May 18 Service

May 18, 2025 Worship Service Groveport UMC, Groveport Ohio To support the ministry of the church, please click here: https://groveportumc.org/give/ OPENING SONGS: “What a Mighty God We Serve” and “You Are My All in All” WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS OPENING PRAYER: Gracious and Loving God, we are grateful that you have called us together this day, drawing us from darkness to the glory of your light. May our spirits rejoice at the good news you have for us today. Open our hearts to your healing love, for we ask this in Christ’s Name. Amen. PRELUDE & LIGHTING OF THE ALTAR CANDLES: “Come Thou, Almighty King” *HYMN “Victory in Jesus” - #370 CALL TO WORSHIP: Leader: We are here because we have collected the hurts and hatreds of living through another week. People. We gather as the wounded people. Leader: We are here because we have also seen joy and hope, creativity and new life in the week we have just lived through. People: We gather as the wondering people. Leader: We are here because we believe that Christ is the power that brings life together and makes it whole. People: We gather as the worshiping people. We begin a new week as we celebrate resurrection — Christ’s victory over death, our victory over despair and hopelessness. We gather not to relive the past, but to be renewed that we might build the future. HYMN “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” #297 PRAYER OF CONFESSION: Patient God, sometimes we are just too busy for our own good. We pledge ourselves to hectic schedules, demands on time, energy, and resources that erode all too quickly. We seem to be rushing through life. The cries of those in need often go unheeded in our blur of activities which sap our energy, our resources, our spirits. Slow us down a bit, Lord. Remind us again that we are responsible for the care of this world, for reaching out and offering your healing love. Help us to hear the words of patient love that you have for us. Remind us again of Jesus’ words to his disciples when he told them that they should love one another as he loved them. May we take time to bear witness to that love in all that we do. For we ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN WORDS OF ASSURANCE RECOGNITION OF GRADUATES AND PRESENTATION OF SCHOLARSHIP AWARD FIRST SCRIPTURE READING: Jeremiah 29:11 OUR TIME OF PRAYER (During our time of prayer, the altar rail is open for all who wish to come forward.) HYMN “Sanctuary” PASTORAL PRAYER THE LORD’S PRAYER OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS: “The Old Rugged Cross” *DOXOLOGY *PRAYER OF DEDICATION CHILDREN’S MOMENTS (Children may be dismissed for Jr. Church at this time) SECOND SCRIPTURE READING: Revelation 21:1-6 SERMON “Skipping to the End” *HYMN “God Be with You Till We Meet Again” - #672 *BENEDICTION *SENDING FORTH “Because He Lives” chorus only POSTLUDE “There Shall Be Showers of Blessing”