† Stand as you are able
Organ Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Introit “There’s A Song” TFWS 2141 (Hanson)
There’s a song of love in my heart;
Love is a gift from Jesus.
There’s a song of love in my heart;
Love is a gift from God.
Alleluia! Love in my heart is singing praises;
Alleluia! Love is a gift from God.
†Call to Worship
Come, people of God, to worship the One who calls us into wrestling toward blessing.
We come with open hearts, ready to receive grace.
Christ meets us in Word, prayer, song, and service.
The Spirit gathers us and sends us in love.
Let us worship God with joy and expectation.
†Opening Hymn “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” UMH 127
Prayer of Illumination
Holy Spirit, open the Scriptures to us. Let the words read and proclaimed become a living word, so that we may hear Christ, trust your promise, and practice wrestling toward blessing in the life of the church. Amen.
A Reading from the Old Testament Genesis 32:22-31 NRSV
The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. The Word of God, for the people of God. Thanks be to God!
Congregational Prayer
Merciful God, we pray for the church, for our neighbors, and for all who carry heavy burdens. Where there is weariness, give strength; where there is division, give peace; where there is grief, give comfort; where there is injustice, give courage. Form us as a people who embody delight in the law, and make Lovely Lane a witness of beloved community for Baltimore and beyond. Amen.
Passing of the Peace “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” UMH 334
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Response “Alleluia” UMH 186
A Reading from the New Testament Romans 9:1-5 NRSV
I am speaking the truth in Christ–I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit– I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own brothers and sisters, my own flesh and blood. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Christ, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. The Word of God for the People of God. Thanks be to God!
Sermon Reverend Levon D. Sutton, Pastor
Responsive Hymn “Let Us Break Bread Together” UMH 618 (verse 1-3)
Invitation to Offering
Offertory “We Bring The Sacrifice of Praise” Dearman
We bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord.
We bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord, and we offer up to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and we offer up to you the sacrifice of joy.
Offering Prayer
Generous God, receive these gifts as signs of gratitude and trust. Use them to strengthen worship, deepen discipleship, serve our neighbors, and bear witness to wrestling toward blessing in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Holy Communion “Let Us Break Bread Together” UMH 618
The Great Thanksgiving UMH 13
Lord’s Prayer
†Closing Hymn “Here I Am, Lord” UMH 593
†Benediction
Go in peace. You are called by grace and sent in love. Follow Christ with courage, and serve with joy. Amen.
†Benediction Response “Now We Our Vow of Faith Renew” Huber
Now we our vow of faith renew,
Stretch wide our sights to global view,
And claim with Christians far and near
A larger family held dear.
Ringing the Bicentennial Bell
Organ Postlude