Prelude
Welcome
Call to Worship
Leader: The risen Christ stands before us and says, “Follow me.”
People: We hear the call and come with willing hearts.
Leader: Christ sends us to teach, to baptize, to proclaim good news.
People: We go, empowered by the Spirit, to share Christ’s love.
Leader: This is our calling, our mission, our joy.
All: Let us worship with boldness and joy, ready to be renewed and sent.
Opening Hymn
Jesus Calls Us UMH 398
Prayer of Confession
God of mercy, You have made a covenant with us—to be our God and call us your people. But we confess that we have not always lived as your own. We have broken promises, neglected your word, and turned away from your grace. We have failed to love our neighbors and ignored the cries of the needy. You call us to faithfulness, yet we settle for convenience. You call us to justice, yet we remain silent.
Hear us now, as we offer the silent confessions of our hearts…
(Silent Confession)
Forgive us, renew us, and by your Spirit, help us live into the vows we have made. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Leader: Friends in Christ, hear the good news: God’s love is steadfast, even when ours wavers. God’s grace is wide, and God's forgiveness is sure. You are a beloved child of the covenant. Rise and walk in newness of life.
People: We receive God’s grace and recommit our lives to love and serve. Amen.
Passing of the Peace
First Reading:
Mathew 28:16-20
Sermon:
Invitation to Be a United Methodist Christian by Pastor Kevin Rutledge
Hymn of Response
Here I Am, Lord UMH 593
Tithes and Offerings
Offertory Response
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow UMH 95
Offertory Prayer
God of mission and mercy, As we bring these offerings, we remember your call to go into the world, to teach, to serve, to love. Bless these gifts, that they may bring hope. Bless us, that we may be bold in witness and generous in grace. Through Christ our Savior. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer and Lord's Prayer
Announcements
Closing Hymn
The Summons TFWS 2130
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
Special Insert
Wesleyan Covenant Prayer
“I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.”