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.
(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 • SEPTEMBER 29, 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. †
CANTICLE For He Is Our Peace — Philip W. J. Stopford For this cause I bow my knee unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with the fullness of God. For he is our peace, who hath made both one. SCRIPTURE — John 15:5-17
Please stand as you are able
This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
PRELUDE
SERMON — “Conversations across the Aisle: Breaking Down the Dividing Wall”
GREETING
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT
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 O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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HYMN OF PROCESSION #547 O Church of God, United — ELLACOMBE
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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.
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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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PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
OFFERTORY God Be in My Head — K. Lee Scott God be in my head, and in my understanding. God be in mine eyes, and in my looking. God be in my mouth, and in my speaking. God be in my heart, and in my thinking. God be at my end, and my departing. 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 God of all creation, source of every blessing: you have given us so much. As we bring our tithes and gifts to you this day, these seem so small by comparison, unless we see that we are truly called to give ourselves back to the world. May we be the ones who bring value in relationship with those around us. May we be the ones who show your light to the world. We pray all of this in the mighty name of Jesus, who came to help us see all we could be. Amen.
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WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD HYMN
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#557 Blest Be the Tie that Binds — DENNIS
BENEDICTION
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BENEDICTION RESPONSE Amen (from Geistliches Lied, Op. 30) — Johannes Brahms
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POSTLUDE
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Thank you for joining us in worship today.
SERMON NOTES
___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP PREACHING The Reverend Dr. P. Glenn Kinken III, Senior Minister LITURGIST The Reverend Meg Peters, Assoc. Minister MUSIC Michael Martinez & June Stegall, Conductors Sam Howell, Music & Arts Intern Joshua Sobel, Organ Scholar Jonathan Borton, Piano The Chancel Choir
CRUCIFER Jeannie Reed TORCHBEARERS Georgia Elliott Vida Kennedy FLOWERS The Chancel Flowers are given in memory of Mr. James A. Gray, Norwood and Pauline Gray Robinson, Bahnson Gray and Anne P. Gray by their families. The Narthex Flowers are given in honor of Elizabeth Thompson White and John Hodge Gaiennie, married on September 28, 2024.
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.