Our Mission Statement
To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Please remember to send your joys and concerns to the office so we can continue to pray throughout the week.
February16, 2025 10:15 a.m. 6th Sunday after the Epiphany
Welcome and Community Life
Prelude
Call to Worship
Leader: How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
People: All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
* Opening Hymn Where Charity and Love Prevail verses 1-2, 4-5 UMH 549
Opening Prayer
Children’s Message Cyndi Slaboski
Prayer Hymn Close to Thee, vv. 1-2 UMH 407
Prayers of the People
Prayer Response Hear Us, O God UMH 490
Choral Anthem Kyrie Eleison Chancel Choir
Prayer of Illumination
Lord, your word calls us to live in ways that often seem impossible.
Give us your Spirit that we might see the wisdom of your path and the will to live according to your word.
Scripture Reading
Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40
Do not be angry because of the wicked, do not be envious of wrongdoers!
For they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb.
Trust in the Lord, and do good; So you will dwell in the land and enjoy security.
Take delight in the Lord, who will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the lord; Trust in God, who will act, bringing forth your vindication as the light, and your right as the noonday.
Be still and wait patiently before the lord; Do not be angry because of those who prosper in their way, because of those who carry out evil devices!
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Do not be angry; It leads only to evil.
For the wicked shall be cut off; but those who wait for the Lord shall possess the land.
Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; Though you look at their place, they will not be there.
But the meek shall possess the land, and delight in abundant prosperity.
The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and rescues them;
he rescues them from the wicked and saves them because they take refuge in him.
Luke 6:27-38
“But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; 28 bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and if anyone takes away what is yours, do not ask for it back again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive payment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.[a] Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
Leader: The Word of God
People: Thanks be to God
Sermon “Do to Others”
Apostle's Creed UMH 881
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;* the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic** church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen
Lesser Thanksgiving
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is right and good and a joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
You are the author of life and you rescue us when we go astray.
Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. He showed us that your way is the way of love and mercy.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here that we may love our enemies and be merciful to all people.
Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit to give ourselves for others in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Offering our Gifts to God
The Doxology
Prayer of Dedication
Merciful God, who calls us to love beyond measure, we offer these gifts as a sign of our commitment to your teachings. Help us love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, and bless those who curse us. May our offerings bring healing and hope, reflecting your boundless grace in our community. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
* Closing Hymn For the Healing of the Nations UMH 428
Breakthrough Prayer
Dismissal with Blessing