August 25, 2024

AUGUST 25, 2024 FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST REV. KENDRA BALLIET JAMES ROSS, ORGANIST Prelude - Joyous Procession- Garry Cornell Welcome *Call to Worship ONE: Calling all children of the Living God: the gospel is good news for every age and every stage. ALL: Let us worship together, the young and the old. ONE: The good news is proclaimed in God’s words, and also with crayons, silly songs, snacks, and rest time. ALL: Let us worship together, every generation. ONE: We come together with different abilities and disabilities, learning in a rainbow of ways and styles. ALL: Let us worship together, with our family of faith. ONE: All are welcome in the arms of Christ who proclaimed, “Let the children come!” ALL: Let us worship together, united in our eternal hope. *Opening Hymn “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” #514 *Opening Prayer God our teacher, who helps us to understand the world around us, thank you for the privilege of education. You have blessed our communities with teachers who take new skills and concepts and pass them along to each new class of young people. God who came as a child to show us how to be fully human, to show us how to be children of God, You have given our children minds that grow and develop in unique ways, at unique speeds, and we are astounded by that miracle. You speak to us through the words, actions, play, and feelings of children. You call us to listen to the Spirit speaking through our young siblings in Christ. We celebrate the beginning of this school year and ask for your blessings upon the children, the educators, and the families who support them all. But in this celebration of education and learning, we do not forget there are children and families and teachers who do not have the resources they need. When systems are unjust, the outcomes are unacceptable. Today we remember those who are beginning school this year: those who have what they need to learn and grow in safety, and those who lack supplies, teachers, safe buildings, and accommodations for all needs and abilities. We come to worship together, to lift up our young people and all those who care for them and teach them. Open our hearts to what you are saying to us today. Amen. Affirmation of Faith: A Statement of Faith of the United Church of Canada #883 Gloria Patri Children's Chat – Blessing of the Backpacks Music Ministry and Offertory - Hymn Tune "Dundee"- Healey Willan Doxology and Prayer of Gratitude Scripture - Ephesians 6:10-20 Sermon - “Getting Ready” Joys/Concerns Hymn - "Precious Name" #536 Pastoral Prayer/Lord's Prayer Closing Hymn - “Onward, Christian Soldiers” #575 Action Steps & Benediction Postlude - Hornpipe- G. F. Handel The flowers on the altar today are given to the glory of God and in honor of the 59th wedding anniversary of Jim & Carolyn Turnbull. Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or [email protected]