January 28, 2024

Prelude                                              
Stephanie Shorden

Welcome and Announcements                                                              
Rev. David Petty

Threshold Moment                                                                                    
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

We continue into week 4 of our worship series today. We pray that this service brings a “breather” and a sense of assurance to us all. The Book of Psalms knows all about the ups and downs of life, written over a span of time from exile and isolation to the rebuilding of the community, we hope that you will see how the poetry of the Psalms can accompany us in this series. We will be reminded that through it all, we can trust that God is, indeed, holding our lives.

The psalmist proclaims, “My one and only!” So many songs have used this phrase to express devoted love. This week we see that this tradition goes back all the way to the poets of the psalm tradition. This is a love psalm of trust in the “Holy One and Only” who is the rock and refuge in the midst of life that sometimes feels as fleeting as breath. We put our trust in the One who, indeed, is holding our lives.

Threshold Song                                                                            
Stephanie Shorden

Lift up your eyes, behold the hills. From where will help and rescue come? We call the One who made the earth, Who bless’d the stars, the moon and sun.

God is holding your life God is holding your life God is holding your life, we believe [repeat refrain]

Opening Collect Prayer                                                                            
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

Leader: God of our devotion, you are the one constant in life. Open us this day to see the things that hold us in their grip so that we might shed unnecessary distractions that keep us from seeing your reign on earth as it is in heaven.

People: We praise you for being our rock, holding our lives together in the ways that matter most. Amen.

Opening Hymn                                
Blest Be the Tie That Binds            
v. 1-4 UMH #557
WORDS: John Fawcett, 1782
 
 
 1. Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship
of kindred minds
is like to that above.

2. Before our Father’s throne
we pour our
ardent prayers;
our fears, our hopes,
our aims are one,
our comforts and our cares.

3. We share
each other’s woes,
our mutual burdens bear;
and often for
each other flows
the sympathizing tear.

4. When we asunder part,
it gives us inward pain;
but we shall still
be joined in heart,
and hope to meet again.

*The Peace                                                                                                  
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

Leader: The Peace of Christ be with you.

People: And also with you.

Leader: Will you make a gesture of extending your cupped hands toward others who may be with or near 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.

People: 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. 
 
 
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.

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.

Psalm 62:5-12
Norm Thom
 
For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my deliverance and my honor;
my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
Those of low estate are but a breath;
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.
Put no confidence in extortion,
and set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God, and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.
For you repay to all
according to their work.

Message                                          
In God Alone
Rev. David Petty

Testimonies of Being Held                                                                        
Rev. David Petty
 
This is an opportunity to let people share how they have felt the love and support of others and of God.

Sung Reprise after each testimony.
 
 God is holding your life
God is holding your life
God is holding your life,
we believe 
 
“Selah” Moment                                                                                          
Rev. David Petty

The Psalms have a repeated direction throughout–the word “Selah.” Scholars are not sure exactly what it means. Perhaps because the Psalms were to be used in worship, we can surmise that the word indicates a pause, or an invitation for a musical instrument to be played. In this worship series, we will use an instrumental sound to remind us to take a pause, a breath, and remember that the settling of our hearts can offer the feeling that we are held in the hands of the Divine. We will hear the sound and then have some silence. Feel free to close your eyes if you like. Imagine yourself held in safety and love and care. When you hear [the sound] again, open your eyes.
[time of silence bookended with a meditative sound]

Prayer of the People                                                                                  
Norm Thom
           
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…
(Silent Prayer)
 
People: God of Justice, hear our prayer.

Leader: Let us pray for those who live in conflict around the world…
(Silent Prayer)
 
People: Prince of Peace, hear our prayer.

Leader: Let us pray for all who are experiencing loss of any kind in this season…
(Silent Prayer)
 
People: Comforting Healer, hear our prayer.

Leader: Let us pray for those who are homeless, hungry and alone…
(Silent Prayer)
 
People: Emmanuel, God-With-Us, hear our prayer.

Leader: Let us pray for those who live in comfort, for Christ-like hospitality and generosity…
(Silent Prayer)
 
People: Transforming Spirit, hear our prayer.

Leader: Holy and Living One, for those we have named and the ones whose names we do not know,
(Silent Prayer)
 
People: Lord, hear our prayer.

All: 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

Introduction to Offering                                                                            
Rev. David Petty

Offertory                                          
10,000 Reasons
Exalt!

Prayer of Thanksgiving                                                                              
Rev. David Petty

*Closing Hymn                            
Be Thou My Vision                      
UMH #451
WORDS: Ancient Irish; trans. by Mary E. Byrne, 1905; versed by Eleanor H. Hull, 1912, alt. Alt. © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House
 
1. Be thou my vision,
O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me,
save that thou art.
 
Thou my best thought,
by day or by night,
waking or sleeping,
thy presence my light.
 
2. Be thou my wisdom,
and thou my true word;
I ever with thee
and thou with me, Lord;
 
thou and thou only,
first in my heart,
great God of heaven,
my treasure thou art.
 
3. Great God of heaven,
my victory won,
may I reach heaven’s joys,
O bright heaven’s Sun!
 
Heart of my own heart,
whatever befall,
still be my vision,
O Ruler of all.
 
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