† Stand as you are able
Organ Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Introit “This Is The Day The Lord Hath Made” UMH 658
This is the day the Lord hath made; He calls the hours His own.
Let Heaven rejoice, let earth be glad, and praise surround the throne.
†Call to Worship
God’s grace gathers us; God’s love sends us.
We come to worship with open hearts.
Christ welcomes the weary and honors the faithful.
We come to receive—and to share—God’s mercy.
Let us worship the God whose kindness is never wasted.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
†Opening Hymn “Help Us Accept Each Other” UMH 560
Prayer of Illumination
Holy God, by the power of your Spirit, open our ears to hear your Word, our minds to understand it, and our hearts to receive it. May your truth guide our lives and lead us more faithfully in the way of Christ. Amen.
A Reading from the Old Testament Genesis 22:1-14 NRSV
After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you.” Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. And the two of them walked on together. Isaac said to his father Abraham, “Father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them walked on together. When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place “The LORD will provide,” as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.”
The word of God, for the people of God. Thanks be to God!
Congregational Prayer
God of welcome, you see every cup of water offered in love, every act of care done quietly, every moment of faithfulness that goes unnoticed. Forgive us when we overlook small mercies or underestimate simple obedience. Shape us into a community where generosity is normal and hospitality is holy. Help us receive one another as gifts, and receive our neighbors with compassion. Send us to do what love requires—patiently, consistently, and joyfully—through Jesus Christ, who welcomes us all. Amen.
Passing of the Peace “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” UMH 334
Sharing Joys and ConcernsPastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Response “Sanctuary” TFSW 2164
†A Reading from the Gospel Matthew 10:40-42 NRSV
“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous, and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple — truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”
The Gospel of our Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.
Sermon Rev. Levon Sutton, Pastor
Responsive Hymn “Lead Me, Guide Me” TFWS 2214
Invitation to Offering
Offertory “Come Sunday” Ellington
Lord, dear Lord I’ve loved, God almighty
God of love, please look down and see my people through.
I believe that God put sun and moon up in the sky;
I don’t mind the gray skies, ’cause they’re just clouds passing by.
I believe that God is now, was then and always will be.
With God’s blessing, we can make it through eternity.
Offering Prayer
God of kindness, receive these offerings. Use them to bless others, strengthen your church’s welcome, and multiply small acts of mercy into lasting hope. Amen.
†Closing Hymn “Freely, Freely” UMH 389
†Benediction
Go in peace. Practice hospitality, do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. Amen.
†Benediction Response “Let Us Now Depart In Thy Peace” UMH 668
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