Скачать или смотреть Grace United Methodist Church, Dayton, Ohio - Sunday, March 26, 2023 - Recorded

Our internet was out this morning, so this was recorded versus Live Streamed. Guest Music by Artega Wright, Baritone and Guest Ministering by Amelia Boomershine.

Grace United Methodist Church, Dayton, Ohio - Sunday, March 26, 2023
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE Joseph Severyn

OFFERTORY PRAYER (ALL)
God of life and light, we are living through difficult days, as churches and as individuals. Sometimes we wonder how we will make it through another day, whether the church or even the world will survive for another generation. And we feel like dry bones in the valley. As we bring offerings, help us hear the word of hope the prophet shares, not just with our ears but with our hearts. May it call us out of graves of despair back to life and service. In Christ’s holy name.
Amen

MUSICAL SELECTION Artega Wright, Baritone “My Good Lord's Done Been Here”
Traditional Public Domain

*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Christ, all people here below.
Praise Holy Spirit evermore.
Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.

*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Our lives feel all disjointed as though they were a valley of dry bones.
People: But the Spirit of God brings connection, purpose, and energy for us to truly live.
Leader: The Spirit of God breathes hope into each one of us. People: The Spirit of God challenges us to be people of faith. Leader: Come, let us worship God.

OPENING HYMN UMH #569 “We've a Story to Tell the Nations”
Henry Ernest Nichol © Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain

CHILDREN’S MOMENT

MUSICAL RESPONSE UMH #420 “Breathe on Me, Breath of God”
Edwin Hatch | Robert Jackson© Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON David Larson Ezekiel 37:1-14
THE GOSPEL LESSON Amelia Boomershine John 11:1-45

MINISTRY OF MUSIC Artega Wright, Baritone Romans 8 “For I have Been Persuaded”
by Carlisle Floyd

PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE
God of all consolation and compassion, your Son comforted the grieving sisters, Martha and Mary; your breath alone brings life to dry bones and weary souls. Pour out your Spirit upon us, that we may face despair and death with the hope of resurrection and faith in the one who called Lazarus forth from the grave. Amen

REFLECTION Rev. Dr. Amelia Boomershine “Unbind Them”

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God, we confess that we are frightened by death and discouraged by the persistence of injustice, oppression, hatred, corruption, and greed. To numb our fears and discouragement, we become apathetic or despairing. We hear of wars and natural disasters and question whether you care or even that you exist. We cannot bear the grief and suffering of so many, so we turn away from compassion. We turn away from you and your way of steadfast love. Unbind us from our fears; unbind us from our discouragement. Let us go forward with compassion and confidence in Jesus as the resurrection and the life. In his name, we pray. AMEN.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Though darkness and death appear all around, and we succumb to the temptations of despair and doubt, God is always present with us and forgiving. Be assured that you are forgiven and empowered to live, laugh, and serve. AMEN

CLOSING HYMN “I Love to Tell the Story” UMH #156
Arabella Katherine Hankey | William Gustavus Fischer © Words: Public
Domain Music: Public Domain

BENEDICTION /SENDING FORTH
Be blessed with belief in God, who raises
us from our graves, unbinds us, and sets us free. Go forth with that faith to love the earth and
its people through your words and acts. AMEN

POSTLUDE
Joseph Severyn