THE NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST July 22, 2018 LOCUST VALLEY FIRST CHURCH OF GOD ESTABLISHED 1852 In the love of Christ, we welcome you to worship today. We are glad that you have decided to join us and hope that you will return. May those who are weary or sorrowful find comfort; may the unhappy and the troubled find joy and peace; and may we all find the sense of God s Presence in this holy place. This bulletin contains the order of worship for today s service. Restrooms are located at the back of the church near the parking lot. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to ask or share!
WE GATHER TO WORSHIP The organ prelude accompanies the lighting of the altar candles and the pealing of the church bell, calling us all to gather for worship. Call to Worship Said Responsively The Spirit of the Lord A Canticle from Isaiah 61 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; He has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted; To proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; To comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion; To give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; For he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness. The Prayer of the Day Prayed in Unison O God, powerful and compassionate, you shepherd your people, faithfully feeding and protecting us. Heal each of us, and make us a whole people, that we may embody the justice and peace of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. *Hymn of Praise We Have Come to Join in Worship [207] Greeting/The Peace We greet one another in the Peace of Christ.
Prayer of Confession Prayed in Unison Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen. Prayers of the People The congregation may offer praises and/or petitions to be remembered in prayer. Announcements Offertory/*Sung Response The Doxology [815] WE HEAR THE WORD Hymn of the Day Instruments of Your Peace [637] The Scripture Lessons Jonah 4:2; Micah 6:8 Sermon Jonah and Micah Pastoral Prayer WE GO FORTH TO LOVE AND SERVE *Sending Hymn For the Fruit of All Creation [Insert] *The Benediction *Please stand as you are able.
SCRIPTURE LESSON AND SERMON GUIDE Jonah I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger, and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Jonah 4:2 What do you know about Jonah? Why can we believe this fish story? What does the vine teach Jonah? What did Jonah learn about people? You can t outrun God. He has a plan for your life He wants you to follow. Micah He has showed, O man, what is good and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 First sermon Chapters 1 and 2 J leads us as a s _ to water, food, and safety. Second sermon Chapters 3 and 4 N will study war no more, every m will be at peace sitting under his f tree in the shade. Third sermon Chapters 5, 6, and 7 We need to act j _, love m, and to walk h _ with God. True faith in God generates kindness, compassion, justice, and mercy.
THIS WEEK S ANNOUNCEMENTS Next Sunday is the last week to donate school supplies for the Middletown Valley People Helping People. Items needed include spiral and composition notebooks, pocket folders, pencils, colored pencils, protractors, compasses, erasers, notebook paper, etc. Donations can be placed in the box provided in the vestibule. The annual Church Picnic will be held on Sunday, August 12, 2018 at the Pleasant Valley Park in Gapland, Maryland. We will gather in the pavilion at 11:00 am for worship. The meal will begin at noon, after which we will have the cake walk and play bingo. *There will be no service at Locust Valley Church this Sunday. The park is located at: 3199 Gapland Road Rohrersville, MD 21779 If you are interested in joining Locust Valley as a member, see Pastor Frederick for more information. LOCUST VALLEY FIRST CHURCH OF GOD Welcoming everyone into the family of Christ, Worshiping in spirit and in truth, and Working to serve one another in God s Gospel message of unconditional love. 1236 Mountain Church Road Pastor Richard Frederick 7012 Mountain Church Rd. (Mail) (717) 414-6583 Middletown MD 21769 rafvdf@gmail.com www.locustvalleyfcog.org Follow us on Facebook You are welcome to keep this bulletin or otherwise recycle it in the bin provided in the vestibule.