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 21, 2008          Stephen Ministry Commissioning Weekend                    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                                                                                                       Elmine van den Berg, Worship Leader

 

WORSHIP IN SONG:  MORNING HAS BROKEN (By Eleanor Farjeon)

Morning has broken like the first morning; blackbird has spoken like the first bird.

Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning! Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!

 

Sweet the rain's new fall sunlit from heaven, like the first dew fall on the first grass.

Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden, sprung in completeness where his feet pass.

 

Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning born of the one light Eden saw play! 

Praise with elation, praise every morning, God's recreation of the new day!  (United Methodist Pub. House)

 

BLESS THE LORD (by Jeff Deyo)

For Your beauty, for Your goodness, and Your wisdom, awesome God,

praise the Lord, oh my soul, praise the Lord! 

 

For Your power, for Your honor, and Your splendor, mighty God, praise the Lord, oh my soul, praise the Lord! And I will worship You; I will bless Your name forever.  I will worship You.  Bless the Lord, oh my soul,

bless the Lord.  Bless the Lord, oh my soul, bless the Lord.

 

For Your kindness, for your favor, for Your mercy, gracious One, thank the Lord, oh my soul, thank the Lord.  Thank the Lord, oh my soul, thank the Lord. 

 

For Your fire, for Your testing, and Your Spirit, Holy One, thank the Lord, oh my soul, thank the Lord. 

And I will worship You; I will bless Your name forever.  I will worship You.  Bless the Lord, oh my soul,

bless the Lord.  Bless the Lord, oh my soul, bless the Lord.

 

For Your suff’ring, for Your anguish, and Your sorrow, humble King,

bless the Lord, oh my soul, bless the Lord!  Bless the Lord, oh my soul, bless the Lord!

 

For Your vict’ry, for Your triumph, and You’ll soon come and  reign over us.  And I will worship You;

I will bless Your name forever.  I will worship You.  Bless the Lord, oh my soul, bless the Lord. 

Bless the Lord, oh my soul, bless the Lord. (2004 Emack Music)

 

JESUS MESSIAH    (Chris Tomlin)

He became sin, who knew no sin; that we might become His righteousness;

He humbled Himself, and carried the cross. Love so amazing, love so amazing.

Chorus: Jesus, Messiah; Name above all names; Blessed Redeemer; Emmanuel. 

The Rescue for sinners, the Ransom from heaven; Jesus, Messiah, Lord of all.

 

His body the bread, His blood the wine broken and poured out, all for love. 

The whole earth trembled, and the veil was torn.  Love so amazing, love so amazing.  (Chorus)

 

All our hope is in You, all our hope is in You; all the glory to You, God, the Light of the word.  (Repeat)    (Chorus)     (2008 sixsteps Music)

 

PSALM READING:                            Psalm 145:1-8

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.

Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.

They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds.

They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

 

O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED (by John E. Bode)    VERSES 1,2 &4

O Jesus, I have promised to serve thee to the end; be thou forever near me, my Master and my friend. 

I shall not fear the battle if thou art by my side, nor wander from the pathway if thou wilt be my guide.

 

O let me feel thee near me!  The world is ever near; I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear;

my foes are ever near me, around me and within; but Jesus, draw thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.

 

O Jesus, thou hast promised to all who follow thee that where thou art in glory there shall thy servant be.

And Jesus, I have promised to serve thee to the end; O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend.   (Public Domain)

 

THERE IS A REDEEMER (by Melody Green)

There is a Redeemer Jesus, God's own Son.  Precious Lamb of God, Messiah Holy One. 

Jesus my Redeemer Name above all names, Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, oh for Sinners slain.

Thank you, oh my Father, for giving us your Son, and leaving Your Spirit 'til the work on Earth is done.

 

When I stand in Glory I will see His face.  There I'll serve my King forever in that Holy place. 

Thank you, oh my Father, for giving us your Son,  and leaving Your Spirit 'til the work on earth is done.

 

There is a Redeemer:  Jesus, God's own Son.  Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy, Holy One. 

Thank you, oh my Father, for giving us your Son, and leaving Your Spirit 'til the work on earth is done; 

and leaving Your Spirit 'til the work on earth is done.  (1982 Birdwing Music)

 

 

BRINGING OUR NEEDS TO GOD (Prayers of the People)

 

PRAYER RESPONSE:   TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS  (by Helen Lemmel)

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.   (1950 Singspiration Music)

 

WORSHIP IN GIVING: Offering 

 

SPECIAL MUSIC                       It Is Well With My Soul                Elmine van den Berg and Walters Vermaak

 

SHARING THE WORD       Scripture:      I Peter 4:7-11

 

STEPHEN MINISTRY SHARING:                                                                             Pat Denzler, Jan Pappin

 

MESSAGE                                                Above All…Love                                                              Pastor Steve Donat

 

NOTES FROM CARE RECEIVERS

 

RESPONSE:  STEPHEN MINISTRY COMMISSIONING

 

PRESENTATION

Leader:  Dear friends, you have been equipped to serve as Stephen Ministers at First United Methodist Church of Moorestown.  Listen now to the words we find in Scripture: “Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.  Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the master you are serving is Christ.”

 

REQUESTS

 

VOWS:                                                                                                                                                   Stephen Leaders

Leader:  Are you prepared to meet those requests that we ask of you?

Answer:  Yes, with the help of God.

Leader:  Are you prepared to nurture the skills you have learned and use them in service to others – to support, encourage, build up, and comfort people in all their needs?

Answer:  Yes, with the help of God.

Leader: [to congregation] Now we ask you, members of First United Methodist Church, to open your hearts to the ministry of these people and to pray for them, that they may be effective servants of Christ.  Are you prepared to meet this request?

Congregation Answers:  Yes, with the help of God.

Leader:  We also ask you to accept their ministry when you need help, to allow these individuals to work with you as you face struggles in your life, that you might receive support and help from your Christian brothers and sisters.  Are you prepared to meet this request?

Congregation Answers:  Yes, with the help of God.

Leader: [To Stephen Ministers]  Are you prepared to serve as Stephen Ministers of First United Methodist Church of Moorestown?

Answer: Yes, with the help of God.

Leader:  Please kneel and receive a blessing.

 

BLESSING

 

COMMENDATION

 

PRAYER

 

DISMISSAL

 

GOING FORTH:  The Benediction

 

THE PEACE:   The Peace of the Lord be with you.

                            And also with you.

 

 

CHILD CARE IS AVAILABLE in Room E101 for children up to age four.

 

ATTENDANCE LAST WEEK:    Worship: 567    Sunday School:  217   

 

ACOLYTE:  Samantha Bewley 

 

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

 

 

THE CHANCEL BOUQUETS HAVE BEEN GIVEN BY: Edith Johnson, to the Glory of God and in memory of husband, Fred Johnson.  Flowers also given to the Glory of God and in honor of  “our parents”, Stanley and Jane Leonberg, Jr. on their 60th Wedding Anniversary.

PRAYER CONCERNS:  Stanton Webb (husband of Barbara Webb), Janet Coshland (daughter of Alan Coshland), Faye Sienkiewicz, Ruth Allen, Matt & Kelly Petroski (friends of Rick & Linda Young), David Lawrence (brother of Sue Potter), Judith Stiles (sister of Bill Potter), Trevor Grimes (friend of Brad Kenney), Betsy Turchi (niece of Marjie & Dale Duffin), Elsie Stoud (friend of Doris Coshland), Billy Robertson, Lois Mullikin (friend of the Van Cleave, Mississippi mission teams), Joan Woodworth (Ann’s sister-in-law), Linda Wanagas, Bruce Slocum, Frank Militano (father-in-law of Allan Hanlon), Gini Lynne Heywood (niece of Grace Immler), Sherri Briggs-Allison.

SERVING IN IRAQ:  James Shields (son of Marcia Shields), Kim Ortiz (niece of Ruth Gandek),

Doug Ferrie  

 

The Staff of First United Methodist Church

                    Stephen Donat, Senior Pastor                                  Joan Flamini, 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.                Bill McIlmail, 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)