Sunday November 21st 2021

“Recommitting Our Lives To God” November 21, 2021 Worship Bulletin

THE GATHERING OF GOD’S PEOPLE Greet Your Friends and Our Guests! The Concerns of the Body The Morning Prelude “What Gift Can We Bring?” arr. Jason W. Krug Westminster Ringers GOD CALLS US TO WORSHIP The Call to Worship— L: Whether you are young or old, a member or guest, you are always welcome here! P: We come seeking God along our spiritual journey. L: Let’s walk together on our journeys of faith as we learn to give of our- selves to the Christ…the one we call Jesus! P: Lord, teach us to give of ourselves as you have given yourself to us. +The Hymn #64 “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty” +The Opening Prayer— O God, open our hearts to your great love this morning. Open our minds to hearing your word of truth, both of comfort and confrontation. And open the doors of our church and our homes, that we might wel- come the stranger, embrace the foreigner in our midst, and learn to love our enemies. For in your love, we are made one with you, with each oth- er, and with all the world. Amen.

WE CONFESS OUR SINS The Call to Confession The Prayer of General Confession— Loving Father God, today we come before you to re-commit our lives and discipleship. We know so well that you sent your Son Jesus to live among us and teach us the way to live out our lives. He gave all he had, and in that giving, he gave his very life. In his giving you raised him to an eternal life. Sometimes we are afraid to give. Whether it is money, or time, or even extending our love to others, we hold back out of fear of rejection or loss, or even our lives. Yet when we join you on the journey of faith, you offer us your hand that we might learn to trust you. Forgive us our slowness in learning to trust. Open us to your presence that we might never fear anything in life or even death itself. In the name of the Christ we come to you. Amen. Moments For Personal Confession Words of Assurance and Pardon The First Lesson WE SHARE THE WORD 2 Samuel 23:1-7 23 Now these are the last words of David: The oracle of David, son of Jesse, the oracle of the man whom God exalted, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the favorite of the Strong One of Israel: 2 The spirit of the Lord speaks through me, his word is upon my tongue. 3 The God of Israel has spoken, the Rock of Israel has said to me: One who rules over people justly, ruling in the fear of God, 4 is like the light of morning, like the sun rising on a cloudless morning, gleaming from the rain on the grassy land.

5 Is not my house like this with God? For he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure. Will he not cause to prosper all my help and my desire? 6 But the godless are all like thorns that are thrown away; for they cannot be picked up with the hand; 7 to touch them one uses an iron bar or the shaft of a spear. And they are entirely consumed in fire on the spot. Response: L: The Word of God for the people of God. All: Thanks be to God! +The Act of Praise #849 (Response 1) Psalm 132 +The Affirmation of Faith #881 The Apostle’s Creed +The Gloria Patri #70 The Morning Prayer…………………………………………..…….The Lord’s Prayer (using trespasses) +The Gospel Lesson John 18:33-37 33 Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” 35 Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37 Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Response M: This is the Word of the Lord. P: Thanks be to God. (#901 Alleluia)

+The Hymn #87 “What Gift Can We Bring” (Those who want to praise God for an answered prayer may come forward and place a stone in the jar during this hymn.) The Sharing Time with Our Children The Sermon “A Gift Fit For A King” Rev. Mike The Recommitment of Our Selves - And Our Gifts (As we sing the hymn, please bring your estimate of giving cards forward and place them in the basket at the altar. Please feel free to kneel at the rail and pray if so moved.) +The Hymn #356 “When We Are Living” WE RESPOND TO THE WORD The Offering and Prayer of Thanksgiving The Offertory Solo “Consecration” by John Ness Beck, trans. Craig Courtney soprano, Cindy Kennedy + The Doxology #94 + The Hymn #399 “Take My Life, and Let It Be” + The Benediction + The Response #347 “Spirit Song” (Vs 1 only)) + The Postlude “Toccata on ‘Rejoice the Lord Is King” arr. Gordon Young + Please stand in stature or in heart as you are able!

WELCOME TO THIS MORNING’S WORSHIP! We hope the music, scriptures, prayers and fellowship of this service strengthen your faith and encourage your discipleship. If you are our guest today, please know you are WELCOME! We’re glad you are here and hope you might come again. If you are looking for a church home, or wanting to grow in your faith, we would be glad to tell you more about our church’s ministry and would hope you might consider being part of our community of faith. Please sign the pew pad located at the end of your pew. Tear out the sheet and place it in the offer- ing plate when passed during the service. Please visit our Welcome Table in the rear of the sanctuary for more infor- mation about our church. For your added comfort in worship, the ushers can provide any assistance you may need, as well as with the use of acoustical equipment, or provide you with large print bulletins and hymnals. Our “Baby Fold” Nursery is available for your young children should you want to leave them in a safe place during worship. Also, a changing table is available in the rest room next to the nursery. It is located through the left rear door and then down the hallway. Ask an usher to direct you… Restrooms are located in the main hallway. Use the left door as you face the back of the sanctuary and follow the hallway towards the main entrance. Re- strooms will be on your left. We are a “Safe Sanctuary” church. Parents, please accompany all young chil- dren to the rest rooms during the worship service. Our Mission – “Making Disciples of Jesus Christ For the Transformation of the World!”

Assisting in Today’s Worship In The Sanctuary Senior Pastor.....................................................................................Rev. Mike Bealla Associate Pastor…………………………………………………….....Rev. Andy Weidner Lay Leader .............................................................................................. Diana Howe Director of Music/Organist ................................................................George Simmons Reader.....................................................................................................Susan Crane Media Team …………………..…. Wesley Bealla, Bill Miller, Betsy Miller, Dylan Smith Head Ushers ........................................................... John Luczak and Leigh Redmon

Elm Park United Methodist Church Elm Park is a 712 Linden Street United Methodist Congregation Scranton, PA 18510. and proud to be Our Telephone number is a church of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre District (570) 342-8263 We can be reached by email at of the [email protected] Susquehanna Conference Our website address is of www.elmparkumchurch.org The United Methodist Church. Our Conference website address is Our Resident Bishop is www.susumc.org Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Park Our District Superintendent is Rev. Judy Walker Our Senior Pastor is Reverend Mike Bealla Our Associate Pastor is Reverend Andy Weidner Our Lay Leader is Diana Howe Student Intern Rev. Takasongo Jean