Live stream Sunday Service with Pastor Sue
Accompanied by a worship assistant
Accompanist Andrea Llafet
Scripture:
I Kings 8:22-30, 41-43
Music:
Joy of the Lord
The Heart Of Worship
We Are Gods People
This is a Day of New Beginnings
To Make an Offering: https://millplainumc.org/giving/
Order of Worship
Prelude
Greeting
Worship Assistant: How lovely is your dwelling place, O God.
People: My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord!
Worship Assistant: My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
People: How lovely is your dwelling place, O God.
Opening Prayer (Worship Assistant)
O God, there is no deity like you in heaven above or on this earth. You created the earth and called it good; you formed us in your own image and filled us with the breath of life; you came among us as one of us to show us the depth of your love. You promised to love us always and draw us close to you. Let your Word be confirmed. We pledge to you our faithful love and our service to all your children. Bless this time of worship and lead us forward in your grace. Amen.
Young Disciples
Songs of Praise The Joy of the Lord & The Heart of Worship
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Presentation of Our Offerings
Doxology
Reading from the Old Testament
I Kings 8:22-30, 41-43
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven. He said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart, the covenant that you kept for your servant my father David as you declared to him; you promised with your mouth and have this day fulfilled with your hand. Therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, keep for your servant my father David that which you promised him, saying, ‘There shall never fail you a successor before me to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children look to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.’ Therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you promised to your servant my father David. “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, much less this house that I have built! Regard your servant’s prayer and his plea, O Lord my God, heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you today; that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may heed the prayer that your servant prays toward this place. Hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place; O hear in heaven your dwelling place; heed and forgive.
“Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a distant land because of your name —for they shall hear of your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm—when a foreigner comes and prays toward this house, then hear in heaven your dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and so that they may know that your name has been invoked on this house that I have built.
The Message Rededicating This Space
Processional Hymn We are God’s People FWS #2220
Dedication of Worship Space
Pastor: O eternal God, mighty in power and of incomprehensible majesty, whom the heavens cannot contain, much less the walls of temples made by human hands, you have promised your special presence whenever two or three are gathered in your name to offer praise and prayer. As we return to this space after these long months of physical distancing, pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on this worship space.
Worship Assistant: Gladden our hearts at our renewed community.
Pastor: Open our eyes to see you present among us.
Worship Assistant: Open our ears to hear your Word.
Pastor: Open our lips to tell forth your praise.
People: Hear our prayer, O God.
Pastor: As we pray for continued healing in this land and around our world, both from Covid19 and from the anger and bitterness that divide us:
People: Hear our prayer, O God.
Pastor: As we work to welcome little children to our preschool and strangers seeking to cool off on a blistering hot day, bless this space to tell of your grace.
People: Hear our prayer, O God.
Pastor: As we enter this space to praise you, learn of your Way, and enjoy each other, send us out now to serve in your name.
People: Hear our prayer, O God.
Pastor: Now, O God, sanctify this place, for everything in heaven and earth is yours, and we are your people. Amen.
Closing Song This Is a Day of New Beginnings UMH #383
Benediction
Go forth from this place to love God and love God’s people. And the blessings of God, Three in One and One in Three, be with you and among you. Amen.
Postlude