Prelude
Welcome
Call to Worship
Leader: When grief feels heavy and hope seems distant, we gather in the presence of God.
People: God is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Leader: Jesus stood beside Mary and Martha in their sorrow.
People: Jesus wept with those who mourned.
Leader: Christ knows our pain, our losses, and our fears.
People: Yet Christ also speaks words of life and hope.
Leader: Come, let us worship the God who meets us in our tears and leads us toward resurrection.
All: Let us worship God.
Opening Hymn
Precious Lord, Take My Hand UMH 474
Prayer of Confession
Compassionate God, We confess that we often try to hide our grief, our fears, and our doubts from you. We want quick answers when life hurts and easy solutions when our hearts are broken.
Like Martha, we struggle to trust when circumstances seem hopeless. Like Mary, we sometimes wonder why you did not act sooner. We confess that we can lose sight of your presence in the midst of suffering. Forgive us when despair overwhelms faith, when fear silences hope, and when we fail to trust your promise of life.
Meet us in our sorrow. Strengthen us with your love. Remind us that nothing—not even death itself—can separate us from your care. Through Jesus Christ, who wept with those who mourned and calls us into new life. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Leader: Hear the good news. Jesus stood before the tomb of Lazarus and called him into life. The same Lord who wept with Mary and Martha also revealed God's power over death. God does not abandon us in our grief. In Jesus Christ, we are loved, forgiven, and held in God's everlasting care. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
People: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
All: Glory to God. Amen.
Passing of the Peace
First Reading:
John 11:17-43
Sermon:
Even Jesus Cried by Krstine Adams
Hymn of Response
It Is Well with My Soul UMH 377
Tithes and Offerings
Offertory Response
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow UMH 95
Offertory Prayer
Gracious God, You have given us every good gift and have remained faithful through every season of life. Receive these gifts and our lives as offerings of gratitude. Use them to bring comfort to those who mourn, hope to those who despair, and signs of your life-giving love to our community and world. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer and Lord's Prayer
Announcements
Closing Hymn
Because He Lives UMH 364
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