WELCOME TO WORSHIP
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.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 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.)
NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST • JULY 30, 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 GREETING INTROIT
If Ye Love Me — Thomas Tallis If ye love me, keep my commandments, and I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may ‘bide with you forever; e’en the spirit of truth. (John 14:15-17)
OPENING PRAYER O God, protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; 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 #117 O God, Our Help in Ages Past — AZMON
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AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is the one true church, apostolic and universal, whose holy faith let us now declare:
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We believe in God the Father, infinite in wisdom, power, and love, whose mercy is over all his works, and whose will is ever directed to his children’s good. We believe in Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of man, the gift of the Father’s unfailing grace, the ground of our hope, and the promise of our deliverance from sin and death. We believe in the Holy Spirit as the divine presence in our lives, whereby we are kept in perpetual remembrance of the truth of Christ, and find strength and help in time of need. We believe that this faith should manifest itself in the service of love as set forth in the example of our blessed Lord, to the end that the kingdom of God may come upon the earth. Amen.
WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD
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HYMN
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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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BENEDICTION RESPONSE A Clare Benediction — John Rutter May the Lord show his mercy upon you; may the light of his presence be your guide: may he guard you and uphold you; may his spirit be ever by your side.
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WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED CANTICLE Consecration — John Ness Beck Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee; take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise. Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love; take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee. Take my voice and let it sing always, only, for my King. Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee. Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold. Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose. Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine. Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne. Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store. Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee. SCRIPTURE — Romans 8:26-39
#384 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling — BEECHER
When you sleep may his angels watch over you; when you wake may he fill you with his grace: may you love him and serve him all your days; then in heaven may you see his face. POSTLUDE
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Thank you for joining us in worship today.
This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. SERMON
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT OFFERTORY O Love — Elaine Hagenberg O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee; I give thee back the life I owe, that in thy ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be. O Joy that seeks me through the pain, I cannot close my heart to thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, and feel the promise is not vain, that morn shall tearless be. 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 Most holy and gracious God accept these gifts from our hearts. May they be used to share the message of your love with a world that is hurting. May these gifts shine like light in the darkness offering hope, and peace. May we offer ourselves and dedicate our lives to your service this week using our talents and time to build your kingdom. All this we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP PREACHING The Reverend Dr. P. Glenn Kinken III Senior Minister LITURGIST The Reverend Susannah Pittman, Assoc. Minister
MUSIC Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music Ministries Joshua Sobel, Organ Scholar Jonathan Borton, piano Jacob Wright, tenor The Chancel Choir
FLOWERS The Chancel Flowers are given in loving memory of William Griffin by his wife, Ruby Griffin.
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.