September 22, 2024

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024 EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST REV. KENDRA BALLIET JIM ROSS, ORGANIST Prelude - Carillon and Elevation-L. Boellmann Welcome *Call to Worship Leader: Beloved, the voice of Wisdom calls to us from the street corner, the grocery store aisle, the noisy dinner table, and the quiet places of our hearts. Will you listen? All: Yes, with God’s help, we will listen! Leader: Wisdom calls to us with hard truths, showing us where we’ve strayed in our hearts and as a community and urging us back onto God’s path. Will you follow? All: Yes, with God’s help, we will follow! Leader: Wisdom’s call persists through the twists and turns, the rough patches, the barely discernible paths forward, and the moments we feel completely lost. Will you hold onto Wisdom wherever she takes you? All: Yes, with God’s help, we will hold onto Wisdom! Leader: Then Beloved, let us worship God together as we cling to wisdom on our journey along the path of salvation paved with God’s love. All: Yes! Let us worship God together! Amen. *Opening Hymn - “God of Grace and God of Glory” #577 *Opening Prayer We long for wisdom, O Lord, but prefer that it be our own. We turn away from the ideas of others and ignore the possibility and promise that come from life together with you. Most of all, we drown out your gift of Wisdom as she seeks to get our attention, for we believe that we know better or would prefer to decide where we make her welcome. Forgive us, loving God. Bring an end to the self-righteousness that ignores you, and awaken us anew to the Wisdom that comes only from you. Show us how to walk in your ways and listen to your promise each and every day. In the name of the great Servant, even Jesus Christ. Amen. Canticle of Wisdom #112 (Response 2) Gloria Patri Children's Chat Music Ministry and Offertory - Meditation on "How Great Thou Art"-Arr. John Carter Doxology and Prayer of Gratitude Scripture - James 3:1-12 Sermon: “Unbridled” Joys/Concerns Hymn - "Alleluia" #186 Pastoral Prayer/Lord's Prayer Closing Hymn - “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling” #348 Action Steps & Benediction Postlude - "Postlude"-Leon Boellmann The flowers on the altar today are given in loving memory of the birthday of Ellen Nickell and the anniversary of Pat Nickell's death by their daughter Jane Ellen Nickell. 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]