Call to Worship

         "As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." So begins Psalm 42, a refreshing thought for a hot summer day. Are you thirsty for the Lord today? Have you come to drink from his living Word? If so, please join me in our unison Opening Prayer, #686 in your hymnal. Please stand, if you are able.

Unison Opening Prayer

O God, you are my God.
I seek you, my soul thirsts for you;
            my flesh faints for you
            as in a dry and weary land
            where there is no water.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
      beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
      my lips will praise you.
So will I bless you as long as I live;
      I will lift up my hands and call on your name. AMEN

(Hymnal #686 - Psalm 63:1-4, adapted from the New Revised Standard Version)

Vows of Commitment

Minister: Do you believe that Jesus is God's Son and do you receive him as your Savior and Lord?

Candidate: I do.

Minister: Will you turn away from all sin and will you endeavor by God's grace to live according to the example and teachings of Jesus?

Candidate: I will.

Minister: Will you be loyal to the church, upholding it by your prayers and your presence, your substance and your service?

Candidate: I will.

Congregational Vow

As we now receive you into the fellowship of the church, 
     we make this covenant with you 
     as we renew our own covenant with God: 
          to bear each others' burdens, 
          to assist in times of need, 
          to share our gifts and possessions, 
          to forgive as Christ has forgiven us, 
          to support each other in joy and sorrow, 
              and in all things to work for the common good, 
          thus making known Christ's presence among us 
              to the glory of God
As we unite with each other now, 
     may we all be joined with Christ, our Lord.

Hymnal #777 - Adapted from The Mennonite Hymnal, copyright©1969 Faith & Life Press/Mennonite Publishing House, based on Anabaptist baptismal vows, 16th c.

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

         "Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise."
                                                                                (Galatians 3:23-29, NRSV)
         Think about this as you return your offering.

Benediction

      Go forth in peace, bound not by a legion of demons, but by the love of God in Jesus Christ. "Return to your home and declare how much God has done for you" (Luke 8:39a). Amen.