In-Person, Sunday Morning at 9:30 am

or

Recorded Worship Service


September 17, 2023


To access, please visit our website at www.umcw.org/sermons

Order of Worship

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

BOLD indicates congregational SPEAKING participation

GATHERING AS THE BODY OF CHRIST


Prelude

"God is Here"

UMH #660


   Welcome and Sharing of Announcements


A Time to Make Connections


Call to Worship

Liturgist: God is with us!

People:  We are not alone, abandoned!

Liturgist: Christ redeems us!

People:  We are surrounded by Christ's love.

Liturgist: Christ redeems us!

People:  We are surrounded by Christ's love.

Liturgist: The Holy Spirit breathes hope and peace into our lives.

People:  We are one in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!


CONGREGATION: "My Life Is In You, Lord," TFWS #2032


Liturgist: And the people of God said.....

People: AMEN!


Opening Prayer

 When we feel overwhelmed by the storms of life, enter our hearts with your redeeming love, O Christ. When our fears overtake us and we cannot find our way, give us direction that we might faithfully serve you all our days, singing your praises!. AMEN. 

     Opening Hymn

  "Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me"

 UMH #509


Prayer Shawls Blessing

Jo Anne McClendon


Children's Time

Courtney Till


Joys and Concerns


Pastoral Prayer and Lord's Prayer


Prayer Response

“Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying"

TFWS #2193

ATTENTION TO THE WORD OF GOD


Scripture Readings

Matthew 18:21-35

21 Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven[i] times. 23 “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him, 25 and, as he could not pay, the lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions and payment to be made. 26 So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31 When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” 


Liturgist: The word of God for the people of God.

People: Thanks be to God.  


Message

 “Redemptive Forgiveness”

Pastor Seok-Hwan

We Respond

 

 Offering

     "Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive"      

 UMH #390


Doxology

UMH #95


 Offertory Prayer

Lord, you have blessed our lives in so many ways. In gratitude for all these blessings and in confidence that our gifts will be used for ministries of peace and hope, we offer these gifts. AMEN. 


Closing Hymn

      “Let There Be Peace on Earth”  

UNM #431


The Blessing and Sending Forth

  Go in peace into God’s world to serve and help others. Go in confidence of God’s presence with you. Go into this world with messages of hope and reconciliation. Go in love. AMEN.


Benediction Response

“Grace Alone”   

by Brown & Nelson

Adult Choir

(based on Ephesians 2:8-10)


Postlude

Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice”  

by Johann Sebastian Bach 


Organist: Matt Cron

Greeter/Usher: Roy Higgins

Projection: Jodie Kruger

Sound: Valarie Wilder

Liturgist: Pete Seymour


Our Mission Statement

“God calls us to be disciples of Jesus, building community through service and fellowship and sharing the love of Christ with all.”


Our Openness Statement

“The United Methodist Church of Westford is an open and welcoming community of Christian Faith. Without any exceptions, we welcome anyone who seeks to love and to serve God.”

Please click here for “A Statement of Our Openness”.

www.umcw.org

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