“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
Sunday, June 7, 2020
ORDER of WORSHIP
Prelude Music
Greeting and Welcome
Call to Worship
Pastor: Great Spirit, Open our eyes that we may see the needs of others;
All: Open our ears that we may hear their cries;
Pastor: Open our hearts so that they need not be without succor;
All: Let us not be afraid to defend the weak because of the strong, nor afraid to defend the poor because of the anger of the rich.
Pastor: Show us where fear and prejudice blind us. Spirit of the Living God, open our eyes.
All: Open our eyes!
(Paraphrase UMH #456, Cynthia Wilson)
Opening Prayer
“For Courage to do Justice” #456 UMH By Alan Paton, South Africa, 20th cent.
O Lord, open my eyes that I may see the needs of others; open my ears that I may hear their cries; open my heart so that they need not be without succor; let me not be afraid to defend the poor because of the anger of the strong, nor afraid to defend the poor because of the anger of the rich. Show me where love and hope and faith are needed, and use me to bring them to those places. As so open my eyes and my ears that I may this coming day be able to do some work of peace for thee. Amen.
Hymn
“Open My Eyes, That I May See” UMH #454
Words: Clara H. Scott, 1895
Music: Clara Scott, 1895.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733303. All rights reserved.
1. Open my eyes, that I may see
glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
place in my hands the wonderful key
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!
2. Open my ears, that I may hear
voices of truth thou sendest clear;
and while the wavenotes fall on my ear,
everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!
3. Open my mouth, and let me bear
gladly the warm truth everywhere;
open my heart and let me prepare
love with thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Prayer of Confession
All: We confess this day, O merciful God, that we have not always acted in just ways nor sought justice for our friends and neighbors. We have found it easy to turn our backs on problems rather than seeking to be a solution to them. We have heard of the many ways in which you have demonstrated peace with justice through the ministries of your Son, yet we have given only sporadic attention to them. Forgive us, Lord. Heal our selfishness and brokenness. Cause us to be witnesses to your great love as shown to us in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Pastor: This is the good news: Christ died for us that we might have life. We are called to give our lives to ministries of justice. God is with us in this and all righteous endeavors. Thanks be to God. Amen.
(Confession and Words of Assurance: Nancy C. Townley, Ministry Matters, Worship Connection, June 07, 2020)
Prayers of the People, Lord’s Prayer
Scripture Reading Matthew 28:16-20 (NRSV)
Meditation “Go, Therefore” Rev. Matthew Sergent
Hymn
“Go, Make of All Disciples” UMH #571
Text: Leon M. Adkins, 1896.
Music: Henry T. Smart, 1813-1879
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733303. All rights reserved.
1. Go make of all disciples
We hear the call O Lord
That comes from Thee our Father
In Thy eternal Word
Inspire our ways of learning
Through earnest fervent prayer
And let our daily living
Reveal Thee everywhere
2. Go make of all disciples
Baptizing in the name
Of Father Son and Spirit
From age to age the same
We call each new disciple
To follow Thee O Lord
Redeeming soul and body
By water and the Word
3. Go make of all disciples
We at Thy feet would stay
Until each life’s vocation
Accents Thy holy way
We cultivate the nature
God plants in every heart
Revealing in our witness
The Master Teacher’s art
4.Go make of all disciples
We welcome Thy command
Lo I am with you always
We take Thy guiding hand
The task looms large before us
We follow without fear
In heaven and earth Thy power
Shall bring God’s kingdom here
Benediction
Hear these words of the ancient church: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.” Go forth to live in peace. Amen.
