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God Proivides Blessings "God's Good Creation" (Blessing of the Backpacks)
August 7, 2025 - 10:00 a.m.

*Please stand in body or in spirit. Congregational responses are in bold and preceded by "All"

GATHERING

Welcome and Announcements

Invitation and Sharing of Peace

Leader: Peace be with you. All: And also with you.

Prelude How Great is Our God - Rejuvenate

Lighting of the Altar Candles

Call to Worship (clergy stuff)

Leader: God said, “Let there be light!”
All:  And it was good.
Leader: God said, “Let us make human beings in our image.”
All:  And it was good.
Leader: God calls us now into God’s holy presence.
All:  And it is very good!

Opening Prayer  (clergy stuff)
All: God who speaks, Your Word brought all that is into existence. Speak again into our present time your creating power, and continue to make us new with each passing day. Make us co-creators with you, that we might speak your words of love and compassion into a world in need, so that all might know your justice and peace. In Jesus’ holy name we pray. Amen.

*Opening Song Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness TFWS 2120

Spirit Spirit of gentleness
Blow through the wilderness
Calling and free
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness
Stir me from placidness
Wind, wind on the sea

1. You moved on the waters
You called to the deep
Then You coaxed up the mountains
From the valleys of sleep
And over the eons
You called to each thing
Wake from your slumbers
And rise on your wings

Spirit Spirit of gentleness
Blow through the wilderness
Calling and free
Spirit Spirit of restlessness
Stir me from placidness
Wind wind on the sea

2. You swept through the desert
You stung with the sand
And You goaded Your people
With a law and a land
And when they were blinded
With their idols and lies
Then You spoke through Your prophets
To open their eyes

Spirit Spirit of gentleness
Blow through the wilderness
Calling and free
Spirit Spirit of restlessness
Stir me from placidness
Wind wind on the sea

3. You sang in a stable
You cried from a hill
Then You whispered in silence
When the whole world was still
And down in the city
You called once again
When You blew through Your people
On the rush of the wind

Spirit Spirit of gentleness
Blow through the wilderness
Calling and free
Spirit Spirit of restlessness
Stir me from placidness
Wind wind on the sea

4. You call from tomorrow
You break ancient schemes
From the bondage of sorrow
The captives dream dreams
Our women see visions
Our men clear their eyes
With bold new decisions
Your people arise

LISTENING

Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:1-2:4a

Leader: This is the Word of God for the people of God. All: Thanks be to God.

Message for All Ages (Extended with Blessing of the Backpacks)

Sermon "God's Good Creation" -Rev. DV Yost

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Submit a prayer request at arnolia.org/pray..

RESPONDING

*Sermon Song Morning Has Broken UMH 145

1 Morning has broken
like the first morning,
blackbird has spoken
like the first bird.
Praise for the singing!
Praise for the morning!
Praise for them, springing
fresh from the Word!

2 Sweet the rain’s new fall
sunlit from heaven,
like the first dewfall
on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness
of the wet garden,
sprung in completeness
where God’s feet pass.

3 Mine is the sunlight!
Mine is the morning
born of the one light
Eden saw play!
Praise with elation,
praise every morning,
God’s recreation
of the new day!

Prayers of the People

Leader: God of Promise, All: hear our prayer.

Offertory 

Your presence is a gift. If you would like to make a financial contribution, you can do so online.

*Offering Response 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 Chris,t whose power uplifts
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit
Alleluia alleluia alleluia

*Prayer of Dedication (clergy stuff)

All: You have spoken into being all that is—all we have and all we are. Accept now our gifts and our tithes out of the abundance of what you have given to us, that they might be put to use in the care and nurture of all you have created. Amen.

Communion Sung Response TFWS 2257a-d

Leader: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

...

All: Holy, holy, holy Lord; God of power and might.
Heaven and heart are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest!
Blest is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest!

...

All: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. 
Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest!

...

The Lord’s Prayer (Spoken)

All: 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.

Sung: Amen, Amen, Amen.
Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest!


Sharing the Bread and Cup 

All are welcome to receive communion.  We serve bread and individual juice cups or prepackaged wafers and juice.  Gluten-free is also available. If you would like to be served in your seat, let the ushers know.

SENDING

*Closing Song Let All Things Now Living TFWS 2008

1. Let all things now living,  song of thanksgiving
To God the Creator, triumphantly raise
Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us
Who still guides us on to the end of our days
God's banners are o'er us, God's light goes before us
A pillar of fire shining forth in the night
Till shadows have vanished and darkness is banished
As forward we travel from light into light

2. The law God enforces, the stars in their courses
and sun in its orbit obediently shine;
The hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains
The deeps of the ocean proclaim the divine
We, too should be voicing our love and rejoicing
With glad adoration a song let us raise
Till all things now living unite in thanksgiving
To God in the highest Hosanna and praise

*Benediction

Benediction Response

Postlude 

Next Week

God Provides Blessings: "Abraham and Isaac"
September 14th, 2025
Genesis 21:1-3, 22:1-14 Rev. Yost Preaching

Annoucements

  • Our Fall Studies are in full swing:

  • YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL has begun. 9:15 AM - 9:45 AM in Rev. Yost's office. Google Meet link available upon request.

  • 2025 FALL FLEA MARKET:  Arnolia’s Fall Flea Market will be held on Saturday, September 20 (rain date Saturday, September 27) from 9 AM to 2 PM.  Sign-up sheets for volunteers will be posted on the bulletin board outside the sanctuary.  Contact Drennan Nickerson or the church office if you have any questions.  We hope that you will join us for the Fall Flea Market!

  • TRUNK OR TREAT: We're partnering with Woodhome and Activeminds again this year to host Trunk-Or-Treat on October 15th. 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM. With setup around 5 PM. To sign up to bring candy or a decorated trunk, either sign up on the sheet in the sanctuary hallway or send us an email. 
This Week at Arnolia
  • The Thrift Store is closed for donations and shopping this week. Volunteers appreciated for sorting through donations.
  • Tuesday, September 9: Noon Pastor's Study
  • Tuesday, September 9: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Bible Study
  • Thursday, September 11: 6:15 PM Celebration Ringers Rehearsal & 7:30 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal
  • Friday, September 12: Pastor’s Sabbath - Church Office Closed
  • Sunday, September 14: 10 AM Worship Service 
  • Sunday, September 14: 11:15 AM Leadership Team Meeting
  • The Church Office is open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
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