Prelude
Welcome
Call to Worship
Leader: We light the candle of Peace, trusting the God who brings life to dry bones and breathes peace into places of despair.
People: In a world of conflict and anxiety, we long for the breath of God.
Leader: Ezekiel stood in a valley of lifeless bones, yet God spoke peace — a peace that gathers what is scattered and revives what is weary.
People: We open our hearts to God’s restoring peace.
(Light the peace candle.)
Leader: As this flame shines, may God’s peace rise among us, healing what is broken and renewing what is worn.
People: Come, Lord Jesus. Breathe peace into our restless world.
Opening Hymn
Blessed Be the God of Israel UMH 209
Prayer of Confession
God of peace, we confess that our lives are often like dry bones — disconnected, weary, and restless. We allow conflict to harden our hearts and anxiety to scatter our spirits.
We forget that your breath restores, your Spirit gathers, and your peace heals what is broken. Hear now the silent confessions of our hearts…
—silence—
Amen.
Words of Assurance
Leader: Hear the good news: God breathes peace into what is dry, weary, and worn. Through Christ, peace rises again in you. You are forgiven.
People: Thanks be to God, who breathes peace into our lives.
Passing of the Peace
First Reading:
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Sermon:
Can These Bones Live? by Pastor Kevin Rutledge
Hymn of Response
I Need thee Every Hour UMH 397
Tithes and Offerings
Offertory Response
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow UMH 95
Offertory Prayer
God of peace and restoration, we thank you for breathing life into our weary places and for gathering us together when we feel scattered. We offer our gifts, and we offer ourselves, seeking to be instruments of your peace in a world filled with anxiety and division.
Transform what we give today so that your Spirit may bring healing to this community. Use these offerings to raise up the weary, comfort the broken, and breathe peace into those who long for your presence. Through Christ, our Peace. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer and Lord's Prayer
The Great Thanksgiving
Communion
Announcements
Closing Hymn
My Jesus by Anne Wilson
Benediction
Said Each Week as A Communal Prayer:
Send to us all the people who feel unwanted and unloved in other places, and if they can't come to us, send us to them.
Postlude