Sunday, November 24, 2019
THANKSGIVING SUNDAY
Prelude
Lighting of the Candles
Welcome and Announcements
Greeting for Worship
Leader: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
Call to Worship (in unison) O God, You are the artist, creator of the earth. You place in every person our beauty and our worth. You bring it all together, as one community, a beautiful mosaic, a home and shelter, for all your world to enjoy.
Opening Hymn Come, O Thankful People, Come #422
Prayer of Confession (in unison) Creator God, even now, today you are forming us and reshaping us in love. Our lives are beautiful and messy. There is pain and there is joy. Jesus, in your mercy, we pray that you would gather it all together and leave nothing to waste. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness by Leader: Friends hear this great good news: Today God shows us another way. God’s mercy is as wide as the ocean. Let our hearts receive the outpouring of God’s love and compassion. Hear and believe the good news. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and made whole. Amen.
Musical Response Great is Thy Faithfulness (refrain only) #423
Great is Thy Faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand has provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
First Scripture Lesson: Psalm 100 (Responsive) Page 688
Hymn For the Beauty of the Earth #28
Gospel Lesson: Luke 4:4-16
Sermon Thanksgiving Today by Mary Mason
Litany of Intercession # 878
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
The Lord’s Prayer (use debt’s or trespasses as you prefer)
Musical Prayer Response Hear our prayer, O Lord; hear our prayer, O Lord. Incline your ear to us, and grant us your peace.
Offering Call (responsive)
Leader: With thanksgiving and joy, we are called to let our lives and our works give witness to the presence of God in our midst.
People: Let us generously offer our gifts of time, talent, and money, returning to God a portion of what God has given to us.
Doxology (Note new words) #780
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; In heaven above and earth below! One God, three persons we adore; To God be praise forevermore!
Offering Prayer of Dedication (in unison) We give thanks, O God, for all that you have given us. Pour out your blessings on these tithes and offerings, that they may be a source of blessing in the world. Amen.
Closing Hymn There is a Wideness in God’s Mercy #23
Taking the Light out into the World.
Benediction (Pastor) Go in peace. Celebrate the wonders of creation, and know that in all seasons of life God is with us. Listen to the songs of falling rains, and the hymns of colorful trees and harvested gardens. Touch the earth with love and respect. Today, let us shape our lives by focusing our minds on what is beautiful and worthy of praise. May God bless and hold us gently as we seek to do God’s work in this world. AMEN!
Postlude
Passing the Peace As You Go
All are invited to join fellow congregants for coffee and conversation in the Fellowship Hall, immediately following service.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Donations Needed This Month: (spread the word)
Mobile Hope: By December 8th, donations requested for homeless teens: socks, gloves, shampoo, toothpaste, tooth brushes, soap, grocery gift cards, or gift bags. Leave on back pew.
Sharing Tree: Until Christmas, St. James is collecting new toys and winter clothes, unwrapped. See bins in breezeway to leave donations.
Lovettsville Food Bank: Please bring non-perishable food items to church. Leave in Fellowship Hall.
This Sunday, Nov. 24th– Worship led by Rev. Dr. Mary Mason
Sunday, Dec. 1st – Advent begins
11am – Communion Worship with Rev. Dr. Michael Lyle
12pm – First Sunday pot luck brunch in Fellowship Hall.
After brunch, stick around to help decorate the Sharing Tree in the front yard. During Advent, it is our tradition to hang gifts on the tree for those in need. We welcome the whole community to “give what you can; take what you need.”
Saturday, Dec. 7th– Parents Morning Out: 9am – noon. We will be baking and decorating Christmas cookies and doing a holiday craft. Parents, sign your children (ages 5-11) up at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0945ADAB22A2F58-parents
Sunday, Dec. 8th
10am – Sunday School Adults meet in the Sanctuary to discuss Chs.11 & 12 of The Phoenix Affirmations. Children ages 5-11 do a Sunday School Service Projectto make gift bags for Mobile Hope, which serves homeless teens. The goal is for the children to make up 20 gift bags.
11am – Worship led by Rev. M. Michael Morse
Statement of Faith: We gather as an open and affirming community to worship God, however known. We welcome everyone, no exceptions. Together we seek spiritual comfort and challenge, learn from ancient and modern texts, and seek new dimensions of truth. We practice following the way of Jesus. We dare to demonstrate God’s love by working for justice and peace among all people.