FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

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

 

JULY 1, 2007                                           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: Rick McConnell 

WORSHIP IN SONG: COME LET US OFFER (by Marlene Bigley)

Come let us offer the sacrifice of praise, come let us offer the sacrifice of praise; the fruit of our lips giving thanks, the fruit of our lips giving thanks.  Come and offer sacrifices, come and offer praise unto the Lord. 

(1985 Sound III, Inc.)

 

INDESCRIBABLE (by Laura Story)

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea, creations revealing Your majesty. 

From the colors of Fall to the fragrance of Spring, ev’ry creature unique in the song that it sings.  All exclaiming: 

Indescribable, uncontainable; You place the stars in the sky, and You know them by name.  You are amazing, God;  All powerful, untamable.  Awestruck, we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim You are amazing, God.

 

Who has told ev’ry lightning bolt where it should go or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow?  Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night?  None can fathom.

 

Indescribable, uncontainable; You place the stars in the sky, and You know them by name.  You are amazing, God; All powerful, untamable.  Awestruck, we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim You are amazing, God. You are amazing, God.  (sixsteps Music/Gleaning Publishing) 

 

AMERICA  (by Samuel F. Smith)

My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing; land where my fathers died,

land of the pilgrims' pride, from every mountainside let freedom ring!

 

My native country, thee, land of the noble free, thy name I love;

I love thy rocks and rills, thy woods and templed hills; my heart with rapture thrills, like that above.

 

Let music swell the breeze, and ring from all the trees sweet freedom's song;

let mortal tongues awake; let all that breathe partake; let rocks their silence break, the sound prolong.

 

Our fathers' God, to thee, author of liberty, to thee we sing; long may our land be bright

with freedom's holy light; protect us by thy might, great God our King.   (Public Domain)

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION: 

Creator God,

When faced with your miraculous love, we often question our worthiness to receive it;

   when faced with opportunities to share your grace, we often retreat out of fear. 

When faced with your invitation to join the harvest,

   we often close our doors to the needy. 

We focus our ministries inward to serve our own needs,

   rather than outward to meet the needs of others. 

We ask for your forgiveness,

   and for the strength to turn away from fear and selfish motives. 

Bless us so that we may open our hearts anew 

   and have the courage to serve you.  Amen.

  

JOY OF MY DESIRE (by Jennifer Randolph)

Joy of my desire, all consuming Fire, Lord of glory, Rose of Sharon, rare and sweet,

You are now my peace, comforter and friend, wonderful, so beautiful You are to me.

Chorus: I worship You in spirit and in truth.  I worship You in spirit and in truth. 

There will never be a friend as dear to me as You.  (1987 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music)

 

COME, SINNERS, TO THE GOSPEL FEAST (by Charles Wesley)

Come, sinners, to the gospel feast, let every soul be Jesus' guest. 

Ye need not one be left behind, for God hath bid all human kind.

 

Sent by my Lord, on you I call; the invitation is to all.  

Come, all the world! Come, sinner, thou! All things in Christ are ready now.

 

Come, all ye souls by sin oppressed, ye restless wanderers after rest;

ye poor, and maimed, and halt, and blind, in Christ a hearty welcome find.

 

My Message as from God receive; ye all may come to Christ and live. 

O let his love your hearts constrain, nor suffer him to die in vain.

 

This is the time, no more delay!  This is the Lord’s accepted day. 

Come thou, this moment, at his call, and live for him who died for all.  (Public Domain)

 

AGNUS DEI   (By Michael W. Smith)

Alleluia, alleluia, for the Lord God Almighty reigns.  Alleluia, for the Lord God Almighty reigns.  Alleluia.

Holy, holy are You, Lord God Almighty.  Worthy is the Lamb, worthy is the Lamb.  You are holy, holy.  Worthy is the Lamb, worthy is the Lamb.  You are Holy are You, Lord God Almighty

(1990 Sony/ATV Tune LLC)

 

BRINGING OUR NEEDS TO GOD (Prayers of the People)

 

PRAYER RESPONSE:  GLORY TO THE LAMB (By Larry Dempsey)

Glory, glory, glory to the Lamb. Glory, glory, glory to the Lamb.

For He is glorious and worthy to be praised, the Lamb upon the throne;

and unto Him we lift our voice in praise, the Lamb upon the throne.  (1983 Zionsong Music)

 

WORSHIP IN GIVING: Offering 

SHARING THE WORD:  Scripture:       1 Corinthians 13

                                                  Message:             “The Greatest of These”                                   Pastor Steve Donat

 

SACRAMENT OF 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.

For those members with grape juice allergies, whole grapes are available.

 

CLOSING SONG   FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH (by Folliot Pierpoint)

For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies,

for the love which from our birth over and around us lies;

Lord of  all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

 

For the beauty of each hour of the day and of the night,

hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light;

Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

 

For the joy of ear and eye, for the heart and mind's delight,

for the mystic harmony linking sense to sound and sight;

Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

 

For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child friends on earth and friends above,

for all gentle thoughts and mild; Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

 

For thy church, that evermore lifteth holy hands above,

offering upon every shore her pure sacrifice of love;

Love of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

 

For thyself, best Gift Divine, to the world so freely given, for that great, great love of thine,

peace on earth, and joy in heaven:  Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.  (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:  497             ACOLYTE:  Katie Clawges

USHERS: Robert Klenk, Rose Klenk, John Clawges, Kathy Clawges, David Stepp

 

THE CHANCEL BOUQUET HAS BEEN GIVEN BY: Gail, Virginia and Grant Moyer, to the Glory of God and in memory of Ernest D. Moyer.

PRAYER CONCERNS: Steve Greer, Faye Sienkiewicz, Mary Louise Shingleton,   Michael Zayas, Julia Rowe (friends of The Nachsin’s),  Robin Weitz (friend of Ann Woodworth), Pat & Gary Rutledge (niece & nephew of Hugh & Marion Hamilton), Maryellen Martin (sister-in-law of Debra & Ed Vernier), Drew Spinelli, William Schill (father of Dave Schill), Rev. Dan Hulitt, Tom Wanagas, (brother-in-law of Linda Wanagas), Nancy Germond (Denise Gatton’s mother).

SERVING IN IRAQ:  Mark Dougherty, Jr., grandson of Marilyn McClendon, David Wichmann, friend of Rick & Linda Young, Scott Berner, grandson of Ray & Jean Berner,  Lt. Col. David Ottignon,

Dennis Matulewicz (brother of Kelly Hudak), Josh Soper (son of Betsy Heinz’s cousin).   

 

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

                            Brad Kenney, 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)