WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
BREAKTHROUGH PRAYER: Amazing God, We pray that through the Holy Spirit Your preferred future for Groveport United Methodist Church will be made clear to us. Give us the courage we need to follow You wherever You may take us. We ask that You bind us together in love so that we can bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to our friends, families, and community. Open our eyes so that we may see the amazing things You are already doing among us. AMEN.
PRELUDE
LIGHTING OF THE ALTAR CANDLES
*OPENING HYMN # 354 “I Surrender All”
CALL TO WORSHIP:
L: Jesus says, knock and the door will be opened. Seek and you
shall find.
P: God, we seek you. We trust in your wisdom and grace.
L: Jesus says, if you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask
for whatever you want and it will be done for you.
P: God, we ask boldly, but we trust in your wisdom and grace.
L: Jesus says, not my will, God, but your will be done.
P: God, we pray trusting in your wisdom and grace.
HYMN “Something About That Name”
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
P: We grumble and complain about our daily lot in life. We read the newspapers, watch the broadcast news and moan about the evil which flourishes in the world. And we wonder, "Where are you, O God?"
L: We turn our backs on the needs of the poor or give only a cursory acknowledgment of their plight. We throw our hands up in the air and act as though we are defeated. And we cry, "Why isn’t God taking care
of all this?"
P: Forgive us, patient Lord. Forgive our arrogance, our ignorance, our pettiness. Forgive us when we could have done something to help someone else, but chose instead to turn away. Forgive us when we, by our attitudes and language, our thoughts and actions, have gone against your will.
L: You are with us, Lord. You lead us daily in right paths and offer to us the bread of life. You stand with us in times of trial and in the presence of those whom we fear, giving us your abundant love. And then you offer to us a place in your eternal home. How can we doubt your presence?
P: Help us to trust you. Help us to praise you and remember that you have called us to be your witnesses and workers in this world. Give us strength and courage, joy and peace for all the work that you have for us to do. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for us, his sheep, we pray. AMEN.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
L: In the midst of all that you fear, God is with you. God will not abandon you. Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, laid down his life for you and offers you hope and peace. AMEN.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 6:5-8
OUR TIME OF PRAYER
HYMN “Sanctuary”
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS Chancel Choir
*DOXOLOGY
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
CHILDREN’S MOMENTS
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING: James 5:13-18
CHORUS “Thy Word”
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
and a light unto my path.
SERMON “Can You Hear Me?”
*CLOSING HYMN # 369 “Blessed Assurance”
*BENEDICTION
*SENDING FORTH “Because He Lives” (chorus only)
POSTLUDE
