Order of Worship for July 13, 2025: Come, Sinners to the Gospel Feast - Lisa Williams, preaching

Call to Worship - Those of you joining us from home are invited to light a candle to welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit

Is He Worthy - El Dorado

Welcome - Stephen Folds

Take You at Your Word - El Dorado

Passing of the Peace: Through the act of passing the peace of Christ, we offer our sincere desire to love our neighbor.
You are invited to greet one another in the live stream chat on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP: 

After the devastating floods left 51 dead in Kerrville, Texas, many have asked how they can pray and support the community. The Rio Texas Conference shared on Facebook that as they continue to assess the impact of the flooding along the Guadalupe River and surrounding communities, one of the most effective ways you can help right now is through financial gifts.

Bishop Harvey and the Disaster Response Team encourage churches and individuals to contribute to the Rio Texas Conference Disaster Response Advance #2050, noting “Guadalupe River Flood” on your gift.

How to give:

  • Churches: If taking an offering, please send collected gifts to the Rio Texas Conference office, designated to Advance #2050 — Guadalupe River Flood.

  • Individuals: You may give through your local church, or mail contributions directly to the conference office at: Rio Texas Conference, 16400 Huebner Rd., San Antonio, TX 78248

Your generosity will support immediate needs in the affected areas. They are also working with UMCOR on securing an initial grant to aid our response. The conference will continue sharing updates on their Facebook page and disaster response website at: https://riotexasresponse.org

UMCOR has also committed to providing response to this disaster, and you can give to their US Disaster Response and Recovery fund at this link. 

https://riotexasresponse.org

On June 13, Israel launched illegal and unprovoked attacks on Iran, with Iran retaliating with ballistic missile strikes and drone attacks on Israel. This represents an unprecedented escalation, with hundreds of civilians killed and residential buildings and civilian infrastructure destroyed. The U.S. did not take part in the attacks but has provided support in weapons to Israel.

We call on the U.S. to commit to no direct military engagement and instead engage in direct diplomacy with Iran.

Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY), and Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) have introduced War Powers Resolutions which would clarify there is no authorization for the U.S. to enter the war. Congress must assert their constitutional authority and resist U.S. involvement in another endless war in the Middle East.

Furthermore, the Israeli strikes were timed to derail negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. The only way forward for the U.S. is to de-escalate, prioritize diplomacy, stop weapons to Israel, and refrain from direct involvement in the conflict.

As United Methodists, “We reject the use of war as an instrument of foreign policy and insist that every peaceful and diplomatic means of resolution be exhausted before the start of armed conflicts.” Social Principles, Political Community, Government Responsibilities, F., War and Military Service

This latest escalation is happening in the context of a year and a half of Israeli bombing of Gaza as well as Israeli attacks on Yemen, Lebanon, and Syria. War is never in the interests of anyone around the world.

We as people of faith must call on our elected officials to oppose war and support diplomacy. Contact your Senators and Representatives today ask them to support the Iran War Powers Resolution.

July 16: Chapter 32 - in person at Center Pointe Villas  in Norwalk

Know Your Rights:

You have constitutional rights:

• DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR if an immigration agent is knocking on the door.

• DO NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS from an immigration agent if they try to talk to you. You have the right to remain silent.

• DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING without first speaking to a lawyer. You have the right to speak with a lawyer.

• If you are outside of your home, ask the agent if you are free to leave and if they say yes, leave calmly.

• GIVE THIS CARD TO THE AGENT. If you are inside of your home, show the card through the window or slide it under the door.

I do not wish to speak with you, answer your questions, or sign or hand you any documents based on my 5th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution.

I do not give you permission to enter my home based on my 4th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution unless you have a warrant to enter, signed by a judge or magistrate with my name on it that you slide under the door.

I do not give you permission to search any of my belongings based on my 4th Amendment rights.

I choose to exercise my constitutional rights.

These cards are available to citizens and noncitizens alike.

CALL TO PRAYER: Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast - Charles Wesley, 1747 - El Dorado

Joys and Concerns: Prayers of the People We believe that the best way to bear our burdens is to share them with one another. You welcome to share your joys and concerns so that our community can hold these things in our hearts as we lift them to God together. 

You are invited to share your prayers in the Facebook Live Chat, or on the YouTube Live chat.

Gospel Lesson: Luke 14:16-24, NRSV

Then Jesus said to him, “Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is ready now.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my regrets.’ Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets.’ Another said, ‘I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, ‘Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ And the slave said, ‘Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.’ Then the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.’ ”

One: This is the word of God for us, the People of God.
All: Thanks be to God!

Sermon: Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast, Lisa Williams, preaching

HOLY COMMUNION

All are welcome to come forward to be  anointed individually.
If you like, you may come as an individual, or with your spouse or partner, children, or with friends and family of choice. All are welcomed. All are loved. 

Invitation to the Table: As we understand the Body of Christ to be inclusive, we understand God’s table of grace and fellowship can extend into our homes. As you’re able, bring your own elements to this time.

Bread, Juice, Coffee, Muffins… the Body of Christ is comprised of wonder and mystery. Today, we celebrate that God can reach us where we are, even if we are not together.

The Great Mystery of our Faith
All: Christ has died
Christ is risen. 
Christ will come again.

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, 
for ever and ever. Amen.

MUSIC: On Time God - El Dorado

Benediction

And remember:
God is with you,
God is for you, 
God refuses to be God without you. 
And may all of God’s people say: Amen!

Donate