WELCOME TO WORSHIP
AFFIRMATION RESPONSE Festival Alleluia — James Chepponis
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PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
MUSIC AT COMMUNION Children of the Heavenly Father — arr. David S. Kirby Children of the heavenly Father safely in his bosom gather, nestling bird nor star in heaven such a refuge e’er was given. God his own doth tend and nourish; in his holy courts they flourish from all evil things he spares them; in his mighty arms bears them. Neither life nor death shall ever from the Lord his children sever, unto them his grace he showeth, and their sorrows all he knoweth. 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 HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER • MAY 7, 2023 • 11:00AM
SCRIPTURE — Galatians 4:4-7, 19-20 This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
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. †
Please stand as you are able
PRELUDE
Hymn of Praise — René Clausen Alleluia. Praise God in His holy temple. Amen, amen, alleluia, amen! (Psalm 150)
OPENING PRAYER Lord of all life and power, who through the mighty resurrection of your Son overcame the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him. Lord, grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, may reign with him in glory to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and honor, glory and might, now and in all eternity. Amen.
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HYMN OF PROCESSION #126 Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above — MIT FREUDEN ZART
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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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WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT OFFERTORY HYMN ANTHEM #206 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light — arr. Paul Manz The congregation is invited to sing stanza three.
HYMN
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#664 Sent Forth by God’s Blessing — THE ASH GROVE
BENEDICTION
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BENEDICTION RESPONSE The Lord Bless You and Keep You — John Rutter The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. Amen. (Numbers 6: 24-26)
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POSTLUDE
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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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GREETING INTROIT
SERMON — “A Grace Which Forms”
WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD
Thank you for joining us in worship today.
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.
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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. THE GREAT THANKSGIVING 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
PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP PREACHING The Reverend Dr. P. Glenn Kinken III Senior Minister LITURGISTS The Reverend Meg Peters, Assoc. Minister CRUCIFER Adelaide Jernigan TORCHBEARERS James Jernigan Jay Bland
FLOWERS The Chancel Flowers are given in loving memory of Ted Keith and T.R. Keith by their family, Mary Jane Keith, Melissa & Keith Lewis, and Stacy Keith Ritch. MUSIC Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music Ministries Joshua Sobel, Organ Scholar The Chancel Choir
Copyright© 1999 Birnamwood Publications (ASCAP) A division of MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc., St. Louis, MO All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. 1.800 .64 7 .2117 www.MorningStarMusic.com 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.