CCLI Number: 2880734
July 19, 2026
Words of Welcome Rev. John Hill
Centering Music
Call to Worship Michelle Hussung
I was glad when they said unto me,
“Let us go into the house of the Lord.”
The church is not a building. The church is not a steeple.
The church is not a resting place. The church is a people.
We, the people of God, are called to a purpose:
To be a church on the move and to share God’s love with the world.
Opening Hymn “We Are Called” (TFWS #2172)
Come! Live in the light!
Shine with the joy and the love of the Lord!
We are called to be light for the kingdom,
to live in the freedom of the city of God!
We are called to act with justice,
we are called to love tenderly,
we are called to serve one another,
to walk humbly with God!
Come! Open your heart!
Show your mercy to all those in fear!
We are called to be hope for the hopeless,
so all hatred and blindness will be no more!
We are called to act with justice,
we are called to love tenderly,
we are called to serve one another,
to walk humbly with God!
Sing! Sing a new song!
Sing of that great day when all will be one!
God will reign, and we’ll walk with each other
as sisters and brothers united in love!
We are called to act with justice,
we are called to love tenderly,
we are called to serve one another,
to walk humbly with God.
Opening Prayer (Book of Worship #460) Michelle Hussung
O God, our Guide and Guardian,
you have led us apart from the busy world
into the quiet of your house.
Grant us grace to worship you in Spirit and in truth,
to the comfort of our souls
and the upbuilding of every good purpose and holy desire.
Enable us to do more perfectly
the work to which you have called us,
when we shall resign into your hands
the tasks you have committed to us.
So may we worship you not with our lips at this hour,
but in word and deed all the days of our lives;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Children’s Moment Emily Brazzel
Prayer of Confession (Book of Worship #479) Michelle Hussung
Almighty God,
we confess that we are often swept up in the tide of our generation.
We have failed in our calling to be your holy people,
a people set apart for your divine purpose.
We live more in apathy born of fatalism than in passion born of hope.
We are moved more by private ambition than by social justice.
We dream more of privilege and benefits than of service and sacrifice.
We try to speak your name without relinquishing our glories,
without nourishing our souls, without relying wholly on your grace.
Help us to make room in our hearts and lives for you.
Forgive us, revive us, and reshape us in your image. Amen.
Silent Confession
Words of Assurance Rev. John Hill
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 “Amazing Grace” (UMH #378)
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
’tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be,
as long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
a life of joy and peace.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun,
we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
than when we’d first begun.
Prayer for Illumination Michelle Hussung
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 (Acts 16:16-24) Michelle Hussung
One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a female slave who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling. While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, “These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.
But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, “These men, these Jews, are disturbing our city and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us, being Romans, to adopt or observe.” The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
Response to the Scripture Reading Michelle Hussung
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 “Church on the Move: Liberating” Rev. John Hill
Musical Reflection
Pastoral Prayer Rev. John Hill
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 “Christ Has Broken Down the Wall”
Christ has broken down the wall,
Christ has broken down the wall.
Let us join our hearts as one,
Christ has broken down the wall.
We’re accepted as we are,
we’re accepted as we are.
Through God’s love all is reconciled,
we’re accepted as we are.
Cast aside your doubts and fears,
cast aside your doubts and fears,
Peace and love, freely offered here;
cast aside your doubts and fears.
We will tear down the walls!
We will tear down every wall!
God has called us, one and all;
Christ has broken down the wall!
Benediction Rev. John Hill
Benediction Song “Siyahamba” (TFWS 2235)
We’re liberating in the light of God,
liberating in the light of God.
We’re liberating in the light of God,
liberating in the light of God.
We’re liberating,
liberating, ooo;
liberating in the light of God.
We’re liberating,
liberating, ooo;
we’re liberating in the light of God.