We welcome you to either virtual or in-person worship on Sunday, July 4, 2021 at 10am! You are welcome to join us for in-person worship in the Essex Center UMC sanctuary, you may participate on Facebook Live by clicking here, or you may watch below. After worship concludes, a recording will be posted on this page.
We are excited to welcome the Rev. Dr. Joel Daniel Hubbard, III this week! Please join us for an post-worship coffee hour to celebrate this new beginning.
Dear Guests – WELCOME!
We are thankful for your presence with us this morning.We pray that you will be blessed and strengthened by the Holy Spirit in our time together and you will continue to join us for worship and ministry in the weeks to come.
The Church Gathers
WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS,
& PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
ORGAN PRELUDE
*CALL TO WORSHIP adapted from Psalm 48
In the city belonging to our God,
the Lord is great and worthy of our praise!
The holy mountain of God, breathtaking in height,
is the joy of the earth!
In the midst of your temple, O God,
we dwell on your faithful love and ponder its depth.
Your name, O God, like your praise,
reaches to the ends of the earth.
Your strong hand is filled with righteousness and across the land
Let Mount Zion be glad,
let the towns* of Judah rejoice
because of your actions of justice!
*HYMN OF PRAISE No. 733, UMH
Marching to Zion
MORNING PRAYER (unison)
O God, you are the hope of all the ends of the earth,
the God of the spirits of all flesh.
Hear our humble intercession for all races and families on earth,
that you will turn their hearts to yourself.
Remove from our minds hatred, prejudice, and contempt
for those who are not of our own race or color, class or creed,
that, departing from everything that estranges and divides,
we may be brought into unity of spirit, in the bond of peace,
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
YOUNG DISCIPLE’S TIME
All the children are invited to come to the Chancel for a time of discipling!
SONG OF RESPONSE Inch by Inch
The Sharing of God’s Holy Word
GOSPEL READING Mark 6:1-6
Jesus left that place, came to his home town,
and his disciples followed him.
2On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astounded.
They said, ‘Where did this man get all this?
What is this wisdom that has been given to him?
What deeds of power are being done by his hands!
3Is this not the carpenter,
the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon,
and are not his sisters here with us?’ And they took offence at him.
4Then Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honor,
except in their home town, and among their own kin,
and in their own house.’
5And he could do no deed of power there,
except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them.
6And he was amazed at their unbelief.
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to Christ!
*HYMN OF RESPONSE No. 437 UMH
This is My Song
SERMON The Rev. Dr. Joel Daniel Hubbard, III
Invitation & Consensus Not Imposition and Coercion
Responding With Faith
*HYMN OF RESPONSE AND INVITATION No. 2130, TFWS
The Summons
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
THE BLESSING AND SHARING OF THE BREAD AND CUP
Today we will celebrate Holy Communion in three ways.
As you come down the center aisle
- IF you would like to receive by intinction please walk to the right.
- IF you would like to receive by an individual serving please walk to the left and take a piece of bread and cup provided on the table.
- IF you are worshiping with us from home please have something to eat and drink available.
If you have a tithe or offering please place it in the offering plates at each end of the chancel.
The Church Goes Out in Mission
*BLESSING
*SUNG BENEDICTION Marching to Zion
We’re marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion.
We’re marching upward to Zion, the beautiful city of God!
ORGAN POSTLUDE
To view the full bulletin, including prayers and announcements, please click here.
