WELCOME TO WORSHIP
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BAPTISM
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POSTLUDE Fantasy on ‘Walk Together, Children’ — André J. Thomas
BAPTISMAL RESPONSE Do you as Christ’s body, the church, reaffirm both your rejection of sin and your commitment to Christ? We do.
We give thanks for all that God has already given you and welcome you in Christian love. With God’s help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround Eloise 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 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
PRELUDE
Variations sur ‘Lasst uns erfreuen’ — Denis Bédard
HYMN
Day by Day — Harold Friedell Day by day, dear Lord, of Thee three things I pray: to see Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, follow Thee more nearly, day by day.
CALL TO WORSHIP Praise the Lord! We love you, Lord, for you hear our voices. How can we repay the Lord for all his goodness to us? We will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. Come, let us worship God together. With grateful hearts, we come to give thanks to the Lord
WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED SCRIPTURE — Psalm 116: 1-7. 12-19
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HYMN OF PROCESSION #540 I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord — ST. THOMAS
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AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is 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. †
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.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
#191 Jesus Loves Me — JESUS LOVES ME
(Stanzas one and two. Following the baptismal parade, 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
Thank you for joining us in worship today.
Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include this family, now before you, in your care?
TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST • AUGUST 16, 2026 • 11:00AM
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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 be your side. 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.
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.
This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. SERMON — “Paying God Back”
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT OFFERTORY The Majesty and Glory of Your Name — Tom Fettke When I gaze into the night skies and see the work of your fingers; the moon and stars suspended in space. Oh, what is man that you are mindful of him? You have given man a crown of glory and honor and have made him a little lower than the angels. You have put him in charge of all creation: the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea. O Lord, our God the majesty and glory of your name transcends the earth and fills the heavens. O Lord, our God; little children praise You perfectly, and so would we. Alleluia! The majesty and glory of Your name. DOXOLOGY #94 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow — LASST UNS ERFREUEN Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
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PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
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WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD HYMN
SERMON NOTES
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PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP PREACHING Reverend Lara “Willis” Greene Senior Minister LITURGIST Reverend Oliver Helsabeck Associate Minister for Congregational Care MUSIC Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music & Arts Tate Addis, Organist & Associate Conductor The Chancel Choir
CRUCIFER Louise Johnson TORCHBEARERS Liza Harris Scott Johnson FLOWERS The Chancel flowers are given in loving memory of Sally Brooks Pullen Kelly by Dr. David Kelly and family.
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#474 Precious Lord, Take My Hand — FOUNDATION
BENEDICTION
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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.