DUC

WE GATHER TO PRAISE GOD
TO PONDER: When have you experienced a paradigm (concept of how things are or work in the world) shift in your life?
What role did your faith play in this?

MUSIC PRELUDE

SUNG INTROIT: "Where Two or Three Are Gathered" M.V. 14
(4 x's, last very quietly)

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

HYMN: "We Praise You, O God" V.U. 218

CALL TO WORSHIP:

L: How shall we live in the love of God?
P: We will treat one another with fairness and dignity.
L: How shall we witness God's forgiving love?
P: We will reach out others with compassion.
L: Come, let us worship God who has always loved us.
P: Let our worship of God be reflected in our lives of hope and peace. Amen.

OPENING PRAYER
Lord, we come this day to worship and thank you for the many ways you guide our lives. We ask that our hearts, our ears, and our spirits may be open to your healing words of love. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.
We continue to pray with the words that Jesus taught us to pray, singing together The Lord's Prayer

HYMN: "Your Hand, O God, Has Guided" V.U. 274

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN:

SERVICE OF LIGHTING THE CANDLE:
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
Jesus is our friend who loves us always.

ANTHEM:
WE HEAR GOD'S LOVING WORD FOR US

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful Lord, we like to think that we do everything well. We pat ourselves on the back when we act with love and mercy toward others, complimenting ourselves in self-righteousness. But you know us better. You know our faults and our failings. You know when we falsely proclaim that we are truly living as you would have us live. Teach us again about your forgiving and healing love. Show us ways of merciful living that we may extend the love and mercy you have given us to others. Forgive us, we pray. For we ask these things in Jesus' Name. AMEN.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Rejoice! You are loved by God who judges your failures and heals your hearts and spirits. In Jesus' Name, we all are forgiven and healed. AMEN.

RESPONSIVE PSALM: Psalm 149 (V.U. 873)

EPISTLE: Romans 13: 8-14
This is the witness of the Apostle Paul.
Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL READING: Matthew 18: 15-20
This is the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God.

MESSAGE: "Changing how we see the world"

RESPONSE: V.U. 400
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit in this place,
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Send us love, send us power, send us grace

WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD IN FAITH AND ACTION

HYMN: "Dance With the Spirit" M.V. 156
Choir sings first, the congregation 2 x's)

PASTORAL PRAYER:

OFFERING INVITATION:

OFFERTORY RESPONSE:
For food in a world where many walk in hunger, for friends in a world where many walk alone, for faith in a world where many walk in fear, we give you thanks, O God.
V.U.552

OFFERTORY PRAYER: Loving God, who gave us all of creation, help us to remember that we are only the stewards of your generosity. We dedicate these gifts, and the givers, to your coming kin-dom. Amen.

HYMN: "All Creatures of our God and King" V.U. 217

COMMISSIONING: The peace of Jesus Christ has been poured out to you. Now go into the world bringing hope, forgiveness, and peace to others. God's peace is with you always. Amen.

POSTLUDE LicenSing # 620168

Portions of this service come from Ministry Matters