Estes Park United Methodist Church
October 11, 2020
Order of Worship
Prelude – Softly and Tenderly
Greeting/Welcome
Call to Worship
Leader: In the midst of fear and anger; in the midst of mayhem and destruction, God calls us.
People: With everything else going on, who has time for a feast? We’re busy, we’ll get around to eating eventually.
Leader: In the midst of our anxiety, our worry; in the midst of bill-paying and appointments, God invites us.
People: We are tempted to just grab a bite.
Leader: The feast is spread! All are invited, all are welcome!
People: We are invited. We are welcome. We are worthy. How will we respond?
Opening Prayer (Unison)
Gracious God, in love You open wide the doors and welcome us into Your presence—saints and sinners alike. You spread a table before us, filled with the richest fare—a feast of love and mercy for the body and soul. We come with joy to meet You here, to eat and drink at Your table, to taste and see Your goodness, to celebrate Your grace and mercy in our lives.
May Your Spirit inspire our praise and thanksgiving, our prayers and petitions as we worship together in Your presence. In the name of Jesus Christ, our host and Lord, Amen.
Opening Hymn – Trust and Obey
Prayer of Confession
Leader: Let us confess our sin, calling for God’s transforming power.
All: God of mercy, as you once again call us to your table, help us to respond in faith. Forgive our failures and help us to learn from them. Change our hearts and minds as we hear your good news proclaimed. Help us to taste and see the goodness you have prepared for us, and for the world. Amen.
Silent Prayer
Assurance of Pardon
Leader: Friends, hear this good news and see that by the grace of God: You are forgiven. You are free to go and live in the light of love.
People: Thanks be to God! Amen!
Offering
Prayer of Blessing
Pastoral Prayer
Scripture Lesson – Matthew 22:1-14
Sermon – Be My Guest
Closing Hymn – O Jesus, I Have Promised
Benediction
Postlude – Jesus is All the World to Me
Service Participants:
Pastor – Rev. Ann Steiner Lantz
Liturgist – Cay Lacey
Director of Music – Jim Flanigan
Pianist – Nancy Gunter
Videographer – Jim Ecklund