Estes Park United Methodist Church
October 4, 2020
World Communion Sunday
Order of Worship
Prelude – Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Greeting/Welcome
Call to Worship
Leader: Today we gather around God’s table from near and far
People: We are the People of God!
Leader: Though we differ in language, custom, and tradition
People: We are siblings in Christ!
Leader: For there is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism
People: We are One in God’s Spirit!
Leader: We are one and together we remember our Lord Jesus
People: Come, let us worship the God of our Salvation!
Opening Prayer (Unison)
O Redeemer God, as we gather in worship on this World Communion Sunday, we ask that you send your Holy Spirit to fall afresh on us. We pray for your Spirit to awaken new hope in us. Grant us the vision to see the coming of your kingdom. Help us to celebrate the glimpses of grace that you have given to each of us. Knit our hearts together in worship and communion so that we know we do not struggle alone in working for your peace and justice. We pray this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Opening Hymn – How Great Thou Art
Prayer of Confession
Leader: Let us confess our sin, calling for God’s transforming power.
All: 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.
Silent Prayer
Assurance of Pardon
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.
People: Thanks be to God! Amen!
Offering
Prayer of Blessing
Offertory – Healer
Pastoral Prayer
Scripture Lesson – Matthew 21:33-46
Special Music – Amazing Grace
Sermon – The Stone That the Builders Rejected
Holy Communion
Prayer After Receiving Communion
Closing Hymn – One Bread, One Body
Benediction
Postlude – Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It
Service Participants:
Pastor: Rev. Ann Steiner Lantz
Liturgist: Cay Lacey
Director of Music: Jim Flanigan
Pianist: Nancy Gunter
Videographer: Jim Ecklund