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 Clint Barrick Prelude in e minor J.S. Bach (1685-1750) Call to Worship SyLinda Evans-Reagor

Here, together, we create for one another a space to breathe, some time to reorient our lives with gospel priorities, and some room to get our thinking straight. Beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything wor-thy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians. 4:8). We share life in a world that makes all kinds of demands on our mental space, much of which is not really for our benefit or for the enhancement of our discipleship or our faith. Beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything wor-thy of praise, think about these things.” In worship, we spend time with the songs of faith, with sacred texts, with the prayers of God’s peo-ple, with images of God and images of ourselves that restore us, and occupy our minds with the good and the holy. Beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything wor-thy of praise, think about these things.” Praise God, whose excellence fills our world, our hearts, and our minds. Let us worship God together.

Hymn of Praise, No. 378 The United Methodist Hymnal Amazing Grace AMAZING GRACE

THE WORSHIP OF GOD 10:30A.M.

1. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.

2. 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear

the hour I first believed.

3. Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come;

'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

4. The Lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures;

he will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.

5. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

and mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil,

a life of joy and peace.

6. When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,

we've no less days to sing God's praise than when we'd first begun.

The Prayers of God’s Children Rev. Kevin Young

God, in your graciousness and mercy, Hear our prayer.

Pastoral Prayer Rev. Kevin Young

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

PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE

Scripture Matthew 22.1-14 Michael Byrd

Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”

For the gift of God’s word in holy scripture,

Thanks be to God. A Time for Young Disciples Avery Hendrickson Hymn No. 191 The United Methodist Hymnal Jesus Loves Me JESUS LOVES ME

Prior to Children’s Sermon:

Jesus loves me! this I know, For the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to Him belong; They are weak, but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me Yes, Jesus loves me Yes, Jesus loves me The Bible tells me so

Act of Praise SyLinda Evans-Reagor, piano Bridge Over Troubled Water arr. Christine Brown Sermon Shiloh Morris

Oh Bother, What a Troublesome Parable Hymn of Response, No. 348 The United Methodist Hymnal Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling THOMPSON

THANKSGIVING “We are St. John’s” Moment Alec Cattell Offering Rev. Kevin Young Prayer of Dedication Rev. Kevin Young Offertory Anthem Thou Gracious God, Whose Mercy Lends arr. Mack Wilberg

1 Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me;

see, on the portals he's waiting and watching, watching for you and for me.

Refrain:

Come home, come home; you who are weary come home;

earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling, O sinner, come home!

2 Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,

pleading for you and for me? Why should we linger and heed not his mercies,

mercies for you and for me?

Refrain

3 Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing, passing from you and from me;

shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming, coming for you and for me.

Refrain

4 O for the wonderful love he has promised,

promised for you and for me! Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon,

pardon for you and for me.

Refrain

Thou gracious God, whose mercy lends the light of home, the smile of friends, our gathered flock thine arms enfold

as in the peaceful days of old.

Wilt thou not hear us while we raise in sweet accord of solemn praise

the voices that have mingled long in joyous flow of mirth and song?

For all the blessings life has brought,

for all its sorrowing hours have taught, for all we mourn, for all we keep,

the hands we clasp, the loved that sleep.

The noontide sunshine of the past,

these brief, bright moments fading fast, the stars that gild our darkening years,

the twilight ray from holier spheres.

We thank thee, Father; let thy grace our loving circle still embrace,

thy mercy shed its heavenly store, thy peace be with us evermore.

Thy mercy shed its heavenly store,

thy peace be with us evermore.

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

Hymn of Faith, No. 427 The United Methodist Hymnal Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life GERMANY

Benediction Shiloh Morris Go in the name of the One who invites us to a great feast. Today, we are one day closer to the feast day. Let us set aside distractions so that we can prepare. Let us invite all who have not heard. Let us go in grace, and peace, and love, looking forward to being together again. Amen.

Please remain online for the Postlude.

Postlude Clint Barrick Trumpet Tune David Johnson (1922-1987)

1. Where cross the crowded ways of life, where sound the cries of race and clan,

above the noise of selfish strife, we hear your voice, O Son of man.

2. In haunts of wretchedness and need, on shadowed thresholds dark with fears,

from paths where hide the lures of greed, we catch the vision of your tears.

3. From tender childhood's helplessness, from woman's grief, man's burdened toil,

from famished souls, from sorrow's stress, your heart has never known recoil.

4. The cup of water given for you still holds the freshness of your grace; yet long these multitudes to view

the sweet compassion of your face.

5. O Master, from the mountainside make haste to heal these hearts of pain;

among these restless throngs abide; O tread the city's streets again.

6. Till all the world shall learn your love and follow where your feet have trod, till, glorious from your heaven above,

shall come the city of our God!

Beloved

Linda Crossan

Originally created for a First Friday service at Christ Cathedral in Nashville. The theme of the service was Reconciliation. The re-

cent picture was taken at Second Presbyterian Church Nashville where it was included in the stations of the cross that are dis-

played each year. It was used as the fourteenth and final station "Jesus is Resurrected".

As I began to think about creating a visual meaning for the word, Reconciliation, my first thoughts were of broken relation-

ships with people in my life and the terrible struggles of the peoples in the world. Further study to ready myself for the work, allowed me to focus in on the realization that to live a life recon-ciled means claiming the knowledge that I am God’s beloved. I am reconciled to God first and foremost through God’s sacrifice of Jesus, who suffered the ultimate sacrifice of his life so that we

could know of God’s desire to be reconciled with us. When we consider this wonderful gift we have a model for how to relate

and be reconciled to each other. If I stop and remember my rec-onciliation to God, how can I not make an effort to reconcile the

broken relationships in my life. I believe that small personal steps are the way to bigger actions in the world.

As difficult as that small step can be sometimes, can it ever be as difficult as Jesus’ suffering on the cross must have been?