Table of Contents
The words in black bold are spoken or sung by the congregation. Please, no food or beverages are allowed in the Sanctuary. * Indicates when to rise in body or spirit.
UMH--United Methodist (Blue), TFWS--The Faith We Sing (Black), W&S--Worship & Song (Green)
Prelude
“Hosanna”
#3188 W&S
Welcome
Threshold Moment
P:Over the next four weeks, we will be exploring Jesus' identity, and our own, as "changemakers." We are inspired by The Changemaker Initiative, whose work is helping churches see that the work God is about these days is less about perfecting the church and more about changing the communities we live in. The problems in the world can be so overwhelming that we stop believing we can make a difference. But we can, if we change our own perception of what that looks like. We will discover that each one of us is called and equipped to make change. And this, my friends, is our true asset in the world. We, the people of the Body of Christ, have so much to give. We will reimagine together.
In my dreams I can flyand I soarand my feet touch the skyand it seems I can go anywhere if I tryand the world's not so darkwhen the clouds make it whiteIf there's no hope tell me whyin my dreams I can fly
P:This first week, we will affirm the starting point: changemaking starts with compassion. Jesus tells his disciples, "Take a look." As people of faith who want to make a difference, we must start with compassion: with connection, with seeing and "suffering with." The source of this deep compassion, and the source of strength to be a part of the change, is God's love.
In my dreams I can flyand I soarand my feet touch the skyand it seems I can go anywhere if I tryand the world's not so darkwhen the clouds make it whiteIf there's no hope tell me whyin my dreams I can fly
Call to Worship
L:The world is changing. We see it everywhere. We feel it in our bones. It seems to happen so much faster now than it used to.
All:The world is changing.
L:And also, the world needs to change. Children are hungry. Systems are unjust. People are afraid. There are people on the streets who won't make it a day longer.
All:The world needs to change.
L:It is God's desire that the world would change and become more like a holy commonwealth of just peace in which all have what they need.
All:And we are the changemakers.
L:We are called to work alongside the Holy Spirit. We are called to follow the way of Jesus.
All:May we be changed by this time of worship!
Passing the Peace
Pastor:The Peace of Christ be with you.
All:And also with you.
Pastor:You are invited to pass the peace among you, remembering to pass it to those joining us remotely.
Praising
Young & Young at Heart Time
Reception of New Members
Pastor:It is the mission of the United Methodist Church to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Today we have friends who have decided they would like to join us in our mission.
Lay Leader:I present (Names) who desire to enter into the fellowship of this congregation.
Pastor:Will you accept the freedom God gives us to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.
New Members:I will.
Pastor:Will you follow the Way of Jesus for the transformation of the world?
New Members:I will.
Pastor:As a member of this congregation, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness?
New Members:I will.
Pastor:Members I commend these siblings to your love and care. Do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their hope, and perfect them in love.
All:We give thanks for all that God has already given you and we welcome you in love. As members together with you in the Body of Christ and in this congregation of The United Methodist Church, we renew our covenant to faithfully participate in the ministries of the Church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness, that in everything Divine Love may be glorified through the love of this community.
Pastor:It is our joy to welcome you in a spirit of Love.
Contemporary Reading
"Choosing Love" by Richard Rohr
"Love, like forgiveness, is a decision. It's a decision in our minds and in our hearts. And we'd better make it early in the day, because once we're a few hours into low-level resentment, anger, or disappointment, it's too late. When we're not choosing love, we'll use any excuse to be unhappy or irritated. We're already unhappy, and then something gives us an excuse to externalize it. The exact object for our unhappiness is actually arbitrary. Unhappiness just needs an object—as do happiness and love. We have to recognize ahead of time when we're not living in love. This is surely why a morning prayer or practice is so important—to allow us to choose to love each and every day."
COMMUNITY PRAYER ~ THE LORD'S PRAYER
Sung in Echo
Our Mother, Father, Our Mother, Father
Who art in heaven, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name, Hallowed be thy name
Thy Kingdom come, Thy Kingdom come
Thy will be done, Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven, On earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day, Give us this day
Our daily bread, Our daily bread
And forgive us all our sins, And forgive us all our sins
And lead us not, And lead us not
In temptation, In temptation
But deliver us from evil, But deliver us from evil
For yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory
Forever, Forever
And ever, And ever
Our Mother, Father, Our Mother, Father
Who art in heaven, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name, Hallowed be thy name
ANCIENT READING
Luke 10:25-37
A legal expert stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to gain eternal life?"
Jesus replied, "What is written in the Law? How do you interpret it?"
He responded, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself."[a]
Jesus said to him, "You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live."
But the legal expert wanted to prove that he was right, so he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
Jesus replied, "A man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. He encountered thieves, who stripped him naked, beat him up, and left him near death. Now it just so happened that a priest was also going down the same road. When he saw the injured man, he crossed over to the other side of the road and went on his way. Likewise, a Levite came by that spot, saw the injured man, and crossed over to the other side of the road and went on his way. A Samaritan, who was on a journey, came to where the man was. But when he saw him, he was moved with compassion. The Samaritan went to him and bandaged his wounds, tending them with oil and wine. Then he placed the wounded man on his own donkey, took him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day, he took two full days' worth of wages and gave them to the innkeeper. He said, 'Take care of him, and when I return, I will pay you back for any additional costs.' What do you think? Which one of these three was a neighbor to the man who encountered thieves?"
Then the legal expert said, "The one who demonstrated mercy toward him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
We Sing
“Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”
#2171 TFWS
Message
“Compassion”
Rev. Dr. Michele Robbins
Offertory
“Teach Your Children”
Offerings can be placed in the basket on the table, online at ukiahumc.org, or mailed to PO Box 323, Ukiah
*DOXOLOGY
“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”
#95 UMH
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise God all creatures high and low
Give thanks to God in love made known
Creator, Word, and Spirit One
Amen
*Membership Statement
Members of the Ukiah United Methodist Church accept the freedom God gives us to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves. We welcome opportunities to bring God's love to the world in as many ways as we can. We promise to uphold our beloved church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness.
Getting Strong
“The Summons”
#2130 TFWS
Opportunities for Ministry
Go For It!
South:Do all the good you can,
North:By all the means you can,
South:In all the ways you can,
North:In all the places you can,
South:At all the times you can,
North:To all the people you can,
All:As long as ever you can. Amen.
— John Wesley
Blessing
*STEPPING OUT
“Soon and Very Soon”
#706 UMH
WE ARE A WELCOMING & AFFIRMING CONGREGATION:
We welcome all persons into full participation in the life of the congregation regardless of age, gender identity, racial or ethnic background, sexual orientation, marriage status, or physical or mental condition.
UMH--United Methodist HymnalTFWS--The Faith We Sing HymnalW&S--Worship & Song HymnalCEB--Common English BibleNRSV-New Revised Standard BibleNRSVUE–New Revised Standard Bible Updated EditionMSG-The Message Bible