shall rejoice and be glad in it!

*Gathering Song
All Who Hunger
TFWS #2126
WORDS: Sylvia G. Dunstan (Exod. 16:13-15; Ps. 34:8; John 4:10; 1 Cor. 5:8)
MUSIC: William Moore
© 1991 GIA Publications, Inc.

1. All who hunger,
gather gladly;
holy manna is our bread.
Come from wilderness
and wandering.
Here, in truth, we will be fed.
 
You that yearn
for days of fullness,
all around us
is our food.
 
Taste and see
the grace eternal.
Taste and see
that God is good.
 
2. All who hunger,
never strangers;
seeker, be a welcome guest.
Come from restlessness
and roaming.
Here, in joy,
we keep the feast.
 
We that once
were lost and scattered
in communion’s love
have stood.
 
Taste and see
the grace eternal.
Taste and see
that God is good.
 
3. All who hunger,
sing together;
Jesus Christ is living bread.
Come from loneliness
and longing.
Here, in peace,
we have been led.
 
Blest are those
who from this table
live their lives
in gratitude.
 
Taste and see
the grace eternal.
Taste and see
that God is good.
 
Mystery Box

Prayer Song
Into My Heart
Vs. 1 TFWS #2160
WORDS: Harry D. Clarke, st. 2 anon.
MUSIC: Harry D. Clarke
© 1924, renewed 1952 Hope Publishing Co.

1. Into my heart,
into my heart,
come into my heart,
Lord Jesus;
 
come in today,
come in to stay;
come into my heart,
Lord Jesus.
 
Pastoral, Silent and, 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. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power and the Glory forever.
Amen

Prayer Response
Into My Heart
Vs. 2 TFWS #2160
WORDS: Harry D. Clarke, st. 2 anon.
MUSIC: Harry D. Clarke
© 1924, renewed 1952 Hope Publishing Co.
 
2. Out of my heart,
out of my heart,
shine out of my heart,
Lord Jesus;
 
shine out today,
shine out alway;
shine out of my heart,
Lord Jesus.

Invitation to Offering
Jackie Fletcher

Offertory
In You We Are One
By Jay Althouse
Sanctuary Choir

Prayer of Thanks and Dedication
Rev. David Petty

*Doxology
Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow
 
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!

Scripture Reading
Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:24-25 (MSG)
Jackie Fletcher

Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.

Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”

Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

Matthew 16:24-26

Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?

Anthem
Ain’t-a That Good News!
Arr. Mark Hayes
Sanctuary Choir

Prayer for Illumination

Leader: May the words of my mouth,
People: and the meditations of all of our hearts
All: be acceptable in your sight, O Lord our rock and our redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

Message
Celebrating Our Abundance
Rev. David Petty

*Hymn
I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me
TFWS # 2153
WORDS: African American spiritual  
MUSIC: African American spiritual; arr. by Wendell Whalum

1. I’m gonna live so
(live so)
God can use me
anywhere, Lord, anytime!
(anytime!)
 
I’m gonna live so
(live so)
God can use me
anywhere, Lord, (my Lord,) anytime! (anytime!)
 
2. I’m gonna work so
(work so)
God can use me
anywhere, Lord, anytime!
(anytime!)
 
I’m gonna work so
(work so)
God can use me
anywhere, Lord, (my Lord,) anytime! (anytime!)
 
3. I’m gonna pray so
(pray so)
God can use me
anywhere, Lord, anytime!
(anytime!)
 
I’m gonna pray so
(pray so)
God can use me
anywhere, Lord, (my Lord,) anytime! (anytime!)
 
4. I’m gonna sing so
(sing so)
God can use me
anywhere, Lord, anytime!
(anytime!)
 
I’m gonna sing so
(sing so)
God can use me
anywhere, Lord, (my Lord,) anytime! (anytime!)
 
*Benediction
Rev. David Petty

Postlude
Stephanie Shorden