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This week’s message, “Responding to the Lord,” is based on Genesis 18:1–15, the story of Abraham and Sarah's encounter with God and the promise that seemed impossible. When the Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, Abraham responded with hospitality, attentiveness, and faith. Yet Sarah struggled to believe that God could fulfill His promise in her old age.

Through this powerful passage, we are reminded that God often calls us to trust Him beyond what we can see or understand. As we worship together, we invite you to reflect on how God may be calling you to respond—to His presence, His promises, and His invitation to deeper faith. What might happen when we open our hearts to the Lord, even when His plans seem beyond imagination?

CALL TO WORSHIP: adapted from Call to Worship resource

LEADER: Serve the Lord with gladness.

PEOPLE: Come into God’s presence with a song.

LEADER: Continue to guide us, O God;

PEOPLE: that we may grow for generations.

LEADER: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.

PEOPLE: Listen to the word of the Lord.

SCRIPTURE Psalm 116:1-5 (NRSVUE)

1 I love the Lord because he has heard my voice and my supplications. 2 Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. 3 The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. 4 Then I called on the name of the Lord, “O Lord, I pray, save my life!” 5 Gracious is the Lord and righteous; our God is merciful.

The Word of God for the People of God. Thanks be to God.

Scripture: Genesis 18:1–15 Sermon: Responding to the Lord

1 The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them and bowed down to the ground. 3 He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” 6 And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.” 7 Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. 8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared and set it before them, and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

9 They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There, in the tent.” 10 Then one said, “I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I be fruitful?” 13 The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son.” 15 But Sarah denied, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

The Word of God for the People of God. Thanks be to God.

We are grateful to worship with you today.  See you next week.