January 7, 2024
January 7, 2024
Prelude
Stephanie Shorden
Welcome
Rev. David Petty
Threshold
Rev. David Petty
We begin a new worship series today that we pray will bring a “breather” and a sense of assurance to us all. Life is a series of exclamations from “O No!” to “Help!” to “Oh Yeah!” We can swing between disappointment, helplessness, and gratitude on a daily basis. The Book of Psalms knows all about this. Written over a span of time from exile and isolation to the rebuilding of the community, the poetry of the Psalms will accompany us in this series, reminding us that through it all, we can trust that God is, indeed, holding our lives.
This worship will allow us to simplify and slow down for a time. We will lean on prayer, reflection and sharing with one another.
Pastor Donnie Sturgill: We do not live in a land ruled by Kings, as the hearers of our first Psalm of this series did. Nevertheless, the petitions of the psalmist for justice, deliverance, defense of the poor and oppressed, and peace for all peoples is an undergirding theme of our faith. We are reminded that a just society is one that proclaims “these lives are precious” and worthy of protection. God, indeed, is holding our lives. Let this be our “epiphany” in this new year.
God Is Holding Your Life
Words & Music by Richard Bruxvoort Colligan
Lift up your eyes,
behold the hills
From where will help
and rescue come?
We call on one
who made the earth
the dust and stars,
the moon and sun
God is holding your life,
God is holding your life,
God is holding your life,
we believe
God is holding your life,
God is holding your life,
God is holding your life,
we believe
Opening Collect Prayer
Pastor Donnie Sturgill
Leader: Holy and Just God, You have shown us what is right and good. Open us this day to a vision of the world made all-right so that we might follow your ways and know the peace of your reign on earth as it is in heaven.
People: We praise you for your steadfast presence, holding our lives together in love.
Amen.
Opening Hymn
Precious Lord, Take My Hand
UMH #474
WORDS: Thomas A. Dorsey, 1932
© 1938 Hill & Range Songs, Inc., renewed Unichappell Music, Inc.
1. Precious Lord,
take my hand,
lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak,
I am worn;
through the storm,
through the night,
lead me on
to the light:
Refrain
Take my hand,
precious Lord,
lead me home.
2. When my way
grows drear,
precious Lord, linger near,
when my life
is almost gone,
hear my cry,
hear my call,
hold my hand
lest I fall:
Refrain
Take my hand,
precious Lord,
lead me home.
3. When the
darkness appears
and the night draws near,
and the day is
past and gone,
at the river I stand,
guide my feet,
hold my hand:
Refrain
Take my hand,
precious Lord,
lead me home.
The Peace
Pastor Donnie Sturgill
The Peace of Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
Will you make a gesture of extending your cupped hands toward others who may be with you as a sign of offering the peace that Christ gives us. If you are alone, place your cupped hands over your heart, as a sign that you send your heartfelt peace out to the world.
Give thanks for strong yet tender hands held out in trust and blessing. Where words fall short let hands speak out; the heights of love expressing.
Mystery Box
Psalm Reading
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
CLM Twinkle Gordon
Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son. May he judge your people with righteousness and your poor with justice. May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness. May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor. May he live[a] while the sun endures
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations. May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth. In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more.
Psalm 72:10-14
May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba
bring gifts. May all kings fall down before him, all nations give him service. For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life,
and precious is their blood in his sight.
Psalm Song
Lord, You Give the Great Commission
v. 1, 3 UMH #584
WORDS: Jeffery Rowthorn, 1978 (Lk. 9:2; Mt. 28:19-20; Lk. 23:34)
© 1978 Hope Publishing Co.
1. Lord, you give
the great commission:
“Heal the sick
and preach the word.”
Lest the church
neglect its mission,
and the gospel
go unheard,
help us witness
to your purpose
with renewed integrity.
Refrain
With the Spirit’s
gifts empower us
for the work of ministry.
3. Lord, you make
the common holy:
“This my body,
this my blood.”
Let us all,
for earth’s true glory,
daily lift life heavenward,
asking that the
world around us
share your
children’s liberty.
Refrain
With the Spirit’s
gifts empower us
for the work of ministry.
Reflection
Rev. David Petty
Testimonies of Being Held
Sung Reprise
God Is Holding Your Life
God is holding your life
God is holding your life
God is holding your life, we believe
God is holding your life
God is holding your life
God is holding your life, we believe
“Selah” Moment
Rev. David Petty
Prayer of the People
CLM Twinkle Gordon
Leader: Let the people say, “Selah”
People: Selah!
Leader: Let us continue our prayers. I will offer a category of concern and we will allow a brief
pause, then we will respond as indicated. As a prayer posture for this worship series, I
invite you to cup your hands, ready to receive God’s love and peace, and in preparation
to be God’s love and peace in the world. Let us pray for the leaders of this world and this church community…
People: God of Justice, hear our prayer.
Leader: Let us pray for those who live in conflict around the world…
People: Prince of Peace, hear our prayer.
Leader: Let us pray for all who are experiencing loss of any kind during this season…
People: Comforting Healer, hear our prayer.
Leader: Let us pray for those who are homeless, hungry and alone…
People: Emmanuel, God-With-Us, hear our prayer.
Leader: Let us pray for those who live in comfort,
for Christ-like hospitality and generosity…
People: Transforming Spirit, hear our prayer.
Confession and Assurance
Rev. David Petty
Leader: We are all invited to the gift of this table of grace. As a response to the invitation, we are asked to let go of all that separates us from accepting this grace. We confess the ways we have placed hardship in the hands of others, rather than peace.
[sung]
All: Put peace into each other’s hands
and like a treasure hold it,
protect it like a candle flame,
with tenderness enfold it.
Put peace into each other’s hands
with loving expectation;
be gentle in your words and ways,
in touch with God’s creation.
Leader: When we place peace in each other’s hands, we place love in all the hands of the world. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
People: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! Glory to God! Amen!
Great Thanksgiving
Rev. David Petty
Leader: The Lord be with you!
People: And also with you.
Leader: Open your hearts, your mouths, your lives to the Holy One.
People: We long for this communion.
Leader: Let us give our greatest thanks in the company of the beloved.
People: It is a good and joyful thing to give our thanks and praise.
Leader: Gift of Life, Creator of All That Is, You have breathed life into us, filled our emptiness, loved us through our resistance.
People: Time and again you say, Listen! Time and again you say, Live! Time and again you say, Love!
Leader: And so we gather and give thanks in this moment. We stop so we may listen, we breathe so we may live, we open so we may love.
People: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Leader: Holy are you God, And blessed be your work in Jesus, Peace-Giver, Life-Healer. Spirit-Anointer, do your work in us, as in him.
People: May we proclaim release, recovery, liberty and the end of all oppression. May we savor the taste of goodness and offer this gift of love to all.
Leader: Jesus gathered with his disciples, his friends, his family. He took bread, said thanks over it, gave it to his companions and said, “Take, eat, this is my body. My life is given for love of you.
So whenever you gather together, stop... Selah... think of me. Be at peace. I am here.”
And after the supper he lifted his cup, gave thanks over it, and offered it to his companions, saying, “Drink from this cup, all of you. This is my life, my love poured out for you. Whenever you gather together, stop... Selah... think of me. Be at peace.
I am here.”
[sung]
Put peace into each other’s hands
like bread we break for sharing;
look people warmly in the eye;
our life is meant for caring.
Leader: And so, in remembrance of your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
People: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Leader: Holy Spirit, Breath of Wind,
People: Fill us, transform us.
Leader: Holy Spirit, Lover of Justice,
People: Fill us, transform us.
Leader: Holy Spirit, Maker of Unity,
People: Fill us, transform us.
Leader: And all God’s people say,
All: Amen!
[sung]
As at communion shape your hands,
into a waiting cradle;
the gift of Christ receive, revere,
united round the table.
Leader: Let us pray the Lord’s Prayer together.
People: 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
Leader: We who are many are one body, one loaf, rising in Spirit together. Even if we cannot be physically in the same space, we are one in love.
We are one in the grace of Christ broken open for us.
While we have many cups, God’s love is poured upon us from the one cup of salvation.
It is in this sharing beyond all time and space that we are drawn close, that we are made whole, that we are made free.
As you are served by those with you, or served by your own hand, know that the hand that serves you is the hand of all Christ’s Body, through mystical union with the Divine. You are not alone.
Communion
[sing after receiving]
Put Christ into each other’s hands,
he is love’s deepest measure;
in love make peace, give peace a chance,
and share it like a treasure.
Prayer After Receiving
Rev. David Petty
Leader: God of all that is too deep for words,
we give you thanks that, at this table of grace,
you offer your holiness, your steadfast love.
Open us often to your Selah, your pause,
to hear the needs of your people.
We pray this in the name of the Host of this Table,
Jesus the Christ.
People: Amen.
Leader: Holy and Living One, as we gather to break bread once again, break us open to your love, to your peace, to your presence, to your transformative power. In the name of the One who invites us time and again, Jesus the Christ.
Let the people say, “Selah”
People: Selah!
Intro to Offering
CLM Twinkle Gordon
Offertory
Stephanie Shorden
Prayer Response
Put Peace Into Each Other’s Hands
Put peace into each other’s hands
and like a treasure hold it,
protect it like a candle flame,
with tenderness enfold it.
Put peace into each other’s hands
with loving expectation;
be gentle in your words and ways,
in touch with God’s creation.
*Closing Hymn
Sent Forth by God’s Blessing
UMH #664
WORDS: Omer Westendorf, 1964
© 1964 World Library Publications, Inc.
1. Sent forth by
God’s blessing,
our true faith confessing,
thy people of God
from this dwelling take leave.
The service is ended,
O now be extended
the fruits of our worship
in all who believe.
The seed of the teaching,
receptive souls reaching,
shall blossom in action
for God and for all.
God’s grace did invite us,
and love shall unite us
to work for
God’s kingdom
and answer the call.
2. With praise and
thanksgiving
to God ever living,
the tasks of
our everyday
life we will face.
Our faith ever sharing,
in love ever caring,
embracing God’s children
of each tribe and race.
With Your grace
You feed us,
with Your light now lead us;
unite us as one in this
life that we share.
Then may all the living
with praise
and thanksgiving
give honor to Christ
and that name
which we bear.
*Benediction
Rev. David Petty
Now go in the knowledge that
God is holding your life
even as we hold each other.
You are not alone.
You are loved.
Amen.
Postlude
Stephanie Shorden
Prelude
Stephanie Shorden
Welcome
Rev. David Petty
Threshold
Rev. David Petty
We begin a new worship series today that we pray will bring a “breather” and a sense of assurance to us all. Life is a series of exclamations from “O No!” to “Help!” to “Oh Yeah!” We can swing between disappointment, helplessness, and gratitude on a daily basis. The Book of Psalms knows all about this. Written over a span of time from exile and isolation to the rebuilding of the community, the poetry of the Psalms will accompany us in this series, reminding us that through it all, we can trust that God is, indeed, holding our lives.
This worship will allow us to simplify and slow down for a time. We will lean on prayer, reflection and sharing with one another.
Pastor Donnie Sturgill: We do not live in a land ruled by Kings, as the hearers of our first Psalm of this series did. Nevertheless, the petitions of the psalmist for justice, deliverance, defense of the poor and oppressed, and peace for all peoples is an undergirding theme of our faith. We are reminded that a just society is one that proclaims “these lives are precious” and worthy of protection. God, indeed, is holding our lives. Let this be our “epiphany” in this new year.
God Is Holding Your Life
Words & Music by Richard Bruxvoort Colligan
Lift up your eyes,
behold the hills
From where will help
and rescue come?
We call on one
who made the earth
the dust and stars,
the moon and sun
God is holding your life,
God is holding your life,
God is holding your life,
we believe
God is holding your life,
God is holding your life,
God is holding your life,
we believe
Opening Collect Prayer
Pastor Donnie Sturgill
Leader: Holy and Just God, You have shown us what is right and good. Open us this day to a vision of the world made all-right so that we might follow your ways and know the peace of your reign on earth as it is in heaven.
People: We praise you for your steadfast presence, holding our lives together in love.
Amen.
Opening Hymn
Precious Lord, Take My Hand
UMH #474
WORDS: Thomas A. Dorsey, 1932
© 1938 Hill & Range Songs, Inc., renewed Unichappell Music, Inc.
1. Precious Lord,
take my hand,
lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak,
I am worn;
through the storm,
through the night,
lead me on
to the light:
Refrain
Take my hand,
precious Lord,
lead me home.
2. When my way
grows drear,
precious Lord, linger near,
when my life
is almost gone,
hear my cry,
hear my call,
hold my hand
lest I fall:
Refrain
Take my hand,
precious Lord,
lead me home.
3. When the
darkness appears
and the night draws near,
and the day is
past and gone,
at the river I stand,
guide my feet,
hold my hand:
Refrain
Take my hand,
precious Lord,
lead me home.
The Peace
Pastor Donnie Sturgill
The Peace of Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
Will you make a gesture of extending your cupped hands toward others who may be with you as a sign of offering the peace that Christ gives us. If you are alone, place your cupped hands over your heart, as a sign that you send your heartfelt peace out to the world.
Give thanks for strong yet tender hands held out in trust and blessing. Where words fall short let hands speak out; the heights of love expressing.
Mystery Box
Psalm Reading
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
CLM Twinkle Gordon
Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son. May he judge your people with righteousness and your poor with justice. May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness. May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor. May he live[a] while the sun endures
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations. May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth. In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more.
Psalm 72:10-14
May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba
bring gifts. May all kings fall down before him, all nations give him service. For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life,
and precious is their blood in his sight.
Psalm Song
Lord, You Give the Great Commission
v. 1, 3 UMH #584
WORDS: Jeffery Rowthorn, 1978 (Lk. 9:2; Mt. 28:19-20; Lk. 23:34)
© 1978 Hope Publishing Co.
1. Lord, you give
the great commission:
“Heal the sick
and preach the word.”
Lest the church
neglect its mission,
and the gospel
go unheard,
help us witness
to your purpose
with renewed integrity.
Refrain
With the Spirit’s
gifts empower us
for the work of ministry.
3. Lord, you make
the common holy:
“This my body,
this my blood.”
Let us all,
for earth’s true glory,
daily lift life heavenward,
asking that the
world around us
share your
children’s liberty.
Refrain
With the Spirit’s
gifts empower us
for the work of ministry.
Reflection
Rev. David Petty
Testimonies of Being Held
Sung Reprise
God Is Holding Your Life
God is holding your life
God is holding your life
God is holding your life, we believe
God is holding your life
God is holding your life
God is holding your life, we believe
“Selah” Moment
Rev. David Petty
Prayer of the People
CLM Twinkle Gordon
Leader: Let the people say, “Selah”
People: Selah!
Leader: Let us continue our prayers. I will offer a category of concern and we will allow a brief
pause, then we will respond as indicated. As a prayer posture for this worship series, I
invite you to cup your hands, ready to receive God’s love and peace, and in preparation
to be God’s love and peace in the world. Let us pray for the leaders of this world and this church community…
People: God of Justice, hear our prayer.
Leader: Let us pray for those who live in conflict around the world…
People: Prince of Peace, hear our prayer.
Leader: Let us pray for all who are experiencing loss of any kind during this season…
People: Comforting Healer, hear our prayer.
Leader: Let us pray for those who are homeless, hungry and alone…
People: Emmanuel, God-With-Us, hear our prayer.
Leader: Let us pray for those who live in comfort,
for Christ-like hospitality and generosity…
People: Transforming Spirit, hear our prayer.
Confession and Assurance
Rev. David Petty
Leader: We are all invited to the gift of this table of grace. As a response to the invitation, we are asked to let go of all that separates us from accepting this grace. We confess the ways we have placed hardship in the hands of others, rather than peace.
[sung]
All: Put peace into each other’s hands
and like a treasure hold it,
protect it like a candle flame,
with tenderness enfold it.
Put peace into each other’s hands
with loving expectation;
be gentle in your words and ways,
in touch with God’s creation.
Leader: When we place peace in each other’s hands, we place love in all the hands of the world. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
People: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! Glory to God! Amen!
Great Thanksgiving
Rev. David Petty
Leader: The Lord be with you!
People: And also with you.
Leader: Open your hearts, your mouths, your lives to the Holy One.
People: We long for this communion.
Leader: Let us give our greatest thanks in the company of the beloved.
People: It is a good and joyful thing to give our thanks and praise.
Leader: Gift of Life, Creator of All That Is, You have breathed life into us, filled our emptiness, loved us through our resistance.
People: Time and again you say, Listen! Time and again you say, Live! Time and again you say, Love!
Leader: And so we gather and give thanks in this moment. We stop so we may listen, we breathe so we may live, we open so we may love.
People: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Leader: Holy are you God, And blessed be your work in Jesus, Peace-Giver, Life-Healer. Spirit-Anointer, do your work in us, as in him.
People: May we proclaim release, recovery, liberty and the end of all oppression. May we savor the taste of goodness and offer this gift of love to all.
Leader: Jesus gathered with his disciples, his friends, his family. He took bread, said thanks over it, gave it to his companions and said, “Take, eat, this is my body. My life is given for love of you.
So whenever you gather together, stop... Selah... think of me. Be at peace. I am here.”
And after the supper he lifted his cup, gave thanks over it, and offered it to his companions, saying, “Drink from this cup, all of you. This is my life, my love poured out for you. Whenever you gather together, stop... Selah... think of me. Be at peace.
I am here.”
[sung]
Put peace into each other’s hands
like bread we break for sharing;
look people warmly in the eye;
our life is meant for caring.
Leader: And so, in remembrance of your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
People: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Leader: Holy Spirit, Breath of Wind,
People: Fill us, transform us.
Leader: Holy Spirit, Lover of Justice,
People: Fill us, transform us.
Leader: Holy Spirit, Maker of Unity,
People: Fill us, transform us.
Leader: And all God’s people say,
All: Amen!
[sung]
As at communion shape your hands,
into a waiting cradle;
the gift of Christ receive, revere,
united round the table.
Leader: Let us pray the Lord’s Prayer together.
People: 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
Leader: We who are many are one body, one loaf, rising in Spirit together. Even if we cannot be physically in the same space, we are one in love.
We are one in the grace of Christ broken open for us.
While we have many cups, God’s love is poured upon us from the one cup of salvation.
It is in this sharing beyond all time and space that we are drawn close, that we are made whole, that we are made free.
As you are served by those with you, or served by your own hand, know that the hand that serves you is the hand of all Christ’s Body, through mystical union with the Divine. You are not alone.
Communion
[sing after receiving]
Put Christ into each other’s hands,
he is love’s deepest measure;
in love make peace, give peace a chance,
and share it like a treasure.
Prayer After Receiving
Rev. David Petty
Leader: God of all that is too deep for words,
we give you thanks that, at this table of grace,
you offer your holiness, your steadfast love.
Open us often to your Selah, your pause,
to hear the needs of your people.
We pray this in the name of the Host of this Table,
Jesus the Christ.
People: Amen.
Leader: Holy and Living One, as we gather to break bread once again, break us open to your love, to your peace, to your presence, to your transformative power. In the name of the One who invites us time and again, Jesus the Christ.
Let the people say, “Selah”
People: Selah!
Intro to Offering
CLM Twinkle Gordon
Offertory
Stephanie Shorden
Prayer Response
Put Peace Into Each Other’s Hands
Put peace into each other’s hands
and like a treasure hold it,
protect it like a candle flame,
with tenderness enfold it.
Put peace into each other’s hands
with loving expectation;
be gentle in your words and ways,
in touch with God’s creation.
*Closing Hymn
Sent Forth by God’s Blessing
UMH #664
WORDS: Omer Westendorf, 1964
© 1964 World Library Publications, Inc.
1. Sent forth by
God’s blessing,
our true faith confessing,
thy people of God
from this dwelling take leave.
The service is ended,
O now be extended
the fruits of our worship
in all who believe.
The seed of the teaching,
receptive souls reaching,
shall blossom in action
for God and for all.
God’s grace did invite us,
and love shall unite us
to work for
God’s kingdom
and answer the call.
2. With praise and
thanksgiving
to God ever living,
the tasks of
our everyday
life we will face.
Our faith ever sharing,
in love ever caring,
embracing God’s children
of each tribe and race.
With Your grace
You feed us,
with Your light now lead us;
unite us as one in this
life that we share.
Then may all the living
with praise
and thanksgiving
give honor to Christ
and that name
which we bear.
*Benediction
Rev. David Petty
Now go in the knowledge that
God is holding your life
even as we hold each other.
You are not alone.
You are loved.
Amen.
Postlude
Stephanie Shorden
Posted in Liturgies
Recent
Archive
2024
February
March
May
August
October
November
2023
January
April
No Comments