24 September 2023 Worship Service

September 20, 2023
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24 September 2023

 

~Please hold applause until after the Postlude~

Thank You

 

Musicians: Napa Valley Duo  Terry Winn & Jeffery Johnson

 

Prelude

 

Welcome: Pastor Audrey Ward

 

Contemplative Moment

 

*Singing:            This Is My Father’s World                                          #144

 

*Call to Worship:

One: Arriving in this sanctuary on Sunday morning is a privilege; we honor ourselves by taking time to be here, now.

     All: And, at the same time, we receive the gift of pleasure in this good company; we join our voices in song and in prayer as this celebration adds grace, mercy and compassion to our lives today.

Alleluia, Amen

 

Singing:                             Spirit Song                                                      #347                                                               

*Prayer for Illumination: All Together

Oh Lord who is Love Everlasting, enliven our gratitude and remind us of the joys of generosity. While we hear the stories of workers long ago in the fields Jesus walked, may we in this week to come notice the workers here in this valley. And so, let our awareness be enlarged and our empathy grow in scope, in power.

 

*Passing the Peace

 

Singing:                             More Like You                                              #2167

 

Scripture:         Psalm 34 (Stephen Mitchell translation)

All:        Thanks be to God.

 

Scripture:         Matthew 20:1-16 (The Message)

All:        Thanks be to God.

 

Special Music:

 

Moment of Silence

 

Message:                          But What’s Fair?                                  Audrey Ward

                             

Prayers of the People

 

Pastoral Prayer

 

The Lord’s Prayer

 

Lighting Candles for Silent Prayers

 

Offering Our Gifts

 

*Singing:                                          The Doxology                                                  #95

                                                            Amen                                                          #2072

 

Announcements

 

*Singing:                                          Shalom                                                         #666                                                                                                                               

*Benediction

 

Postlude

 

 

love is more thicker than forget

more thinner than recall

more seldom than a wave is wet

more frequent than to fail

(e e Cummings)

 

24 September 2023

 

A Word About Applause

 

The worship committee discussed this week what seems to be confusion in whether or not to applaud after special music and here’s what we concluded:

 

Many come to this sanctuary for solace, comfort and an opportunity to be quiet with their own heart’s response to the music, prayers and silence. We intend to be respectful of each person’s experience. Both musicians and parishioners have mentioned that there are times when the clapping interrupts their contemplative moments.

 

And so, please hold your applause until the end of the service. After the Postlude, you will be invited to appreciate our musicians and participants; to cheer with all the exuberance you choose to invest. Thank you, always, from our hearts for your cooperation.

 

Considerations for Assembly

  • A wheelchair accessible ramp and entrance is located on Oak Street side of the Church.
  • We will continue to livestream our service on the church YouTube page.

 

 

 

 

Thank you!

for choosing the United Methodist Church of St Helena

1310 Adams St, St Helena, CA 94574

office: (707) 963-2839, info@sthelenaunitedmethodistchurch.org

 

Pastor Audrey Ward 510.508.3574 (cell)

~ By appointment only ~

Office is open on Tuesday Mornings & Wednesday afternoons.

www.sthelenaunitedmethodistchurch.org