July 7, 2024

JULY 7, 2024 SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST REV. KENDRA BALLIET JAMES ROSS, ORGANIST Prelude - Celebration on All is Well-Ralph B. Hastings Welcome *Call to Worship LEADER: Beloved, when our bodies feel unable and incapable, and the voices all around us disparage and criticize our bodies as weak and worthless, God calls to us… ALL: Open your heart to your weakness and my strength. LEADER: When we persist in the false belief that we should and must do everything on our own, never asking for help and persisting in our drive for full independence, God calls to us… ALL: Open your heart to your weakness and my strength. LEADER: When we feel shame because we need help, and the deep vulnerability of our needs pierces our hearts, God calls to us… ALL: Open your heart to your weakness and my strength. LEADER: Listen! Pay attention! God calls to us in our weakness, not to erase our frailties or bemoan all the things society may tell us we lack, but to empower us within the vulnerability of our humanness, naming us Beloved in the fullness of who we are. ALL: May we open our hearts in worship to receive the goodness in our weakness and the power in the strength of God’s love for all of God’s vulnerable creation. Amen. *Opening Hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” #400 *Opening Prayer Loving God, Who opens our hearts to the mysteries of faith in ordinary and extraordinary moments, come near to us today. Make known among us and within us your strength, that we might experience your power that uses what the powers of this world call weakness to demonstrate your Almighty love to all creation. Amen. Confession of Faith: Apostles’ Creed #881 Gloria Patri Children's Chat Music Ministry and Offertory - Pastorale on He Leadeth Me-Gordon Young Doxology and Prayer of Gratitude Scripture 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Sermon Series “Ascribe to God” Sermon: “In Weakness and in Strength” Joys/Concerns Hymn “Through It All” #507 Pastoral Prayer/Lord's Prayer Communion Page 13 Closing Hymn "Graced Greater than Our Sin" #365 Action Steps & Benediction Postlude - Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens Adore Him-Anna Laura Page The flowers on the altar today are given to the glory of God and in honor of Garald & Phyllis Stockton's 65th anniversary and the birthdays of Garald Stockton and Heinrich Means on July 9th. 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]