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How Shall We Live? “We Bear Witness”
August 31, 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 Deborah Frounfelker, Guest Pianist

Lighting of the Altar Candles

Call to Worship 

Leader: How do we speak to a broken world?
All: We bear witness to the testimony of God in our hearts.
Leader: When the world looks at the ways of Jesus and calls them lies and impractical ideals
All: We embody God’s love, living under the banner of Christ.
Leader: Let us worship God, the author of our testimony.

Opening Prayer  (UMC Discipleship)
All: Lord, we gather today under the banner of one testimony. We believe in your Son, Jesus Christ. He is the one you sent through many generations to bring us back into communion with you. It is because of him that we are able to cry out “Abba, Father!” We have access to you and that access is life giving. We have eternal life through Jesus Christ all because we believe. So, Lord, receive our worship; receive our praise. Find pleasure in our offerings, for we will bless you always. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.

*Opening Song He Is Lord UMH 177

He is Lord, he is Lord!
He is risen from the dead and he is Lord!
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord.

LISTENING

Scripture Reading: 1 John 5:9-13

If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

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

Message for All Ages

Sermon "We Bear Witness" -Rev. DV Yost

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Linktree with links from today's sermon: https://linktr.ee/arnoliaumc

RESPONDING

*Sermon Song Blessed Jesus at Thy Word UMH 596

1. Blessed Jesus, at thy word we are gathered all to hear thee;
let our hearts and souls be stirred now to seek and love and fear thee,
by thy teachings sweet and holy, drawn from earth to love thee solely.

2. All our knowledge, sense, and sight lie in deepest darkness shrouded,
till thy spirit breaks our night with the beams of truth unclouded.
Thou alone to God canst win us; thou must work all good within us.

3. Glorious Lord, thyself impart! Light of light, from God proceeding,
open thou our ears and heart; help us by thy spirit's pleading;
hear the cry thy people raises; hear, and bless our prayers and praises.

Prayers of the People

Leader: Lord, in your mercy, All: hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

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. Amen.

Offertory Deborah Frounfelker, Guest Pianist

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 95

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

*Prayer of Dedication (Worship Sourcebook)

All: God of glory, receive these gifts and the offering of our lives. As Jesus was lifted up from earth, draw us to your heart in the midst of this world, that all creation may be brought from bondage to freedom, from darkness to light, and from death to life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

SENDING

*Closing Song Open My Eyes That I May See UMH 454

1. Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!

2. Open my ears, that I may hear voices of truth thou sendest clear;
and while the wavenotes fall on my ear, everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!

3. Open my mouth, and let me bear gladly the warm truth everywhere;
open my heart and let me prepare love with thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!

*Benediction

Benediction Response

Postlude Deborah Frounfelker, Guest Pianist

Next Week

God Provides Blessings: "God's Good Creation" (Blessing of the Backpacks)
September 7th, 2025
Genesis 1:1-2:4 Rev. Yost Preaching

Annoucements

  • Fall Studies Begin on Tuesday, September 2nd.

  • YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL begins next Sunday (September 7th). 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!

This Week at Arnolia
  • Monday, September 1: Labor Day Church Office Closed
  • Tuesday, September 2: 8:30 – 11:30 AM Thrift Store accepting donations
  • Tuesday, September 2: Noon Pastor's Study
  • Tuesday, September 2: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Bible Study
  • Wednesday, September 3: 7:30 PM Rejuvenate Practice
  • Thursday, September 4: 10 AM – 2 PM Thrift Store Open
  • Friday, September 5: Pastor’s Sabbath - Church Office Closed
  • Sunday, September 7: 10 AM Worship Service (Blessing of the Backpacks)
  • The Church Office is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
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