February 11, 2024

Prelude                                              
Stephanie Shorden

Welcome and Announcements                                                              
Rev. David Petty

Threshold Moment                                                                                    
Rev. David Petty

We continue into week 6, our last week, of our worship series today. We pray that this will bring 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 Psalm that comes at the end of our series speaks of an active God whose light shines for all time and in all places. God is not silent, but calls the people to remember that they, too, can act on God’s behalf, holding all suffering peoples in hands of prayer and care and transforming the world that will shine bright into the future. May it be so. This last week we will sing all the verses of our theme song.

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]
 
Turn now your gaze upon the earth
Where is the One who never sleeps?
We call the One who guards you now,
Your spirit safe in holy keep.
 
God is holding your life
God is holding your life
God is holding your life, we believe 
[repeat refrain]
 
Venturing out or coming home,
‘neath heat of day or cool of night,
we call the one who hears your voice
and comes to heal and keep your life.
 
God is holding your life
God is holding your life
God is holding your life, we believe 
[repeat refrain]

Opening Collect Prayer                                         Rev. David Petty

Leader: Holy One, Light of the World, you help us to see and find our way in this time. Open us this day to a vision of the world made all-right, so that we might alight our own lives to show forth 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
Holy, Holy, Holy 
UMH # 64

1. Holy, holy, holy!
Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning
our song shall rise to thee.
 
Holy, holy, holy!
Merciful and mighty,
God in three persons,
blessed Trinity!
 
2. Holy, holy, holy!
All the saints adore thee,
casting down their
golden crowns
around the glassy sea;
 
cherubim and seraphim
falling down before thee,
which wert, and art, and
evermore shalt be.
 
3. Holy, holy, holy!
Though the darkness
hide thee,
though the eye
of sinful man
thy glory may not see,
 
only thou art holy;
there is none beside thee,
perfect in power, in
love and purity.
 
4. Holy, holy, holy!
Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall
praise thy name,
in earth and sky and sea.
 
Holy, holy, holy!
Merciful and mighty,
God in three persons,
blessed Trinity.

*The Peace                                                                                                  
Rev. David Petty

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.

Scripture Reading
Psalm 50:1-6
A Psalm of Asaph.
Rev. Linda Patzke

The mighty one, God the Lord,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God shines forth.
 Our God comes and does not keep silent;
before him is a devouring fire
and a mighty tempest all around him.
He calls to the heavens above
and to the earth, that he may judge his people:
“Gather to me my faithful ones,
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!”
The heavens declare his righteousness,
for God himself is judge. Selah

Message                                          
The One is Shining Forth
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

Testimonies of Being Held                                                                        
Pastor Donnie Sturgill
 
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

Introduction to Offering                                                                            
Rev. David Petty

Offertory                                          
The Lord is My Shepherd
Sanctuary Choir

Prayer of Thanksgiving                                                                              
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

*Closing Hymn
Shine, Jesus, Shine
v. 1, 3 TFWS #2173

Refrain
Shine, Jesus, shine,
fill this land with
the Father’s glory,
blaze, Spirit, blaze,
set our hearts on fire;
 
flow, river, flow,
flood the nations
with grace and mercy,
send forth your word,
Lord, and let there be light.
 
1. Lord, the light of your
love is shining
in the midst of the
darkness shining;
 
Jesus, Light of the
World, shine upon us,
set us free by the
truth you now bring us.
Shine on me,
shine on me.
 
Refrain
Shine, Jesus, shine,
fill this land with
the Father’s glory,
blaze, Spirit, blaze,
set our hearts on fire;
 
flow, river, flow,
flood the nations
with grace and mercy,
send forth your word,
Lord, and let there be light.
 
3. As I gaze on your
kingly brightness,
so our faces
display your likeness;
 
ever changing from
glory to glory,
mirrored here may our
lives tell your story.
Shine on me,
shine on me.
 
Refrain
Shine, Jesus, shine,
fill this land with
the Father’s glory,
blaze, Spirit, blaze,
set our hearts on fire;
 
flow, river, flow,
flood the nations
with grace and mercy,
send forth your word,
Lord, and let there be light.
 
Benediction
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

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