Prelude
Welcome
Call to Worship
Leader: Come, all who are weary of being unseen.
People: Come, all who long to see and be seen.
Leader: The God who raised Jesus from the dead is here—
People: Healing wounds, feeding souls, lifting up those pushed aside.
All: Let us worship the God who never overlooks the least among us.
Opening Hymn
Take Time to Be Holy UMH 395
Why This Song:
This song invites us to slow down and attune our hearts to God’s presence, preparing us to see those we might otherwise overlook. It echoes the call in Acts 6 to live attentively and respond to the Spirit with compassion and care.
Prayer of Confession
Loving God, We do not always mean to neglect others — but in our busyness, in our comfort, in our assumptions, we have missed those you cherish. Forgive us for the injustice born of inattention. Forgive us when we choose silence over compassion, safety over solidarity, and convenience over love. Restore us, and teach us to see as you see. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Leader: Even when we miss what matters, God never overlooks us. In Christ, we are seen, forgiven, and called back to compassion.
People: In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God.
Passing of the Peace
First Reading:
Acts 6:1—7
Sermon:
Don’t Miss the Widows by Pastor Kevin Rutledge
Hymn of Response
Open My Eyes, That I May See UMH 454
Why This Song:
This song expresses a longing to see with God's vision and to be transformed by the Spirit’s truth. It mirrors the Acts 6 call to awareness and action, inviting us to notice the needs around us and respond with faithful love.
Tithes and Offerings
Offertory Response
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow UMH 95
Offertory Prayer
Gracious God, You have opened our eyes to your presence and our hearts to your calling. Receive these gifts, not only as signs of gratitude, but as a commitment to serve, to lift up the forgotten, and to love as you love. Use what we give—and who we are—for the sake of your justice and joy. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer and Lord's Prayer
The Great Thanksgiving
Communion
Announcements
Closing Hymn
Take Our Bread UMH 640
Why This Song:
This song beautifully expresses our offering of not just gifts, but our very lives in service to Christ. As we come to the table, this hymn echoes the Acts 6 call to feed, to serve, and to make space for all in the body of Christ.
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
This Week's Reading Plan
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Reading: |
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Monday
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Life Among the Believers: Acts 2:43-47
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Tuesday
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The Apostles Heal: Acts 5:12-16
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Wednesday
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The Arrest of Stephen: Acts 6:8-15
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Thursday
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Stephen’s Speech to the Council: Acts 7:1-43
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Friday
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The Stoning of Stephen: Acts 7:44-60
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Saturday
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Phillip Preaches in Samaria: Acts 8:4-25
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Sunday
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Phillip Baptizes the Ethiopian: Acts 8:26-39
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Reflections and Caring Conversations
Please use the prompts and prayers below to aid you in your devotions for this week.
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Day 1: Seeing the Unseen
Reading: Luke 24:13-35 (The Road to Emmaus)
Just as the disciples on the road to Emmaus failed to recognize Jesus, we often miss Christ's presence in our daily lives. Today, reflect on moments where you may have overlooked God's work around you. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to see Jesus in unexpected places and people. How might your perspective change if you actively looked for Christ in every interaction? Practice intentional awareness today, seeking glimpses of God's love in the ordinary.
Day 2: The Body of Christ in Action
Reading: Acts 6:1-7
The early church faced challenges in caring for all its members, particularly those on the margins. This passage reminds us that every believer has a role to play in God's kingdom. Consider your own spiritual gifts and how you might use them to serve others in your community. Are there "widows" in your midst – people who are overlooked or underserved? Pray for discernment in identifying needs around you and courage to step into a role of service.
Day 3: Breaking Down Barriers
Reading: Galatians 3:26-28
The division between Hebrew and Hellenistic widows in Acts reflects our human tendency to create in-groups and out-groups. Paul's words in Galatians remind us that in Christ, these divisions should dissolve. Examine your heart today – are there people or groups you tend to overlook or avoid? Ask God to help you see all people as equally valuable in His eyes. Make an effort to reach out to someone outside your usual social circle, recognizing them as a fellow child of God.
Day 4: The Priesthood of All Believers
Reading: 1 Peter 2:4-10
The apostles' decision to empower others for ministry reflects the biblical concept of the priesthood of all believers. You are called to be a "living stone" in God's spiritual house. Reflect on how you view your role in the church and God's kingdom. Are you waiting for others to do the work, or actively participating? Ask God to reveal ways you can step into your priestly role, offering spiritual sacrifices through acts of love and service.
Day 5: Open Eyes, Open Hearts
Reading: Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus teaches that when we serve "the least of these," we are serving Him. This ties directly to the theme of seeing Christ in others, especially the vulnerable. Today, pray specifically for God to open your eyes to the needs around you. Who might God be calling you to notice and serve? Remember that small acts of kindness can have eternal significance. Choose one concrete way to show Christ's love to someone who is often overlooked, recognizing that in doing so, you are ministering to Jesus Himself.