Estes Park United Methodist Church
January 10, 2021
Wesleyan Renewal Service
Order of Worship
Prelude – In Christ Alone
Greeting/Welcome
Call to Worship
Leader: I lift up my eyes to the hills.
People: From whence does my help come?
Leader: My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
People: The Lord will not let your foot be moved, the Lord who keeps you will not slumber.
Opening Prayer (Unison)
God of all the ages, in your sight nations rise and fall, and pass through times of peril. Now, when our nation is troubled, be near to judge and save. Be with our leaders and all government officials–may they be led by your wisdom; may they search your will and see it clearly. If we have turned from your way, reverse our ways and help us to repent. Give us your light in these dark hours and your truth. Let them guide us; through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of this world and our Savior. Amen.
Opening Hymn – This is My Song
First Scripture Reading – Lamentations 3:1-3; 16-24
Prayer of Confession
Leader: The psalmist reminds us, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever.” With this knowledge, we may confess our sins before God and one another with confidence.
All: Merciful God, we go about our days failing to proclaim your saving power with our voices or with our actions. We do not live as ones saved, but rather as people filled with fear and doubt. We often choose what is expedient, not what is right. We close our eyes and ears to those who are in need, and close our hearts to those we claim to love. We are quick to hurt others, and slow to right our wrongs. Forgive us, O God, for all the ways we have not lived into our relationship with you. Amen.
Silent Prayer
Assurance of Pardon
Leader: Friends, “God does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.” In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
People: Thanks be to God! Amen!
Offering
Prayer of Blessing
Pastoral Prayer
Scripture Lesson – John 15:1-8
Sermon – Where Do We Go From Here?
Wesley Covenant Prayer
All: I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put me to what you will, place me with whom you will.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you,
Praised for you or criticized for you.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and fully surrender all things to your glory and service.
And now, O wonderful and holy God,
Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer,
you are mine, and I am yours.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
Let it also be made in heaven. Amen.
Holy Communion
Prayer after Communion
Closing Hymn – There is a Balm in Gilead
Benediction
Postlude – Shine, Jesus Shine
Service Participants:
Pastor: Rev. Ann Steiner Lantz
Liturgist: Cay Lacey
Director of Music: Jim Flanigan
Pianist: Nancy Gunter
Videographer: Jim Ecklund