If you are a first-time attendee or a long-time member; if you are black, brown, white or anything in between; if you are gay, straight, bisexual, lesbian, or transgender; if you are a Native American

or an immigrant friend; if you are lay or clergy, male or female, gender neutral or non-binary, young or old, abled or differently-abled, rich or poor; no matter what you believe or what you

doubt, no matter what you count on, or what you question, you are not only welcome here, you are celebrated here!

We acknowledge that you are a gift of the Creator, and an individual wonder of God’s creation. Together, we are family of God,

because we are gathered in the name of the One who makes us one.

St. John’s has been affiliated with Reconciling Ministries Network since 1998, when we adopted a statement affirming the sacred worth of all God’s children, including lesbian,

gay, bisexual, and transgender people. We celebrate our diversity, and we welcome all people to join us in our journey together toward greater understanding and mutual respect.

ENTRANCE

Gathering Rev. Kevin Young Prelude Prelude Anton Bruckner (1824 - 1896) Call to Worship Leslie Cranford

Our gathering together is a form of prayer that affects and transforms us, So our gathering together also affects and transforms the world in which we live. Our gathering together is a prayer to God; A prayer of praise for our existence, A prayer of praise for our place and purpose, A prayer of praise for our sustenance, A prayer of praise to the One in whom we live, and move, and have our being. So, while we pray, let us dwell in this moment, unhurried. Let us take a higher look at what we’re doing. Let us give our attention to the sounds and the silence, to what we see and hear, to what we experience and what we miss. Let us give our attention to what God is doing. Let us worship. Let us pray.

Hymn of Praise, No. 715 The United Methodist Hymnal Rejoice, the Lord is King DARWALL’S 148th

THE WORSHIP OF GOD 10:30A.M.

1. Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore;

mortals, give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore.

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice; rejoice; again I say, rejoice.

2. Jesus the Savior reigns, the God of truth and love;

when he had purged our stains, he took his seat above.

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice; rejoice; again I say, rejoice.

3. His kingdom cannot fail; he rules o'er earth and heaven;

the keys of earth and hell are to our Jesus given.

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice; rejoice; again I say, rejoice.

4. Rejoice in glorious hope!

Jesus the Judge shall come, and take his servants up

to their eternal home. We soon shall hear th'archangel's voice;

the trump of God shall sound, rejoice!

Pastoral Prayer Rev. Kevin Young Let us pray: We offer our praise for your abiding presence....on behalf of ourselves and our neighbors, on behalf of your creation and all creatures great and small, with which we share the stewardship of life.

A time of silence is kept while worshipers pray.

Loving God, open our minds...as you are one with us in Jesus the Son. Amen.

The Peace The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. Let us share with one another signs of Christ’s peace.

All are invited to share expressions of peace through posts, or texts, or with gestures that are safe among

those with whom you may be viewing this livestream. Act of Praise Corbin Despain, tenor The Lord’s Prayer Albert Hay Malotte

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, for ever and ever. Amen.

PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE

Gospel Lesson Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 Lindsey Sobehrad

He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."

He told them another parable: "The heavenly realm is like yeast that someone took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened."

"The heavenly rule is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in their joy they go and sell all that they have and buy that field.

"Again, the dominion of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, they go and sell all that they have and buy it.

"Again, the sovereignty of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

"Have you understood all this?" They answered, "Yes." And he said to them, "Therefore every

scribe who has been trained for the divine sphere is like the head of a household who brings out of their treasure what is new and what is old." For the gift of the gospel of Jesus the Christ, Thanks be to God.

A Time for Young Disciples Avery Hendrickson Hymn No. 147 The United Methodist Hymnal All Things Bright and Beautiful ROYAL OAK

Refrain only:

All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful: the Lord God made them all.

Sermon Rev. Kevin Young

The Intrusive “Like” Hymn of Response, No. 532 The United Methodist Hymnal Jesus, Priceless Treasure JESU MEINE FREUDE

THANKSGIVING Offering Prayer of Dedication

Let us pray: We offer our gifts to you this day, God, as a people who have heard your call to us, and as a people who long for the day when your reign is fully realized, and your will is ful-filled on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Offertory Anthem My Eternal King Jane Marshall

1. Jesus, priceless treasure, source of purest pleasure,

truest friend to me, long my heart hath panted,

till it well-nigh fainted, thirsting after thee.

Thine I am, O spotless Lamb, I will suffer naught to hide thee,

ask for naught beside thee.

2. In thine arms I rest me; foes who would molest me

cannot reach me here. Though the earth be shaking,

every heart be quaking, Jesus calms our fear;

sin and hell in conflict fell with their heaviest storms assail

us; Jesus will not fail us.

3. Hence, all thoughts of sadness! For the Lord of gladness,

Jesus, enters in. Those who love the Father,

though the storms may gather, still have peace within;

yea, whate'er we here must bear, still in thee lies purest pleasure,

Jesus, priceless treasure!

My God, I love Thee; not because I hope for heav’n

thereby, Nor yet because who love Thee

not Must die eternally.

Thou, O my Jesus, Thou didst me

Upon the cross embrace; For me didst bear the nails, the

nails and spear, And manifold disgrace.

Why, then why, O blessed Jesus Christ,

Should I not love Thee well? Not for the hope of winning

heav’n, Or of escaping hell;

Not with the hope of gaining aught,

Not seeking a reward; But as Thyself hast loved me,

O ever-loving Lord!

E’en so I love Thee, and will love, And in Thy praise will sing;

Solely because Thou art my God, And my Eternal King.

*Doxology and Presentation of Gifts

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below: Allleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

SENDING FORTH Acts of Faith Rev. Kevin Young Hymn of Faith, No. 144 The United Methodist Hymnal This Is My Father’s World TERRA BEATA

Benediction Rev. Kevin Young

Let us go from this time of worship in the name of the seed-planting, fish-netting, bread-baking, pearl-hunting God, who shapes our lives into living parables so that we might be instruments of truth and understanding, healing and creativity, light and peace. Go to love and serve in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Please remain online for the Postlude.

Postlude Clint Barrick Prelude in A minor J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

1. This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears

all nature sings, and round me rings

the music of the spheres. This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought

of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;

his hand the wonders wrought.

2. This is my Father's world, the birds their carols raise,

the morning light, the lily white, declare their maker's praise.

This is my Father's world: he shines in all that's fair;

in the rustling grass I hear him pass;

he speaks to me everywhere.

3. This is my Father's world. O let me ne'er forget

that though the wrong seems oft so strong,

God is the ruler yet. This is my Father's world:

why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King; let the heavens

ring! God reigns; let the earth be glad!

“Shine” Mike Moyers

“A painting of a simple candle remind-ing us to be light to the world."

"It is an honor and a joy to share my work with you. For years, I have illus-trated, designed and directed many book covers, ads, logos, commercials and campaigns. However, my deeper side is the life of a fine artist. I love to paint with the palette knife to keep my work loose, textured and bold. You will see that I paint all kinds of subjects. My deepest passion, however, is to use fine art to communicate matters of faith. I firmly believe that art is a commun-ion with the soul. Through my art, I strive to make known the beauty and wonder of life and faith. The pieces in this exhibit are inspired by things that have touched my life in a meaningful way. They range from plein air and im-pressionism to abstract and conceptu-al. My hope is to successfully com-municate those inspirations so that you might be touched as well."