“God chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.” (James 1:18; NIV)
* Indicates that worshippers are to stand if able. Congregational responses are in bold print.
Entrance & Praise
Prelude (John Kwon)
Welcome (Joyce Bahe)
Announcements
*Call to Worship (Patrick Buchenot)
L: Lord, our hearts are on fire this day!
P: Set the blazes of hope that burn away fear!
L: Lord, we come here to be empowered to serve you.
P: Cause the winds of change to blow away doubts and alienation!
L: Praise to God who has brought to us the Holy Spirit!
P: Let us worship and rejoice, for God is challenging and empowering us this day! Amen.
Opening Hymn “Gather Us In” TFWS #2236
1. Here in this place new light is streaming,
Now is the darkness vanished away,
See in this space our fears and our dreamings,
Brought here to you in the light of this day.
Gather us in, the lost and forsaken, Gather us in, the blind and the lame;
Call to us now and we shall awaken,
We shall arise at the sound of our name.
2. We are the young, our lives are a myst’ry,
We are the old who yearn for your face
We have been sung throughout all of hist’ry,
Called to be light to the whole human race.
Gather us in, the rich and the haughty,
Gather us in, the proud and the strong;
Give us a heart so meek and so lowly, Give us the courage to enter the song.
3. Not in the dark of buildings confining,
Not in some heaven light years away,
But here in this place the new light is shining,
Now is the Kingdom, now is the day.
Gather us in and hold us forever, Gather us in and make us your own;
Gather us in, all peoples together, Fire of love in our flesh and our bone.
Children's Message (Jacquee Lawrence)
Pastoral Prayer (Rev. Park)
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Proclamation
Scripture Reading:
Psalm 23:1-6 (Bonni Pear)
James 1:12-18
This is the Word of Life for all the people of God.
Thanks be to God
Offering Anthem Brother James' Air (Jason Dornink)
You may give online or mail to Bethany of Fox Valley UMC, 2200 Ridge Ave. Aurora, IL. 60504
Message: God's Goodness III: Choose to Relax (Rev. Park)
Sending Forth
*Closing Hymn “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” UMH #381
Refrain: God is good, God is good all the time. God is good, God is good all the time.
1. Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
2. We are Thine, Thou dost befriend us, be the Guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray.
3. Thou hast promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse and power to free.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! We will early turn to Thee.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! We will early turn to Thee.
4. Early let us seek Thy favor, early let us do Thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior, with Thy love our bosoms fill.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast loved us, love us still.
*Benediction (Rev. Park)
Postlude (John Kwon)