FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

A community of faith committed to sharing the love of Jesus Christ with a hurting world through words and actions

MARCH 4, 2007                                     SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION                             9:30 A.M. SERVICE

We welcome you to this service of praise and adoration.   Let God speak to you through the songs and the message, and enjoy the fellowship of those who are seeking the Lord and the spiritual help that we need for daily living.

WELCOME                                                                                                                         Worship Leader: Sue Harris

WORSHIP IN SONG: WORSHIP THE LORD (by Edwin Hawkins)

Make a joyful noise, all ye people; Sing a song, to the Lord, of His goodness and His mercy,

of His faithfulness and love.  Make a joyful noise, all ye people; Sing a song, to the Lord,

of His goodness and His mercy, of His faithfulness and love.

Worship the Lord, let's praise His holy name; Worship the Lord, let's magnify His name. 

Worship the Lord, let's praise His holy name; Worship the Lord, let's magnify His name. (1981 Word Music)

 

SHOUT TO THE NORTH (by Martin Smith)

Men of faith, rise up and sing of the great and glorious King. 

You are strong when you feel weak, in your brokenness complete.

Chorus: Shout to the north and the south; sing to the east and the west. 

Jesus is Savior to all, Lord of heaven and earth.

 

Rise up, women of the truth, stand and sing to broken hearts

who can know the healing pow’r of our glorious King of love.   (chorus)

 

We’ve been through fire, we’ve been through rain; we’ve been refined by the pow’r of His name. 

We’ve fallen deeper in love with You.  You’ve burned the truth on our lips. (chorus)

 

Rise up, church with broken wings, fill this place with songs again of our God who reigns on high. 

By His grace again we’ll fly. (chorus) (1995 Curious? Music)

 

STRONG TOWER   (by Peter Furler, Steve Taylor)

Strong and mighty, strong to save us, like a fortress never failing.

Strong in battle, strong in kindness, when we stray, Lord, You’re strong to find us.  When the winds come hard against us you are steadfast you are true.  When the ground beneath us trembles, Your foundation never moves.

Refrain: Strong Tower High and Glorious, Strong Tower Mighty in Love,

Our Refuge, Our Defender, Strong Tower, Lord above.

 

Strong to lead us through the shadows, strong to carry all our sorrow.  When the enemy surrounds us,

closing in as darkness falls.  Though his armies rage against us, they can never scale these walls.  Refrain: 

 

You are my shelter, my shield, You are the home I could never deserve. 

Here I will serve, ever under Your gaze, here I will serve, ever singing Your praise.  Refrain:

Strong Tower; Lord above.  Strong Tower; Lord above.   (2004 Ariose Music)

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION:  Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart.  We have failed to be an obedient church.  We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy.  Forgive us, we pray.  Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Leader:  Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us.                  In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

People:  In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

All:        Glory to God. Amen

 

UNDER THE SHADOW   (by Kent Henry & John Stevenson)

Chorus: Under the shadow of Your wings I will find a hiding place, You are my refuge, a fortress in whom I can trust; under the shadow of Your wings I will find a hiding place, You are my refuge, my God in whom I trust.

 

You are my strength and my shield, O God, I run to You and I find help;

under the shadow of Your wings will I abide, and in Your loving arms I will hide.   (1988 Intregity’s Hosanna! Music)

 

WONDERFUL, MERCIFUL SAVIOR (by D. Rodgers, Eric Wyse)

Wonderful, merciful Savior, precious Redeemer and Friend;

Who would have thought that a Lamb could rescue the souls of men?  Oh, You rescue the souls of men.

 

You are the One that we praise, You are the One we adore,

You give the healing and grace our hearts always hunger for; Oh, our hearts always hunger for.

 

Counselor, Comforter, Keeper; Spirit we long to embrace;

You offer hope when our hearts have hopelessly lost the way, Oh, we hopelessly lost the way.  (chorus)

 

Almighty, infinite Father; faithfully loving Your own;

Here in our weakness You find us falling before Your throne, Oh, we’re falling before Your throne.  (chorus)    (WorshipTogether.com)

 

WE REMEMBER YOU  (by Rick Founds)

In broken bread and the cup that we share, we remember You.  In broken bread and the cup that we share,

we remember You.  We remember You, Jesus.  We remember Your love for us. 

We remember the blood You shed.  We remember You.   (1988 Marantha Music)

 

BRINGING OUR NEEDS TO GOD (Prayers of the People)

 

PRAYER RESPONSE:  WITH ALL MY HEART (by Mary Wetzel Freeman)

With all my heart I will follow after You, with all my soul I will praise You, O Lord;

With all the strength that You have given me I'll not be led astray, with all my heart I will walk in Your ways.

(1985 Integrity's Hosanna! Music)

 

WORSHIP IN GIVING: Offering 

 

SPECIAL MUSIC                                                       Youth Choir

 

 

SHARING THE WORD:  Scripture:                   Isaiah 55:1-2b

                                                  Message:                        “Dividends”                                               Pastor Steve Donat

 

RESPONSE TO THE WORD:  The Sacrament of Communion

 

HOLY COMMUNION  - The congregation is invited to receive Communion at the Communion rails.  Come forward when you are ready, and receive the Communion elements with joy.  These symbols represent the Body and Blood of Jesus offered for our forgiveness and new life.  The invitation to receive comes from Jesus himself, and is not based on membership in this or any other Church.  While you are waiting for your place at the Communion rail, take advantage of this quiet time to meditate, and offer your personal prayer and praise to God.

 

CLOSING HYMN TAKE UP THY CROSS (by Charles Everest)

“Take up thy cross”, the Savior said, “if thou wouldst my disciple be;

deny thyself, the world forsake, and humbly follow after me.”

 

Take up thy cross, let not its weight fill thy weak spirit with alarm;

his strength shall bear thy spirit up, and brace thy heart and nerve thine arm.

 

Take up thy cross, nor heed the shame, nor let thy foolish pride rebel;

thy Lord for thee the cross endured, to save thy soul from death and hell.

 

Take up thy cross and follow Christ, nor think till death to lay it down;

for only those who bear the cross may hope to wear the glorious crown.  (Public Domain)

 

 

GOING FORTH:  The Benediction

 

A NOTE TO PARENTS:  Child care is provided for infants and children up to 4 years old in the Education Building during Sunday school and worship hours. 

ATTENDANCE LAST WEEK:    Worship:  547   Sunday School: 211

ACOLYTE: Jesse Hamilton

USHERS: Robert Klenk, Rose Klenk, Greg Kincaid, Robin Stepp, David Stepp

 

THE CHANCEL BOUQUETS HAVE BEEN BY: Garth & Mary Berner, to the Glory of God and in honor of the children and youth of our church.  Also by: Barbara Loveland in memory of her parents, Gladys & Jack Snyder on their 65th wedding anniversary.

PRAYER CONCERNS: Steve Greer, Faye Sienkiewicz, Mary Louise Shingleton, Kathleen Barnwell (mother of Leslie Proctor), Jean Janssen (sister of Sue Adams), Lidio Zezza (Lucy Vogt’s father), Gary Falis (Lucy Vogt’s brother-in-law), Christine Crane, Michael Zayas (friend of The Nachsin’s),  Pat & Gary Rutledge (niece & nephew of Hugh & Marion Hamilton),  Eric Spruel, Barbara Baker (wife of Jeff Baker), Helga Shay, Robin Weitz (friend of Ann Woodworth).

PRAYERS AND SYMPATHY TO:  Ron Griffith and family on the death of his brother.

SERVING IN IRAQ:  Mark Dougherty, Jr., grandson of Marilyn McClendon, David Wichmann, friend of Rick & Linda Young, Scott Berner, grandson of Ray & Jean Berner, Michael Gala (cousin of Sue Lewis, nephew of Chris Fisher), Phillip Daniels (grandson of Harris Fister), Capt. Heather Schopf (friend of Ruth & Ed Florida), Lt. Col. David Ottignon.

The Staff of First United Methodist Church

                            Stephen Donat, Senior Pastor                              Joan Armstrong, Administrative Assistant

                            HeyYoung Horton, Associate Pastor                 Karen Halligan, Membership Secretary

                            Glenn Rodgers, Director of Music                      Sue Harris, Parish Nurse

                            Karen Murray, Director of Christian Ed.            Curt Diehl, Property Maintenance Coordinator

                            Karen Sims, Interim Youth Director

Church Office Contacts

                                Phone: 856-235-0450                                 Fax: 856-235-2722        

                             E-mail: church@meetwithGod.com                 Website: www.meetwithGod.com

                                                                                                                                                         (CCLI License No. 782839)