WELCOME TO WORSHIP
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.)
CANTICLE A Merry Heart — arr. Cynthia Dobrinski FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER • APRIL 26, 2026 • 11:00AM
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS Welcome to worship at Centenary! We are a church for everyone. As you prepare for worship, we invite you to greet your neighbor and share the love of Christ. Please silence all mobile communication devices. †
Please stand as you are able
WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED SCRIPTURE — John 21:4-19 This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. SERMON — “Close the Gate”
PRELUDE GREETING CALL TO WORSHIP We come to worship remembering: it is not we who chose Christ, but Christ who chose us. We come not because of our goodness, but because of Christ’s grace. We come not to enlighten ourselves, but to be enlightened by Christ. We gather now to worship God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let every voice be lifted in praise. Let us worship the risen Lord!
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HYMN OF PROCESSION #163 Ask Ye What Great Things I Know — HENDON
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AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress, or persecution or famine, or nakedness or peril or sword?
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT OFFERTORY I Shall Not Live in Vain — J. Reese Norris I shall not live in vain. If I could stop one heart from breaking or cool one pain, I shall not live in vain. If I could ease one life the aching or help one fainting robin unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain. I was hungry, I was thirsty, alone and you took me in. I was trembling, I was hurting, captive when you took my hand. 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
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No! In all things we are more than conquerors through the One who loved us. We are sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thanks be to God! Amen. †
AFFIRMATION RESPONSE Festival Alleluia — James Chepponis The Chancel Choir will sing first, then the congregation will be invited to join.
WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD HYMN
SERMON NOTES
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#581 Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service — BEACH SPRING
BENEDICTION
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BENEDICTION RESPONSE The Lord Bless You and Keep You — John Rutter The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. Amen. (Numbers 6: 24-26)
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POSTLUDE
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Thank you for joining us in worship today.
PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP PREACHING Reverend Lara “Willis” Greene Senior Minister LITURGIST Reverend Oliver Helsabeck Associate Minister for Congegational Care MUSIC Michael Martinez, Conductor Joshua Sobel, Organist Jonathan Blake Borton, piano The Chancel Choir West End Ringers: Camille Jones, Director
CRUCIFER Mac Packard TORCHBEARERS Elle Reid George Schultz FLOWERS The Chancel flowers are given by Ann & Bob King in memory of Gloria King, Tim King, Talmadge Hinkle, Debbie Hinkle Thompson and Susan Hinkle.
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.