Welcome to Worship!
Please, if you have kids with you, grab the Sunday School materials.
Big thanks to George V. for the addition of the sound-tracks to go with our hymns this morning, and for the special anthem recording!
https://vimeo.com/401679640
Call to Worship
One: How are you, Children of God?
All: We are afraid. We are anxious. It seems that Death surrounds us.
One: Children of God, listen to Jesus. What is he saying?
All: Jesus says the sickness is not unto death. Jesus speaks of resurrection and new life.
One: Children of God, believe the good news! When death draws near, Jesus will set you free!
All: Let us worship God!
*Hymn of Praise
UMH #496 — Sweet Hour of Prayer
Scripture – John 11: 1-44
https://vimeo.com/401680233
Anthem: Faith Is Patience in the Night
Faith is patience in the night,
Waiting for the morning light,
Never giving up the fight.
Spirit God, give us faith.
Faith is laughter in our pain,
Joy in pleasures that remain,
Trust in One we can’t explain.
Spirit God, give us faith.
Faith is steadfast will to live,
Standing firm and positive,
Being ready still to give.
Spirit God, give us faith.
Sermon: Be Free
https://vimeo.com/401682040
*Song of Invitation
UMH #462 — Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus
Prayers of the People
Dear God,
We thank you for sticking close with us
when close contact with others is limited.
Teach us to live through worship and prayer
in the company of Jesus,
that we may in turn reach out in friendship
to the others who are alone all around us.
Make us more sensitive to your presence,
that we may be a community across the distance
to one another, and to all our neighbors.
For so many going stir-crazy —
and at times we include ourselves among them —
grant us the courage to send a greeting, a sign,
that we are not alone:
a word of praise,
a simple smile,
a wave of recognition.
May we create little centers of fellowship
Here and there,
online or on the phone,
across a fence-line or across the street,
where we can share our joys,
our sorrows, our hopes, our fears.
And help us to always lift each other up
in these hours of trouble.
Though we are largely by ourselves,
help us to keep from living only to ourselves,
for you have said,
“It is not good that a human should be alone,”
and you have provided us, even in this time,
neighbors, and family and friendship.
And you have given us the means
to share a blessing with someone,
even today.
Thank you, God,
for the company of your Spirit,
and the assurance of your promise,
that you will never leave or forsake us.
Amen.
*Song of Dedication
UMH #430 — O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee
*Benediction
May the God of peace,
Who created you,
Who called you,
Who loves you —
May God now keep you
Forever in the arms of grace
That you may be blessed, and
That you may be a blessing.
Amen.
