July 13, 2025

JULY 13, 2025 FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST REV. KENDRA BALLIET ORGANIST JIM ROSS Prelude - Benedictus - Gordon Young Welcome & Announcements *Call to Worship Pastor: Children of God, are you listening? Have you noticed? God has planted seeds of hope among us. People: We have heard of this hope! Pastor: Are you listening? Have you noticed? God nurtures hope among us, helping us bear the fruit of faithfulness in this world. People: We seek this hope as we learn to live in faith. Pastor: Are you listening? Have you noticed? The hope of God’s good news forms you to love one another with the love of Christ. People: We cling to this hope as we grow in love of God, self, neighbor, and all creation. Pastor: Children of God, come! Come, let us worship God who graciously offers us the gift of hope. People: Come, let us worship God who empowers us to put our hope into faithful and loving actions! * Opening Hymn – “Come That We Love the Lord” #733 **Prayer of Confession Gracious and Merciful God, your love is steadfast, and your mercy endures forever. Forgive us for not loving as you love. Forgive us for the ways and words we’ve used to oppress your people and help us to forgive those who’ve oppressed us. Forgive us for the deeds that we’ve done that have burdened instead of uplifted the hearts and minds of those we’ve encountered. Forgive us for silence during times of injustice and free us to rise and advocate for those who live under the leadership of unjust rulers, who live in a state of turmoil and depression. Help us to reconcile and make peace with one another. Help us to bear one another’s burdens and to be agents of your liberating love so that all of your people will be able to live justly. We confess our sins before you silently now, knowing that you are willing to able to cleanse and revive us through Christ’s resurrecting power, in whose name we pray. Amen. *Apostles Creed #881 *Glory Be to the Father #70 Children’s Chat Scripture – Colossians 1:1-14 Pastor: The Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God Series: “Dear Children of God,” Message: “Heard of This Hope” Tithes and Offering Offertory - Come Down O Love Divine - Paul Manz *Doxology – Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow #94 Prayers of the People - Joys and Concerns *Prayer Hymn – “El Shaddai” #123 Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer *Closing Hymn – “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian” #402 Action Steps and Benediction Reflecting and Sharing Prompt: Where do you encounter hope in this church community? Postlude - Postlude on Hyfrydol - Gordon Young Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, or share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or [e-mail]