Welcome

Breakthrough Prayer

Almighty God,

open our eyes to the hopes and possibilities you place before the church and in our lives.

Break through the barriers of our own making
 as we say ‘yes’ to following your Spirit 
on the path you illuminate before us.

Amen.

Call to Worship*

Blessed are you, O Lord of the Universe; you create the animals and give us the ability to train them and help us in our work.
O God, how wonderful are the works of your hands.

Blessed are you, O Lord of the Universe; for the sake of our comfort you bless us with pets as companions.
O God, how wonderful are the works of your hands.

Blessed are you, O Lord of the Universe; you care for us even as you care for the birds of the air.
O God, how wonderful are the works of your hands.

Blessed are you, O Lord of the Universe; you offered your Son to us as the passover lamb and in him willed that we should be called your children.
O God, your creation calls out in praise of your love and grace. Amen.

Song*

“His Eye Is on the Sparrow”
TFWS # 2146

VERSE 1
Why should I feel
discouraged?
Why should
the shadows come?
Why should my heart
be lonely
and long for heaven
and home,
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is he:
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me;
his eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.

REFRAIN
I sing because I’m happy,
(I’m happy,)

I sing because I’m free,

(I’m free,)

for his eye is on the sparrow,

and I know he watches me.

VERSE 2
“Let not your heart be troubled,”
his tender word I hear,
and resting on his goodness,
I lose my doubts and fears;
though by the path he leadeth
but one step I may see:
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me;
his eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.

REFRAIN
I sing because I’m happy,
(I’m happy,)

I sing because I’m free,

(I’m free,)

for his eye is on the sparrow,

and I know he watches me.

VERSE 3
Whenever I am tempted,
whenever clouds arise,
when song gives place to sighing,
when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to him,
from care he sets me free:
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me;
his eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.

REFRAIN
I sing because I’m happy,
(I’m happy,)

I sing because I’m free,

(I’m free,)

for his eye is on the sparrow,

and I know he watches me.

Time of Prayer
& The Lord’s Prayer

Following each petition:

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

At the conclusion of the pastoral 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.

Scripture

Mark 2:1–12 (CEB)

After a few days, Jesus went back to Capernaum, and people heard that he was at home. So many gathered that there was no longer space, not even near the door. Jesus was speaking the word to them. Some people arrived, and four of them were bringing to him a man who was paralyzed. They couldn’t carry him through the crowd, so they tore off part of the roof above where Jesus was. When they had made an opening, they lowered the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven!”

Some legal experts were sitting there, muttering among themselves, “Why does he speak this way? He’s insulting God. Only the one God can forgive sins.”

Jesus immediately recognized what they were discussing, and he said to them, “Why do you fill your minds with these questions? Which is easier—to say to a paralyzed person, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take up your bed, and walk’? But so you will know that the Human One has authority on the earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed, “Get up, take your mat, and go home.”

Jesus raised him up, and right away he picked up his mat and walked out in front of everybody. They were all amazed and praised God, saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this!”

This is the word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.

Common Ground: Responsibility

Invitations & Offering

Song of Praise*

“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”
UMH # 94

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below:

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Prayer of Dedication*

Wonderful Creator, we give you thanks for the people and animals in our lives that remind us of your constant love.

May we offer our gifts in pursuit of sharing those reminders with the community around us.

In Christ’s name we pray,
Amen.

Song*

“For the Healing of the Nations”
UMH # 428

VERSE 1
For the healing of the nations,
Lord, we pray with one accord;
for a just and
equal sharing
of the things
that earth affords;
to a life of love in action
help us rise and pledge our word,
(pledge our word)
help us rise and pledge our word.

VERSE 2
Lead us forward
into freedom;
from despair
your world release,
that, redeemed
from war and hatred,
all may come
and go in peace.
Show us how through
care and goodness
fear will die 
and hope increase,
(hope increase)
fear will die
and hope increase.

VERSE 3
All that kills
abundant living,
let it from the
earth be banned;
pride of status,
race, or schooling,
dogmas that
obscure your plan.
In our common
quest for justice
may we hallow
life’s brief span,
(life’s brief span)
may we hallow
life’s brief span.

VERSE 4
You, Creator God, have written
your great name
on humankind;
for our growing
in your likeness
bring the life of
Christ to mind,
that by our
response and service
earth its destiny
may find,
(may find)
earth its destiny
may find.

Blessing for All Animals
& Benediction

At this time, you are welcome to bring your pet forward for an individual blessing.

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