SERVICE OF WORSHIP The Eleventh Sunday Aer Pentecost – August 16, 2020 – 10:00 a.m. Then God Answered Out of the Whirlwind by R. Michelson United in the Spirit, First United Methodist Church of Belmont exists to be more like Jesus Christ for our community and beyond THE REVEREND GEORGE RAGSDALE, SENIOR PASTOR 807 South Point Road // Belmont, NC 28012 P: 704-825-2106 // F: 704-825-2176 www.fumcbelmont.org WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS PRELUDE “Be Still My Soul” Larry Bradmon, French horn CALL TO WORSHIP We gather to worship the One who craed creation out of chaos. Our cries of joy join the anthems of the universe. We gather to li our praise to the God who gives us voice. We bring the songs which have echoed in our hearts all week long. We gather as the children of God, our joy unbroken in God's love. Let our joy resound through singing, teaching and reflecting on the word. HYMN “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes, most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise. Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might; thy justice like mountains high soaring above thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love. To all, life thou givest, to both great and small; in all life thou livest, the true life of all; we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, and wither and perish, but naught changeth thee. Thou reignest in glory; thou dwellest in light; thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight; all laud we would render: O help us to see 'tis only the splendor of light hideth thee. OPENING PRAYER Eternal God, your Spirit moved on the waters—and there was light, your first creation. You delight in your creation. You spread your colors of reds and golds, purples and greens for all to see. But we get caught up in speeding through life, looking for quick and easy answers, intent on accomplishing more, yet somehow enjoying less. Open our eyes to the wonder all around. Spin us around to see and appreciate. Let music touch our hearts and laughter fill our souls. Slow us down enough to marvel at the splendor around us and to offer a prayer of thanksgiving. Stir us to be a community of joy, a people of praise, a center of healing, and a gathering committed to your truth. Amen. PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Job (selected verses) This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. SERMON The Rev. George Ragsdale RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD HYMN “God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens” God, who stretched the spangled heavens, infinite in time and place, flung the suns in burning radiance through the silent fields of space, we your children, in your likeness, share inventive powers with you. Great Creator, still creating, show us what we yet may do. Proudly we rise our modern cities, stately buildings, row on row; yet their windows, blank, unfeeling, stare on canyoned streets below, where the lonely dri unnoticed in the city's ebb and flow, lost to purpose and to meaning, scarcely caring where they go. We have ventured worlds undreamed of since the childhood of our race; know the ecstasy of winging through untraveled realms of space; probed the secrets of the atom, yielding unimagined power, facing us with life's destruction or our most triumphant hour. As each far horizon beckons, may it challenge us anew, children of creative purpose, serving others, honoring you. May our dreams prove rich with promise, each endeavor well begun. Great Creator, give us guidance till our goals and yours are one. AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Nicene Creed We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. PRAYER OF INTERCESSION The Rev. Kristen Surratt Aer each petition we enter into the prayer together with these words: Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. OFFERTORY “Doxology of Praise” Larry Bradmon, French horn PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING THE LORD’S PRAYER CLOSING HYMN “God of the Sparrow, God of the Whale” God of the sparrow God of the whale God of the swirling stars How does the creature say Awe How does the creature say Praise God of the earthquake God of the storm God of the trumpet blast How does the creature cry Woe How does the creature cry Save God of the rainbow God of the cross God of the empty grave How does the creature say Grace How does the creature say Thanks God of the hungry God of the sick God of the prodigal How does the creature say Care How does the creature say Life God of the neighbor God of the foe God of the pruning hook How does the creature say Love How does the creature say Peace God of the ages God near at hand God of the loving heart How do your children say Joy How do your children say Home BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Allegro” J.S. Bach WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS PRELUDE “Be Still My Soul” Larry Bradmon, French horn CALL TO WORSHIP We gather to worship the One who craed creation out of chaos. Our cries of joy join the anthems of the universe. We gather to li our praise to the God who gives us voice. We bring the songs which have echoed in our hearts all week long. We gather as the children of God, our joy unbroken in God's love. Let our joy resound through singing, teaching and reflecting on the word. HYMN “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes, most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise. Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might; thy justice like mountains high soaring above thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love. To all, life thou givest, to both great and small; in all life thou livest, the true life of all; we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, and wither and perish, but naught changeth thee. Thou reignest in glory; thou dwellest in light; thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight; all laud we would render: O help us to see 'tis only the splendor of light hideth thee. OPENING PRAYER Eternal God, your Spirit moved on the waters—and there was light, your first creation. You delight in your creation. You spread your colors of reds and golds, purples and greens for all to see. But we get caught up in speeding through life, looking for quick and easy answers, intent on accomplishing more, yet somehow enjoying less. Open our eyes to the wonder all around. Spin us around to see and appreciate. Let music touch our hearts and laughter fill our souls. Slow us down enough to marvel at the splendor around us and to offer a prayer of thanksgiving. Stir us to be a community of joy, a people of praise, a center of healing, and a gathering committed to your truth. Amen. PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Job (selected verses) This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. SERMON The Rev. George Ragsdale RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD HYMN “God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens” God, who stretched the spangled heavens, infinite in time and place, flung the suns in burning radiance through the silent fields of space, we your children, in your likeness, share inventive powers with you. Great Creator, still creating, show us what we yet may do. Proudly we rise our modern cities, stately buildings, row on row; yet their windows, blank, unfeeling, stare on canyoned streets below, where the lonely dri unnoticed in the city's ebb and flow, lost to purpose and to meaning, scarcely caring where they go. We have ventured worlds undreamed of since the childhood of our race; know the ecstasy of winging through untraveled realms of space; probed the secrets of the atom, yielding unimagined power, facing us with life's destruction or our most triumphant hour. As each far horizon beckons, may it challenge us anew, children of creative purpose, serving others, honoring you.