Let us share in the joys and sorrows of one another's life.

What has been the highlight of your week?
What has been the low of your week?

Let us together prepare our hearts in worship.

God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities. And by his stripes we are healed. He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities. And by his stripes we are healed.

For a moment, let us sit in silence reflecting on our actions this past week and together, we will confess and be reminded that we are the forgiven community.

Most merciful God,

We confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you with our whole heart; We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

We are truly sorry and we humbly repent, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name.

Amen.

Let us hear the word of the Lord from the Psalms.

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
that it surpasses your fame.
When I called, you answered me;
you greatly emboldened me.
May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord,
when they hear what you have decreed.
May they sing of the ways of the Lord,
for the glory of the Lord is great.
Though the Lord is exalted,
he looks kindly on the lowly;
though lofty, he sees them from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
with your right hand you save me.
The Lord will vindicate me;
your love, Lord, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.
–Psalm 138 (NIV)

Let us affirm our faith with the words of the Apostles’ Creed.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day, he rose again.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the global Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.

Let us open the scriptures and learn the story of Christ.

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
–Matthew 4:17-25 (NIV)

Read this passage in the Message Paraphrase.

Let us take a moment to talk through what we have heard reflecting on what it is saying to us.

1. What does this reveal about God or His Kingdom?

2. What does this reveal about human nature or yourself?

3. How can you live out this passage or who should you share this story with?

At this time, if you have a prayer request we’ll hear those and conclude with the Lord’s prayer. What would you like to lift up in prayer?

As our Savior taught us, so we pray;

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours now and for ever.
Amen.

Let us confess the Mystery of our Faith.

Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

May we go from this place prepared to reveal the Kingdom of Jesus, together.

Living God, draw us deeper into your love;
Jesus our Lord, send us to care and serve;
Holy Spirit, make us heralds of good news.

Stir us, strengthen us,
teach and inspire us to live your love
with generosity and joy, imagination and courage;
for the sake of your world and in the name of Jesus,

Amen.

We invite you to join us at the following events.