ORDER OF SERVICE

As you are comfortably able you are invited to stand where indicated *.

CENTERING

GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE “Wake Awake For Night Is Flying” Walther

GATHERING WORDS

Leader: Consider the love and power of God!
People: God is awesome! We can barely imagine God’s power.
Hymn: “Awesome God” TFWS # 2040
Leader: The heavens ring with God’s glory and majesty!
People: The earth and mountains tremble with joy!
Hymn: “Awesome God” TFWS # 2040
Leader: We should be dancing in the aisles at God’s love in our lives.
People: We should be shouting and singing aloud of God’s presence with us.
Hymn: “Awesome God” TFWS # 2040

CHIMES AND BRINGING FORTH THE LIGHT

PRAISING

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN “God of Grace and God of Glory” #577

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: As we gather to worship you, Holy One,
People: Show us your presence, O God.
Leader: As we join to pray at your footstool, Exalted One,
People: Show us your ways, O God.
Leader: As we unite our voices to praise you, Lover of Justice,
People: Show us your glory, O God.
Leader: As we tremble in the cleft of the rock, silently awaiting you, Merciful One.
People: Show us your goodness, O God.
Leader: Let the earth shake in your praise, Most High!
People: We extol your great and awesome name, ever-present God!

OPENING PRAYER

Living God, move among us and awaken us to your loving presence.
When we lose our way and put our confidence in our possessions and our wisdom, call us back to you. Remind us that our very identity is dependent on your abiding mercy. Show us how to walk with steadfast faithfulness, following the path of justice and goodness in our daily lives. May our days be filled with joy and hope as we share the good news of abundant life that comes from following Jesus Christ. In the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen.

INTROIT “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me” #361 V. 1 & 3

CHILDREN’S MOMENTS

PRAYING

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

HYMN OF PRAYER “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior” #351 V. 1

MORNING PRAYER

LORD’S PRAYER

PRAYER RESPONSE “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior” #351 V. 3

HEARING

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Leader: O Lord, open our eyes, our ears, our minds, and our hearts.

People: That we might behold wondrous things out of your word.

CHORAL RESPONSE “Thy Word” #601 Refrain only

FIRST LESSON Exodus 33; 12-22

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION “Alleluia” #186

*GOSPEL LESSON

Leader: The Lord be with you,

People: And also with you.

Leader: A reading from the Gospel of St. Matthew.

People: Glory to You, O Lord.

*THE GOSPEL IS READ Matthew 22: 15-22

*THE GOSPEL RESPONSE

Leader: The Gospel of the Living Christ.

People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

*GLORIA PATRI #70

PROCLAIMING

MORNING MESSAGE Carolyn Hartner

RESPONDING

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING

Christ is made known in the answer to a difficult question meant to entrap him. Christ calls us to give to God the things that belong to God, and to give to the emperor those things that do not originate in the goodness of God’s love. We hear Christ’s words this day as we strive to be stewards of God’s great mercy. Let us give generously as we too remember that our very selves belong to God.

THE LORD’S OFFERING

OFFERTORY “In Thee, Lord, Have I Put My Trust” J. S. Bach

*THE DOXOLOGY #95

*OFFERTORY PRAYER

God, source of all that is, lover of justice and source of equity,
help us live boldly and truthfully as we seek to follow your ways.
Embolden us to share with others the gift of grace that you have so abundantly given us. Receive and bless these gifts that we return to you now. In the name of the One who gives us life, we pray. Amen.

SENDING

*BENEDICTION

Leader: Go from this place with the confidence that you are God’s beloved children.
People: We go, to labor in love with all we meet.
Leader: Go out into the world with steadfast hope and joyous trust.
People: We go, remembering our faithful God who goes before us.
Leader: In God’s love, the Spirit’s power, and the peace of Christ, go now in peace.

*BENEDICTION RESPONSE “Danish Amen” #898

*RECESSIONAL HYMN: “Lord Dismiss Us with Thy Blessings” #671

*POSTLUDE “I Call To Thee, Lord Jesus Christ” J. S. Bach

“WE TAKE THE LIGHT OF JESUS INTO THE WORLD”

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO Kim Viehland and Carolyn Hartner for providing the

worship service on this Laity Sunday.

October 18, 2020

20th Sunday After Pentecost

Laity Sunday

Mifflin Avenue United Methodist Church

Pastor: Reverend Russel Shuluga

Pastor’s email: [email protected]

Church office: (412) 731-2511

Office email: [email protected]

Website: www.MifflinAve.org

Pastor Russel’s contact information: Phone (412) 735-5072

Email: [email protected]

WELCOME Visitors: WE ARE GLAD YOU COULD JOIN US!

If you do not have a permanent church home, please consider joining us.

May God bless your experience in worship with us today.

We are here to serve, so please let us know how we might better serve you.

If this is your first time at Mifflin Avenue United Methodist Church,

· You are invited to share your prayer concerns by writing them on the Prayer Request Cards located in pew and placing them in offering plate or give them to greeter/usher prior to the service if you would like them to be shared during service.

· If you need any assistance, or help locating restrooms or the water fountain, please ask a greeter/usher.

· Jr. Church will be held in the Whitney Room after the Children’s Sermon.