Estes Park United Methodist Church

August 23, 2020

 

Prelude – “Sunshine in My Soul”

Greeting/Welcome

Call to Worship

Leader: I will bless the Lord at all times; God’s praise shall continually be in my mouth.

People: My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.

Leader: O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt God’s name together.

People: I sought the Lord, who answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Leader: O taste and see that the Lord is good;

People: Happy are those who take refuge in God.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

O God, you are worthy of all our praise and worship. Today we celebrate your love and our relationship with you through Jesus Christ. Thank you for expressing your love for us in so many ways. As we think of your love, we are reminded of your call to love those around us. Help us to discover that the more we give ourselves to you, the more we have left to give ourselves to others. Make us servants in your name. Amen.        

Prayer of Confession

Leader: Trusting in God’s grace, let us make our prayer of confession.

People: We have failed as your church, O God. You call us to live faithfully, act justly and bring peace to the earth. Instead, our lives and your church reflect more of our needs and worries and less of the needs and worries of all peoples. Move us beyond ourselves to hear the cry of the world and to respond with acts and deeds of kindness, mercy and justice. May your grace shine through a church that, even with its shortcomings, accepts the call of Christ to serve and care and love and bring peace. May we feel your forgiving spirit now. Amen.

 Words of Assurance

Leader: In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. In our forgiveness, may we blossom fully with purpose and resolve, so that the world will know us by our love.

All: Thanks be to God!

Pastoral Prayer

            Lord’s Prayer

Blessing of the Teddy Bears

Offering – “As A Fire is Meant For Burning”                                   

Scripture Lesson – Matthew 16:13-20

Sermon – Who Are You?

Benediction

Postlude – “Go Ye”

 

Service Participants:

Pastor:                                                                                   Rev. Ann Steiner Lantz

Liturgist:                                                                                                     Cay Lacey

Pianist:                                                                                                 Nancy Gunter

Soloist:                                                                                                 Ellen Flanigan

Director of Music:                                                                                 Jim Flanigan