Worship – 9/26/2021

The Church Gathers
Welcome, Announcements & Passing of the Peace

ORGAN PRELUDE              Kathryn Ammel Parker

*CALL TO WORSHIP       adapted from James 5

Blessed are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,

*HYMN OF PRAISE         No. 2053, TFWS
If It Had Not Been for the Lord (from Psalm 124)

MORNING PRAYER (unison)
Lord, there are days when we rise from bed
already exhausted by the responsibilities before us,
the tasks we have yet to complete,
and the sorrow and suffering
that is so evident among those whom we both love.
These days there are times
we hardly recognize the world around us
and we wonder, how much more can we take,
how much longer can this go on.
Today, we remember to pray in suffering
and to sing songs of praise in cheer.
Today, we choose you once more,
Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of ALL life!
On this day, most loving God, we pray for strength and courage
to be the one to bear a cup of cool water
in your name to another who is likewise parched,
to be one who consoles, loves, understands, and gives,
to be the one who is an instrument of your peace.
And throughout this day may these words
be constantly in my heart and on my lips:
If it had not been for the Lord by my side,
tell me where would I be, where would I be…
It is in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

YOUNG DISCIPLE’S TIME
All the children are invited to come to the Chancel for a time of discipling!

SONG OF RESPONSE           We Are the Church No. 558, UMH
I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together! All who follow Jesus, all around the world! Yes, we’re the church together!
We’re many kinds of people, with many kinds of faces,
all colors and all ages, too – from all times and places.

The Sharing of God’s Holy Word

FIRST READING   Mark 9:38-41

John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone
casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him,
because he was not following us.’
³⁹But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power
in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me.
⁴⁰Whoever is not against us is for us.
⁴¹For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink
because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to Christ!

*HYMNS OF RESPONSE No. 430, UMH
O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee

SECOND READING   Mark 9:42-50

‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones
who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone
were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea.
⁴³If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off;
it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands
and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.
⁴⁵And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off;
it is better for you to enter life lame
than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell.^,
47And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out;
it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye
than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell,
⁴⁸where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.
⁴⁹ ‘For everyone will be salted with fire.
⁵⁰Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it?
Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.’

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to Christ!

SERMON     the Rev. Dr. Joel Daniel Hubbard, III
Allies and Enemies

Responding With Faith