A Talking Donkey?!?

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Service of Worship

Prelude – Hani (previously recorded)

Meditation from Organ Sonata No.3
Felix Mendelssohn
Public Domain

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Opening Prayer
Strength is commanding
the wind and sea to obey,
Strength is wielding
a slingshot in the face of a raging giant.
Strength is accepting vulnerability
from inside the boat,
Strength is standing in solidarity
with the powerless.
Strength is turning a cheek,
Strength is loving an enemy.
We come to worship
a God who redefines our vision of strength.

Opening Song Nobody Loves Me Like You

Verse 1
Morning I see You in the sunrise every morning
It’s like a picture that You’ve painted for me
A love letter in the sky

Verse 2
Story I could’ve had a really different story
But You came down from Heaven to restore me
Forever saved my life

Chorus 1
Nobody loves me like You love me Jesus
I stand in awe of Your amazing ways
I worship You as long as I am breathing
God You are faithful and true
Nobody loves me like You

Verse 3
Mountains You’re breaking down
The weight of all my mountains
Even when it feels like I’m surrounded
You never leave my side oh

Chorus 1
Nobody loves me like You love me Jesus
I stand in awe of Your amazing ways
I worship You as long as I am breathing
God You are faithful and true
Nobody loves me like You

Bridge
Oh what a song to sing
Oh what a song to sing
Oh what a song to sing
Oh what a song my heart keeps singing
Oh what a song to sing
Oh what a song to sing
Oh what a song to sing
Jesus You love me
And I love You God

Chorus 2
Nobody loves me like You love me Jesus
I stand in awe of Your amazing ways
I worship You as long as I am breathing
God I worship You
Forever worship You

Ending
Nobody loves me like You love me Jesus
I stand in awe of Your amazing ways
Nobody loves me like You
Nobody loves me like You

Nobody Loves Me Like You
Ed Cash | Scott Cash
© 2018 Capitol CMG Paragon | McTyeire Music | S. D. G. Publishing
Used by Permission. CCLI License # 656051

Scripture Reading — Numbers 22:21-31 (NRSV)

21 So Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the officials of Moab.

22 God’s anger was kindled because he was going, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the road as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 The donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand; so the donkey turned off the road, and went into the field; and Balaam struck the donkey, to turn it back onto the road. 24 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it scraped against the wall, and scraped Balaam’s foot against the wall; so he struck it again. 26 Then the angel of the LORD went ahead, and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it lay down under Balaam; and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. 28 Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” 29 Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me! I wish I had a sword in my hand! I would kill you right now!” 30 But the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I been in the habit of treating you this way?” And he said, “No.”

31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road, with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed down, falling on his face.

Children’s Time with Ms Becky

Announcements, Joys and Concerns, and Pastoral Prayer

Pastoral Prayer
O God, You who are always doing a new thing,
we confess that we sometimes close windows
against the fresh air of new ideas,
against the noise of other people’s worries,
against the winds of change.

God of every place and time,
we confess that we often draw the curtains
against people who are different,
against world news or community concerns.

Forgive us our insulation in our locked homes,
our shuttered churches,
the security systems on our hearts.
Open up our lives,
and let your Spirit blow through. Amen.

Offering Our Gifts to the Lord
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 — Leah and Rachelle

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

Loving God of both comfort and challenge; we have been blessed to know the feeling of being surrounded in your loving arms like a child. Yet we also know that is not a place we can stay. You send us to be part of the world – with all its ugliness, anger, hate, deceit, and betrayals – but not of the world. You call us to give, so that love, compassion, and hope might be set loose. We are not giving as those who are of the world – expecting to receive in the transaction. We give instead out of gratitude for your loving heart, made known to us in Christ. Use us in this way, we pray in the blessed name of Christ, who by your love overcame death. Amen.

Sermon – Pastor Stacy Dickson
A Talking Donkey?!?

Closing Song Enough

Verse 1
You are my supply
my breath of life
Still more awesome than I know
You are my reward
worth living for
Still more awesome than I know

Chorus
All of You is more than enough for all of me,
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You
is more than enough

Verse 2
You’re my sacrifice
of greatest price
Still more awesome than I know
You’re my coming King
You are everything
Still more awesome than I know

Chorus
All of You is more than enough for all of me,
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You
is more than enough

Bridge (2x)
More than all I want
more than all I need
You are more than enough for me
More than all I know
more than all I can see
You are more than enough

Chorus
All of You is more than enough for all of me,
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You
And all I have in You, Jesus
And all I have in You
is more than enough

Benediction

We have sung the songs of faith.
We have heard the challenges of scripture.
Let us go now,
continuing our sacred journey
in an attitude of service and grace.
Let us love our enemies
and pray for those who do us harm.
Let us care for those who are evil
as well as for those who are good,
knowing how to set boundaries.
And the presence of our God goes with us. Amen.

Postlude – Hani (previously recorded)

Recessional
F.W. Asper