Calls to Worship
Psalm 23
| Leader: | The Lord is my shepherd. |
| People: | The Lord is our shepherd. |
| Leader: | We shall not want. He makes us lie down in green pastures; he leads us beside still waters; |
| People: | The Lord is our shepherd. |
| Leader: | he restores our soul. He leads us in right paths for his name's sake. |
| People: | The Lord is our shepherd. |
| Leader: | Even though we walk through the darkest valley, we fear no evil; for you are with us; your rod and your staff -- they comfort us. |
| People: | The Lord is our shepherd. |
| Leader: | You prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies; you anoint our head with oil; my cup overflows. |
| People: | The Lord is our shepherd. |
| Leader: | Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life, and we shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. |
| All: | The Lord is our shepherd. |
| Leader: | Come let us worship the Lord. |
| People: | Come let us share our gifts in worship. |
| Leader: | Those who can sing. Sing! Those who can preach. Preach! Those who can teach. Teach! |
| People: | Come let us share our gifts in worship. |
| Leader: | Those who can sew. Sew! Those who can build. Build! Those who can cook. Cook! |
| People: | Come let us share our gifts in worship. |
| Leader: | Those who can heal. Heal! Those who can give money. Give! Those who can listen. Listen! |
| People: | Come let us share our gifts in worship. |
| Leader: | There are many gifts but the same Spirit. There are many works but the same God. |
| All: | Come let us share our gifts in worship. |
| Hymns |
HWB |
MH | Songs | |
| When all thy mercies, O my God |
72 |
74 |
Salvation belongs to our God | |
| We praise thee, O God |
99 |
527 |
Ancient of days (Blessing and honor) | |
| All hail the power of Jesus' name |
285 |
601 |
Lead me the rock (When my heart is overwhelmed) | |
| Wake the song of jubilee |
-- |
199 |
Banner over me (He brought me to his banqueting table) | |
| O Christe, Domine Jesu |
113 |
-- |
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow | |
| Thuma mina |
434 |
-- |
Offering Suggestion
Offering part of the action response. The offering could be announced
in advance so people could include items other than money which
represent all we are and have.
Thought for today: "The issue is not how much God asks me to give, but how much the devil tempts me to keep."
Sermon Starter
Stewardship Sunday reminds us that sharing is a basic
Christian attitude which often runs counter to the world. Our
capitalistic, consumer-oriented world in particular encourages
us to get all we can for ourselves without thinking how our actions
affect others around us. The example of Dorcas in the Acts passage
is one of a disciple who simply shared what she could, including
her gift of making clothing. The worship the resulted from God
restoring her life led to the simple statement in v. 42: "This
became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord."
In the John passage, Jesus defines the essence of his mission
as sharing--giving his life, "eternal life." It is this
which draws "the sheep" to follow.
Story: The food stamps
Mary's husband was in jail and she was left at home with a two-week-old
baby. Helen and Maggie visited her to see how they could help.
They went to the grocery store to replenish the refrigerator and
cupboard. As they were waiting in the checkout line Maggie turned
to Helen and asked her to pay for the paper products. "I
can use my food stamps to pay for the food."
Created by Paul D. Leichty