This Week's Bulletin
22nd Sunday After Pentecost
* Indicates that worshippers are to stand if able.
Congregational responses are in bold print.
Worship Leader: Sherry Allen
ENTRANCE & PRAISE
Prelude Traditional English Hymn John Kwon
Greetings Rev. Sang Hun Han
Announcements Sherry Allen
Opening Hymn “Thy Word Is a Lamp” UMH #601
**Refrain: Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
1. When I feel afraid, think I've lost my way, still you're there right
Beside me, and nothing will I fear as long as you are near. Please
be near me to the end.**
2. Now I will not forget your love for me and yet my heart forever is
Wandering. Jesus, be my guide and hold me to your side, and I will
love you to the end.**
*Call to Worship
Come, people of God – the Sower has gone out to sow.
We come ready to receive the seeds of God’s Word.
Some seeds fall on rocky ground, some among thorns, but some fall
on good soil and bring forth an abundant harvest.
Lord, prepare our hearts to be good soil – open, generous,
and fruitful.
Today we celebrate God’s gifts and our call to be faithful stewards.
With grateful hearts, we give ourselves and our resources
to God’s work.
Come, let us worship the Lord of the harvest,
And joyfully receive and share the blessings of God!
Passing Peace of Christ “O How He Loves…” TFWS #2108
O how he loves you and me! O how he loves you and me!
He gave his life. What more could he give? O how he loves you;
O how he loves me; O how he loves you and me!
Children’s Message Bonni Pear
Children’s Church Joni Javier
Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Lord’s Prayer (Screen)
Contemplation Hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” UMH #400
1. Come, thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace; streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above. Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it, mount of thy redeeming love.
2. Here I raise mine Ebenezer; hither by thy help I'm come; and I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home. Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God; he, to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood.
3. O to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be! Let thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love; here's my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.
PROCLAMATION & RESPONSE
*Scripture Reading Psalm 119:105-112, Luke 8:1-10 Sherry Allen
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.
107 I have suffered much; preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts. 111 Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. 112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.
The Parable of the Sower
8 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. 4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” 9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.
This is the Word of Life for all the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
Offering Our Gifts to God’s Service
Offertory Anthem “Now Thank We all Our God” Bell Choir
*Doxology “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” #UMH 95
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures
here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication
Gracious God, help us remember that all belongs to you. Take these offerings and use them for your glory. Take our lives, and use us, always and everywhere, for your glory. In Christ’s name. Amen.
You may give your offering at www.bfvumc.org/online-giving
or mail it to:
Bethany of Fox Valley UMC
2200 Ridge Ave. Aurora, IL. 60504
Message: “Sowing the Seeds of Love” Rev. Chris Walters
Time for Commitment
SENDING FORTH
Closing Hymn: “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty UMH #139
1. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! O my soul,
praise him, for he is thy health and salvation! All ye who hear, now
to his temple draw near; join me in glad adoration!
2. Praise to the Lord, who o'er all things so wondrously reigning bears
thee on eagle's wings, e'er in his keeping maintaining. God's care
enfolds all, whose true good he upholds. Hast thou not known his
sustaining?
3. Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;"
surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend thee. Ponder anew
what the Almighty can do, who with his love doth befriend thee.
4. Praise to the Lord, who doth nourish thy life and restore thee, fitting
thee well for the tasks that are ever before thee. Then to thy need
God as a mother doth speed, spreading the wings of grace o'er thee.
Benediction Rev. Sang Hun Han
Postlude Traditional German Hymn John Kwon
We are glad that you joined us this morning in worship.
We hope that you find strength, renewal, and a sense of peace
going through the coming week.