9:30am Welcome - Rev. David Bonnema Opening Song - “10,000 Reasons” - Maggie McCrostie Time of Greeting VBS Presentation Children’s Message Song - “Give Me Jesus” Sermon - “Difference or Division?” Today’s question from the congregation: In todays political world, I am ashamed of the Christian religion. If God is leading Christians, and most Christians are so far from the teachings of Jesus, how do I continue to believe in God? Difference is inevitable. Division is a . How do we live a life worthy of God’s calling? Be completely and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. —Ephesians 4:2 And… Make every effort to keep the of the Spirit through the bond of peace. —Ephesians 4:3 In Ephesians 4:4-6, how many times does Paul use the word one to describe the church? times. Be but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. —Ephesians 4:26-27 Let’s show the world the type of unity that is possible when we make Jesus the center of our lives. Offering and Prayer - Rev. Dana Seiler Closing Song - “One Thing Remains” Benediction Prelude Welcome - Rev. David Bonnema Call to Worship - Rev. Dana Seiler Leader: Let us love one another as Jesus taught us, People: Even those whom we don’t agree with. Leader: Let us open our doors and our hearts, People: Even to those who refuse to enter them. Leader: Let us continue to seek to forgive, People: Even those who may not have forgiven us. Leader: Let us continue to love in Jesus’ name, People: Because love never fails. Hymn - “In Unity We Lift Our Song” - #2221 STF Prayer of Confession Abundant God, we meet so many people who say things we don’t agree with. We believe that we are correct and therefore differing opinions must be wrong. We forget that surrounding ourselves with only those people who look like us and think like us leads us to smaller lives. Help us to see that You created a land full of rich, diverse people of many cultures, races, and thoughts. You gave us differing ideas so that we might have a depth of wisdom beyond what we alone can know. Open our eyes, O Spirit, to the many wonders in others that have been hidden from us so that we might live fuller lives of joy and richness, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. Declaration of Forgiveness Passing of the Peace Anthem - “Order My Steps” Schrader - Unity Choir Sermon - “Difference or Division?” - Rev. David Bonnema Today’s question from the congregation: In todays political world, I am ashamed of the Christian religion. If God is leading Christians, and most Christians are so far from the teachings of Jesus, how do I continue to believe in God? Difference is inevitable. Division is a . How do we live a life worthy of God’s calling? Be completely and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. —Ephesians 4:2 And… Make every effort to keep the of the Spirit through the bond of peace. —Ephesians 4:3 In Ephesians 4:4-6, how many times does Paul use the word one to describe the church? times. Be but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. —Ephesians 4:26-27 Let’s show the world the type of unity that is possible when we make Jesus the center of our lives. Anthem - “O Love” Hagenberg - Unity Choir Offering Prayer of Thanksgiving and the Lord’s Prayer Doxology Affirmation of Faith - The Apostles’ Creed: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Hymn - “They’ll Know We are Christians By our Love” - #2223 STF Benediction Postlude