FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

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

JANUARY 6, 2008 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: Curt Diehl

CALL TO WORSHIP:

Arise; shine, for your light has come!

We are called out of our darkness into light.

Lift up your eyes and look around.

We rejoice in the gift of light.

Come let us worship the God of light and joy and peace.

We come to kneel at the cradle of the babe, the Light Incarnate.

WORSHIP IN SONG: HE REIGNS (P. Furler, S. Taylor)

It’s the song of the redeemed rising from the African plain. It’s the song of the forgiven drowning out the Amazon rain. The song Asian believers filled with God’s holy fire. It’s ev’ry tribe, ev’ry tongue, ev’ry nation;

a love song born of grateful choir.

Chorus: It’s all God’s children singing “Glory, glory, hallelujah! He reigns, He reigns!”

It’s all God’s children singing, “Glory, glory, hallelujah! He reigns, He reigns.”

Let it rise above the four winds, caught up in the heavenly sound. Let praises echo from the towers of cathedrals to the faithful gathered underground. Of all the songs sung from dawn of creation, some were meant to persist. Of all the bells rung from a thousand steeples, none rings truer than this: (Chorus)

And all the powers of darkness tremble at what they’ve just heard, ‘cause all the powers of darkness

can’t drown out a single word. (Chorus) (WorshipTogether.com)

IT IS YOU (by Peter Furler)

As we lift up our hands, will You meet us here? As we call on Your name, will You meet us here?

We have come to this place to worship You. God of mercy and grace, it is You we adore,

it is You praises are for, only You the heavens declare, it is You, it is You.

(refrain 1) And holy, holy is our God Almighty, and holy, holy is His name alone, yeah.

And holy, holy is our God Almighty, and holy, holy is His name alone. It is You we adore, it is You, only You.

(Refrain 2) And holy, holy is our God Almighty, and holy, holy is His name alone, yeah.

And holy, holy is our God Almighty, and holy, holy is His name alone. As we lift up our hands,

as we call on Your name, will You meet us in this place by Your mercy and grace? (Repeat)

It is you we adore, it is You, it is You. (Refrain 1)

It is you we adore, it is You praises are for, only You the heavens declare, it is You, it is You. (WorshipTogether.com)

SON OF GOD (by Neufeld, Cash & Cochran)

Son of God, shaper of the stars, You alone, the dweller of my heart. Mighty king, how beautiful You are,

how beautiful. Son of God, the Father’s gift to us, you alone, were broken on the altar of love.

Precious lamb, our freedom’s in Your blood, it’s in Your blood.

Chorus: Jesus, oh holy one, I sing to You, forgiven. Savior, I’m overcome with Your great love for me.

Son of God, strength beyond compare, You alone the darkness cannot bear. Lord of all,

Your kindness draws me near, it draws me. Son of God, prophecy of old, You alone, redeemer of my soul.

Come again and lead Your people home, come lead us home. (chorus)

You are worthy, You are worthy, You are worthy of all my praise. You are beautiful,

You are beautiful, I will lift up my hands and sing. (repeat) (chorus) (worshiptogether.com)

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION: Ever patient God, We are a people who live in thick darkness. We stumble around bombarded by news of war and poverty, famine and genocide, injustice and oppression. The maelstrom of things and issues and people of the dark can overwhelm and paralyze us.

Help us be people of the light, shining your light of righteousness, peace, and joy into all the dark places of our lives and world. Unlock the mystery and glory of the babe born in Bethlehem. Turn our aimless wanderings into a journey of purpose guided by your star. Let the light break into our lives and our world, and transform us into people of the light. Amen.

YOU ARE MY KING (Amazing Love) (by Billy James Foote)

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken. I’m accepted; You were condemned.

I’m alive and well, Your Spirit is within me because You died and rose again.

Chorus: Amazing love, how can it be that You, my King, would die for me?

Amazing love, I know it’s true; it’s my joy to honor You. In all I do I honor You.

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken. I’m accepted; You were condemned.

I’m alive and well, Your Spirit is within me because You died and rose again. (chorus)

You are my King, You are my King. Jesus, You are my King. Jesus, You are my King. (chorus)

(1997 EMI Christian Music Publishing)

JESUS, LOVER OF MY SOUL (by Charles Wesley) VERSES 1 & 4

Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to thy bosom fly,

while the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.

Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;

safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.

Plenteous grace with thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;

let the healing streams abound, make and keep me pure within.

Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of thee;

spring thou up within my heart; rise to all eternity. (Public Domain)

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS (by Helen Lemmel)

O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There’s light for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and free!

Chorus: Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face,

and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

His word shall not fail you He promised; believe Him, and all will be well: then go to a world that is dying,

His perfect salvation to tell! (Chorus) (1950 Singspiration Music)

FREELY, FREELY (by Carol Owens)

God forgave my sin in Jesus' name, I've been born again in Jesus' name,

and in Jesus' name I come to you, to share his love as he told me to.

(Refrain) He said, "Freely, freely you have received, freely, freely give.

Go in my name, and because you believe, others will know that I live."

All power is given in Jesus' name, in earth and heaven in Jesus' name, and in Jesus' name I come to you,

to share his power as he told me to. (refrain) (1972 Communique Music, Inc.)

BRINGING OUR NEEDS TO GOD (Prayers of the People)

PRAYER RESPONSE: GRACE GREATER THAN OUR SIN (by Julia Johnston)

Refrain: Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin! (Public Domain)

WORSHIP IN GIVING: Offering

SHARING THE WORD Scripture: Luke 6:35-38

Message: “No Easy Answers, I” Pastor Steve Donat

Can I Really Forgive?

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 HYMN 365 GRACE GREATER THAN OUR SIN (by Julia Johnston)

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured, there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Refrain: Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin!

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, threaten the soul with infinite loss; grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, points to the refuge, the mighty cross. (repeat refrain)

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide. What can avail to wash it away? Look! There is flowing a crimson tide, brighter than snow you may be today. (repeat refrain)

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe! You that are longing to see his face, will you this moment his grace receive? (refrain) (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: 565 ACOLYTE: Olivia Bewley

USHERS: Tom Kulp, Joe Veldon, Ed Henry, Valerie Henry, David Stepp

THE CHANCEL BOUQUETS HAVE BEEN GIVEN BY: Ms. Helen Morrissey, to the Glory of God and in memory of her daughter, Kathy Morrissey.

PRAYER CONCERNS: Steve Greer, Stanton Webb (husband of Barbara Webb), Charlie Stocksdale, Matt & Kelly Petroski (friends of Rick & Linda Young), Janet Coshland (daughter of Alan Coshland), Walter Connor (brother of Grace Immler), Faye Sienkiewicz, Richard Kling (Doug Blackman’s brother-in-law), David Lawrence (brother of Sue Potter), Heidi Ramey and son Tommy Jester, Tink Scherer (mother of Martha Oliver), Marisa Wieland, Ruth Allen, Felecia Frugoli, Doris Ball (mother of Sharon Marchiano), Louise McMeans, Dale Duffin.

PRAYERS AND SYMPATHY TO: Donna Rolfs and family on the death of her husband Don Rolfs and to Lucy Vogt and family on the death of her father Lidio Zezza.

SERVING IN IRAQ: Lt. Col. David Ottignon, Josh Soper (son of Betsy Heinz’s cousin), Robert Woodard (grandson of Bill & Julia Wood), Joshua Moore (nephew of Carol Veldon), James Shields (son of Marcia Shields), Michael McMaster.