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. BAPTISM BAPTISMAL RESPONSE Do you as Christ’s body, the church, reaffirm both your rejection of sin and your commitment to Christ? We do. THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT • MARCH 12, 2023 • 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. †
Please stand as you are able
PRELUDE
HYMN
O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig (O Lamb of God, Innocent), BWV 618 — J. S. Bach
You Do Not Walk Alone — Rodgers & Hammerstein
CALL TO WORSHIP I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121) HYMN OF PROCESSION #117 O God, Our Help in Ages Past — ST. ANNE 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.
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#365 Grace Greater Than Our Sin — MOODY
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS We give thanks for all that God has already given you and we welcome you in Christian love. As members together with you in the body of Christ and in this congregation of the United Methodist Church, we renew our covenant faithfully to participate in the ministries of the church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness, that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. BENEDICTION
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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 Lucy 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.
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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. POSTLUDE Prelude and Fugue in E Minor, BWV 533 — J. S. Bach
#191 Jesus Loves Me — JESUS LOVES ME
Thank you for joining us in worship today.
WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED
SERMON NOTES
SCRIPTURE — Luke 19:1-10 This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
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HYMN
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Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include Lucy, now before you, in your care?
(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.)
GREETING INTROIT
WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
SERMON — “Disciple: A Heart for Seekers”
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT OFFERTORY You Do Not Walk Alone — Elaine Hagenberg May you see God’s light on the path ahead when the road you walk is dark. May you always hear even in your hour of sorrow, the gentle singing of the lark. When times are hard may hardness never turn your heart to stone. May you always remember when the shadows fall – You do not walk alone. 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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___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP PREACHING The Reverend Susannah Pittman, Assoc. Minister
CRUCIFER Jack Norman
LITURGIST The Reverend Meg Peters, Assoc. Minister The Reverend R. Craig Ford, Assoc. Minister The Reverend Kate May, Assoc. Minister
TORCHBEARERS Hamilton Norman Mary Claire Norman
MUSIC June Stegall, Assistant Music Director Joshua Sobel, Organ Scholar The Chancel Choir Alden Pridgen, mezzo-soprano
FLOWERS The Chancel Flowers are given in loving memory of Marian W. Rief and Jane F. White by Sandy, Elizabeth, and Katie Rief.
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.