UMCOR Worship Resources for the One Great Hour of Sharing

Grace Upon Grace

"From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace."-John 1:16, NRSV

Call to Worship

Leader: God has called us to a life of service.
People: We open our hearts to hear the call of God.
Leader: Today we gather in One Great Hour of Sharing
with brothers and sisters around the world.
People: Hear our songs and prayers as one voice of praise
and service.

Litany

Leader: What does the Lord require of you?
People: The Lord calls us to respond to those who leave
their homes to find refuge and safety.
Leader: What does the Lord require of you?
People: The Lord calls us to feed the hungry and clothe
the naked.
Leader: What does the Lord require of you?
People: The Lord calls us to respond to people whose
lives have been touched by floods and drought, hurricanes and tornadoes, fires and storms of every kind.
Leader: What does the Lord require of you?
People: "To do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk
humbly with your God."

Prayer of Dedication for the Offering

Gracious God, we offer these gifts to you and ask your blessing upon them. Use them to do your work in every corner of the earth. Unite these gifts with the gifts of your children all over the world that your vision of your reign may come to pass. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious God, you hear the cries of your children before their mouths utter a sound. We pray that on this day of sharing, our voices and actions may be signs to all in need. We pray for the tired, the hungry, the lonely and the fearful. We pray for those who minister to those in distress. Strengthen and guide them with words and acts of kindness and healing. May our prayers and gifts this day bring your reign closer to fruition. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Suggested Hymns

From the United Methodist Hymnal (UMH)

"Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven," #66
"Maker, in Whom We Live," #88
"God of the Sparrow, God of the Whale," #122
"The Voice of God Is Calling," #436
"What Does the Lord Require," #441
"Sanctuary," #2005, The Faith We Sing Sampler
[supplement to The United Methodist Hymnal. Order up to 100 from samplers per church, 1-800-672-1789]

Benediction

"From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." Go into the world, filled with the Holy Spirit, sharing the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ with God's children everywhere. Do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God. Amen.

These materials were prepared by the Rev. Bradford L. Motta, Morristown United Methodist Church, Morristown, New Jersey.

About One Great Hour of Sharing and UMCOR

One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is observed by United Methodists on the fourth Sunday in Lent but you can give all year around. The OGHS offering supports ongoing work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing allow UMCOR to work efficiently and effectively in disaster response, hunger and poverty ministries, and refugee ministries around the world. UMCOR does not receive support from World Service. Give generously in thanks for all that God has given you.

Choose one of the following four ways to order your free One Great Hour of Sharing resources:

1. Complete and mail the order form that was sent to pastors in September/October (Send to Customer Service Team, United Methodist Communications, P.O. Box 320, Nashville, TN 37202-9907.)
2. Fax order to 1-615-742-5499.
3. Call toll free 1-888-346-3862.
4. Go online at Resources for OHGS 2006