Below is the order of worship for Sunday, July 11, 2021. Please follow along in person or live on Facebook and use this to participate in prayers, and prepare for reading scripture and listening to the sermon.
Welcome & Announcements
Prelude (The light of Christ enters the world)
Call to Worship
Leader: Brothers and sisters, we are gathered here to proclaim a vision;
People: A vision of a world formed by God and transformed by Jesus’ love.
Leader: May the Holy Spirit open our hearts and open our eyes
People: that we may live into God’s vision for our lives, our church, and our world.
All: Thanks be to God! Amen.
Prayer (in unison)
Almighty God, Word and Wisdom, we pray for the gift of your vision. Help us to want the things that you want, to love the people whom you love, and to follow where you lead us. Grant us the courage to embody your Word in our actions, to surrender ourselves to your Holy Spirit, to embrace one another, and to express your love for the world. Empower us to another way of living as disciples of your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray.
We Bow Down
Congregational Greeting Time “Wave to your neighbor.”
Children’s Moment
Nothing
Prayer & Offering
Lord’s Prayer
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 Trespasses,
As We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us,
And Lead Us Not Into Temptation,
But Deliver Us From Evil.
For Thine Is The Kingdom,
And The Power, And The Glory,
For Ever And Ever
Amen
Ministry Moment
Who? Why?
Be Thou My Vision
Scripture: Nehemiah 2: 11 – 20 New Living Translation
11 So I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, 12 I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem. We took no pack animals with us except the donkey I was riding.
13 After dark I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal’s Well, and over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burned gates. 14 Then I went to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but my donkey couldn’t get through the rubble. 15 So, though it was still dark, I went up the Kidron Valley instead, inspecting the wall before I turned back and entered again at the Valley Gate.
16 The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I was doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans. I had not yet spoken to the Jewish leaders—the priests, the nobles, the officials, or anyone else in the administration. 17 But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” 18 Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king.
They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work.
19 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously. “What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” they asked.
20 I replied, “The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no share, legal right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.”
Memory verse: Nehemiah 1:9
9 But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.’
This is the Word of God for the people of God…THANKS BE TO GOD.