Sunday Worship, Jan 23, 8&10AM. Online/In-Person

Better than a happy new year, we wish you a blessed year!
So we turn our direction to the Beatitudes meaning blessedness.
Jesus looks at you and says, “Blessed are you who are…”
Come and listen to what he has to say for a blessed year 2022 in your life.

Both of our 8 & 10AM services continue to be livestreamed https://www.facebook.com/LodiUMC

Order of Worship
January 23, 2022

CALL TO WORSHIP     Mark Affeldt (8AM), Debra Oetzman (10AM)
One: This is the place of worship and of praise.
All: We are glad to be here!
One: These are the friends who are with us in joy and in sorrow.
All: We rejoice in their presence!
One: This is the faith community through which compassion and justice become possible.
All: We will accept the responsibility.
One: This is the Good News that Jesus proclaimed in deed and word.
All: O Most Gracious and Loving God, we will follow your Way of Blessedness.

* HYMN OF ENTRANCE    Come and Find the Quiet Center (The Faith We Sing #2128)
1 Come and find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead,
find the room for hope to enter, find the frame where we are freed
Clear the chaos and the clutter, clear our eyes, that we can see
all the things that really matter, be at peace, and simply be.

2 Silence is a friend who claims us, cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us, knows our being, touches base,
making space within our thinking, lifting shades to show the sun,
raising courage when we’re shrinking, finding scope for faith begun.

3 In the Spirit let us travel, open to each other’s pain,
let our loves and fears unravel, celebrate the space we gain
There’s a place for deepest dreaming, there’s a time for heart to care,
in the Spirit’s lively scheming there is always room to spare!

* PRAYER OF THE DAY
Speak to us, Lord, fill us with your Spirit, guide us with the wisdom of the Beatitudes, as you said,
Blessed are the poor… not the penniless, but those whose heart is free.
Blessed are those who mourn… not those who whimper, but those who are able to grieve for others.
Blessed are the meek… not the weak-willed, but those who patient and tolerant.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice… not those who whine, but those who struggle.
Blessed are the merciful… not those who forget, but those who forgive.
Blessed are the pure in heart… not those who act like angels, but those whose life is transparent.
Blessed are the peacemakers… not those who shun conflict, but those who face it squarely.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for justice… not because they suffer, but because they love.
For these reasons, may we be blessed and find God’s mercy and favor. Amen.

PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
With a gentle spirit and an open heart, let us offer one another signs of Christ’s peace:
The peace of Christ be with you, always. And also with you.

SHARING JOYS AND CONCERNS  Please share your prayer requests and joys. Type them in the comment section.

PASTORAL PRAYER

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. Amen.

SONG FOR ILLUMINATION    Wonderful Words of Life (United Methodist Hymn #600, st.1)
Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life;
let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;
words of life and beauty teach me faith and duty.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.

SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 11:28-30 [Jesus said,] “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

MESSAGE   Beatitudes 2

TIME OF DEDICATION   Thank you for living your faith by sharing your gifts with God’s world through your church. Online Giving: www.LodiUMC.org/Give
We thank you, God, that you have blessed us with many gifts.
May this offering of our life and labor reveal your love and power of gentleness
that the weary and heavy burdened find solace in you,
hardened souls may be touched by you and we all may walk in humble gratitude.
in your kind and loving name, we pray, Amen.

HYMN OF FAITH      Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service (United Methodist Hymn #581)
1 Lord, whose love in humble service Bore the weight of human need,
Who upon the cross, forsaken, Offered mercy’s perfect deed
We, your servants, bring the worship Not of voice alone, but heart,
Consecrating to your purpose Every gift that you impart.
2 Still your children wander homeless Still the hungry cry for bread
Still the captives long for freedom Still in grief we mourn our dead.
As, O Lord, your deep compassion Healed the sick and freed the soul,
Use the love your Spirit kindles Still to save and make us whole.
3 As we worship, grant us vision, Till your love’s revealing light
In its height and depth and greatness Dawns upon our quickened sight,
Making known the needs and burdens Your compassion bids us bear,
Stirring us to tireless striving, Your abundant life to share.
4 Called by worship to your service, Forth in your dear name we go,
To the child, the youth, the aged, Love in living deeds to show
Hope and health, good will and comfort, Counsel, aid and peace we give,
That your servants, Lord, in freedom May your mercy know and live.

DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING

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