Discipleship: The Challenge of Surrender and Sacrificial Love

The Gospel lesson for this Sunday is from Mark 9: 30-37. We often hear Jesus’ teaching, especially about what it means to be his followers, as great religious platitudes. But what if we actually took what Jesus says to heart. It’s a high challenge and we can neither accept it or reject it too easily. What if our prayer life was some combination of telling God exactly how we are feeling, and knowing that we are loved and heard, coming to a place of surrender. That’s what Jesus himself modeled in the night before his death. We are invited to join his on this journey which he has already walked, and challenged to make the hard decisions he made.

WE GATHER FOR WORSHIP

Prelude: Prelude from “Prelude and Finale”, Alfred Hollins

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Hymn: “All Are Welcome”

Apostolic Greeting

Hymn of Praise

Prayer of the Day

First Reading: Jeremiah 11:18-20

Second Reading: James 3:13-4:3, 7-8

Bells of Hope: “Alleluia”

Children’s Time

Choir Anthem: “Family of Faith“, Pepper Choplin

Gospel: Mark 9:30-37

Sermon: “Discipleship: The Challenge of Surrender and Sacrificial Love”, Pastor Kevin Murphy

Sermon Hymn: “Gather Us In”

Apostles Creed

Prayers of the Church

Offertory: “Melodie“, Stephanie Trenner

Offering Response: “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”

The Lord’s Prayer

Benediction

Sending Hymn: “We All Are One in Mission”

Dismissal

Postlude: “Postlude in G (Opus 134, No.6)”, Gustav Merkel