Expect the Unexpected

November 13, 2022
Pastor Jacob Lee
Worship

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Service of Worship

Pavane
Arr. David Paxton
© 1990 Lorenz Publishing Company
Used by Permission. ONE LICENSE # A-401420

Leader: We gather in the beautiful space 
People: To worship an amazing God. 
Leader: Surrounded by art and craft made by hands like ours
 People: To give praise to the source of all our gifts 
Leader: We are blessed to have this space to call our church home. 
People: We are more blessed to be disciples of Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Leader: Let us worship in this place, giving praise to God
 People: We will worship in joy and in truth. Amen.

(Derek Weber, Discipleship Ministries)

Opening Hymn — #131 “We Gather Together”

1. We gather together
to ask the Lord’s blessing;
he chastens and hastens
his will to make known.
The wicked oppressing
now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to his name;
he forgets not his own.

2. Beside us to guide us,
our God with us joining,
ordaining, maintaining
his kingdom divine;
so from the beginning
the fight we were winning;
thou, Lord, wast at our side,
all glory be thine!

3. We all do extol thee,
thou leader triumphant,
and pray that thou still
our defender wilt be.
Let thy congregation
escape tribulation;
thy name be ever praised!
O Lord, make us free!

We Gather Together (Kremser)
Eduard Kremser | Theodore Baker
Public Domain

Pastor’s Time With the Children
Consecration of Church School Teachers

Trysta A
Raquel C
Mimi C
Virginia C
Lori C
Cleta C
Lynn DC
Jennifer D
Cheryl G
Jesse G
Jill L 
Liam L
Wylie L
Julianna L
Leah L
Vinci L
Maebel M
Paul M
Petty M
Mark M
Nhu M
Jen R
Flor R
Evelyn S
Kirby T
Yoly T
Darlene V

Joys and Concerns, Pastoral Prayer, Lord’s Prayer

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, the power, and glory forever. Amen.

For those who are called and able, gifts and tithes can still be made through online giving, by mailing them in, and by dropping them off to the office through the secure mail slot to the left of the double door entry to the church hallway.

Offertory – Rev. Jacob Lee

He Knows My Name
Tommy Walker
© 1996 Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Songs
Used by Permission. CCLI License # 656051

Doxology

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

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (Old 100th)
Louis Bourgeois | Thomas Ken
© Public Domain

Offertory Prayer

Holy God who calls us to the journey: it is so easy for us to become distracted so that we wander off the path you have put before us. The chaos of the world around us catches our attention, and we neglect the inner journey that keeps us closer to you. As we set aside this time to bring our gifts to you, may you draw our attention back to the wisdom and guidance that you put before us, and may it lead us to endurance that will carry us to kingdom presence! In Christ, we pray. Amen.

(Luke 21:5-19)

Scripture Reading — Luke 12:22-31 (NRSV)

22 He said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;a yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. 30 For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Response
The Word of the Lord:
Thanks be to God.

Congregational Choral Anthem — #405 “Seek Ye First” (v. 1, 2)

Seek Ye First
Karen Lafferty
© 1972 CCCM Music | Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing
Used by Permission. CCLI License # 656051

Sermon — Rev. Jacob Lee
“Expect the Unexpected”

Presentation of Covenants #405 “Seek Ye First”

(sing while pledges are collected by the ushers)

1. Seek ye first the kingdom of God
and his righteousness,
and all these things shall be added unto you.
Allelu, Alleluia!

2. Ask and it shall be given unto you;
seek and ye shall find;
knock, and the door shall be opened unto you.
Allelu, Alleluia!

Seek Ye First
Karen Lafferty
© 1972 CCCM Music | Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing
Used by Permission. CCLI License # 656051

Consecration of Our Covenants

Leader: Just as many hands make light work, so each doing their part brings in a great harvest of commitments and gifts to our God. Let us pray together our commitment prayer:
People: Gracious God, as we gather in this place, we faithfully consider the affairs, both temporal and spiritual, of First United Methodist Church of Torrance.
Leader: Bless us with unity of spirit and clarity of mind.
People: Grant us wisdom and discernment as we consider the best means for preserving and enhancing the ministry of this great church. Empower us to be instruments of radical hospitality.
Leader: Keep us mindful of the sacrifices made by those men and women who built this house of worship.
People: Surrounded as we are by that great cloud of witnesses, let us boldly follow in their footsteps as together we step forward in faith. Guide us as we respond to your call. Amen.

Blessing of the Pledge Cards

Closing Hymn — #451 “Be Thou My Vision”

1. Be thou my vision,
O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me,
save that thou art.
Thou my best thought,
by day or by night,
waking or sleeping,
thy presence my light.

2. Be thou my wisdom,
and thou my true word;
I ever with thee
and thou with me, Lord;
thou and thou only,
first in my heart,
great God of heaven,
my treasure thou art.

3. Great God of heaven,
my victory won,
may I reach heaven’s joys,
O bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart,
whatever befall,
Still be my vision,
O Ruler of all.

Be Thou My Vision (Slane)
Carlton Raymond Young | Eleanor Henrietta Hull | Mary Elizabeth Byrne
© Words: 1964, 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House
© Music: 1964 Abingdon Press
Used by Permission. CCLI License # 656051

Benediction

Postlude – Hani