Worship Service for August 28, 2021, at 11 AM

Welcome

Invocation

Call to Worship

P: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that we by his poverty might become rich.
C: The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

P: Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
C: And God is able to make all grace abound, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, we may abound in every good work.

P: So that we will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way.
C: For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

P: Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Opening Hymn: The Earth is the Lord’s (vs 1 and 2)

The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.
Redemption reminds us, O God, of your love.
By grace we are learning, as year leads to year.
We’re called to be stewards, your caretakers here.

Too often, O God, we a – abuse your good earth.
We fail to remember its beauty and worth.
We take from creation much more than we need,
We threaten your mission through excess and greed.

Confession and Absolution (From 2 Corinthians 9:7–15)

P: In today’s second reading Paul compares our money with seeds.
C: With the promise, “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

P: Forgive us, Father, for we often live as though these words do not matter.
C: As if they are not true.

P: And so instead of being generous, we become greedy.
C: Instead of giving, we grab.

P: Instead of sacrificing and surrendering, we store up and stockpile.
C: Instead of supplying and sharing, we keep and accumulate.

P: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world.
C: Create in us new hearts, and renew in us the desire to use our money in generous ways.

P: Hear the best news you will ever hear. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for our sake, he became poor so that we by his poverty might become rich.” As a called and ordained servant of Christ, in His stead and by His command, I announce that you are forgiven—richly, fully, and eternally—in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Hymn of Praise and Thanksgiving: The Earth is the Lord’s (vs 3)

May we be good stewards of all that you give
Extending your Gospel wherever we live.
May we be a church that renews and restores
And lovingly cares for these gifts that are yours.

Old Testament Reading: Proverbs 11:24-28

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
    another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
    and one who waters will himself be watered.
The people curse him who holds back grain,
    but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.
Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,
    but evil comes to him who searches for it.
Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,
    but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:8-15

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written,

    “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
    his righteousness endures forever.”

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:31-46

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to You, o Christ.

Children’s Message

Sermon Hymn– They” ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord;
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord;
And we pray that all unity will one day be restored.

Chorus:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand;
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand;
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land.

(Chorus)

We Will work with each other, we will work side by side;
We will work with each other; we will work side by side;
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each other’s pride.

(Chorus)

Sermon– “Sowing and Harvesting”

Prayers: Text in prayer requests to (813) 326-5255

Prayer of the church

P: Heavenly Father, You promise to never leave us nor forsake us, be with those who are on our hearts this morning, especially… 
C: Comfort, heal, and draw these people closer to You.

P: We pause, Lord, to reflect on what we have let go, and on what we have kept back, what we have given in the past and what we plan to give in the future. And we reflect upon the overwhelming claim you have on all we possess. 
C: Make us more faithful, more generous, and more cheerful givers. We join in thankful praise for the apostle Paul, who teaches us about “Money Matters.”

P: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”
C: Inspire our stewardship with Your amazing grace.

P: “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
C: Enliven our stewardship with wisdom and joy.

P: “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” 
C: Empower our stewardship with Your promises.

P: We pray all this in the name of Christ Jesus.
C: Amen.

Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth,

And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen

Words of Institution

Peace

P: The peace of the Lord be with you all.
C: And also, with you.
P: We greet each other in the peace of Christ.

Distribution

Prayer

Benediction

Silent Prayer

Dear Jesus, help me sow the seeds of my money faithfully, generously, and joyfully, all the days of my life. Amen.

Closing Hymn: The Blessing

Verse:
The Lord bless you and keep you
Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you
The Lord turn His face toward you And give you peace

Chorus:
Amen. Amen. Amen

(Repeat)

(Verse)

(Chorus)

Bridge:
May His favor be upon you And a thousand generations
And your family and your children
And their children and their children

(Repeat)

Bridge 2:
May His presence go before you And behind you and beside you
All around you and within you. He is with you. He is with you
In the morning, in the evening. In your coming and your going
In your weeping and rejoicing He is with you. He is with you
He is for you. He is for you. He is for you. He is for you.
He is for you He is for you

Chorus:
Amen. Amen. Amen

(Repeat)

(Bridge 2)

Offering

Upcoming Events

Today, After Worship, Youth Welcome Back BBQ
The Frosts – 26514 Pheasant Run

September 1, 7pm, Grow Watch Party
Zoom

September 11, After the Worship Service – Youth Group
Song and Dance

September 13, 7pm, Growth Group Bible Study
Location – TBD

We Need Your Help!
We want to show people what we, as a church, do beyond Sunday morning worship. This is where I need your help. When you are at these events, please take pictures and/or videos and send them to me so I can post them on our Social Media.

If you have pictures from past events send those to me as well. Also, if you have ideas of other stuff we should post on Social Media please let me know.

Thank you!!

In His Service,
Aaron Shuck

Note – We didn’t include Aaron’s email on this page because spammers scrape web pages for email addresses and we don’t want Aaron to be spammed. You can download the bulletin which has Aaron’s email in it or use the contact us form on the website to request Aaron’s email address.