November 19, 2023

November 19, 2023
 
Prelude
Jubilee Bells

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 often invoke the idea of “grace” when we say a blessing over our meals.
People: We know that grace is an essential need for our survival.
Leader: We “say grace,” but do we always share grace with others?
People: We need reminders that we are all human.
Leader: We thank God for another opportunity to make room at the table for others.
People: We give thanks for such a large table!
Leader: This is the day that the Lord has made.
People: We shall rejoice and be glad in it!

*Gathering Song
For Everyone Born
Shirley Erena Murray
© 1998 Hope Publishing Company

1. For everyone born,
a place at the table,
for everyone born,
clean water and bread,
 
a shelter, a space,
a safe place for growing,
for everyone born,
a star overhead.
 
And God will delight
when we are creators
of justice and joy,
yes, God will delight
when we are creators of justice,
justice and joy!
 
2. For woman and man,
a place at the table,
revising the roles,
deciding the share,
 
with wisdom and grace,
dividing the power,
for woman and man,
a system that’s fair.
 
And God will delight
when we are creators
of justice and joy,
yes, God will delight
when we are creators of justice,
justice and joy!
 
3. For young and for old,
a place at the table,
a voice to be heard,
a part in the song,
 
the hands of a child in
hands that are wrinkled,
for young and for old,
the right to belong.
 
And God will delight
when we are creators
of justice and joy,
yes, God will delight
when we are creators of justice,
justice and joy!
 
4. For just and unjust,
a place at the table,
abuser, abused,
with need to forgive,
 
in anger, in hurt,
a mindset of mercy,
for just and unjust,
a new way to live.
 
And God will delight
when we are creators
of justice and joy,
yes, God will delight
when we are creators of justice,
justice and joy!
 
5. For everyone born,
a place at the table,
to live without fear,
and simply to be,
 
to work, to speak out,
to witness and worship,
for everyone born,
the right to be free.
 
And God will delight
when we are creators
of justice and joy,
yes, God will delight
when we are creators of justice,
justice and joy!

Greet Your Neighbors
 
Mystery Box

Prayer Song
Lord I Want to be a Christian
Vs. 1 UMH #402
WORDS: African American spiritual
 
1. Lord, I want to
be a Christian
in my heart, in my heart;
Lord, I want to be a Christian
in my heart. (in my heart)
 
In my heart, (in my heart)
in my heart, (in my heart)
Lord, I want
to be a Christian
in my heart. (in my heart)
 
Pastoral, Silent and, The Lord’s Prayer
CLM Twinkle Gordon

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
Lord I Want to be a Christian
Vs. 4 UMH #402

4. Lord, I want
to be like Jesus
in my heart, in my heart;
Lord, I want
 to be like Jesus
in my heart. (in my heart)
 
In my heart, (in my heart)
in my heart, (in my heart)
Lord, I want
 to be like Jesus
in my heart. (in my heart)

Invitation to Offering
CLM Twinkle Gordon

Offertory
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
Philippians 1:21-30
CLM Twinkle Gordon

For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me, yet I cannot say which I will choose. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better, but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, so that, by my presence again with you, your boast might abound in Christ Jesus because of me.

Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel and in no way frightened by those opposing you. For them, this is evidence of their destruction but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ but of suffering for him as well, since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Anthem
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
We Give Thanks for the Table of Grace & Joy
Rev. David Petty

*Hymn
Who is my Mother? Who Is My Brother?
TFWS #2225
WORDS: Shirley Erena Murray
(Matt. 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21)
MUSIC: Jack Schrader
© 1992 Hope Publishing Co.
 
1. Who is my mother,
who is my brother?
all those who gather
round Jesus Christ:
 
Spirit-blown people,
born from the Gospel
sit at the table,
round Jesus Christ.
 
2. Differently abled,
differently labeled
widen the circle
round Jesus Christ:
 
Crutches and stigmas,
cultures’ enigmas
all come together
round Jesus Christ.
 
3. Love will relate us
color or status
can’t segregate us,
round Jesus Christ:
 
Family failings,
human derailings
all are accepted,
round Jesus Christ.
 
4. Bound by one vision,
met for one mission
we claim each other,
round Jesus Christ:
 
Here is my mother,
here is my brother,
kindred in Spirit,
through Jesus Christ.
 
*Benediction
Rev. David Petty

Postlude
Stephanie Shorden