† 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 steadfast love endures forever.
We come to worship with gratitude.
God’s compassion meets us in our weakness.
We come to be strengthened for the journey.
Let us worship the God who heals and sends.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
†Opening Hymn “The Church’s One Foundation” UMH 545
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 18:1-15 NRS
The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them and bowed down to the ground. He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on–since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.” Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared and set it before them, and he stood by them under the tree while they ate. They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There, in the tent.” Then one said, “I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I be fruitful?” The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too wonderful for the LORD? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “Yes, you did laugh.”
The word of God, for the people of God. Thanks be to God!
Congregational Prayer
Faithful God, we thank you for your steadfast love. In seasons of uncertainty, keep us grounded. In moments of weakness, strengthen us. Teach us to trust your promises even when we cannot see the full path ahead. Fill this congregation with your compassion, that we may welcome the stranger, care for the hurting, and speak hope to those who feel forgotten. Send us out as people shaped by mercy—ready to love with courage and to serve with humility. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Passing of the Peace “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” UMH 334
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Response “Sanctuary” UMH 2164
†A Reading from the Gospel Matthew 9:35-10:8 NRSV
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not take a road leading to gentiles, and do not enter a Samaritan town, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick; raise the dead; cleanse those with a skin disease; cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.
The Gospel of our Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.
Sermon Reverend. Levon D. Sutton, Pastor
Responsive Hymn “Here I Am, Lord ” UMH 593
Invitation to Offering
Offertory “I Won’t Have to Cross Jordan Alone” Durham
When I come to the river at the ending of day,
When the last winds of sorrow have blown,
There’ll be somebody waiting to show me the way
I won’t have to cross Jordan alone.
I won’t have to cross Jordan alone,
Jesus died all my sins to atone.
In the darkness I see He’ll be waiting for me;
I won’t have to cross Jordan alone
Often times I’m forsaken and weary and sad
When it seems that my friends have all gone;
There is one thought that cheers me and makes my heart glad
– I won’t have to cross Jordan alone
I won’t have to cross Jordan alone …
Often times I’m forsaken and weary and sad
When it seems that my friends have all gone;
There is one thought that cheers me and makes my heart glad
– I won’t have to cross Jordan alone
I won’t have to cross Jordan alone …
Offering Prayer
God of steadfast love, receive our gifts. Use them to support your ministry, care for your people, and extend your compassion in our community. Amen.
†Closing Hymn “A Charge to Keep I Have” UMH 413
†Benediction
Go in peace. God’s love surrounds you; Christ’s grace sustains you; the Spirit empowers you. Serve with humility and hope. 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