BOLD indicates congregational SPEAKING participation

GATHERING AS THE BODY OF CHRIST

Prelude

 "Of All the Spirit's Gifts to Me"

UMH #336

   Welcome and Sharing of Announcements

A Time to Make Connections

Introit

    “Alleluia, Sing to Jesus!”  

  arr. Michael Ryan

Bell Choir    

Call to Worship

Liturgist: Come to the house of the Lord. Come with your prayers, your presence, your gifts and your service.

ALL: (singing UMH #87 v. 1) What gift can we bring, what present, what token? What words can convey it, the joy of this day? When grateful we come, remembering, rejoicing, what song can we offer in honor and praise?

People: We bring the gift of prayer to this house. We raise to God our hopes and our fears, our wounds and our triumphs.

Liturgist: We bring the gift of our presence, being together in worship and fellowship, work and witness.

People: We bring the gift of our tokens, given freely from our hearts to be used in service to God.

Liturgist: We bring the gift of service, commitment of our time and talents to serve God by working in God’s world.

ALL: (singing UMH #87 v. 4) This gift we now bring, this present, this token, these words can convey it, the joy of this day! When grateful we come, remembering, rejoicing, this song we now offer in honor and praise.

Opening Prayer

Awesome God, you created the world and all that is in it. You blessed each element of creation with your love. You called us from slavery into witness and service. Be with us this day as we gather to worship. Clear our minds of all the distractions which would draw us away from you. Open our hearts and spirits and let your healing and empowering love flow in. Prepare us to be witnesses to your power and love as we use the gifts with which you have blessed us in your service. For we offer this prayer in the name of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN.       

   Opening Hymn

  “We Gather Together" 

UMH #131

 Message in Music

“Come, Ye, Thankful People, Come”

 Arr. Sandra Eithun

Bell Choir    

   Children's Time & Bible Presentation

 Courtney Till & Pastor Seok-Hwan

Pastor: 

Receive the Word of God. Learn its stories and study its words. Its stories belong to us all, and these words speak to us all. They tell us who we are. They tell us that we belong to one another, for we are the people of God.

Children receiving Bibles respond: 

We receive these Bibles with our hands, our hearts, and our minds. Thank you. We will read and study the Bible together.

Congregation to children: 

We rejoice in this step in your journey with God. We pray God will guide you, your family, and us as you use this Holy Bible in your home, in your church school classes, and in our worship. We will learn together and grow in our love for God's Word.

Children to congregation: 

The Word of God is a lamp to our feet, and a light to our path. Thanks be to God.

ALL:

Gracious God, thank you for your Word. I accept it and treasure it as a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Thank you for every person who has loved me, prayed for me, and invested in my spiritual development. Multiply the wisdom, skill, and faith you have shared through them. May it live and grow in me and in every person I influence. For the honor and glory of your Name. Amen.

 Pastoral Prayer and Lord's Prayer

 Prayer Response

“Give Thanks" 

TFWS #2036

 Pledging Sunday

John Wilder

ATTENTION TO THE WORD OF GOD

Scripture Readings

 Matthew 25:14-30

14 “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. At once 16 the one who had received the five talents went off and traded with them and made five more talents. 17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29 For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance, but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30 As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

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

People: Thanks be to God.  

Message

 “Our God Is Not A Bookkeeper!”  

Pastor Seok-Hwan

 Moment of Stewardship

Mabel Johnson

We Respond

 Offering

     “Take My Life, and Let It Be”

  UMH #399 

Doxology

UMH #95

 Offertory Prayer

There are no limits to the gifts you have given us, gracious Lord. Now we return thanks to you for these gifts and we bring these token to you, asking for your blessing on givers and gifts. Help these gifts and givers to be your witnesses throughout the world. AMEN.

Closing Hymn

    “Now Thank We All Our God”  

UMH #102

The Blessing and Sending Forth

As you have been blessed, now go to be a blessing to others. Go, bringing the news of peace and hope, of healing and love. Go and the God of peace will always go with you. AMEN.

Postlude

 “Now Thank We All Our God  "

arr. J.S. Bach

(The worship resource comes from Ministry Matters™)