Chatham Circuit
St Louisville, Chatham & Liberty UMC
September 8th, 2024
16th Sunday after Pentecost
Prelude Bringing the Light

*Call to Worship:
L: Lord, open our hearts this morning to hear your words of compassion. P: Lord, help us to truly listen to you. L: Lord, open our spirits this morning to strengthen our faith. P: Lord, help us to work for you. L: Lord, make us ready to serve. P: Lord, make us ready to witness to your healing love. AMEN.
*Hymn: What A Friend We Have in Jesus #526
1. What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
2. Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In his arms he'll take and shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there.

*Opening Prayer:
We place our trust in you, O God, for your love and faithfulness are steadfast and true. Breathe your Holy Spirit into our worship and your very presence into our lives, that our love and faithfulness may be steadfast and true. Amen.

*The Lord’s Prayer

First Scripture: Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23

The Apostle’s Creed #881

*Second Scripture: James 2:1 – 10, 14 - 17

*Gloria Patri #70

Message Lesson: Matthew 18:21 – 35

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

Let God’s Grace Change You!
Bryan Moore

Hymn: Have Thine Own Way Lord #382
1. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Thou art the potter; I am the clay. Mold me and make me after thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still.
2. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Search me and try me, Savior today! Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now, as in thy presence humbly I bow.
3. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Wounded and weary, help me I pray! Power, all power, surely is thine! Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!
4. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Hold o'er my being absolute sway. Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me!
brighter than snow you may be today. (Refrain)
Prayers of the People:
Father it is at this time that we humbly come to to praise you for the joys in our lives and lives of others, and to beseech your mercies for challenges that we and others dear to us face. At all times and in all places encourage us to listen to the direction of the Holy Spirit who leads us to follow your acts of Grace and Mercy.
Invitation to the Offering
God has chosen the poor as heirs of God’s kingdom. God calls us to value the needs of this world more highly than we value silver and gold. May our offerings reflect the values to which God calls us.
*Doxology/Prayer
Through these gifts and offerings, bless your world, O God. Through our lives and our actions, bring love to your creation, that all may know your presence and live in your grace. Amen.
*Hymn: Blest Be The Tie That Binds #557
1. Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
2. Before our Father's throne we pour our ardent prayers; our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares.
3. We share each other's woes, our mutual burdens bear; and often for each other flows the sympathizing tear.
4. When we asunder part, it gives us inward pain; but we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.
*Responsive Benediction:
L: Go as God’s children.
P: We go as Christ’s hands and feet.
L: Go as God’s faithful followers.
P: We go to live our faith with love in action.
*Blessing for the Journey: 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.
Closing:
“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
St Louisville
Mark Soter Bryan Miller
Warren & Cliver Family Pound Family
Bob and Bev Bevard John & Dawn Bevard
Steve and Kathy Robinson Dave Berger Family
Chatham
Frances Garno Warner Family
Carol & Paul Rostofer Layman Family
Kayla
Liberty
John Prather Sally Lindsay
Sandy Hubbard Troy Mallow
Thelma McCurdy Velma
Maria Ruth and Rick
Chatham Charge
Bible Study will return the week of September 16th!
The plan is to continue to do Bible Study on the
Conference call line on Tuesday evenings at 7PM and then in person at St Louisville on Wednesday afternoons at 2PM. Let’s plan on starting in 2nd Corinthians and then Galatians.
Happy Birthday!
9/9 Gay Staugh
9/14 Brenda Bilger
Words of Confession
Patient Lord, you know us so well. We are fascinated by healing and can talk all day about the miracles, but we do not understand the compassion of Christ. We often say, “Just heal us; or Just make me rich; or Just make things go better at work” or other such deals and then we promise our faithfulness and witness. But in our hearts, we just don’t get it. Please forgive us, Lord, when our greed and fear get in the way of understanding. Help us to know the transformational power of your love. Get us ready to be faithful witnesses to you in all that we say and do. It is in Jesus’ Name that we pray. AMEN.
Words of Assurance:
In the Name of Jesus Christ, you have been healed. Praise be to God who has given you new life. AMEN.
Contact info for Pastor Bryan
email: brmoore1@aol.com - phone: 614-323-9561