CCLI Number: 2880734
July 21, 2024
Words of Welcome Rev. John Hill
Centering Music
Call to Worship Rev. Chelsey Hedglin
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
This is the day that the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Opening Hymn “O Church of God, United” (UMH #547)
O church of God, united to serve one common Lord,
proclaim to all one message, with hearts in glad accord.
Christ ever goes before us; we follow day by day
with strong and eager footsteps along the upward way.
From every land and nation the ordered ranks appear;
To serve one valiant leader they come from far and near.
They chant their one confession, they praise one living Lord,
And place their sure dependence upon his saving word.
Though creeds and tongues may differ, they speak, O Christ, of thee;
and in thy loving spirit we shall one people be.
Lord, may our faithful service and singleness of aim
proclaim to all the power of thy redeeming name.
May thy great prayer be answered that we may all be one,
close bound, by love united in thee, God’s blessed Son:
to bring a single witness, to make the pathway bright,
that souls which grope in darkness may find the one true light.
Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed (UMH #881) Rev. Chelsey Hedglin
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.
Gloria Patri (UMH #70)
Glory be to the Father
and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.
Children’s Moment Rev. John Hill
Prayer of Confession Rev. Chelsey Hedglin
God of all nations, we praise you that in Christ
the barriers that have separated humanity are torn down.
Yet we confess our slowness to open our hearts and minds
to those of other lands, tongues, and races.
Deliver us from the sins and fear of prejudice,
that we may move toward the day
when all are truly one in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Silent Confession
Words of Assurance Rev. Chelsey Hedglin
Hear the Good News: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. That proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
Glory to God. Amen.
Passing the Peace
Hymn “This Is My Song” UMH #437
This is my song, O God of all the nations,
a song of peace for lands afar and mine.
This is my home, the country where my heart is;
here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine;
but other hearts in other lands are beating
with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.
My country’s skies are bluer than the ocean,
and sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine;
but other lands have sunlight too, and clover,
and skies are everywhere as blue as mine.
O hear my song, thou God of all the nations,
a song of peace for their land and for mine.
This is my prayer, O Lord of all earth’s kingdoms:
Thy kingdom come; on earth thy will be done.
Let Christ be lifted up till all shall serve him,
and hearts united learn to live as one.
O hear my prayer, thou God of all the nations;
myself I give thee; let thy will be done.
Prayer for Illumination Rev. Chelsey Hedglin
Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that, as the Scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen.
Scripture Reading John 17:20-24 Rev. Chelsey Hedglin
I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Response to the Scripture Reading Rev. Chelsey Hedglin
For the Word of God we hear in scripture,
for the Word of God we encounter among us,
and for the Word of God at work within us,
Thanks be to God.
Sermon “Skill and Spirit: Unity in Diversity” Rev. John Hill
Musical Reflection
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer
Invitation to Offer Tithes and Gifts
https://onrealm.org/CrievewoodUMC/Give
Offertory
Doxology (UMH #95)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God, above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Invitation to Discipleship
Closing Hymn: “For the Healing of the Nations” (UMH #428)
For the healing of the nations,
Lord, we pray with one accord;
for a just and equal sharing
of the things that earth affords;
to a life of love in action
help us rise and pledge our word,
help us rise and pledge our word.
Lead us forward into freedom,
from despair your world release,
that, redeemed from war and hatred,
all may come and go in peace.
Show us how, through care and goodness,
fear will die and hope increase,
fear will die and hope increase.
All that kills abundant living,
let it from the earth be banned;
pride of status, race or schooling,
dogmas that obscure your plan.
In our common quest for justice
may we hallow life’s brief span,
may we hallow life’s brief span.
You, Creator God, have written
your great name on humankind;
for our growing in your likeness,
bring the life of Christ to mind,
that by our response and service
earth its destiny may find,
earth its destiny may find.
Benediction
Benediction Song “Victory in Jesus” (chorus, UMH #370)
O victory in Jesus, my savior forever!
He sought me and bought me
with his redeeming blood;
he loved me ere I knew him,
and all my love is due him;
he plunged me to victory
beneath the cleansing flood.