SUNDAY SERVICE ONLINE

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"Nothing Shall Separate Us: Set Your Mind"

6th Sunday After Pentecost, July 12, 2020

THE GATHERING

Video: “Open Unto Me," Howard Thurman prayer; The Work of the People

GREETINGS / ANNOUNCEMENTS

In-Person Worship Survey: If you are an active participant in worship, mission, and discipleship at Green Meadow and on our email list, we trust you have seen the emails regarding Green Meadow’s plan for returning to in-person worship. Please be sure and fill out the survey. It’s the only way we have to gauge whether the community is ready to return to in-person worship. We will keep you informed of the results and work of Church Council in this matter.

SHARING OF PRAISES AND CONCERNS

Please see the Circle of Prayer in the Green Sheet.

WORSHIP INVOCATION

Holy God, help us to be present in worship this day, even as you are present.

CENTERING MOMENT

“Step by Step”

David (Beaker) Strasser

O God You are my God
And I will ever praise You
O God You are my God
And I will ever praise You
I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days

CALL TO WORSHIP: Bonnie West

One: Life-Giving God, you have called us to the fountain of new life, new vision, new hope, new fellowship with you and with one another.
All: We come rejoicing! You kept your promise.
One: Faithful God, you promised never to leave or forsake us.
All: We come in victory! You kept your promise.
One: All-Powerful, Sustaining God, you promised to set us free from the law of sin and death.
All: We come with hearts of thanksgiving and our minds are stayed on you because you kept your promise. Hallelujah!

OPENING PRAYER

SONG

“O Spirit of the Living God,” No. 539, The United Methodist Hymnal

Henry H. Tweedy

O Spirit of the living God,
thou light and fire divine,
descend upon thy church once more,
and make it truly thine.
Fill it with love and joy and power,
with righteousness and peace;
till Christ shall dwell in human hearts,
and sin and sorrow cease.

Blow, wind of God! With wisdom blow
until our minds are free
from mists of error, clouds of doubt,
which blind our eyes to thee.
Burn, winged fire! Inspire our lips
with flaming love and zeal,
to preach to all thy great good news,
God's glorious commonweal.

Teach us to utter living words
of truth which all may hear,
the language all may understand
when love speaks loud and clear;
till every age and race and clime
shall blend their creeds in one,
and earth shall form one family
by whom thy will is done.

So shall we know the power of Christ
who came this world to save;
so shall we rise with him to life
which soars beyond the grave;
and earth shall win true holiness,
which makes thy children whole;
till, perfected by thee, we reach
creation's glorious goal!

Public Domain.

CCLI License No. 2335186

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION: Glenda Eastridge

Almighty God, in you are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Open our eyes that we may see the wonders of your Word; and give us grace that we may clearly understand and freely choose the way of your wisdom; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE GOSPEL

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

SONG

"Hymn of Promise," No. 707, The United Methodist Hymnal

Natalie Sleeth

In the bulb there is a flower;
in the seed, an apple tree;
in cocoons, a hidden promise:
butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter
there's a spring that waits to be,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.

There's a song in every silence,
seeking word and melody;
there's a dawn in every darkness
bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future;
what it holds, a mystery,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning;
in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing;
in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection;
at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.

CCLI License No. 2335186

THE NEW TESTAMENT

Romans 8:1-11

THE MESSAGE: Buzz Trexler

“Nothing Shall Separate Us: Set Your Mind”

PASTORAL PRAYER

GIVING OF GOD’S TITHES AND OUR OFFERINGS

Offertory: “The Stand”

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

God of the universe, we come to worship this morning, longing to set our minds on the Holy Spirit, to live with Christ within us. We have not always made room for Christ in the clutter of our lives. We have indulged our wants so often that too often the voice of the Spirit is drowned out. As we dedicate these gifts this morning, may it help us to live more in tune with the Spirit and to use our resources in a way that reflects that Christ is Lord of all our lives. In his holy name, we pray. 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, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

CLOSING SONG/TAKING OUT THE LIGHT

“Stronger”

Ben Fielding | Reuben Morgan

There is Love that came for us
Humbled to a sinner's cross
You broke my shame and sinfulness
You rose again victorious

Faithfulness none can deny
Through the storm and through the fire
There is truth that sets me free
Jesus Christ who lives in me

Chorus
You are stronger
You are stronger
Sin is broken
You have saved me
It is written
Christ is risen
Jesus You are Lord of all

No beginning and no end
You're my hope and my defense
You came to seek and save the lost
You paid it all upon the cross

Chorus

Bridge

So let Your Name be lifted higher
Be lifted higher
Be lifted higher

Repeat Bridge

Chorus

Repeat Chorus

BENEDICTION

Video: "An Irish Blessing," The Work of the People

SENDING FORTH

YOU ARE WELCOME HERE ...

Whether you label yourself a "Christian," or are uncertain whether you believe in anything any more, you are welcome to worship at Green Meadow United Methodist Church. Single, married, partnered, divorced, gay, rich, poor, USAmerican, or immigrant, you are welcome here. Burned out on religion -- whether organized, or disorganized -- bedraggled and hungover, addicted or in recovery, just out of jail, you are welcome here. Have no idea about Holy Communion, hymnals, or when to stand or sit? Don't worry, the pastor didn't either when he first stepped into a United Methodist Church as an adult -- and he was welcomed, too.

We're glad you're here!

ABOUT OUR CHURCH

We are a United Methodist Community of Worship, serving in the Smoky Mountain District of the Holston Conference. Our mission is to be an open gathering place to nurture Christians in training who, equipped by the Holy Spirit, go into the world and share the light of Jesus Christ.

A MISSIONAL CHURCH

Whether it's building mission kits for flood victims, sending food buckets to Zimbabwe, working with Family Promise of Blount County, helping the Salvation Army's lunch ministry, or gathering peanut butter for the Community Food Connection, "Meadow Folk" are engaged in the missio Dei ... God's mission of love.

SUNDAY ACTIVITIES

Sunday mornings at Green Meadow are, in a way, much of what you would expect when you come to a United Methodist Church: we gather for Sunday School and we worship together. We also share a breakfast once a month, and in months where we have a fifth Sunday, we have a potluck dinner.