Virtual Worship Sunday for May 24

Salem Church Family,
Happy to Sunday to each of you. I apologize about getting this to you later than the previous weeks. I ran into a couple of technical glitches during the recording of the message. Thanks again for your prayers, flexibility and patience as I learn alongside of you.

Today, I offer you the following abbreviated worship service. Tentatively, church leaders are planning to offer an outdoor worship gather next week (5/31). Thank you for being wise and flexible as we have adjusted our normal ways of gathering in any effort to keep one another safe. I will share the details for next weeks worship opportunities soon.

Now, may hearts be united across all our homes as we worship and honor God with thanksgiving for the glorious ways He sustains us with His grace.

————————–

Order of Worship for Sunday, May 24

Call to Worship: Psalm 36

Your love, O Lord, reaches the to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep.
How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house; for with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

Song of Praise: Alive & Breathing (this is a new song for many of us)

Opening Prayer:

Almighty God, receive the gifts we bring in gratitude for your astounding goodness as we lift our praise towards heaven today. Open our hearts to the transforming work of your Spirit as we hear from your holy Word.

May our lives be an acceptable offering to you who calls us out of darkness and invites us to walk in your marvelous light. This we ask in the strength and grace of Christ our Savior. Amen.

Scripture Lesson: Romans 12:9-16

Pastoral Prayer:

Gracious and Loving God, we bow before you today amazed by your grace and steadfast compassion. You continue to hold us in your arms and invite to thrive in your presence. We are the sheep of your pasture — children in your are; in humble gratitude we return our hearts to you. May your mercy be evident in our lives and world today. We pray for all those on the frontlines of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Strengthen their resolve and renew their passion to keep humanity safe. Grant your wisdom to our leaders both religious and civil that together we may continue to showcase you compassion for the vulnerable and susceptible among us. Make us mindful to those around us – dealing with the many challenges of this life. Bring your healing and grace to all.

Today we remember those among us who have answer the call to serve- to lead us in the paths of freedom. We are grateful for their sacrifice and the ways their lives invite you to remember Jesus’s gift of freedom to all of humanity.

We are forever grateful for Christ’s life, death, and resurrection granting us joy today and hope for eternity. We long to live in such a way that others will be drawn back to you, O God. Hear our prayers today as we offer them to you now with the prayer Christ taught his disciples to pray, . . .

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and glory, forever. Amen.

Message: A Peculiar People

Closing Hymn: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

Benediction:

Now, may Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the Life be with each of you. May the Holy Spirit empower you to follow and serve in Christ’s name. And may Almighty God, who raised Jesus from the dead, keep you in his presence forevermore. Alleluia! Amen.

—————————-
Blessings,
-Pastor Kent

Kent Smith, Pastor
Salem United Methodist Church
Weaverville, NC
(828) 645-6014

Previous Post
Pentecost_SaintJamestheGreaterCatholicChurchConcordNorthCarolinastainedglassHolySpiritatPentecostwikimedia
Salem UMC News Sermons

Message for Sunday, May 31 – “Help Has Arrived”

Next Post
DSC_0019
Salem UMC News Sermons

Announcements, Bible Study, and Worship for Sunday, May 17, 2020