Estes Park United Methodist Church
November 22, 2020
Christ the King Sunday
Order of Worship
Prelude – O Worship the King
Greeting/Welcome
Call to Worship
Leader: In deep gratitude we come to worship God.
People: We recognize God as the source of all goodness.
Leader: All good gifts come from the Spirit of God:
People: Love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, gentleness are all of God.
Leader: We come with grateful hearts, not for things, but for who God is.
People: We gather to show our gratitude in song and prayer.
Opening Prayer (Unison)
God, Father of the poor, your Son Jesus was born among us poor, humble and dependent. Open our eyes and our hearts and our hands to honor him now as our Lord and King by welcoming him in those who are hungry and thirsty, in all who are abandoned and lonely, in refugees, in the poor and the sick. Let our love become free and spontaneous, like the tenderness you have shown us in your Son. Welcome us in the everlasting Kingdom prepared for us through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Opening Hymn – Together We Serve
Prayer of Confession
Leader: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
All: Gracious Creator, you have given us so much, but too often we take those gifts for granted, or as something to which we are entitled. You call us to live in caring community, but too often we place our wants and needs first, with those of others a distant second.
You call us to share Your gifts with the world around us, but we are worried that there may not be enough, and our worrying gets in the way of our sharing. For all the times when we mistreat and misuse Your gifts, for all the times we assume that we get what we have by ourselves, forgive us and lead us back to the path of wisdom.
Silent Prayer
Assurance of Pardon
Leader: God is a gracious giver. God is gracious in forgiveness. God calls us to new patterns and new life. We are a forgiven people!
People: Thanks be to God! Amen!
Offering
Prayer of Blessing
Pastoral Prayer
Scripture Lesson – Matthew 25:31-46
Sermon – Who, me?
Closing Hymn – Rejoice, the Lord is King
Benediction
Postlude – Come, Ye Thankful People Come
Service Participants:
Pastor: Rev. Ann Steiner Lantz
Liturgist: Cay Lacey
Director of Music: Jim Flanigan
Pianist: Nancy Gunter
Song Leader: Janis Angermyr
Videographer: Jim Ecklund