God of the universe, God of the world, God of our hearts, come to us today. Open our eyes and our ears so that we can hear your voice. Open our hearts so that we may touch and feel your love for us. Turn our minds to you and silence any voice except your own. Oh, Lord, as we continue in Advent, today we seek to better understand your love for us. Amen
(Prayer Requests prayed for)
Lord’s Prayer
Call to Worship and Lighting of Advent Candle (based on Psalm 85)
Oh Lord, you were favorable to Israel and returned them to the promised land.
You forgave their iniquities and pardoned their sins.
Surely, God will speak peace to the people he loves.
His salvation is at hand, his Glory shall live among us.
His steadfast love and faithfulness will meet, his righteousness and peace kiss one another.
Righteousness will go before him, making a path for his steps.
(We light this candle as a token of the Love God has shown us)
* What Child is This 94/145
Prayer of Confession (based on Isaiah 40)
“Comfort, comfort your people” says your God.
But we turn our eyes to our own pain and ignore the pain of others.
“In the desert, a voice calls out to make straight the highway, prepare a way for God to return.”
But we sit busily focused on our own needs and forget God is coming.
A voice calls us to “Cry out,”
But we ask, “What shall we cry?”
Forgive us Lord, for not caring, for not preparing, for not being ready.
Prepare our hearts today that we might be ready for your return.
Declaration of Forgiveness
Isaiah 40 reminds us that the Lord will come whether we are ready or not. Psalm 85 reminds us that in God’s love, he has forgiven us our iniquities. Know that God’s great love includes God’s forgiveness and be at peace.
Gloria Patri
Children’s Time: God gives us parents
Prayer for Illumination
Reading of the Word: Luke 1:26-38 (The Message)
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin’s name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her:
Good morning! You’re beautiful with God’s beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you.
She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that.
But the angel assured her, “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus. He will be great, be called ‘Son of the Highest.’ The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David;
He will rule Jacob’s house forever— no end, ever, to his kingdom.”
Mary said to the angel, “But how? I’ve never slept with a man.”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God.
And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.”
And Mary said,
“Yes, I see it all now:
I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve.
Let it be with me just as you say.”
Then the angel left her.
This is the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Away in a Manger 86/115
Sermon: Mary – God Acts When We Say “Yes.”
Today, as we light the second candle of Advent, the name of the candle is love. What better example of Love can we have then then love of a mother, the love of Mary for her child.
We tend to view things both in Scripture and the Christmas story from our 21st Century point of view. That means we see things differently than they happened. This is true here in the Christmas Story when it comes to Mary.
Most of you are aware that Mary was a young teen at the time she became betrothed to Joseph. We might be surprised at how young she was. But let’s put it in perspective. Up until a couple of centuries ago, the average life expectancy was around 40 years. This was true back in the first century when Jesus was born.
It is why in Jewish custom, the coming of age of a male for Bar Mitzvah is 13. At that point a male took on responsibility as an adult. A female became of age as soon as she hit puberty. So Mary being 12 or 13 wasn’t a form of child abuse, it was a matter of bearing children young enough to raise them.
Now, that didn’t mean there weren’t people who were much older, It means that between a high infant mortality and childhood diseases, and infections, as many people died before age 40 as died after that time. And, in fact, a driving factor in our own longevity rate, which is in the 80s now, is that later births tend to reduce infant mortality.
Last week we had the news of a baby to come being delivered by angel to Zechariah, an older male serving in the temple. This morning we hear of that same angel visiting a young teenage girl planning her wedding. Male and female, young and old, all have a part to play in the Christmas story.
So the first thing we see in comparing these two events is that God is willing to use all of us, no matter what age we are or what gender we are.
My favorite prophet is Jeremiah, whose first words to God about becoming a prophet was that he was too young. My second favorite prophet was Moses, who was of an age when we think we are too old.
My own experience about God’s call is actually a bit of both young and old.
Back in my teen years I felt the call of God upon my heart to serve him. I was appointed chaplain, my first position of spiritual responsibility when I was 16. Over the years I served as Nursery attendant and then as a Sunday School teacher for young children. Finally, in my 40s, I also began to lead Sunday School for adults and was ordained as an elder in my church. Let’s say I grew into the job.
But the truth is that women still struggle with being called into ministry, and not all Presbyterian denominations ordain them, much less denominations that are considered to be more conservative. Although it has changed a bit over the 15 years I have served, I still have friends who believe I should not be a pastor.
My first ministerial alliance in Southwest Kansas was in a town with only one ordained female. The Presbytery support group that I first met with had me as its first female.
But the second thing that we see is a difference in how they are approached and how they respond.
Gabriel speaks to Zachariah as a priest, telling him what God was going to do. There certainly was no choice made on Zechariah’s part – in fact, when he doubted the angel (You must have gotten me mixed up with a younger Zechariah), Gabriel gives him a sign – he can’t speak until these things happen.
On the other hand, we find Gabriel carefully explaining to the much younger Mary that God will be the one doing the work in this, and that her job was only to accept what would happen. And Mary accepted. Mary said, “Let it happen.” She was willing to face an uncertain future.
As a young intern I was invited to preach during the Christmas Season and I preached on the importance of Mary saying “Yes,” to the plan that God had. It was strange because someone in the congregation challenged me on this. They felt that Mary HAD to say “yes” because God desired it.
But God doesn’t work that way. Yes, God makes it very clear what God desires, but God still gives us free choice. And especially in this, the choice of the Mother of Jesus, God would not force the choice.
With retirement upon us, I want to make clear that I did not originally accept the invitation to come here. Back then I told JR, who was the one who called that I did not feel called to three churches. But the truth of the matter was even more basic than that.
Gary and I had negotiated where we were willing to serve. First and foremost, Gary said “No snow.” Second, we were concerned about being too rural. After several years of having to drive to town to get our groceries, we wanted to live somewhere with people and stores. Mostly stores. But also, I had drawn a North/South and East/West line.
Missouri only made the cut after we took a vacation to Kansas City. We like Kansas City, so we included Missouri in our list. Missouri Union was NOT on the list of Presbyteries I wanted to serve. Y’all were just too far East, too rural, and too cold during the winter.
But JR was faithful in doing his job at calling me. He had my cell phone number, and while we were on vacation in upstate New York, he called. For those not in the know, Patricia and Randy were stationed at Fort Drum, and we would take a week of vacation after Labor Day and visit them. At that point the weather was still perfect, and since it was after labor day we could reserve a cabin along the St Lawrence River and do all of the tourist stuff for half price. So, as I sat in an Adirondack chair enjoying the fall weather, I was in the one place in the entire camp where I could get a cell phone signal. And he called. And I was mellow enough to say yes. When I returned to the cabin, Gary wasn’t sure, and didn’t agree until after we visited Sedalia.
God definitely had a part in that “yes.” God had a plan and worked to make sure I followed it, but God did not make me come. I had to say “yes” to God. And so God gave me all of you as my “children” much as God gave Mary the baby Jesus.
Saying “Yes” to God is important, but like Mary, we can’t see the future. We don’t always know what we are saying yes to.
On Facebook this week, there has been some controversy about a song that I happen to love, called Mary did you know? It asks Mary if she really knew what the child she was bearing would do. One person came back and said that “of course she knew” and pointed out the annunciation by Gabriel and the Magnificat when she joins Elizabeth.
But while Mary knew that she bore the long-awaited Messiah, she. like the people of her time, understood Messiah in a very different way. She understood Jesus to be the one who would save his people, not from sin, but from the Romans. I have read all of the passages and not a single one indicates that she understood the truth of what would happen next.
Back when I said “Yes,” to God and came to be with all of you, I knew I would be your pastor. I did not know much of what would happen to all of us along this journey. I knew I would love you because I knew God would put that love in my heart, but I did not know that you would become so precious to me because of where you are.
Mary did not know. She did not know that Jesus would walk on water, heal the blind, make the lame walk. She did not know she would weep at his side at the cross or rejoice in his resurrection. She did not know what the future held at all. But she said “Yes” to God, and God took her the rest of the way.
When we say “Yes” to God, like Mary, we don’t know what the future holds. But as the old saying goes, we know who holds that future.
Let us close with the song of Mary as she celebrates saying “Yes” to God:
Mary responded, from Luke 1 (NRSV)
“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.
He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.
His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands.
He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful.
For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.”
Today we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper together in person for the last time. We do not know what the future holds for any of us. Our lives hold as many surprises as Mary’s life held, and God has a ministry for each of us beyond what we ever imagined.
As we gather around this table let us do so remembering that God has a plan, our job is to say “Yes” to that plan and let God walk with us as God walked with Mary.
Dedication of Offerings/Doxology
The Lord’s Supper (We invite you to join with us around the table using elements that you have at home)
The Invitation:
This is the Joyful feast of the people of God!
Just as the crowds gathered and sat at the foot of Jesus and he fed them with loaves and fish, we also sit.
Some of us are here together.
Some of us remain in our cars.
Some of us are at home watching from afar.
But no matter where we are, this one act unites us as a single body. Together we will take the bread and drink the cup. And in this we are with one another.
Statement of Faith: The Apostles Creed
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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on 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 Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.
Great Thanksgiving:
The Lord be with you – And also with you.
Lift up your hearts – We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God,
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Prayer of Thanksgiving:
We thank you O God, for the creation of the earth which surrounds us. The sun, the moon, the stars, all bear testimony to your word.
We thank you that you created us, and loved us even in our fall. You sent Jesus to teach us and to die for our sins.
We thank you that through the Holy Spirit, no matter where we are, we are together.
We give you thanks that the Lord Jesus, on the night before he died, took bread, and after giving thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying: Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, Jesus took the cup, saying: This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.
Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and cup, no matter where we are or what they look like, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ.
AMEN
Breaking of the Bread:
Jesus said, I am the bread of Life.
Jesus said, I am the vine, you are the branches. Come to me and never be hungry; believe in me and never thirst.
These are the gifts of God for the people of God
Thanks be to God.
Distribution of Elements to people and cars
Prayer after Communion:
God of abundance, with this bread of life and cup of salvation, you have united us with Christ, making us one with all your people. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue forever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Our closing hymn this morning is a hymn of dedication. It is our chance to say “yes” to all that God is calling us to do. It is our opportunity to be like Mary, and to honor the call that God has put upon our hearts. Let us join in song …
* Here I Am Lord Insert/69
* Charge and Benediction (Based on 2 Peter 3)
The Lord is coming whether we are prepared or not.
So as you are waiting, strive to be found by God at peace, without spot or blemish; ready for the day of salvation.
Walk in the love that God has given you.
May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you
Pastor: Rev. Bobbie Karchner
Phone: 660-851-0067 Cell Phone: 660-596-3954
E-mail: [email protected]
Ministers: The Congregation
Web Site: http://tricountyministries.weebly.com
Weekly Worship Services uploaded on Sunday
(Prayer Requests prayed for)
Lord’s Prayer
Call to Worship and Lighting of Advent Candle (based on Psalm 85)
Oh Lord, you were favorable to Israel and returned them to the promised land.
You forgave their iniquities and pardoned their sins.
Surely, God will speak peace to the people he loves.
His salvation is at hand, his Glory shall live among us.
His steadfast love and faithfulness will meet, his righteousness and peace kiss one another.
Righteousness will go before him, making a path for his steps.
(We light this candle as a token of the Love God has shown us)
* What Child is This 94/145
Prayer of Confession (based on Isaiah 40)
“Comfort, comfort your people” says your God.
But we turn our eyes to our own pain and ignore the pain of others.
“In the desert, a voice calls out to make straight the highway, prepare a way for God to return.”
But we sit busily focused on our own needs and forget God is coming.
A voice calls us to “Cry out,”
But we ask, “What shall we cry?”
Forgive us Lord, for not caring, for not preparing, for not being ready.
Prepare our hearts today that we might be ready for your return.
Declaration of Forgiveness
Isaiah 40 reminds us that the Lord will come whether we are ready or not. Psalm 85 reminds us that in God’s love, he has forgiven us our iniquities. Know that God’s great love includes God’s forgiveness and be at peace.
Gloria Patri
Children’s Time: God gives us parents
Prayer for Illumination
Reading of the Word: Luke 1:26-38 (The Message)
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin’s name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her:
Good morning! You’re beautiful with God’s beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you.
She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that.
But the angel assured her, “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus. He will be great, be called ‘Son of the Highest.’ The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David;
He will rule Jacob’s house forever— no end, ever, to his kingdom.”
Mary said to the angel, “But how? I’ve never slept with a man.”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God.
And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.”
And Mary said,
“Yes, I see it all now:
I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve.
Let it be with me just as you say.”
Then the angel left her.
This is the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Away in a Manger 86/115
Sermon: Mary – God Acts When We Say “Yes.”
Today, as we light the second candle of Advent, the name of the candle is love. What better example of Love can we have then then love of a mother, the love of Mary for her child.
We tend to view things both in Scripture and the Christmas story from our 21st Century point of view. That means we see things differently than they happened. This is true here in the Christmas Story when it comes to Mary.
Most of you are aware that Mary was a young teen at the time she became betrothed to Joseph. We might be surprised at how young she was. But let’s put it in perspective. Up until a couple of centuries ago, the average life expectancy was around 40 years. This was true back in the first century when Jesus was born.
It is why in Jewish custom, the coming of age of a male for Bar Mitzvah is 13. At that point a male took on responsibility as an adult. A female became of age as soon as she hit puberty. So Mary being 12 or 13 wasn’t a form of child abuse, it was a matter of bearing children young enough to raise them.
Now, that didn’t mean there weren’t people who were much older, It means that between a high infant mortality and childhood diseases, and infections, as many people died before age 40 as died after that time. And, in fact, a driving factor in our own longevity rate, which is in the 80s now, is that later births tend to reduce infant mortality.
Last week we had the news of a baby to come being delivered by angel to Zechariah, an older male serving in the temple. This morning we hear of that same angel visiting a young teenage girl planning her wedding. Male and female, young and old, all have a part to play in the Christmas story.
So the first thing we see in comparing these two events is that God is willing to use all of us, no matter what age we are or what gender we are.
My favorite prophet is Jeremiah, whose first words to God about becoming a prophet was that he was too young. My second favorite prophet was Moses, who was of an age when we think we are too old.
My own experience about God’s call is actually a bit of both young and old.
Back in my teen years I felt the call of God upon my heart to serve him. I was appointed chaplain, my first position of spiritual responsibility when I was 16. Over the years I served as Nursery attendant and then as a Sunday School teacher for young children. Finally, in my 40s, I also began to lead Sunday School for adults and was ordained as an elder in my church. Let’s say I grew into the job.
But the truth is that women still struggle with being called into ministry, and not all Presbyterian denominations ordain them, much less denominations that are considered to be more conservative. Although it has changed a bit over the 15 years I have served, I still have friends who believe I should not be a pastor.
My first ministerial alliance in Southwest Kansas was in a town with only one ordained female. The Presbytery support group that I first met with had me as its first female.
But the second thing that we see is a difference in how they are approached and how they respond.
Gabriel speaks to Zachariah as a priest, telling him what God was going to do. There certainly was no choice made on Zechariah’s part – in fact, when he doubted the angel (You must have gotten me mixed up with a younger Zechariah), Gabriel gives him a sign – he can’t speak until these things happen.
On the other hand, we find Gabriel carefully explaining to the much younger Mary that God will be the one doing the work in this, and that her job was only to accept what would happen. And Mary accepted. Mary said, “Let it happen.” She was willing to face an uncertain future.
As a young intern I was invited to preach during the Christmas Season and I preached on the importance of Mary saying “Yes,” to the plan that God had. It was strange because someone in the congregation challenged me on this. They felt that Mary HAD to say “yes” because God desired it.
But God doesn’t work that way. Yes, God makes it very clear what God desires, but God still gives us free choice. And especially in this, the choice of the Mother of Jesus, God would not force the choice.
With retirement upon us, I want to make clear that I did not originally accept the invitation to come here. Back then I told JR, who was the one who called that I did not feel called to three churches. But the truth of the matter was even more basic than that.
Gary and I had negotiated where we were willing to serve. First and foremost, Gary said “No snow.” Second, we were concerned about being too rural. After several years of having to drive to town to get our groceries, we wanted to live somewhere with people and stores. Mostly stores. But also, I had drawn a North/South and East/West line.
Missouri only made the cut after we took a vacation to Kansas City. We like Kansas City, so we included Missouri in our list. Missouri Union was NOT on the list of Presbyteries I wanted to serve. Y’all were just too far East, too rural, and too cold during the winter.
But JR was faithful in doing his job at calling me. He had my cell phone number, and while we were on vacation in upstate New York, he called. For those not in the know, Patricia and Randy were stationed at Fort Drum, and we would take a week of vacation after Labor Day and visit them. At that point the weather was still perfect, and since it was after labor day we could reserve a cabin along the St Lawrence River and do all of the tourist stuff for half price. So, as I sat in an Adirondack chair enjoying the fall weather, I was in the one place in the entire camp where I could get a cell phone signal. And he called. And I was mellow enough to say yes. When I returned to the cabin, Gary wasn’t sure, and didn’t agree until after we visited Sedalia.
God definitely had a part in that “yes.” God had a plan and worked to make sure I followed it, but God did not make me come. I had to say “yes” to God. And so God gave me all of you as my “children” much as God gave Mary the baby Jesus.
Saying “Yes” to God is important, but like Mary, we can’t see the future. We don’t always know what we are saying yes to.
On Facebook this week, there has been some controversy about a song that I happen to love, called Mary did you know? It asks Mary if she really knew what the child she was bearing would do. One person came back and said that “of course she knew” and pointed out the annunciation by Gabriel and the Magnificat when she joins Elizabeth.
But while Mary knew that she bore the long-awaited Messiah, she. like the people of her time, understood Messiah in a very different way. She understood Jesus to be the one who would save his people, not from sin, but from the Romans. I have read all of the passages and not a single one indicates that she understood the truth of what would happen next.
Back when I said “Yes,” to God and came to be with all of you, I knew I would be your pastor. I did not know much of what would happen to all of us along this journey. I knew I would love you because I knew God would put that love in my heart, but I did not know that you would become so precious to me because of where you are.
Mary did not know. She did not know that Jesus would walk on water, heal the blind, make the lame walk. She did not know she would weep at his side at the cross or rejoice in his resurrection. She did not know what the future held at all. But she said “Yes” to God, and God took her the rest of the way.
When we say “Yes” to God, like Mary, we don’t know what the future holds. But as the old saying goes, we know who holds that future.
Let us close with the song of Mary as she celebrates saying “Yes” to God:
Mary responded, from Luke 1 (NRSV)
“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.
He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.
His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands.
He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful.
For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.”
Today we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper together in person for the last time. We do not know what the future holds for any of us. Our lives hold as many surprises as Mary’s life held, and God has a ministry for each of us beyond what we ever imagined.
As we gather around this table let us do so remembering that God has a plan, our job is to say “Yes” to that plan and let God walk with us as God walked with Mary.
Dedication of Offerings/Doxology
The Lord’s Supper (We invite you to join with us around the table using elements that you have at home)
The Invitation:
This is the Joyful feast of the people of God!
Just as the crowds gathered and sat at the foot of Jesus and he fed them with loaves and fish, we also sit.
Some of us are here together.
Some of us remain in our cars.
Some of us are at home watching from afar.
But no matter where we are, this one act unites us as a single body. Together we will take the bread and drink the cup. And in this we are with one another.
Statement of Faith: The Apostles Creed
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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on 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 Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.
Great Thanksgiving:
The Lord be with you – And also with you.
Lift up your hearts – We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God,
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Prayer of Thanksgiving:
We thank you O God, for the creation of the earth which surrounds us. The sun, the moon, the stars, all bear testimony to your word.
We thank you that you created us, and loved us even in our fall. You sent Jesus to teach us and to die for our sins.
We thank you that through the Holy Spirit, no matter where we are, we are together.
We give you thanks that the Lord Jesus, on the night before he died, took bread, and after giving thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying: Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, Jesus took the cup, saying: This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.
Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and cup, no matter where we are or what they look like, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ.
AMEN
Breaking of the Bread:
Jesus said, I am the bread of Life.
Jesus said, I am the vine, you are the branches. Come to me and never be hungry; believe in me and never thirst.
These are the gifts of God for the people of God
Thanks be to God.
Distribution of Elements to people and cars
Prayer after Communion:
God of abundance, with this bread of life and cup of salvation, you have united us with Christ, making us one with all your people. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue forever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Our closing hymn this morning is a hymn of dedication. It is our chance to say “yes” to all that God is calling us to do. It is our opportunity to be like Mary, and to honor the call that God has put upon our hearts. Let us join in song …
* Here I Am Lord Insert/69
* Charge and Benediction (Based on 2 Peter 3)
The Lord is coming whether we are prepared or not.
So as you are waiting, strive to be found by God at peace, without spot or blemish; ready for the day of salvation.
Walk in the love that God has given you.
May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you
Pastor: Rev. Bobbie Karchner
Phone: 660-851-0067 Cell Phone: 660-596-3954
E-mail: [email protected]
Ministers: The Congregation
Web Site: http://tricountyministries.weebly.com
Weekly Worship Services uploaded on Sunday