WELCOME TO WORSHIP
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED CANTICLE Grow, Little Tree — Andrea Ramsey Grow, little tree. Stretch your arms, and spread your leaves. What will you be? Grow, little tree. Wave your branches wild and free for all to see. I’ll grow too, just like you. Nurture me, I look to you for what to do. Dance, dance in the wind. Stand, and soak up the sun, and when the storm brings a shower, let the earth catch my tears and sprout a new flower. Carry Me Home — arr. Jean Anne Shafferman Swing low, sweet chariot, comin’ for to carry me home. Deep river, my home is over Jordan. O, deep river, Lord, I want to cross over into campground. O, don’t you want to go to that gospel feast, that promised land where all is peace?
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER • MAY 5, 2024 • 11:00AM
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS The prelude signifies the beginning of worship. You are invited to be in a spirit of prayer and meditation. Please silence all mobile communication devices. †
GREETING INTROIT
Come, Let Us Gather — Pamela Conn Beall & Susan Hagen Nipp Come let us gather now to sing. Praises and thanks to God our King. Thank you, God, for everything.
OPENING PRAYER O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
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HYMN OF PROCESSION #89 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee — HYMN TO JOY
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AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 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 Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at 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 Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
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AFFIRMATION RESPONSE Festival Alleluia — James Chepponis
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THE LORD’S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. RECEIVING OF ELEMENTS MUSIC AT COMMUNION CLOSING PRAYER Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD
SCRIPTURE — Luke 9:20-25 This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
HYMN
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SERMON — “To Be the Church: To Be A Disciple”
Please stand as you are able
PRELUDE
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT OFFERTORY All God’s Children — Baker Lawrimore For children all, a sense of welcome. For children all, a belly fed. For children all, strong minds that wonder. For children all, a loving friend. For we’re a world of diverse people, all our needs here on earth are broad. So look around, see the beauty in difference, and work to love all the children of God. For those ignored and those alone, a sense of welcome. For those ignored and those alone, a belly fed. For those ignored and those alone, strong minds that wonder. For those ignored and those alone, a loving friend. For enemies, a sense of welcome. For enemies, a belly fed. For enemies, strong minds that wonder. For enemies, a loving friend. DOXOLOGY #95 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow — OLD 100th Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
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PRAYER OF DEDICATION Receive these offerings, O Lord. We give you thanks for the blessings which you have bestowed upon us. We pray these gifts, the employment of our talents, the labor of our hands, the prayers of our hearts, and the witness of our lives will show the world the magnitude of your love and grace. Let us put you first in our lives. Use us this week to build your Kingdom. We ask this in the name of Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever more. Amen.
#399 Take My LIfe, and Let It Be — MESSIAH
BENEDICTION
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BENEDICTION RESPONSE I Have Decided to Follow Jesus — Indian Folk Song I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back. Where Jesus leads me, I’ll surely follow. Sing glory, glory, and hallelujah.
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POSTLUDE
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Thank you for joining us in worship today.
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WE CELEBRATE HOLY COMMUNION INVITATION TO COMMUNION Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another. Therefore, let us confess before God and one another. CONFESSION AND PARDON The congregation is invited to follow the communion liturgy beginning on page 12 of the hymnal.
PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP PREACHING The Reverend Dr. P. Glenn Kinken III Senior Minister LITURGIST The Reverend Meg Peters, Assoc. Minister CLERGY COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Rev. Roland Barnhardt Rev. Duke Ison Rev. Bill Medilin Rev. Marilyn Weiler
MUSIC Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music Ministries Joshua Sobel, Organ Scholar The Chancel Choir Susan Orgain, piano Children’s Music & Arts: Creative Arts Experience (CAE): Mary Isom, Suzanne Maggs, Lori Mottesheard, Carol Penney, instructors Youth Choir Collective (YCC): Michael Martinez, director; First Baptist Church (Greensboro) Children and Youth Choirs: Baker Lawrimore, director
The anthem texts are printed with permission. One License A-707342 By entering the Sanctuary, you grant to Centenary United Methodist Church unrestricted right to use and publish, transmit or telecast photographs or likenesses that might be taken of you this day for use in communications related to the church.