Clifton United Methodist Church
“The Church Outside the Church”

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

ORDER OF WORSHIP

Harvest Sunday

September 14, 2025

*PROCESSIONAL

*CALL TO WORSHIP – Music Ministry

GREETINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS – Greeters Ministry

*OPENING PRAYER (by Rev. Kelby Werner)
Sustainer God, you breathed life into the whole of creation. You called creation good. You filled
the earth with birds and fish, plants and mammals, rocks and soil—the building blocks of all that
is and will be. We come before you today in awe and admiration for the gifts of creation that you
have supplied for us. While we continue in worship of you, remind us that as we embrace, enjoy,
and utilize the gifts of creation that we too are created beings, made in your image, and called to
be a gift to one another and for the whole of creation. That as we accept your gifts, through your
love and grace, we may be also sustainers, creators, and gift givers. In thanks we pray, Amen.

*LESSONS IN NATURE (by Rev. Paul Mitchell)
We’ve heard it said, Take a lesson from the ravens.
They don’t sow or reap.
Notice how the flowers grow.
They neither labor nor weave!
God makes the sun rise on bad and good alike.
God’s rain falls on the just and the unjust.Yet we know, “Everything that makes our lives possible – the splints for baskets, roots for medicines, the trees whose bodies make our homes, and the pages of our books – is provided by the lives of more-than-human beings.”
Be glad in The Beloved and rejoice, you who love justice!
Exult, you upright of heart!

*HYMN - Hymn of Promise - UMH 707

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER - Bessie Brown
THE LORD’S PRAYER

*SCRIPTURE - Genesis 2:4-8, 15-17, 19 - Cassie Ruger

SONG OF PRAISE - Music Ministry

OFFERING/OFFERTORY (by Rev. Dr. Brian Smith)
God of abundance, your grace is generous and overflowing. We give thanks for
the many gifts of your creation: sunlight and rain, seed and soil, fruit and flower.
Teach us to recognize the Earth not as a possession, but as a sacred gift. Bless our
lives and what we bring, that we may return your generosity and honor the
garden you have entrusted to us; in Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

DOXOLOGY - Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow - UMH 94

SONG OF PREPARATION – Music Ministry

SERMON – A Harvest For the World - Rev. Candy Thacker

*INVITATION TO DISCIPLESHIP

*SONG OF PRAISE - Music Ministry

*DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING (by Rev. Paul Mitchell)
The just flourish like a palm tree,
and grow as tall as the cedars of Lebanon;
transplanted in the house of The Beloved,
they flourish in the courts of the Most High –
still full of sap in old age,
they still produce abundant fruit.
To give is to love.
To love is to live.
To live is to grow.
To grow is to flourish.
May we who follow Jesus
enter into Communion
with God’s self-giving love.
May we sing the life and love
of Christ in the world
this day and beyond.

*RECESSIONAL

*Stand if able

Online Giving
ANNOUNCEMENTS
  • New lay servant classes start in September and October; please register for classes at ngumc.org/courseschedules.  Lay servant classes should be updated every 3 years.  Try to complete classes before charge conference. Contact Sandra Armstead for any questions.
  • Today is Harvest Sunday! We will share the blessings of our gardens and share with the Clifton family and community.
  • September 19th - 7:00 p.m. - Movie Night showing Mufasa: The Lion King. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets for an evening under the stars.
  • Celebration of our 195th Anniversary will be held  on Sunday, September 21st. Rev. Kenneth Rutledge will be the guest preacher. Be reminded that the church anniversary is one of the special days that assist the church in budget expectations.  As this is the 195th year, each member has been asked to contribute $195 - $1.00 for each year of Clifton's life.  Whatever amount given or has been given is greatly appreciated for ministry and mission at our church.  Plans are for a glorious celebration!  For more information, contact Velma Larkins or Joyce McClendon.