One or two weeks before this service, ask the congregation to bring canned or
nonperishable food to donate to the poor on this day. You might decide to make
this a regular part of the first Sunday of every month in your congregation.
Worship Setting
Set the Communion table with bread and wine, using a variety of breads to
represent different cultures. Place the bread in baskets covered with
napkins. Put a small empty wagon, wheelbarrow, or large basket several feet
from the table. Food for the poor will be placed in and around it during the
“Disciples’ Generous Response.”
Prelude
Call to Worship: John 3:16 and Romans 5:8–11
*Opening Hymn
“Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” HS 31
OR: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” HS 20
*Opening Prayer
*Response
Reading: “Behold the Joy” Find below.
Hymn
“We Thank Thee, God, for Eyes to See” HS 465
OR “Teach Me, God, to Wonder” HS 176
Congregational Responsive Reading
Leader: Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
People: Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with
singing.
Leader: Know ye that the Lord he is God; it is he that hath made us, and
not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
People: Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with
praise; be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Leader: For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth
endureth to all generations.—Psalm 100
Disciples’ Generous Response
Ministry of Music or Hymn: “Let Your Heart Be Broken” HS 377
OR “I Am Standing Waiting SP 27
Ask those who have brought food to put it in the wagon,
wheelbarrow, or basket at this time.
Blessing and Offering of Mission Tithes
Hymn
“Come Ye Apart” HS 79
OR “O Jesus, the Giver of All We Enjoy” HS 64
Communion Message
Blessing and Serving of the Bread
Blessing and Serving of the Wine
Prayer of Blessing on the Congregation
*Hymn
“Again, Dear Savior” HS 494
OR “Once More Before We Part” HS 500
*Closing Prayer
*Postlude
Leader: God gave us eyes so we can see.
Reader 1: What if we only saw shades of gray?
Would there be joy in seeing that way?
Open your eyes and see the joy of a sunrise, a sunset, a rainbow,
flowers, trees, and people you know.
Behold the joy in everything you see today!
Leader: God gave us two ears so we can hear.
Reader 2: What if we only heard one sound day after day?
Would there be any joy in hearing that way?
Open your ears and hear the joy
of laughter, music playing, dogs barking,
wind blowing, and a loved one talking.
Behold the joy of every sound around.
You can hear today!
Leader: God gave us a mouth so we can talk.
Reader 1: What if one word was all we could say?
Would there be joy in talking that way?
Open your mouth and speak the joy
of chatting with friends. Correct a wrong,
praise a deed well done, sing a song.
Behold the joy of talking.
Greet everyone you meet today!
Leader: God gave us the sun to begin our day.
Reader 2: What if our time was all work and no play?
Would there be joy in living that way?
Open your mind and find the joy
of leisure time. Take a walk, play a game,
find a new hobby or a new pet to name.
Behold the joy of playtime.
Be alone or with friends!
Leader: God gave us his Son to show us the way.
Reader 1: What if we never learned how to pray?
Would there be joy in living that way?
Open your heart and feel the joy
of praising the Lord for peace, love,
justice, and blessings from above.
Behold the joy of praying—
anytime, anywhere, any season for any reason!
Reader 2: Thank God for creating us, loving us,
and assuring us that we are that we might have joy!
