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Hello Salem Church, I look forward to joining you in Bible Study and worship today. Remember that Bible Study is offered through zoom at 9:00am this morning. Mark Wilson will lead us through a discussion of Acts 9:1-31.
For those who are able to join me for outdoor worship today, please review the guidelines we have established.
– You are encourage to bring all you need to be comfortable for the duration of the service. i.e. lawn chairs, sun protection, water.
– The lawn has indicators for where family should consider gathering. We are mindful of the healthy distances necessary to keep people safe.
– Face coverings must be properly worn at all times throughout the service.
– We will refrain from singing as a congregation
– The church buildings will be closed. This includes the restrooms.
Thank you for your understanding and willingness to go the extra mile in these ways to ensure that we all stay safe.
Below is brief order of worship for your personal worship. Thank you for allowing me to share in your day in this way. Remember the blue links will redirect you to YouTube. You may have to watch an advertisement prior to the hymns.
Blessings,
-Pastor Kent
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Order of Worship for Sunday, June 14
Call to Worship: Psalm 148
Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints.
For the takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.
Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy.
Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp.
Hymn: Down by the Riverside
Opening Prayer:
Holy God, your blessings are abundant and your wisdom exceeds our understanding. Fill us today with your Holy Spirit and shape us into your church. May we become a people who seek justice and bring peace; sharing your love with those often forgotten, ignored, or persecuted. Guide us by the wisdom of the cross and may our path continue to lead to your blessings. All this we ask in the name of Jesus our Savior, Amen.
Scripture lesson: Mark 12:28-34
And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions. — Mk 12:28-34
Pastoral Prayer:
Almighty God, unite us in your love and embrace us with your grace. We lift our prayers to you today, grateful for your presence in our lives. Melt our anxieties. Drive out our fears. Release the tensions that cause us to be conflict with one another. Captivate our hearts and fix our focus so that in all things we may extend your love into one another’s lives.
Bring healing to those who are sick. Comfort those among us who are lonely, grieving, or hurt. Illuminate those who govern and lead us with your wisdom. Increase our faith and compassion so that in all our way we may continue to trust you. And today, O Lord, we offer ourselves in your service. Equip us as agents of your grace that we may plant hope in our communities, country, and across your world. May our efforts invite other to live in your goodness and declare your glory.
Hear our prayer today as we now share in the prayer Christ taught his disciples. . . 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.
Scripture Lesson: Micah 6:6-8
“With what shall I come before the LORD,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God? — Mic 6:6-8
Message: Three Things
Hymn: Just a Closer with Thee
Benediction: (A tradition Irish blessing)
May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face.
May the rain fall gentle on your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand. Amen.
Kent Smith, Pastor
Salem United Methodist Church
Weaverville, NC
(828) 645-6014
