17th Sunday after Pentecost
September 24, 2023
10:00 a.m.
Hampton United Methodist Church
525 Lafayette Road, Hampton, NH 03842
(603) 926-2702
Email: hamptonumc@myfairpoint.net
Website: www.hamptonnhumc.org
The Rev. Sue Frost, Pastor
David M. Kenney, Sr., Organist & Director of Music
WE GATHER
THE BELL INVITES US TO WORSHIP
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE: Air — Gordon Young
INTROIT: We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding
– Carl Daw & Wm. Bradbury
CALL TO WORSHIP
Pastor: Bless the Lord, O people, sing!
People: Let the sound of praise ring out.
Pastor: Come and hear what the Lord has done,
People: the Lord whose blessings fill us with joy!
*HYMN: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee Blue Hymnal #89
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
SCRIPTURE READINGS Ray Weaving
Mark 9:33-37 & 1 Peter 3: 8-14a
Reader: May we hear what the Spirit is saying.
People: Thanks be to God.
THE WORD IN MUSIC: How Good and Pleasant Is the Sight
– John Quincy Adams (music: D. Kenney)
A TIME FOR THE CHILD IN ALL OF US
*HYMN: Jesus, Lord, We Look to Thee (stanzas 1-5) Blue Hymnal #562
SERMON: A Leading Cause of Life: Blessing
WE RESPOND TO GOD’S GRACE WITH THANKSGIVING
CALL TO PRAYER: O Hear the Prayers We Offer You
– D. Kenney & M. Miller
PASTORAL PRAYER & THE PRAYERS OF ALL
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give
us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
PRAYER RESPONSE: All Glory Be to God on High – D. Kenney & M. Miller
THE GIVING OF OUR LIVES TO GOD
OFFERTORY: Reflection — David M. Kenney, Jr.
*THE DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*THE PRAYER OF DEDICATION
O loving God, we give you thanks that you have placed the gift of generosity in the hearts of your faithful people. Use these gifts to reveal the blessing of your love in Jesus Christ to all people. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
WE GO FORTH TO SERVE GOD AND OTHERS
*HYMN: Creator of the Water Tune: LANCASHIRE 7.6.7.6 D
Creator of the water that makes the world so green,
That satisfies the thirsty, and keeps us cool and clean,
We take from your creation this gift we use each day;
You call us now to use it in this most holy way.
As in the time of Noah, the sea engulfed the land,
And through the Red Sea, Moses led Israel ‘cross the sand,
And to the Jordan waters, Christ went and was baptized —
Your water has a power: it changes all our lives.
May this your gift of water, long springing from the earth,
Become for all new Christians their fountain of rebirth.
Lord, wash away their sinning, and give them life anew —
Pour out your Spirit on them, that they may follow you.
God, through your gift of water, your family we become;
You take away divisions; in Christ you make us one.
Now send your Spirit on us and give us work to do
That we may share with others the love we have from you.
Text: Copyright © 1998 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. Copied from Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today’s Worship by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (Geneva Press, 2000). Used by permission of Carolyn Winfrey Gillette.
BENEDICTION
BENEDICTION RESPONSE: May We Be Blessings
– I. Wilson, D. Kenney, & G. Schuler
POSTLUDE: Partita on “Blessed Name” — Mary McDonald