August 20, 2023 Worship Service Groveport UMC, Groveport Ohio Rick Birk, Pastor

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS BREAKTHROUGH PRAYER: Amazing God, We pray that through the Holy Spirit Your preferred future for Groveport United Methodist Church will be made clear to us. Give us the courage we need to follow You wherever You may take us. We ask that You bind us together in love so that we can bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to our friends, families, and community. Open our eyes so that we may see the amazing things You are already doing among us. AMEN.

PRELUDE “Nearer My God to Thee” LIGHTING OF THE ALTAR CANDLES *OPENING MUSIC “Heaven Came Down”

CALL TO WORSHIP: We gather here this day to hear God’s word for us. We praise God for the opportunity to gather together. We are sent forth from this place to share God’s transforming love. Lord, encourage us and empower us to do Your will. AMEN. HYMN “Seek Ye First” #405

• PRAYER OF CONFESSION: Merciful God, we get so caught up in our own lives and needs that we fail to see others for whom we might provide some help and relief. You challenge us to feed those who are hungry and to quench the thirst of those who are parched. You ask us to bring clothing to those who have none or for whom the clothing is inadequate for the weather; to visit people who are sick, alone, alienated, who are imprisoned either in cells with bars or in conditions of hopelessness and poverty that they see no way out; to welcome the stranger and reach out to those who are marginalized; to always bring Your words of healing and redeeming love. We have failed in these tasks – we ignore the opportunities and claim that we are too busy to help, too busy to care. How this attitude must sadden You, O Lord. You lavish Your gifts upon us that we might use them for the betterment of Your realm, and we treat them as inconveniences. Forgive us, O God. Forgive us and heal our wounds of greed and selfishness. Let us greet this day when the hope of the Reign of Christ can be made manifest and we can be part of this glorious kingdom of peace and compassion. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. AMEN. *WORDS OF ASSURANCE:

FIRST SCRIPTURE READING James 2:14-17 OUR TIME OF PRAYER (During our time of prayer, the altar rail is open for all who wish to come forward.)

HYMN “Sanctuary” THE LORD’S PRAYER CHILDREN’S MOMENTS (All children are invited to attend Jr. Church at this time.)

OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS “When We All Get to Heaven” DOXOLOGY PRAYER OF DEDICATION

SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 25:31-46 SERMON “Seeing Jesus”

HYMN “My Tribute” BENEDICTION *SENDING FORTH “As We Go” POSTLUDE “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”