Sunday, November 19 2023

LOVELY LANE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR A

NOVEMBER 19, 2023

11:00 A.M.

 

 

† Stand as you are able

 

Organ Prelude

 

Welcome and Announcements     John Strawbridge, Lay Leader

 

Choral Introit     “Blessed Jesus, At Thy Word”     Ahle

Blessed Jesus, at your word

We are gathered all to hear you.

Let our hearts and souls be stirred

Now to seek and love and fear you.

By your gospel pure and holy,

Teach us, Lord, to love you solely.

 

† Call to Worship

L: As we gather here today,

P: Our hearts united, we humbly pray.

L: Seeking purpose, grace, and light,

P: We lift our spirits, beyond our sight.

L: Embracing roles, unique and diverse,

P: Together we worship, our faith we rehearse.

L: Let our voices blend, let our souls take flight,

P: In this sacred moment, our spirits ignite.

 

† Opening Hymn     “See the Morning Sun”     UMH 674

A Reading from the Old Testament    Proverbs 3:1-8 (NKJV)

My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.

The word of God, for the people of God. Thanks be to God!

 

Call to Confession (Inspired by Psalm 138):

Gathered in the presence of the Almighty, let us bring our hearts before Lord, with humility and awe. We are invited to lay bare our souls, for the Lord is gracious and near to those who call upon Him.

 

Prayer of Confession

O Gracious God, as the psalmist David wrote, “I confess before you with all my heart; before the gods, I sing your praise.” Yet, we admit that we have not always sung praises in alignment with our actions. Our thoughts, our deeds, and our intentions have often veered from the path of righteousness. We have allowed doubts to cloud our trust, and at times, we have failed to extend the love You shower upon us to those around us. Have mercy on us, O Lord.

Assurance of Pardon

Take comfort, for just as the psalmist declared, “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.” Know that the Lord’s love is unending, and His purpose is to reconcile and renew. Through Christ, our sins are forgiven, and our hearts are set right.

We embrace this truth with gratitude in our hearts. Through Christ, we are made whole, forgiven, and forever held in the embrace of the Lord’s unending love. Amen.

Passing of the Peace

 

Sharing Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer

Lord’s Prayer

 

 

Choral Response     “Cares Chorus”

I cast all my cares upon You

I lay all of my burdens down at Your fee.

And anytime that I don’t know what to do,

I will cast all my cares upon You.

 

† A Reading from the Gospel     Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

The Gospel of our Lord.  Praise be to you, O Christ.

 

Sermon  “The Purpose of Jonah”     Mr. Benjamin Black

 

Invitation to Offering

 

Offertory     “Rejoice, O Christian, Sing His Praise”     McCabe

Rejoice, O Christian, sing His praise in faith, and dedicate

The whole of life to worship God. Praise Him and celebrate!

Rejoice, O Christian, in your heart,

And praise Him with your voice.

Rejoice, O Christian, celebrate! Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice!

Let music tell His mighty works and lift His word divine,

Until each heart is filled with song and lives match His design.

Speak, Lord to us through ancient psalm,

Through chant and modern hymn,

And let Your worthy praise resound, the noise of strife to dim.

Extol His name, the Lord is good, His love attends our ways:

In gratitude for mercy shown, we sing to Him our praise.

 

Offering Prayer

Generous God, we come before you with hearts full of gratitude. You are the source of all that we have and all that we are. We thank you for the blessings you have poured into our lives — the provision, the opportunities, and the relationships that enrich our days. Bless these gifts and guide their use for the upliftment of those in need, the advancement of your purposes, and the spreading of your love throughout the world. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

† Closing Hymn     “God, Who Stretched”     UMH  150

 

† Benediction

As we prepare to depart from this sacred time of worship,

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ go with you, reminding you of His unending love and mercy. May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, granting you serenity in every circumstance. And may the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be your constant companion, guiding your steps and filling your days with His presence. Go forth in faith, hope, and love, knowing that you are held in the palm of God’s hand. Amen.

 

† Choral Benediction

Let us now depart in Thy peace, blessed Jesus.

Send us to our homes with God’s love in our hearts.

Let not the busy world claim all our loyalties.

Keep us ever mindful, dear Lord, of Thee. Amen.

Ringing the Bicentennial Bell

 

 

Organ Postlude