September 29, 2024

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST REV. KENDRA BALLIET JIM ROSS, ORGANIST Prelude - Meditation on Woodworth - Elizabeth Krouse Welcome *Call to Worship WOMEN & GIRLS: Phenomenal. That’s what we are! MEN & BOYS: Yes, our sisters, mothers, daughters, wives, friends, aunts, cousins, and nieces—phenomenal—that’s what you are! WOMEN & GIRLS: We nurture, plan, care for, prepare, volunteer, love, support, comfort, manage, conquer—we are strong, graceful, sensible, and thoughtful. We are marvelously and wonderfully made. MEN & BOYS: Yes, our God has done great things. We should shout, hallelujah! WOMEN & GIRLS: Our brothers, fathers, sons, uncles, nephews, friends, and cousins—God has created and woven you into the same phenomenally wonderful and miraculous tapestry. Let us all shout, hallelujah! ALL: Praise be to God for making each one of us unique. We are special and made in God’s own image. Yes! We are God’s delight. Hallelujah! *Opening Hymn - “Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine” #369 *Opening Prayer O God, we live our lives as best we can— dealing with difficult relationships and situations, putting failures and disappointments behind us, and moving into each new day with as much energy, goodwill, and optimism as we can muster. But here, right now, we seldom have the right answers, we seldom seek your higher wisdom in our lives, we just move ahead. Forgive us for not asking for your insight. Fill us with your wisdom, that we may live lives of goodness and peace. Amen. Affirmation of Faith: A Modern Affirmation #885 Gloria Patri Children's Chat Music Ministry and Offertory - St. Agnes - Peter Crisafulli Doxology and Prayer of Gratitude Scripture - James 3:13 – 4:3, 7-8a Sermon: “Draw Near” Joys/Concerns Hymn - "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" #2158 Pastoral Prayer/Lord's Prayer Communion Closing Hymn - “I Am Thine, O Lord” #419 Action Steps & Benediction Postlude - Celebration on "All is Well"- Ralph Hastings The flowers on the altar today are given in honor of the 25th wedding anniversary of our daughter and son-in-law, Aubrey & Dominick, by Joyce & Dick Minnis. 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]