FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

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

SEPTEMBER 9, 2007 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: ALMIGHTY GOD (Tim Hughes)

The rising sun that fills the sky, the starry host that lights the night, reflecting your glory. The mountain heights, forever stand, the rain that falls to soak the land respond to your glory. Almighty God in ev’ry way You are above and beyond understanding; if we did not praise, the rocks would cry out, Glorious God, high above understanding. Yeah.

The vast expanse of earth and sea, held by You in harmony, speaks of Your glory all You’ve made, since time began. Life itself; Your perfect plan, and its all for Your glory. Almighty God in ev’ry way You are above and beyond understanding; if we did not praise, the rocks would cry out, Glorious God, high above understanding.

Creation joins as one to sing “Glorious God,” so far above all earthly things. Almighty God, in ev’ry way, you are above and beyond understanding; if we did not praise the rocks would cry out, Glorious God, high above understanding. Almighty God in ev’ry way, You are above and beyond understanding; if we did not praise the rocks would cry out Glorious God, high above understanding. Yes Lord. (2005 ThankYou Music)

AS HIGH AS THE HEAVENS (by D. Harris & M. Nystrom)

Chorus: As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is the Father's love; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He taken our sin from us.

For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts for a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night but rejoicing comes, it comes in the morning. (repeat chorus) (1993 Integrity's Hosanna! Music)

BLESSED ASSURANCE (By Fanny Crosby)

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

Refrain: This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long; this is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight, visions of rapture now burst on my sight;

angels descending bring from above echoes of mercy, whispers of love. (repeat refrain)

Perfect submission, all is at rest; I in my Savior am happy and blest,

watching and waiting, looking above, filled with his goodness, lost in his love. (repeat refrain) (Public Domain)

OPENING PRAYER

I WAS IN HIS MIND (By Jane LaRowe)

I was in His mind before the worlds were made, I was in His mind before the earth's frame was laid,

Because he knew me, because he loved me!

I was in His tho'ts the night He prayed for me, I was in His tho'ts before Gethsemane,

Because He saw me, because he loved me!

I was in His heart when Calv'ry's hill He climbed, I was in His heart when he died for all mankind,

Because He sought me, because He loved me!

I am in His mind, and soon He'll come for me, I am in His mind with Him in heav'n to be,

Because He wants me, because He loves me, because He loves me! (1970 Singspiration Music)

GRACE FLOWS DOWN (by D. Bell, L. Giglio, R. Pagaent)

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound; amazing love, now flowing down

from hands and feet that were nailed to the tree as grace flows down and covers me.

It covers me, it covers me, it covers me, and covers me. (WorshipTogether.com)

CANTICLE OF THE TURNING (arr. Rory Cooney)

My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great, and my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait. You fixed your sight on your servant's plight, and my weakness you did not spurn, so from east to west shall my name be blessed. Could the world be about to turn?

Though I am small, my God, my all, you work great things in me, and your mercy will last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be. Your very name puts the proud to shame, and to those who would for you yearn, you will show your might, put the strong to flight, for the world is about to turn.

From the halls of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on stone. Let the king beware for your justice tears ev'ry tyrant from his throne. The hungry poor shall weep no more, for the food they can never earn: There are tables spread, ev'ry mouth be fed, for the world is about to turn. My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn.

Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast: God's mercy must deliver us from the conqueror's crushing grasp. This saving word that our forebears heard is the promise which holds us bound, 'Til the spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is turning the world around. My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn.

BRINGING OUR NEEDS TO GOD (Prayers of the People)

PRAYER RESPONSE: HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL (by Audrey Mieir)

His name is wonderful, his name is wonderful, his name is wonderful, Jesus, my Lord.

He is the mighty King, Master of everything; his name is wonderful, Jesus, my Lord.

He's the great Shepherd, the Rock of all ages, almighty God is he;

bow down before him, love and adore him, his name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord. (1987 Manna Music, Inc.)

WORSHIP IN GIVING: Offering

SHARING THE WORD Scripture: Luke 14:15-33

Message: Invitations Pastor Steve Donat

CLOSING SONG 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: 441 ACOLYTE: Jesse Hamilton

USHERS: Ed Florida, Ruth Florida, David Stepp, Robin Stepp, Joe Veldon

THE CHANCEL BOUQUET HAS BEEN GIVEN BY: Marion Stepp, to the Glory of God and in memory of husband and father, William Stepp.

PRAYERS AND SYMPATHY TO: Doug Ferrie & family on the death of his grandmother, Grace.

*PRAYER CONCERNS: Steve Greer, Mary Louise Shingleton, Anne Chandler (friend of Doug & Amy Hamilton), Janet Coshland (daughter of Alan Coshland), Stanton Webb (husband of Barbara Webb), Charlie Stocksdale, Nan Scheyhing, Matt & Kelly Petroski (friends of Rick & Linda Young), Irv Elliott, Bob Arenge (friend of Joyce Scheyhing), Louise McMeans.

*At the beginning of each month, names printed in the above list will be reviewed for omission. Names listed above will only be printed for one month. If you desire a name to be listed longer, call Joan in the church office. Names may be added to the prayer chain or given to the Prayer Committee. Thank you!

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), Robert Woodard (grandson of Bill & Julia Wood), Joshua Moore (nephew of Carol Veldon).

Church Office Contacts

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

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

(CCLI License No. 782839)