Sun. April 18, 2021

Welcome
To start today, will you say this prayer with me
Come Holy Spirit, come show us how we can be the spiritual heart of this community

I'm glad to be worshiping with you today!
Prayer is the single most powerful act of faith we can engage in every day. How do we start doing that, so we can experience God's power in that way?

From whichever platform your participating in worship today, let us know in the comments that you're here. Say hi! And say something about a time when you've seen the power of prayer at work

After you've done that, join in singing our first song

Take a look at the announcements below

Announcements
Monday 4/19: 3pm-5pm Food Pantry in the Fellowship Hall
Tuesday 4/20: 4pm Centering Prayer on live on our Facebook Page
5:30pm Prayer Group meeting in the downstairs Sunday School room

Don't forget to check out the April Newsletter

Join us in the Call to Worship
I'll say the words in regular type, and please reply with the words in bold
Leader: Almighty God, you have built your Church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
People: Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone.
Leader: Join us together in unity of spirit by their teaching,
that we may become a holy temple, acceptable to you:
People: through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
— from Starters for Sunday, posted on the website of the Church of Scotland.

Opening Prayer
O Good Shepherd, You desire to guide all into safety, refreshment and peace.
Meet us here today and Fill us with your love, that we may look into your world with your loving knowledge, welcome our sisters and brothers with your joy
and offer our lives with your generosity as members of your beloved community:
in your name we pray, Amen.
— written by Brian Draper, and posted on the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website.

Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, Witness
As people of faith, we share who we are with each other. Below I invite you to share your joys and concerns, your prayer requests, and your offerings. You can use the link below, or in the comments

Share a joy, concern, and/or prayer request

Remember that you can mail in your offerings to:

Marceline UMC
321 N Kansas Ave
Marceline, MO 64658

You can also give online. 

Take some time for some personal prayer, and take some time to give. This could be the time when you go online, or you write a check to the church, or when you make that commitment to give in a different way.

After the personal prayer, I'll say a prayer (if you're watching the video), and then join in saying the Lord's Prayer below.

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. 
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen 

Scripture Reading
Our scripture reading for worship is Acts 4:23-31
As you are able, please stand for the reading of God's Word.

23After their release, Peter and John returned to the brothers and sisters and reported everything the chief priests and elders had said. 24They listened, then lifted their voices in unison to God, “Master, you are the one who created the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. 25You are the one who spoke by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant:
“Why did the Gentiles rage”,
“and the peoples plot in vain?”
26“The kings of the earth took their stand”
“and the rulers gathered together as one”
“against the Lord and against his Christ.”
27Indeed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with Gentiles and Israelites, did gather in this city against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28They did what your power and plan had already determined would happen. 29Now, Lord, take note of their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with complete confidence. 30Stretch out your hand to bring healing and enable signs and wonders to be performed through the name of Jesus, your holy servant.” 31After they prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking God’s word with confidence.

Leader: This is the word of God, for the people of God
People: Thanks be to God!

Today's Message: The Believers Pray
What does it mean for believers to pray? It means we ask God to come, be present with us, show us his will, and help us to live that out. We are asking God to breakthrough to us, so that we can live the life he has called us to.

Our Response
As we have heard the message, will you join me in responding to it through the ancient creed of our faith.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Reflection Questions
Take a few moments to reflect on the message and our faith. Let us know your thoughts down in the comments!

When you're ready, join in our final song

Benediction
Just as God’s Word was sent into the world to heal and redeem,
so God sends you into the world this day to be light and love, healing and hope.
Go now to be light for the world!
And may the grace and peace of God the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Sustainer
come upon you this day and remain with you always. Amen.
— taken from “O Merciful God: God of Wisdom: Prayers for the Fourth Sunday in Lent,” written by Rev. Kathryn Matthews Huey and the Rev. Susan A. Blain.  Posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website.