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.
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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.)
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT • MARCH 30, 2025 • 11:00AM
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 Deep Peace — Gwyneth Walker Deep peace of the running waves to you. Deep peace of the flowing air to you. Deep peace of the quiet earth to you. Deep peace of the shining stars to you. Deep peace to you.
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POSTLUDE
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WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED 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 stand as you are able
PRELUDE
I Dream a World — Rollo Dilworth Dream! I dream a world where man no other man will scorn. Where love will bless the earth and peace its paths adorn. I dream a world where all will know sweet freedom’s way, where greed no longer saps the soul nor avarice blights our day. A world I dream where black or white, whatever race you be, will share the bounties of the earth and every man is free. Where wretchedness will hang its head and joy, like a pearl, attends the needs of all mankind. Of such I a world I dream!
CANTICLE Poor Wayfaring Stranger — arr. Mary Ann Cooper I’m just a poor, wayfaring stranger, a travelin’ through this world of woe. I’m going there to meet my father/mother, I’m going there, no more to roam. I’m just a going over Jordan, I’m just a-going over home. I know dark clouds will gather ‘round me, I know my way is tough and steep. But golden fields lie out before me where God’s redeemed, their vigil keep. I want to wear a crown of glory when I get home to that bright land. I want to shout salvation’s story in concert with that blood-washed land! I’m going there to see my Savior, to sing his praise forever more. SCRIPTURE — Luke 15:1-10 This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. SERMON — “Forgiven Before You Know It”
GREETING INTROIT
Exsultate Justi — Rollo Dilworth Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous ones: it is fitting for the upright ones to give praise. Acknowledge the Lord with the harp. Sing to Him with a psaltery of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song. Sing praises to Him well with a loud voice, for the word of the Lord is right, and all His works are done in faithfulness.
OPENING PRAYER Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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HYMN OF PROCESSION #117 O God, Our Help in Ages Past — ST. ANNE
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT OFFERTORY I Choose Love — Mark Burrows In the midst of pain, I choose Love. In the midst of pain, sorrow falling down like rain. I await the sun again; I choose love. In the midst of war, I choose peace. In the midst of war, hate and anger keeping score. I will seek the good once more; I choose peace. When my world falls down, I will rise. When my world falls down, explanations can’t be found. I will climb to holy ground. I will rise. 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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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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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
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 Oliver Helsabeck, Assoc. Minister MUSIC Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music Ministries Joshua Sobel, Organ Scholar The Chancel Choir Sam Howell, Music Ministry Intern Winston Salem Choral Academy Anne Saxon, Founding Artistic Director Suzanne Maggs, Assistant Director Cynthia Saylor, Collaborative Pianist Laura Stevens, Flute
CRUCIFER Jojo Johnson TORCHBEARERS Matthew Frye Christopher Frye FLOWERS The Chancel Flowers are given in loving memory of Bess Richardson by her husband Scott, and children, Libby, Susan, and George.
The anthem texts are printed with permission. One License A-707342
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#140 Great Is Thy Faithfulness — FAITHFULNESS
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.