GREETING
AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
OPENING
TIME
OF CENTERING PRAYER
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place; I can feel his mighty power and
his grace. I can hear the brush of angels’ wings, I see glory on each face; surely
the presence of the Lord is in this place.
**HYMN #87 (UMH).......................................................................................... “WHAT
GIFT CAN WE BRING”
Lord God, receive our praise and thanksgiving for the blessings, help, and
comfort which you bestowed upon your people in this place from its foundation.
Continue, we pray, your many mercies in your church, that we may be conscious
at all times of your unchanging love; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
MUSICAL
OFFERING................. “NOW
THANK WE ALL OUR GOD”1.................... HANDBELL
CHOIR
MUSICAL OFFERING............................ “A GIVING PLACE”1........................................ CHANCEL
CHOIR
**RESPONSE #454 (UMH)...................................................................... “OPEN
MY EYES, THAT I MAY SEE”
Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth thou hast for me; place in my
hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free. Silently now I wait
for thee, ready, my God thy will to see. Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!
SERMON..........................
“THE POWER OF REDEMPTIVE SUFFERING” .......... REV.
GLENN CATLEY
Leader: Let us pray: O God, on
the occasion of our church’s 225th
anniversary,
we give you thanks for John Wesley, for his vision to
bring
his movement to the newly formed United States, for sending
people
like Francis Asbury and George Whitfield who came and
helped
start gathering which became churches like ours …
All: We
give you thanks for our founders, O Lord.
Leader: Lord
God, we thank you for all of the pastors who have faithfully
served
our church over the years; preaching, teaching, leading,
providing
pastoral care, and showing us the way to a deeper
relationship
with you…
All: We
give you thank for our pastors, O God.
Leader: O
God, we give thanks for all of the hundreds and hundreds of
people
who have become members of our church over the years,
and
for all the ways they have sought to grow in their faith, and live
out
their faith in discipleship and service…
All: We
give you thanks for all of our members over the years,
O God…
Leader: O
Lord, we give you thanks that you always give us a vision of
who
you want us to be and what you want us to do.
May we
continue
to listen to your still, small voice as you guide us into our
future…
All: We
thank you O God for your ever-present love and guidance.
Leader: We
pause now, each of us, to remember those special people –
perhaps
a Sunday School teacher or youth group leader who
touched
our life; a pastor who was influential; a choir director who
helped
us use our gifts; a special someone who always saved a
space
in the pew. Each one of us has been
touched by one or more
of
your children in a special way through this church, so we pause
now
to pray in silent thanksgiving and name them in our hearts…
{Silent prayers of thanksgiving}
Leader: Finally,
O God, we pray today for all those in need, especially
those
who are sick and suffering, those who face an uncertain
future,
those who are mourning the death of a loved one, those who
are
afraid or hurting. Lord God, wrap your
arms around them in
such
a way that they will know that, even as we gather here to
celebrate,
we are praying for them and care for them…
All: O
Lord, we pray in silence for those in need today.
Leader: With
thanksgiving in our hearts on this special day, we join our
voices
together now to pray…
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.
I cast all my cares upon you, I lay all of my burdens down at
your feet,
and anytime that I don't know what to do, I will cast all my
cares upon you.
CALL TO OFFERING
OFFERTORY
**DOXOLOGY #95 (UMH)..................................... “PRAISE
GOD, FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW”
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
**OFFERTORY
PRAYER
**HYMN
#555 (UMH)............................................................................... “FORWARD
THROUGH THE AGES”
**CHORAL
BENEDICTION......... “THE LORD
BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU”1............. CHANCEL
CHOIR
Bind us
together, Lord, bind us together with cords that cannot be broken.
Bind us
together, Lord, bind us together, bind us together in love.
POSTLUDE.............................................. “GOD
OF GRACE”1................................... ARR.
BY PAUL MANZ
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DEDICATION OF
THE MEMORIAL SPREADING GARDEN
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**Indicates the congregation should stand
if able
