8th Sunday after Pentecost • July 23, 2023
Welcome to worship with First UMC Santa Monica!
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Welcome Dominic Rold, Lay Lector
Prelude Though I May Speak (arr. Dale Wood) Ty Woodward, organ
*Processional Hymn #384 United Methodist Hymnal – Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
*Call To Worship Molly Smith, Lay Leadership Team, Dominic Rold
Despite hardship, our ancestors dared to dream God-sized dreams.
Praise God for hope-filled dreams.
Do it again, Holy One. Dream big dreams through us today!
Praise God for new dreams for our generations.
God of Vision and Mystery, become visible through our lives today.
Praise God who inspires our hope and empowers us to fulfill new dreams today!
*Choral act of praise
“Sing praise to God who reigns above, the God of all creation. Be joyful in the Lord, my heart, both soul and body bear your part: to God all praise and glory.”
Our Mission & Common Life Molly Smith
We give thanks for God’s Creating Spirit that continues to give us life and lead us forward!
Thanks be to God!
The Lesson Genesis 28:10-17 (CEB) Molly Smith
The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God!
Sermon “Hope-Filled Dreams” Tricia Guerrero
Invitation to Prayer #2214 The Faith We Sing – Lead Me, Guide Me
Lead me, guide me, along the way, for if you lead me, I can not stray. Lord, let me walk each day with thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me. (Repeat)
Listening for the Voice of God Tricia Guerrero
Silent Prayer & Pastoral Prayer
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Choral Response
We Offer Our Gifts & Ourselves Molly Smith
Your continued financial support of the church is now more important than ever. You may place gifts of cash or checks made out to “First UMC” in the offering plates as they are passed. You may also mail your gift to the church or drop it into the mail slot of our offices any day of the week. Or, you may also give online at www.santamonicaumc.org/give, or mail checks through your online banking programs. You may continue to earmark gifts for our various mission projects. May God grow in us generous and joyful hearts. Thank you.
Offertory The Chancel Choir/Dr. James Smith, Music Director
The King of Love My Shepherd Is (arr. Dan Forrest)
The King of love my Shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never; I nothing lack if I am His and He is mine forever. Where streams of living water flow, my ransomed soul He leadeth, and where the verdant pastures grow, with food celestial feedeth. Perverse and foolish oft I strayed, but yet in love He sought me, and on His shoulder gently laid, and home, rejoicing brought me. The King of love my Shepherd is; and so through all the length of days Thy goodness faileth never; good Shepherd may I sing Thy praise within Thy house forever.
*Response #94 UMH — The Doxology
*Unison Prayer of Dedication Dominic Rold
God of Dreams, we give thanks and praise to you as we offer our gifts. Open us to your grace and love. Help us to see the needs in our community and to meet our neighbors with love and hope. Amen.
*Hymn #2241 TFWS – The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve
The Spirit sends us forth to serve; we go in Jesus’ name to bring glad tidings to the poor, God’s favor to proclaim. We go to comfort those who mourn and set the burdened free; where hope is dim, to share a dream and help the blind to see. We go to be the hands of Christ, to scatter joy like seed and, all our days, to cherish life, to do the loving deed. Then let us go to serve in peace, the gospel to proclaim. God’s Spirit has empowered us; we go in Jesus’ name.
*Benediction Tricia Guerrero
*Benediction Response
Postlude Trumpet Finale (Francesco Manfredini) Ty Woodward