Chatham Circuit

St Louisville, Chatham & Liberty UMC

May 11, 2025 Fourth Sunday of Easter

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Bringing the Light

*Call to Worship:

The God of love and grace invites us in.
Blessed be the God of love!
The God of power and might welcomes us here.
Glory to God on high!
The God of wisdom and truth speaks to us now.
Praise the One who speaks truth to our hearts!

Opening Prayer

Shepherding God, guide us in this time of worship. Help us receive your wisdom and respond with lives of faithful discipleship. Walk closely with us and help us feel your constant presence, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Hymn: Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine                 #369

1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

Refrain: This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long; this is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.

2. Perfect submission, perfect delight, visions of rapture now burst on my sight; angels descending bring from above echoes of mercy, whispers of love. (Refrain)

3. Perfect submission, all is at rest; I in my Savior am happy and blest, watching and waiting, looking above, filled with his goodness, lost in his love. (Refrain)

The Lord’s Prayer

First Scripture:                                  Revelation 7: 9 - 17

The Apostle’s Creed                                                #881

*Second Scripture:                                       John 10:22 – 30

Gloria Patri                                                                 #70

Message Lesson:                                          Acts 9:36 - 43

Spirit of the Living God                                            #393

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

The Message: The Good Works We Leave Behind

Hymn: He Leadeth Me                                               #128

1. He leadeth me: O blessed thought! O words with heavenly comfort fraught! Whate'er I do, where'er I be, still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.

Refrain: He leadeth me, he leadeth me, by his own hand he leadeth me; his faithful follower I would be, for by his hand he leadeth me.

2. Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom, sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom, by waters still, o'er troubled sea,
still 'tis his hand that leadeth me. [Refrain]

3. Lord, I would place my hand in thine, nor ever murmur nor repine; content, whatever lot I see, since 'tis my God that leadeth me. [Refrain]

4. And when my task on earth is done, when by thy grace the victory's won, e'en death's cold wave I will not flee, since God through Jordan leadeth me. [Refrain]

Prayers of the People

Invitation to Respond to God’s Grace

As we prepare for this time of offering, may God open our hearts with love and touch our lives with generosity.

 

*Doxology/Prayer

Generous God, we dedicate these gifts and offerings

into your service. May our generosity flow abundantly

into a world in need of your transforming love and grace.

In your loving name, we pray. Amen

 

*Hymn: Great is Thy Faithfulness                              # 140

1 Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father; there is no shadow of turning with thee; thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not; as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

Refrain: Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided; great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

2 Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, sun, moon, and stars in their courses above join with all nature in manifold witness to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. Refrain

3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! Refrain

*Responsive Benediction

Blessed by God,

May we bless the world in the week ahead.

Loved by Christ,

May we love others, in all we say and do.

Empowered by the Spirit,

May we follow faithfully where God leads.

Closing

Chatham: May the Lord bless and keep you; may the Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you peace; may the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. Amen.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

St Louisville:    Deb Soter

Warren

Bryan Miller

Bob and Bev Bevard

 

Chatham:        Frances

Kayla

Carol and Paul Rostofer

Layman Family

Liberty:            Sally Lindsay

John Prather

Sandy Hubbard

Maria

Troy Mallow

Velma

Ruth and Rick Wilson

Happy Anniversary!

5/16 Ruth and Rick Wilson

Chatham Charge News:

Bible Study continues Tuesday evenings at 7 PM online and Wednesday afternoons 2PM at St Louisville. This week we start studying the book of Romans. Please read Chapters 1 & 2.

St Louisville Church: The annual Mother's Day coffee hour served by the church's men will take place after Worship on May 11th. All are welcome to attend this event!

The monthly Women of Faith meeting will be held on May 20th at 1:00 PM at the church. Work on our prayer blankets will continue.

Words of Confession

God of love and grace, we yearn for a world where love and grace guide our steps and bless our days. We dream of families and communities led by love and guided by grace. Yet, division, danger, and death interrupt our dreams and dampen our hopes for our lives. Comfort us in our sorrow. Heal us in our troubles. Protect us in this dangerous world. Unify us with your love and grace, that we might offer your abundant love and amazing grace, everywhere we go. Amen.

Words of Assurance

In God’s love, we are held. In Christ’s grace, we are forgiven. In the Spirit’s power, we are strengthened. Give thanks for these marvelous gifts.

Contact info for Pastor Bryan

email: brmoore1@aol.com - phone: 614-323-9561