Order of Worship

BOLD indicates congregational SPEAKING participation

GATHERING AS THE BODY OF CHRIST

Prelude

 "Help Us Accept Each Other" 

UMH #560

Welcome

A Time to Make Connections

Meditation Time

Introit

       “Good Grace” 

Joel Houston

Praise Band

Call to Worship

Liturgist: In the beginning, God moved over the waters of the deep

People: And there was the movement of creation 

Liturgist: Abram moved from his home into the place God called him

People:  And there was movement towards God's covenant for all people 

Liturgist: The Israelites moved away from oppression in Egypt

People: And there was movement toward justice and God's mercy 

Liturgist: Esther moved from her family into the role as queen  

People: And there was movement of salvation for her people

Liturgist: The prophets moved the people toward faithfulness

People: And there was movement toward righteousness as an ever flowing stream

Liturgist: Mary moved her heart in line with God

People: And there was movement toward a world forever changed 

Liturgist: Jesus moved the bar for who was worthy of love 

People: And there was movement toward the margins

Liturgist: Jesus moved toward the cross

People: And there was movement toward the true meaning of love

Liturgist: Resurrection moved us away from the fear of death

People: And there was movement toward life

Liturgist: God moves us to a transformed life

People: May our movement transform the world. Amen.



• Reconciling Ministries Network Worship Toolkit, Rev. Cassie Rapko

Opening Prayer

Loving and gracious God, we give you thanks for this day of celebration and remembrance. We thank you for the witness of this faith community, for the people who prayed, discerned, struggled, and dreamed together so that the faith community of UMCW might more fully reflect the wide embrace of Christ. On this day of celebrating the great effort to become a more inclusive and embracing church, we remember that your love reaches beyond every boundary we create. You call us to see one another not as strangers or categories, but as beloved children made in your image. Continue shaping us into a church

where all people may find welcome, belonging, healing, and hope. Give us patience when the work of inclusion stretches us thin, humility when we fall short, and compassion that reflects the heart of Christ. Teach us to listen deeply, to love boldly, and to walk faithfully with one another. May your Holy Spirit renew your church today so that our words, our ministries, and our lives bear witness to your reconciling love in the world. In the name of Jesus Christ, who welcomes all to the table of grace, we pray. Amen.

Opening Hymn

        “Come, Christians, Join to Sing”  

UMH #158 (verses 1 & 2)

Message in Music

"Perfectly Loved"

Praise Band

Rachael Lampa, Ethan Hulse, Andrew Ripp

Young Disciples' Time

Pastor Jinyong Choi

Joys and Concerns

Lord's Prayer

Prayer Response

"Spirit of the Living God"

UMH #393

based on Acts 11:15

ATTENTION TO THE WORD OF GOD

The Story of Becoming Reconciling Church

Bill Kruger

Scripture Readings: Matthew 25:34-40

34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’ (NRSV)

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

People: Thanks be to God.  

Message

 “A Tiny Spark Starts a Great Fire”

  Rev. Seok-Hwan Hong

We Respond

Offertory

     “Be Thou My Vision”   

UMH #451

Doxology

 UMH #94

*Offertory Prayer

Gracious and generous God, you have welcomed us when we felt lost, fed us when our souls were hungry, and surrounded us with grace when we needed hope. Receive these gifts we offer today. May they become signs of your love in this world —  food for the hungry, shelter for the rejected, comfort for the lonely, and hope for those who feel forgotten. Teach us that true generosity is not only found in what we give, but also in how we welcome, listen, and care for one another. Use our offerings, our hands, and our hearts to create spaces where the “least of these” may encounter the living Christ through us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

     “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)”   

   Matt Redman

Praise Band

The Blessing and Sending Forth 

Pastor: Go now in the peace of Christ, remembering that the kingdom of God often begins with small acts of love.

People: We will go to welcome the stranger, care for the hurting, and love our neighbors.

Pastor: Go knowing that Christ meets you in the faces of the forgotten, the rejected, and the lonely.

People: We will seek Christ among the "least of these" with open hearts and open hands.

Pastor: May the Holy Spirit kindle within you a tiny spark of compassion and courage.

People: May that spark grow into a fire of justice, reconciliation, and grace.

Pastor: And may the love of God, the peace of Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you now and always.

People: Amen.