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. Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include Benny now before you in your care?
ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST • AUGUST 24, 2025 • 11:00AM
With God’s help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround Benny with a community of love and forgiveness, that he may grow in his service to others. We will pray for him, that he 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. †
HYMN
PRELUDE GREETING Be Not Afraid —Craig Courtney Be not afraid: for I have redeemed you, be not afraid I have called you by name. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you pass through the floods, they will not sweep o’er you; when you walk through the fire, you will not be consumed; you are mine; you are precious in my sight. My love for you is everlasting, my love for you shall have no end.
CALL TO WORSHIP We shall praise you, O God, with all our hearts! Gladly will we sing and pray to you! We shall bow down in your holy sanctuary. For your love and faithfulness, we will praise your name! HYMN OF PROCESSION #339 Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast — HURSLEY AFFIRMATION OF FAITH We are not alone, we live in God’s world.
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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. 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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HYMN
#121 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy — WELLESLEY
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 bodyof 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 Amen (from Geistliches Lied, Op. 30) — Johannes Brahms
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POSTLUDE
#191 Jesus Loves Me — JESUS LOVES ME
WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED SCRIPTURE — Luke 13:10-17 This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. SERMON
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Thank you for joining us in worship today.
(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.)
Please stand as you are able
INTROIT
WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD
“A Daughter of Abraham”
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT OFFERTORY Greater Love Hath No Man — John Ireland Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it. Love is strong as death. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Who his own self bare our sins in his own Body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness. Ye are washed, ye are sanctified, ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus. Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. I beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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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SERMON NOTES
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PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP PREACHING The Reverend Lara “Willis” Greene Senior Minister LITURGIST The Reverend Oliver Helsabeck Associate Minister for Congregational Care MUSIC Jonathan Emmons Director of Music Ministries
CRUCIFER Taylor Paris TORCHBEARERS Sloan Clark Beverly Douglas FLOWERS The Chancel flowers are given in loving memory of Stella Davis Stinson by Robin Stinson.
Joshua Sobel Organist The Chancel Choir
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 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.