Bulletin

Welcome to United Christian Parish! Use the bulletin as guidance as you worship.
(download the bulletin as a PDF)

AUGUST 9 ORDER OF WORSHIP

PRELUDE

WELCOME

CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Come, all who have been embraced by God's grace.
All: We come to worship the One whose love calls us into service.
One:We have received God's mercy freely.
All: Now may our lives reflect that mercy.
One:Faith is more than words.
All: Faith is lived through love.
One: Come, let us worship God.

OPENING SONG *
“Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service” (#581)
Lord, whose love through humble service
bore the weight of human need,
who upon the cross, forsaken,
offered mercy’s perfect deed:
we, your servants, bring the worship
not of voice alone, but heart,
consecrating to your purpose
every gift that you impart.

Still your children wander homeless;
still the hungry cry for bread;
still the captives long for freedom;
still in grief we mourn our dead.
As, O Lord, your deep compassion
healed the sick and freed the soul,
use the love your Spirit kindles
still to save and make us whole.

As we worship, grant us vision,
till your love’s revealing light
in its height and depth and greatness
dawns upon our quickened sight,
making known the needs and burdens
your compassion bids us bear,
stirring us to tireless striving,
your abundant life to share.

Called by worship to your service,
forth in your dear name we go
to the child, the youth, the aged,
love in living deeds to show;
hope and health, good will and comfort,
counsel, aid and peace we give,
that your servants, Lord, in freedom
may your mercy know, and live.

CALL TO CONFESSION *
One: The Methodist tradition reminds us that grace is never meant to remain hidden within us. God's love changes us so that we become agents of compassion, mercy, and justice.
All: Yet we know there are times when our faith remains only words, when we fail to love our neighbors in tangible ways, and when we overlook opportunities to serve Christ in others.
One: Trusting in God's abundant mercy, let us confess our sin first together and then in a moment of silence.  Let us pray…

PRAYER OF CONFESSION *
One: Gracious and loving God, You have poured out your grace upon us without measure, yet too often we keep that grace to ourselves.
All: We confess that our faith can become comfortable instead of courageous, private instead of compassionate, spoken instead of lived.
One: Forgive us when we pass by those in need. Forgive us when fear keeps us from serving.
All: Forgive us when our words proclaim your love, but our actions fail to reflect it.
One: Transform us by your Spirit.
All: Open our eyes to see Christ in our neighbors. Open our hands to share generously. Open our hearts to love boldly.
One: May our faith become visible through lives of mercy, justice, and humble service. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

MOMENT OF SILENCE

ASSURANCE OF PARDON *
One: Hear the Good News. God's grace does not depend upon our perfection. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, renewed, and sent into the world with new purpose. The same grace that saves us also transforms us, empowering us to love and serve with joy. Friends, believe the Good News of the Gospel.
All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!

GLORIA *
“Glory to God”
Glory to God, whose goodness shines on me,
and to the Son, whose grace has pardoned me,
and to the Spirit, whose love has set me free.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.

PASSING THE PEACE

OFFERING

DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise Christ, all people here below;
praise Holy Spirit evermore;
praise Triune God, whom we adore.
Amen.

CHILDREN’S TIME

SONG
“Freely, Freely”
God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name,
I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name;
and in Jesus’ name I come to you
to share his love as he told me to.

Refrain: He said: “Freely, freely, you have received,
freely, freely give.
Go in my name, and because you believe,
others will know that I live.”

All power is given in Jesus’ name,
in earth and heaven in Jesus’ name,
and in Jesus’ name I come to you,
to share his power as he told me to. [Refrain]

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

SCRIPTURE (James 2:14–17)

SERMON

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

LORD’S PRAYER
All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

CLOSING SONG *
“Forth in Thy Name, O Lord” (#483)
Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go,
my daily labor to pursue;
thee, only thee, resolved to know
in all I think or speak or do.

The task thy wisdom hath assigned,
O let me cheerfully fulfill;
in all my works thy presence find,
and prove thy good and perfect will.

Thee may I set at my right hand,
whose eyes mine inmost substance see,
and labor on at thy command,
and offer all my works to thee.

 For thee delightfully employ
what e'er thy bounteous grace hath given;
and run my course with even joy,
and closely walk with thee to heaven.

CLOSING MESSAGE *

POSTLUDE

*Rise in body or spirit