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.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Receive these gifts, O Lord. May they be magnified by your Holy Spirit to teach your children about your love, to show the world your grace, to bring healing to the broken hearted, to comfort the grieving, to embrace the needy, and to praise your name. We offer ourselves as instruments of your peace to the world. We offer our talents, our time, and our gifts to you. Use us as you will. We pray this in your Holy name. Amen.
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BAPTISM
WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD
BAPTISMAL RESPONSE Do you as Christ’s body, the church, reaffirm both your rejection of sin and your commitment to Christ? We do. Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include Poppy, now before you, in your care? FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT • MARCH 10, 2024 • 11:00AM
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HYMN
A Lenten Introspection — Matthew Compton
God So Loved the World — Bob Chilcott God so loved the world, that whoso believeth in Him would not perish but have everlasting life.
CALL TO WORSHIP When we find ourselves in the midst of despair We are your beloved When we haven’t been our best selves We are your beloved When we forget whose we are We are your beloved Thank you Lord For calling us beloved
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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.
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Thank you for joining us in worship today.
SCRIPTURE — John 3:14-21
HYMN OF PROCESSION #98 To God Be the Glory — TO GOD BE THE GLORY AFFIRMATION OF FAITH We are not alone, we live in God’s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the church: to celebrate God’s presence, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen.
POSTLUDE
CANTICLE Greater Love Hath No Man — John Ireland Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it. Love is strong as death. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness. Ye are washed, ye are sanctified, ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus. Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. I beseech you brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies, a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
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BENEDICTION RESPONSE Ascription of Praise — David Schwoebel Now to him who’s able to keep you from falling, and to present you without blemish before the presence of the glory. With rejoicing, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Be the glory, majesty, dominion, and the authority, before all time. Now and forever. Amen.
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#191 Jesus Loves Me — JESUS LOVES ME
WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED
GREETING INTROIT
BENEDICTION
(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.)
Please stand as you are able
PRELUDE
#206 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light — HOUSTON The congregation sings verses 1 and 3. The Chancel Choir sings verse 2.
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With God’s help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround Poppy with a community of love and forgiveness, that she may grow in her service to others. We will pray for her, that she may be a true disciple who walks in the way that leads to life.
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.
HYMN
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This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. SERMON — “Be Like Jesus: Teach Others About God’s Love”
PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP PREACHING The Reverend Meg Peters, Assoc. Minister
CRUCIFER Jeanne Reed
OFFERTORY Cantilene — Karen Lakey Buckwalter
LITURGIST Tammy Pollock, Director of Youth Ministries
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.
MUSIC Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music Ministries Joshua Sobel, Organ Scholar The Chancel Choir Carillonneurs; Camille Jones, Director Virginia Sheffield, soprano
TORCHBEARERS Vida Kennedy Sloan Clark
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT
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PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 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.