Worship - November 16, 2008

It is God who leads us.
Not just in worship, but in life.
We may not see or feel this guiding hand,
but the Lord is present throughout every moment of our existence.

God is our focus;
Not our hopes, fears, joys or tears,
but only God.
God is our hope and our joy,
and source and our goal.

He leads. Are you ready and willing to follow?
If so, please stand - as you are able –
And sing your faith, beginning with the first verse of #599 in your hymnal.

(middle section borrowed from Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church in Australia.

Opening Prayer

Lord God as we think of the approach of winter
And as we feel the days and nights getting colder
As we watch the changing colors of the leaves of the trees and see them fall off
As we put on heavier warmer clothing
And find the heating has to be on a bit higher and a bit longer
Lord as we see so many signs of change around us - children getting older
Weather getting colder
The movement from season to season
As we see this we give You our worship and our thanks
For warm houses and clothes
For living at a time where our houses can be kept comfortable even on the coldest days
For seeing the play and smiles and hearing the laughter and shouts of children as they play outside
           - and for the warmth they return too.
For the wonderful colors that have surrounded us
           and show us a glimpse of the glory of Your Creation
Lord we thank you for this time of year
For the change of seasons
Remind us that we should always be changing -
Growing and learning
Moving forward
And learning to let go
Keep all who follow you on the journey aware of the need to continually
           move and grow with you
Lord thank you for the gifs you have given us
Forgive us for the times we take your blessings for granted
Forgive us for our complaints and groans;
           our always finding fault sometimes in others and in ourselves
For our failure to live life as You want us too
Lord hear our confession
And we ask You to cleanse us and renew us
That we may not only take delight in Your World
But bring joy and delight to each other
in Jesus Name AMEN

by Rev Ian Elston, Minister, Torbain Church, Kirkcaldy, Church of Scotland

A Reading
"When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking"

When you thought I wasn't looking
I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator,
and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking
I saw you feed a stray cat,
and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking
I saw you make my favorite cake for me,
and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking
I heard you say a prayer,
and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and trust.

When you thought I wasn't looking
I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick,
and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing,
and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking
            I saw how you handled your responsibilities,
                                    even when you didn't feel good,
                        and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking
I saw tears come from your eyes,
and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking
I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking
I looked at you and wanted to say,
“Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.”

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

“When you thought I wasn’t looking…”

Jesus teaches us to “beware of practicing our piety before others in order to be seen by them,” and instead to give our alms, our offerings, our good works, “in secret.” As Jesus said, God sees these gifts for what they truly are. And the reward is far greater than we can ever hope or imagine, worth more than money can buy. (Matthew 6:1-4)

By the way, offering envelopes help us to give in a less conspicuous way. We’re not flashing around big bills in the plate, just a green envelope. If you presently don’t use these but would like to, just ask. We'll make sure you get a box of them. Oh, and one more thing, as the ushers collect our tithes and offerings, would you fill out and pass the attendance registers located near the center aisle side of each pew? Thanks. Ushers?

Dedication

Loving Father, we humbly dedicate these tithes and offerings to your use. As believers, we are comforted by the knowledge that you will multiply these gifts. Allow this money to become a resource that lifts the shadows of despair from the recesses of people's lives. We recognize that only you can restore faith to the faithless, hope to the hopeless, and love to the loveless. May your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven! Amen.

Written by David S. Bell, ©2008, based on 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13.
Bell currently serves as Vice-President of Stewardship
with the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan.

Pastoral Prayer

written closer to the time (if not at the moment)

Benediction

Go now, in the freedom of the gospel of Christ.
Encourage one another to lead lives worthy of God
and walk together in service and humility.
Let your words and your lives be one in Christ.

And may the God of lasting love open the way before you;
May Jesus the Messiah be your one instructor;
And may the Holy Spirit lead you on
........into the promised land of God’s kingdom and glory.