February 4, 2024
Prelude
Stephanie Shorden
Welcome and Announcements
Rev. David Petty
Stephanie Shorden
Welcome and Announcements
Rev. David Petty
Threshold Moment
Pastor Donnie Sturgill
We continue into week 5 of our worship series today. 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.
One mode of poetry in the Psalms is all-out praise and thanksgiving, such as the one for today. We also find praise even in Psalms of lament and complaint because “God is good all the time and all the time God is good!” Life is not always good, but when we engage in gratitude, we remember the evidence of God at work in our lives and we remember that indeed, God is holding our lives, even now.
Threshold Song
Stephanie Shorden
Opening Collect Prayer
Pastor Donnie Sturgill
Leader: Amazing God, You do wonderful things–big and small–every day. Open us this day to recognize the miracles of life all around us so that we might stay resilient and ready to create your reign on earth as it is in heaven.
People: We praise you for your continued good works, holding our lives together each day. Amen.
Pastor Donnie Sturgill
We continue into week 5 of our worship series today. 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.
One mode of poetry in the Psalms is all-out praise and thanksgiving, such as the one for today. We also find praise even in Psalms of lament and complaint because “God is good all the time and all the time God is good!” Life is not always good, but when we engage in gratitude, we remember the evidence of God at work in our lives and we remember that indeed, God is holding our lives, even now.
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: Amazing God, You do wonderful things–big and small–every day. Open us this day to recognize the miracles of life all around us so that we might stay resilient and ready to create your reign on earth as it is in heaven.
People: We praise you for your continued good works, holding our lives together each day. Amen.
*Opening Hymn Praise to the Lord, the Almighty v. 1, 3-5 UMH #139
WORDS: Joachim Neander, 1680; sts. 1, 3, 5 trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1863;
st. 2 by S. Paul Schilling, 1986; st. 4 by Rupert E. Davies, 1983 (Ps. 103:1-6; 150)
Trans. sts. 2 and 4 © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House
1. Praise to the Lord,
the Almighty,
the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him,
for He is thy health
and salvation!
All ye who hear,
now to His
temple draw near;
join me in glad adoration!
3. Praise to the Lord,
who doth prosper
thy work
and defend thee;
surely His goodness
and mercy here daily
attend thee.
Ponder anew
what the Almighty can do,
who with His love
doth befriend thee.
4. Praise to the Lord,
who doth nourish thy
life and restore thee,
fitting thee well
for the tasks that are
ever before thee.
Then to thy need
God as a mother
doth speed,
spreading the wings
of grace o’er thee.
5. Praise to the Lord!
O let all that is
in me adore Him!
All that hath life
and breath,
come now with praises
before Him!
Let the amen
sound from His
people again;
gladly forever adore Him.
WORDS: Joachim Neander, 1680; sts. 1, 3, 5 trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1863;
st. 2 by S. Paul Schilling, 1986; st. 4 by Rupert E. Davies, 1983 (Ps. 103:1-6; 150)
Trans. sts. 2 and 4 © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House
1. Praise to the Lord,
the Almighty,
the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him,
for He is thy health
and salvation!
All ye who hear,
now to His
temple draw near;
join me in glad adoration!
3. Praise to the Lord,
who doth prosper
thy work
and defend thee;
surely His goodness
and mercy here daily
attend thee.
Ponder anew
what the Almighty can do,
who with His love
doth befriend thee.
4. Praise to the Lord,
who doth nourish thy
life and restore thee,
fitting thee well
for the tasks that are
ever before thee.
Then to thy need
God as a mother
doth speed,
spreading the wings
of grace o’er thee.
5. Praise to the Lord!
O let all that is
in me adore Him!
All that hath life
and breath,
come now with praises
before Him!
Let the amen
sound from His
people again;
gladly forever adore Him.
*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.
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 111
Praise for God’s Wonderful Works
CLM Twinkle Gordon
Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
Full of honor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him;
he is ever mindful of his covenant.
He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the heritage of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
They are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever.
Praise for God’s Wonderful Works
CLM Twinkle Gordon
Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
Full of honor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him;
he is ever mindful of his covenant.
He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the heritage of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
They are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever.
Message
Whole Heart Hallelujah
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
Pastoral Prayer & The Lord's 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
Whole Heart Hallelujah
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
Pastoral Prayer & The Lord's 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
Confession and Pardon 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.
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!
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
Glory to God! Amen!
[after a moment, continue singing this verse]
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.
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you!
And also with you.
Open your hearts, your mouths, your lives to the Holy One.
We long for this communion.
Let us give our greatest thanks in the company of the beloved.
It is a good and joyful thing to give our thanks and praise.
Gift of Life, Creator of All That Is, You have breathed life into us, filled our emptiness, loved us through our resistance.
Time and again you say, Listen! Time and again you say, Live! Time and again you say, Love!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Holy Spirit, Breath of Wind,
People: Fill us, transform us.
Holy Spirit, Lover of Justice,
People: Fill us, transform us.
Holy Spirit, Maker of Unity,
People: Fill us, transform us.
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.
The people pray.
We who are many are one body, one loaf, rising in Spirit together. Even if we are not 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
COMMUNION HYMNS
Let Us Be Bread TFWS #2260
Refrain
Let us be bread,
blessed by the Lord,
broken and shared,
life for the world.
Let us be wine,
love freely poured.
Let us be one
in the Lord.
1. I am the
Bread of Life,
Broken for all.
Eat now
and hunger no more.
Refrain
2. You are my friends
If you keep my commands,
No longer servants
But friends
Refrain
3. See how my people
Have nothing to eat.
Give them the bread
That is You.
Refrain
4. As God has loved me
So I have loved you.
Go and live
On in my love.
Refrain
Life-Giving Bread TFWS #2261
Refrain
Life-giving bread,
as our hearts are
transformed anew,
and life-giving wine,
may we share in
a life with you.
1. Coming together
we celebrate life,
We are a people
Gathered as one.
Coming together
with Christ as our head
Life-giving word
To life-giving bread!
Refrain
2. Tasting and seeing
The goodness of God
Bids us to bless
The Lord at all times.
Tasting and seeing
The fruit of the vine;
Life-giving joy
In life-giving wine!
Refrain
3. Transforming our lives with
A heart that is new,
We are the broken,
We are the blessed.
Transforming our hearts with
A heart that is true;
Life-giving hope
We offer to you!
Refrain
4. Called now to witness
Your love, so divine,
We are the branches,
You are the vine.
Called to be servants,
Called to become
Salt for the earth
And light for the world!
Refrain
Prayer After Receiving
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. Amen.
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.
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!
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
Glory to God! Amen!
[after a moment, continue singing this verse]
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.
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you!
And also with you.
Open your hearts, your mouths, your lives to the Holy One.
We long for this communion.
Let us give our greatest thanks in the company of the beloved.
It is a good and joyful thing to give our thanks and praise.
Gift of Life, Creator of All That Is, You have breathed life into us, filled our emptiness, loved us through our resistance.
Time and again you say, Listen! Time and again you say, Live! Time and again you say, Love!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Holy Spirit, Breath of Wind,
People: Fill us, transform us.
Holy Spirit, Lover of Justice,
People: Fill us, transform us.
Holy Spirit, Maker of Unity,
People: Fill us, transform us.
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.
The people pray.
We who are many are one body, one loaf, rising in Spirit together. Even if we are not 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
COMMUNION HYMNS
Let Us Be Bread TFWS #2260
Refrain
Let us be bread,
blessed by the Lord,
broken and shared,
life for the world.
Let us be wine,
love freely poured.
Let us be one
in the Lord.
1. I am the
Bread of Life,
Broken for all.
Eat now
and hunger no more.
Refrain
2. You are my friends
If you keep my commands,
No longer servants
But friends
Refrain
3. See how my people
Have nothing to eat.
Give them the bread
That is You.
Refrain
4. As God has loved me
So I have loved you.
Go and live
On in my love.
Refrain
Life-Giving Bread TFWS #2261
Refrain
Life-giving bread,
as our hearts are
transformed anew,
and life-giving wine,
may we share in
a life with you.
1. Coming together
we celebrate life,
We are a people
Gathered as one.
Coming together
with Christ as our head
Life-giving word
To life-giving bread!
Refrain
2. Tasting and seeing
The goodness of God
Bids us to bless
The Lord at all times.
Tasting and seeing
The fruit of the vine;
Life-giving joy
In life-giving wine!
Refrain
3. Transforming our lives with
A heart that is new,
We are the broken,
We are the blessed.
Transforming our hearts with
A heart that is true;
Life-giving hope
We offer to you!
Refrain
4. Called now to witness
Your love, so divine,
We are the branches,
You are the vine.
Called to be servants,
Called to become
Salt for the earth
And light for the world!
Refrain
Prayer After Receiving
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. Amen.
Introduction to Offering
Rev. David Petty
Offertory
The Ground
by Ola Gjeilo
Sanctuary Choir
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Rev. David Petty
Rev. David Petty
Offertory
The Ground
by Ola Gjeilo
Sanctuary Choir
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Rev. David Petty
*Closing Hymn
Come, Christians Join to Sing UMH #158
1. Come, Christians,
join to sing:
Alleluia! Amen!
loud praise to
Christ our King:
Alleluia! Amen!
Let all,
with heart and voice,
before his throne rejoice;
praise is his
gracious choice.
Alleluia! Amen!
2. Come, lift your
hearts on high:
Alleluia! Amen!
Let praises
fill the sky:
Alleluia! Amen!
He is our guide
and friend;
to us he’ll condescend;
his love shall never end:
Alleluia! Amen!
3. Praise yet
the Lord again:
Alleluia! Amen!
Life shall not
end the strain:
Alleluia! Amen!
On heaven’s
blissful shore
his goodness we’ll adore,
singing forevermore:
Alleluia! Amen!
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
Come, Christians Join to Sing UMH #158
1. Come, Christians,
join to sing:
Alleluia! Amen!
loud praise to
Christ our King:
Alleluia! Amen!
Let all,
with heart and voice,
before his throne rejoice;
praise is his
gracious choice.
Alleluia! Amen!
2. Come, lift your
hearts on high:
Alleluia! Amen!
Let praises
fill the sky:
Alleluia! Amen!
He is our guide
and friend;
to us he’ll condescend;
his love shall never end:
Alleluia! Amen!
3. Praise yet
the Lord again:
Alleluia! Amen!
Life shall not
end the strain:
Alleluia! Amen!
On heaven’s
blissful shore
his goodness we’ll adore,
singing forevermore:
Alleluia! Amen!
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
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