Smithville United Methodist Church
PO Box 293, 505 N Hwy 169
Smithville, MO 64089
816-532-3200
Celebrating Life through Divine Worship
10th Sunday after Pentecost
10:00 AM August 21, 2011
The time of centering:
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God.” May this time of worship open in you a wellspring of holy joy to strengthen and sustain you today and in the days ahead. If you are visiting us today, know that we are honored by your presence. If you are seeking a new church home, we hope it will be with us. Welcome!
PRELUDE Worship begins as the music is played
ENTRANCE OF THE LIGHT
INVOCATION
This morning awaken us to the need to follow the leadership of your Holy Spirit. Soften our souls. Renew our strength. Let our vision be clear, our purpose steadfast, and our love generous as we walk among those to whom you lead us for the ministry of love each of us is called to perform. Amen.
WELCOME
*SONGS OF PRAISE "Walk with Me" & "Cry of My Heart"
CALL TO WORSHIP LEADER: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
PEOPLE: And also with you.
LEADER: Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God.
PEOPLE: Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
LEADER: God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.
PEOPLE: If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is perfected in us.
LEADER: God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.
ALL: Love has been perfected among us in this - because as He is, so are we in this world. Amen.
CHILDREN’S SERMON SPECIAL MUSIC Michelle Gager TIME OF PRAYER
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
OUR DISCIPLESHIP OF GIVING
Offering
*Doxology
*Prayer of Dedication
*HYMN OF PREPARATION "Love Divine, All loves Excelling"
No. 384
SCRIPTURE READINGS Ephesians 5:1-2, I Corinthians 13:4-7
SERMON Generosity: Our Relationships
UNISON PRAYER
We thank you today, O God, for showing us the nature of love in your love for us. We thank you God for loving us when we are unloving; for caring for us when we are uncaring, and for calling to us when we go far away. Help us dear God to love one another in this same way.We thank you God for urging us to share your love in generous ways. We thank you for teaching us to trust and dare. Help us God to be compassionate and fair. Help us to forgive and to be patient and to care.For your people everywhere - the body of Christ - and especially for this congregation - help us to love those around us as Christ loves us.Lord hear our prayer. Amen.
*HYMN FOR GOING FORTH "Pass it On" No. 572
TAKING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST INTO THE WORLD
BENEDICTION
Go in peace - love and care for one another in the name of Christ. May the love of God be upon you and within you. May the compassion of God flow through you, this day and every day. Go forth and imitate God’s generous love. Amen. POSTLUDE
*Please stand if you are able when indicated by an asterisk
