May 11, 2025
Prelude - Come, Jesus, Come
Call to Worship
All-knowing God, we gather together with praise and thanksgiving for who You are, and for all that You have done for us. You know us better than we know ourselves—all our thoughts and actions—and yet You love us. May Your Spirit move in our hearts and minds as we worship together: challenge us with Your Word, and guide us on to paths that lead to life. For we are Your people, called by Your name. Amen.
Hymn - How Great Thou Art
Invocation and Lord's Prayer
Search us, O God, and know our hearts. Test us and know our anxious thoughts. Point out anything in us that offends You,
and guide us on the road to life as together we honor You with the prayer Jesus taught us saying: 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Scripture Reading - 1 John 2:18-27
18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life. 26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
Joys and Concerns
There are those we know and love who are ill and we ask O God that you would surround them with your strong healing presence. Grant wisdom to those who need answers to difficult questions. Grant hope to those who despair and friendship to those who feel lonely. Most of all O Lord God, may we know your love, your great love with you have for each one. We look to you O God to be present in our communities and in our world. Continue to show us how we can be part of your work in the world. Teach us how we can grow into faith, and become more and more like Jesus. In His Name we pray. Amen.
Hymn - One Small Child
Sermon - Thrive - Know God & Avoid the Antichrists
For Video version, click below.
Hymn - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Benediction
Let us go as dear children knowing and loving the God of life. Amen.
Postlude - O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus