About this Sermon |
About this Series |
Exploring Generosity: Snapshots from the Gospel of Mark
Have you ever wondered what the virtue of generosity really looks like?
In 2 Corinthians, Paul encourages Christians to cultivate a spirit of generosity within themselves, but what does that mean? What does it look like? How can we be generous? Can you be generous if you don’t have much money?
And, how does the concept of generosity relate to things like stewardship, offerings, and tithes? Do we have to be generous until it hurts? Will our generosity be returned to us in this life? What are the markers of generosity? What might it look like for me to cultivate generosity within myself? What would it look like if we cultivated generosity amongst our congregation?
Join us as we explore this conversation by looking at a few snapshots of generosity taken by Jesus that we find in the Gospel of Mark.
Order of Worship |
Sunday, October 25, 2020
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Prelude – “We Gather Together” arr. Carter – Melanie Manges
Welcome to Worship – Sylvia Mohler
Gathering Song – “Sanctuary”
Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary,
Pure and holy, tried and true;
With thanksgiving,
I’ll be a living sanctuary for you. (Repeat)
Call to Worship – (written by Sharon Kirkpatrick Felton*) – Sylvia Mohler
Generosity: the quality of being kind.
Plentiful.
Abundant.
Lavish.
Not selfish.
Willing to share.
Generous in spirit.
Come now to worship the God
who is the very definition of generosity,
and who calls each of us to be generous as well.
*Copyright 2015 Institute for Faith & Learning at Baylor University.
Hymn of Praise – “We Gather Together”
(Verse 1) We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens his will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,
Sing praises to his name: he forgets not his own.
(Verse 2) Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning,
Thou, Lord, wast at our side, all glory be thine!
Children’s Sermon – Rev. Hood
October Missions Moment – World Missions Offering Video
Invitation to Prayer – Rev. Hood
“Children of the Heavenly Father” arr. Hughes
Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer – Rev. Hood
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in 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.
New Testament Reading – 2 Corinthians 9:6-12 – Rev. Hood
Special Music – “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” arr. Larry Shackley
Sermon – A Generous Church – Rev. Hood
Hymn of Thanksgiving – “God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending”
(Verse 1) God, whose giving knows no ending, from your rich and endless store:
Nature’s wonder, Jesus’ wisdom, costly cross, grave’s shattered door,
Gifted by you, we turn to you, offering up ourselves in praise;
Thankful song shall rise forever, gracious donor of our days.
(Verse 3) Treasure, too, you have entrusted, gain through powers your grace conferred;
Ours to use for home and kindred, and to spread the Gospel Word.
Open wide our hands in sharing, as we heed Christ’s ageless call,
Healing, teaching, and reclaiming, serving you by loving all.
Offering – Rev. Hood
Almighty God, giver of every good and perfect gift,
Teach us to give to you all that we have and all that we are,
That we might praise you not with our words only,
But with our whole lives. Amen.
Offertory – ““Blessed Jesus, We Are Here”” by Bach – Melanie Manges
Doxology – Melanie Manges
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below,
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Announcements – Rev. Hood
Benediction – Rev. Hood
Postlude – “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” Nageli – Melanie Manges
Worship Leaders in this Service:
- Sylvia Mohler, Worship Leader
- Kamryn Dehn & Shayne Grant, Music Ministry Interns
- Melanie Manges, Organist/Pianist
- Mr. Matt Hood, Director of Music Ministry
- Rev. Lisa Williams Hood, Senior Pastor
- Mr. Aurie Swartz, Director of Communications & Technology
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