WELCOME TO WORSHIP
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.
POSTLUDE
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Thank you for joining us in worship today.
(Children, kindergartners through third grade, are invited to exit the Sanctuary for Children’s Worship. Children will return to reserved pews in the Sanctuary at the close of worship.)
WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED
NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST • OCTOBER 8, 2023 • 11:00AM
CANTICLE If Ye Love Me — Thomas Tallis If ye love me, keep my commandments and I will pray the Father, and he will give you another comforter, that he may abide with you forever, even the spirit of truth. (John 1:14-15) INTRODUCTION OF BISHOP CARTER
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
SCRIPTURE — John 15:1-17 This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. SERMON — “Connection and Purpose”
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT
PRELUDE GREETING INTROIT
All That Hath Life and Breath — René Clausen All that hath life and breath, praise ye the Lord. Shout to the Lord, alleluia. Praise him, laud him! Alleluia!
OPENING PRAYER Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we are to pray, and to give more that we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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HYMN OF PROCESSION #139 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty — LOBE DEN HERREN
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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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GLORIA PATRI #71 Glory Be to the Father — GREATOREX Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
OFFERTORY Hold Out Your Light — arr. Moses Hogan Hold out your light, you heaven bound soldier, let your light shine around the world. Hear the children singin’, Hold out your light, you heaven bound soldier, let your light shine around the world. Singin’, O, preacher, can’t you hold out your light. O, deacon, can’t you hold out your light. O, leader, can’t you hold out your light. Let your light shine around the world. 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 THANKSGIVING Almighty and most merciful God, from you comes every good and perfect gift. We give you praise and thanks for all your mercies. Your goodness has created us, your bounty has sustained us, your discipline has chastened us, your patience has borne with us, your love has redeemed us. Give us a heart to love and serve you, and enable us to show our thankfulness for all your goodness and mercy by giving up ourselves to your service, and cheerfully submitting in all things to your blessed will; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
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WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD HYMN
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PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
#384 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling — BEECHER
BENEDICTION
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BENEDICTION RESPONSE Go Now in Peace — Robert Lau Go now in peace, and may God’s peace go with you. Believe and trust his holy word. Amen.
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SERMON NOTES
___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP PREACHING Bishop Ken Carter
CRUCIFER James Edmundson
LITURGISTS The Reverend Dr. P. Glenn Kinken III, Senior Minister The Reverend Kate May, Assoc. Minister The Reverend Meg Peters, Assoc. Minister
TORCHBEARERS Meg Gilliam Stella Jane Pierce
MUSIC Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music Ministries Joshua Sobel, Organ Scholar The Chancel Choir
FLOWERS The Chancel Flowers are given in loving memory of our mother, Barbara Long Welch and our father, Edwin L. Welch, Sr., by their children, Lynn Welch Brannock and family and, Ed & Sue Welch and family.
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.