August 9th

ANNOUNCEMENTS | PRELUDE

                          WE GATHER

GATHERING SONG 

        “Come Now, Almighty God“

WELCOME  – Callie Rivera

CALL TO WORSHIP – Ray Smith      

**Leader:** We come carrying stories that are not yet finished—
prayers still unanswered, wounds still healing, hopes still becoming.

**People:** We will not surrender the story to despair.
We will keep believing that love is still at work.

**Leader:** Scripture tells us that suffering can produce endurance,
endurance can shape character,
and character can give birth to hope.

**People:** Not a shallow hope that ignores the struggle,
but a stubborn hope that carries us through it.

**Leader:** We gather because none of us is meant to endure alone.
When one grows weary, another can carry hope.
When one loses the song, another can keep singing.

**People:** We may be tired, but we are not finished.
We may be uncertain, but we are not alone.

**Leader:** Here, we remind one another that failure is never the final word,
the darkest night is never the whole story,
and every life remains open to renewal.

**All:** So we gather to encourage one another,
to strengthen what is weary,
to kindle hope again,
and to keep believing together
that Love will find a way. Amen.

PRAISE AND WORSHIP

            “How Great Thou Art“

WE LISTEN

A BLESSING FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND SCHOOL STAFF  – Rev. David Wheeler & Callie Rivera

PASSING OF THE PEACE – Callie Rivera

[You may remain seated if you wish to reflect on your own.]

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN {Candle Lighting}

      “We Are a People of Hope“

SPECIAL MUSIC

        “Don’t Stop Believin“

PASTORAL PRAYER | LORD’S PRAYER – Rev. Wheeler

SERMON – Rev. Wheeler

“Don’t Stop Believin“

“Romans 5:1-5”

[Click Here to follow along with the verse or to look up different translations.]

WE FEAST

INVITATION TO COMMUNION – Rev. Wheeler

A GREAT THANKSGIVING 

        One: God is with us.

          All: With us now and forever!

        One: So lift up your hearts and voices.

          All: We lift them up to God!

       One: Let join in thanks and praise. 

          All: How right it is to do this together!

WORDS OF INSTITUTION – Rev. Wheeler

PRAYER FOR BREAD AND CUP – Ray Smith

COMMUNION SONG

        “Table of Love“

COMMUNION RESPONSE – Rev. Wheeler

Love has come. Love is here among us. Love will reign in fullness.

WE RESPOND

MINISTRY CONNECTION AND OFFERING INVITATION – Callie Rivera

                          Click here to give electronically.

*DOXOLOGY 

*OFFERING PRAYER – Ray Smith

*BENEDICTION – Rev. Wheeler

CLOSING SONG

        “Don’t Stop Believin“

POSTLUDE

*Please rise in body or spirit.

**All Communion bread is Gluten Free and Vegan