We welcome you to either virtual or in-person worship on Sunday, August 22, 2021 at 10am! You are welcome to join us for in-person worship in the Essex Center UMC sanctuary (please wear a mask), 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.
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 Kathryn Ammel Parker
*CALL TO WORSHIP adapted from Psalm 84
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!
My whole being yearns and pines for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and body sing for joy to the living God.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young at your altars,
O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
How blessed are those who live in your house,
ever singing your praise.
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob!
Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed.
For one day in your courts
is better than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than live in the tents of wickedness.
O Lord of hosts, blessed is everyone who trusts in you.
*HYMN OF PRAISE No. 2146, TFWS
His Eye is on the Sparrow
MORNING PRAYER (unison)
You have made us for yourself, O Lord,
and our hearts are restless until they find rest in you.
In comparison with this big world,
our hearts and lives are only a small thing.
Yet, though the world is large,
the things of it are unable to satisfy us.
Our ever-growing souls
can only find satisfaction in your infinite grace and love.
As water is restless until it reaches its level,
so our souls have not peace until they rest in you.
We pray for your love, your peace, your rest,
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 A Prayer for Friends
It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood
A beautiful day for a neighbor
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
It’s a neighborly day in this beautywood, a neighborly day for a beauty
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you
I’ve always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you
So, let’s make the most of this beautiful day
Since we’re together, we might as well say
Would you be mine? Could you be mine? Won’t you be my neighbor?
Won’t you please, won’t you please? Please, won’t you be my neighbor?
The Sharing of God’s Holy Word
FIRST READING Ephesians 6:10-13
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.
11Put on the whole armor of God,
so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh,
but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the cosmic powers of this present darkness,
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
13Therefore take up the whole armor of God,
so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day,
and having done everything, to stand firm.
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!
*HYMNS OF RESPONSE No. 514, UMH
Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus
SECOND READING John 6:60-69
60When many of his disciples heard it, they said,
“This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?”
61But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it,
said to them, “Does this offend you?
62Then what if you were to see the Son of Man
ascending to where he was before?
63It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless.
The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
64But among you there are some who do not believe.”
For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe,
and who was the one that would betray him.
65And he said, “For this reason I have told you
that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.”
66Because of this many of his disciples turned back
and no longer went about with him.
67So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?”
68Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
69We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to Christ!
SERMON the Rev. Dr. Joel Daniel Hubbard, III
A Hard Truth: Practicing Neighborly Spirituality
Responding With Faith
*HYMN OF RESPONSE AND INVITATION No. 399, UMH
Take My Life and Let it Be
PRAYERS FOR GOD’S CHILDREN AND THE WORLD
THE DISCIPLE’S PRAYER
SUNG RESPONSE Through it All
(played before & sung together after the prayer)
Through it all, through it all,
I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God;
through it all, through it all,
I’ve learned to depend upon God’s word.
THE GIVING OF GOD’S TITHE AND OUR OFFERINGS
The Church Goes Out in Mission
*BLESSING
*SUNG BENEDICTION His Eye is on the Sparrow
I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
for his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.
ORGAN POSTLUDE
To access the full worship bulletin, including announcements and prayer requests, please click here.
