WELCOME TO WORSHIP
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AFFIRMATION RESPONSE Festival Alleluia — James Chepponis (The Chancel Choir will sing first, then the congregation will be invited to join.)
CLOSING PRAYER Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD HYMN
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#132 All My Hope Is Firmly Grounded — MICHAEL
BENEDICTION PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER • MAY 3, 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
GREETING My Help Comes from the Lord — Michael R. Nichols In the morning when I get up, I say a prayer to the Lord above. I ask Him for help each day, to lead and guide me in every way. My help comes from the Lord, oh, He answers prayer.
CALL TO WORSHIP Brothers and sisters, we are called by grace into one body. We come to walk in a way that reflects this calling. With humility, gentleness, and patience, We bear with one another in love. There is one body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. Bound together by the Spirit, we are one family. We worship the God who unites us in love. PROCESSIONAL FANFARE Processional Celebration — Anna Laura Page †
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This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. SERMON — “Party at the Table”
POSTLUDE (The congregation is invited to remain seating during the postlude.)
Thank you for joining us in worship today.
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT
PRELUDE
INTROIT
SCRIPTURE — Ephesians 4:1-6
BENEDICTION RESPONSE Go Now in Peace — Robert Lau Go now in peace, and may God’s peace go with you. Believe and trust his holy word. Amen.
HYMN OF PROCESSION #557 Blest Be the Tie That Binds — DENNIS (The congregation is invited to stand beginning with the second stanza.) AFFIRMATION OF FAITH I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
OFFERTORY For Everyone Born — arr. Tom Trenney For everyone born, a place at the table, for everyone born, clean water and bread, a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing, for everyone born, a star overhead. And God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy, compassion and peace. For young and for old, a place at the table, a voice to be heard, a part in the song. The hands of a child in hands that are wrinkled, for young and for old, the right to belong. For everyone born, a place at the table, to live without fear, and simply to be, to work, to speak out, to witness and worship, for everyone born, the right to be free! 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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WE CELEBRATE HOLY COMMUNION
SERMON NOTES
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INVITATION TO COMMUNION CONFESSION AND PARDON THE GREAT THANKSGIVING 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. RECEIVING OF ELEMENTS
PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP PREACHING The Reverend Lara “Willis” Greene Senior Minister LITURGIST The Reverend Kate May Associate Minister with Children MUSIC Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music & Arts Joshua Sobel, Organist The Chancel Choir Creative Arts Experience (CAE) Participants
CRUCIFER Chandler Robinson TORCHBEARERS Beverly Douglas MacRae Robinson FLOWERS The Chancel flowers are given in loving memory of Dr. Ted Keith and T.R. Keith by their family, Mary Jane Keith, Melissa Keith Lewis and Stacy Keith Ritch.
MUSIC AT COMMUNION The anthem texts are printed with permission. One License A-707342 To This Table, Lord, We Come: Copyright 2000 GIA Publications 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.