What would you do? You see Jesus walking down the sidewalk by Monterey Road, you angle to get a better view – and Jesus points you out and declares that he’s coming to your house for dinner! “What? Who, me?” “Must be someone else.” ‘Nope, I’m outta here!” “Yes, Lord!” Or perhaps in this story, you’re a bystander, or one of Jesus’s disciples. There are many surprises in this story, for everyone involved. Today, we take a grown-up view of the story of Zacchaeus.
Our services are being held with in-person attendance at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. Most services are recorded in video, but unfortunately a recording of today’s service is not available. Please see elements of the service below.
Opening Hymn: “I Come With Joy” from The United Methodist Hymnal #617, vs. 1, 4, 5.
I come with joy to meet my Lord, forgiven, loved and free,
in awe and wonder to recall his life laid down for me, his life laid down for me.
And thus with joy we meet our Lord. His presence, always near,
is in such friendship better known; we see and praise him here, we see and praise him here.
Together met, together bound, we’ll go our different ways,
and as his people in the world, we’ll live and speak his praise, we’ll live and speak his praise.
Call to Worship
Leader: With the pressing crowds, searching for healing and hope,
People: We wish to see Jesus.
Leader: With the pushed out and cast aside, with the lonely lost, stripped of pride,
People: We wish to see Jesus.
Leader: With those who seek mystery and meaning, wisdom and grace,
People: We wish to see Jesus.
| Our Scripture Reading is Luke 19:1-10 from The Message. The story takes place in Jericho, a city on a major trade route and an important source of taxation. Zacchaeus (“za-kee-uhs”) was a chief tax collector, one who supervised tax collection – and was assumed to take part of the collection for his own wealth. Although when doing his business, he’d be backed up with strong Roman guards, in this situation he was on his own. He was short of stature, so climbed up a sycamore tree (similar to a fig tree, not the American sycamore) so he could see Jesus.
Read the story and see what happens! |
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Hymn: “Spirit Song” from The United Methodist Hymnal #347, played by Denise Melroy and Steve Cole.
O let the Son of God enfold you with his Spirit and his love.
Let him fill your heart and satisfy your soul.
O let him have the things that hold you, and his Spirit like a dove
will descend upon your life and make you whole.
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs.
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs.
O come and sing this song with gladness as your hearts are filled with joy.
Lift your hands in sweet surrender to his name.
O give him all your tears and sadness;
give him all your years of pain, and you’ll enter into life in Jesus’ name.
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs.
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs.
| The message today from Trish Catalano, Lay Servant Minister, is “I’m Going to Your House Today.” |
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Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is the one true Church whose faith we support with our prayers, our presence, our giving, our witness and our service.
Our offering is given to the mission and ministry of MHUMC. Remember our gifts come from us, as the people of God, for the work of God, to the Glory of God in the world.
I invite you to give generously, as we worship God through sharing our gifts, tithes, and offerings.
Thanksgiving Prayer
As we give to you this day, may we also follow the example of Zacchaeus – with an explosion of gratitude and generosity – and may we also know his joy! We pray this in the name of Jesus, who invites himself to our table! Amen.
Weekly Announcements:
See this week’s announcements and bulletin notes here.
Credits and copyrights
- “Cry of My Heart” words and music by Terry Butler. ©1991 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Integrity Music). CCLI song #844980, CCLI License #2718708.
- “I Come With Joy” words by Brian Wren, music from The Southern Harmony, harm. by Charles H. Webb. © 1968, 1971, 1995 Hope Publishing Company. CCLI song #2802284, CCLI License #2718708.
- “Seek Ye First” words and music by Karen Lafferty. ©1972 CCCM Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.); Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.). CCLI song #1352, CCLI License #2718708.
- “Spirit Song” words and music by John Wimber. © 1979 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Integrity Music). CCLI song #2788717, CCLI License #2718708.
- “If I Can Dream” words and music by W. Earl Brown. © 1968, renewed 1986 Gladys Music.
- “Give Thanks” words and music by Henry Smith. © 1978 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by Integrity Music). CCLI song #20285, CCLI License #2718708.
- “The Lord Bless and Keep You” words and music by Jim Strathdee. © 1981 Strathdee Music (Admin. by Desert Flower Music). CCLI song #7152110, CCLI License #2718708.
- All other text on this page © The United Methodist Church of Morgan Hill.