Sunday, August 23, 2020
CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
GATHERING THE COMMUNITY OF FAITH
August 23, 2020
Centering Scripture: Exodus 1:8 – 2:10
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MINISTRY OF LIGHT
CALL TO WORSHIP
Who is this Jesus? Who do you say the Son of Man is?
Some say a prophet, some say a teacher.
Some say a wise man, some say a reformer.
Some say a mystic, Some say a shaman.
Some say a reincarnated prophet like Elijah, Jeremiah or John the Baptist.
But we say he is the Anointed One, the only true Son of the living God.
Blessed are you who come today with that belief, for such faith is not your doing but a gift from God.
Thanks be to God!
*HYMN OF PRAISE “My Hope Is Built” No. 368
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My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.
EPISTLE LESSON Romans 12:1-8
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MORNING PRAYER
God our holy Parent, the magnitude and mystery of the universe is a simple thing to you;
help us to come to you with both awe and trust.
Christ Jesus our holy Brother, the wonder of the Gospel of love is a free gift from you;
help us to come to you with open hearts.
Spirit-Truth, our holy Friend, the power that sustains all things is contained in your intimacy;
help us to come to you with high expectations.
Please bless us, most loving God, for in your blessing is our health and our happiness. For your love’s sake.
Amen!
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
RECEPTION INTO MEMBERSHIP OF DICK LIN
DECLARATION OF FAITH
Do you believe in God the creator of the universe, who calls us each into relationship with God and with one another?
I do.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ as the revealing expression of God’s love come to dwell among the human family?
I do.
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit as the force by which we are brought into closer harmony with the will of God?
I do.
Do you then, having declared your faith before this gathered company, seek to become one in spirit with the membership of Centenary United Methodist Church?
In so doing, do you pledge to enter into an honest and open relationship of mutual support and nurture with this congregation?
Do you pledge to maintain this body through your personal efforts and talents?
Do you pledge to further the work of God’s realm and the church universal by studied and prayerful efforts to serve all humanity after the manner of Jesus Christ?
Do you pledge to challenge the limits of your faith through education, prayer, reflection, and examination?
I do.
Will you be loyal to The United Methodist Church, and uphold it by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness?
I will.
COMMENDATION AND WELCOME
Brothers and sisters, I commend to your love and care Dick Lin whom we this day receive into the membership of this congregation. Do all in your power to increase his faith, confirm his hope, and perfect him in love.
CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
We rejoice to recognize you as a member of Christ’s holy Church, and bid you welcome to this congregation of the United Methodist Church. With you we renew our vows to uphold is by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness. With God’s help we will so order our lives after the example of Christ that, surrounded by steadfast love, you may be established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal.
BLESSING
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit bless, preserve, and keep you, now and evermore. Amen.
CHILDREN’S MOMENTS
How many names and nicknames do you have? Do you get called something different when you’re in trouble from when you’re doing great? Jesus wanted to know what his disciples thought of him and Peter called him Messiah, a name for the chosen One of God who will save His people. We call Jesus Savior, Brother, Friend, Healer, and lots more. Jesus called Peter “The Rock on which I will Build My Church.” As a follower of Jesus, what would you like to be called?
WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS may be mailed to the church with thanks to you and our Lord. As you do so, pray, “Bless Thou the gifts our hands have brought. Bless thou the work our hearts have planned. Ours is the faith, the will, the thought; the rest, O God, is in thy hand .”
*GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 16:13-20
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SERMON Rev. David Harper
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*CLOSING HYMN “Precious Name,” v. 2 No. 536
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Take the name of Jesus ever, as a shield from every snare;
if temptations round you gather, breathe that holy name in prayer.
Precious name, O how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven. X2
*BENEDICTION
I appeal to you, sisters and brothers,
by the mercies of God to present your lives as a living sacrifice, set aside and acceptable to God.
The love of Christ inspires us.
Do not conform to the thinking of this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
that you may test and prove the will of God.
The love of Christ empowers us.
The love of Christ Jesus will enable you, the love of God will underpin you,
the friendship of the Spirit will fulfill you, today and forever.
Amen!