Prelude
Welcome
Call to Worship
Leader: Come, with your gifts and your needs,
People: to take a place in beloved community.
Leader: Come, with your accomplishments and your failures,
People: to be real with each other and to learn to trust and depend on one another.
Leader: Come, with your plans and your questions,
People: empowered by Jesus to let go, to make space, to see God’s kingdom here.
Opening Hymn
O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee UMH 430
Prayer of Confession
Leader: Beloved siblings in Christ, we gather in this holy space, united in the knowledge that we fall short, both individually and collectively. We confess, with open hearts and bowed heads, the times we have neglected to make space for God in our lives.
All: Lord, forgive us for the hurried moments, the busy schedules, the distractions that crowd out your presence. We confess the days we rush through prayers, the nights we fall asleep without a thought of your guiding hand. Forgive us for letting the anxieties of this world drown out your still, small voice. Forgive us for striving for positions of power and privilege, forgetting that true greatness lies in humility and service. We confess the times we judge others based on worldly measures, overlooking the hidden depths of your love within each soul. Forgive us for failing to recognize the marginalized, the forgotten, the "least of these" who hold a special place in your heart.
In your mercy, God, forgive our sins, transform our hearts and minds, and move us to action. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Take heart, for the mercy of our Lord is boundless and His grace knows no bounds. May the assurance of God's love and forgiveness inspire you to live in the fullness of His grace, extending compassion to others as you continue your journey of faith. Amen.
Passing of the Peace
First Reading:
Psalm 19:7-10
Second Reading:
Mark 10:17-31
Sermon:
First Last and Last First by Pastor Kevin Rutledge
Hymn of Response
Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service UMH 581
Tithes and Offerings
Offertory Response
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow UMH 95
Offertory Prayer
You invite us to seek not the exalted places of honor, but rather to embrace the posture of a servant. As we offer our tithes and offerings today, may we do so with a spirit of selflessness and a recognition that our true worth lies not in worldly status but in our identity as beloved children of God. Lord, we ask for your guidance in the stewardship of these gifts. May they be used wisely and purposefully, serving to transform lives and build communities where all are valued and welcomed. May our generosity be a testament to the upside-down kingdom that you ushered in. We pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, who, though he was the first, became the last for our sake. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer and Lord's Prayer
Announcements
Closing Hymn
Are Ye Able UMH 530
Benediction
Said Each Week as A Communal Prayer:
Send to us all the people who feel unwanted and unloved in other places, and if they can't come to us, send us to them.
Postlude
This Week's Reading Plan
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Reading: |
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Monday
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Commandments to Live By: Exodus 20:12-16
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Tuesday
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Entering God's Kingdom: Mark 10:23-27
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Wednesday
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The Love of Money: 1 Timothy 6:6-10
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Thursday
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Eternal Life to Come: Mark 10:28-31
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Friday
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Present Sufferings, Future Glory: Romans 8:18-25
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Saturday
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On the Road to Jerusalem: Mark 10:32-34
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Sunday
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Jesus Came to Serve: Mark 10:35-45
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Reflections and Caring Conversations
Please use the prompts and prayers below to aid you in your devotions for this week.
Morning Prayer: Heavenly Father, as I awaken to the dawn of a new day, I pause to reflect on the beauty of Your creation. Your law is perfect, refreshing my soul; Your statutes are trustworthy, making wise the simple. As I step forward into the tasks and encounters of this day, may I embody the upside-down kingdom that Jesus spoke of — where being last is the path to true greatness. Guide my steps in humility and service. Amen.
Evening Prayer: O Lord, my Rock and Redeemer, as I settle into the quiet of the evening, I ask for Your grace to let go of what hinders me from following You wholeheartedly. May I find peace in the knowledge that in Your kingdom, true riches are found in giving up, not in accumulating. As I surrender my day to You, prepare my heart to be transformed anew come morning. Amen.
Reflection Question: Jesus' interaction with the rich young man (Mark 10:17-22) leads us to consider what we are holding onto that may hinder our spiritual growth. What possessions or desires are you struggling to relinquish in order to fully follow Christ?
Reflection Question: Jesus teaches the necessity of taking up one's cross to follow him (Mark 8:34). In practical terms, what does it look like to bear your cross daily, and how can this act of surrender lead to transformation in your life?
Reflection Question: As we seek spiritual clarity and transformation, it is essential to support one another. How can the church community come alongside individuals who are wrestling with the challenge of prioritizing God's kingdom over personal gain? (1 Thessalonians 5:11)