We want to live wide open, embracing the possibilities, going for the gusto, seizing the day, and any other cliché that we can think of. Yet there is also a risk in living that way. We are vulnerable, might be taken advantage of, and liable to be hurt. It is not always easy to be a person of faith, but we come closer to Christ when we open our hearts.

Abbreviations:

TFWS: The Faith We Sing
UMH: United Methodist Hymnal
W&S: Worship and Song

Theme Hymns:

Lord of All Hopefulness TFWS 2197
Give Thanks TFWS 2036

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, Year B

In some ways, Paul invites us to plan worship around a fairly simple idea: opening our hearts to our weaknesses and God’s strength. And yet, simple as that is to say, what that requires of the worship planner is to invite the gathered body into a space where we practice humility.