Mill Plain UMC
Sunday, April 30, 2023,
To Suffer in Love
Scripture
I Peter 2:18-25
Songs
Love the Lord
Lord Reign In Me
Enough
Like an Avalanche
How Great is Our God
I’ll Fly Away
Pass It On
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Opening Song Love the Lord
Greeting
Impact Moment, Focus On Finance
Call to Worship
Worship Assistant: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
People: God makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me by still waters.
Worship Assistant: God restores our souls.
People: Though we go astray, we return now to the shepherd and guardian of our souls
Opening Prayer
Shepherd us, O God, for we know that we wander from your ways; we trust in the false promise of wealth and fame, we rely on our own abilities and talents, we look to the bright lights of celebrities and find ourselves in darkness.
Shepherd us, O God, for we feed on the junk food of easy answers and hunger for the pastures of your love.
Shepherd us, O God, for we fear the shadow of death and shrink from the evils of hatred and violence.
Shepherd us, O God, for your rod and staff comfort us. Lead us to dwell in your house our whole lives long. Amen.
Praise Song Lord Reign in me
Young Disciples Moment
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Offertory Like an Avalanche
Presentation of Offerings
Doxology How Great Is our God
Scripture
Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh. For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Sermon To Suffer In Love
Prayer
Shepherd and Guardian of our souls, we return to you. Though we suffer physical lack and spiritual want, we return to you as the source of life.
Shepherd and Guardian of our souls, we return to you. Though our bodies ache and our hearts grieve, we return to you for hope and comfort.
Shepherd and Guardian of our souls, we return to you. Amen.
Amen.
Praise Song I’ll fly away
Benediction
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you;
Dwell now in the house of the Lord.
And the blessings of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the presence of the Holy Spirit be with you. Amen
Praise song Pass it on