Worship Service - May 25, 2025

                                                Elkton United Methodist Church

                                                        Sixth Sunday of Easter

                                                         Sunday, May 25, 2025

                                                                    10:00 a.m.

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GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE.................................... “BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC”¹.......... ARR. BY MARK HAYES

INTROIT................................... “O GOD, WE DO EXALT YOUR NAME”¹.................... CHANCEL CHOIR

OPENING

TIME OF CENTERING PRAYER

RESPONSE #641 (UMH)............................................................................................. “FILL MY CUP, LORD”

Fill my cup, Lord, I lift it up, Lord.  Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.  Bread 

of heaven, feed me till I want no more; fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.

**CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:      In the beginning, the voice that whispered us into being still whispers, saying…

People:     Let there be light!

Leader:      In the wilderness, the voice that fed us from the heavens still feeds us, saying…

People:     Let God’s light shine bright!

Leader:      In the story we share with this God of mystery and amazing love, the voice calls

                  to us each and every morning, saying…

People:     Let God’s radiance reveal our hope!

Leader:      In the story we share with this God of mystery and amazing love, the voice calls 

                  to us each and every morning, saying…

All:            Be my light for the world!

**HYMN #400 (UMH)............................................................ “COME, THOU FOUNT OF EVERY BLESSING”

CALL TO CONFESSION

How easy we can learn of God's love - but how hard it is to live it!  The world distracts us 

with its easy choices, while we know how intentional we must be to love one another.  Join 

me as we confess our failures to love and we open our hearts to God, saying…

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (IN UNISON)

Because you dwell in our hearts, Eternal God, you know how the anger, the pain, the

bitterness of our lives try to crowd you out.  The noise of the world deafens us to your 

Word which can heal us.  We want our children to be good, kind, and gentle to others, 

and then they hear us call others names, and speak of them with demeaning words.  

Our desire for revenge towards those who have hurt us shows that your peace, indeed, 

is not in us.  You promise a new heaven and a new earth, so create new spirits and new 

lives within us, Healing God. Shattered by our sin, your heart can still heal our 

brokenness.  Your Spirit, living deep within our souls, can teach us faithful ways.  Your

Word, Jesus Christ our Lord, whispers to us of your mercy, your hope, your love.  

AMEN.

SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

WORDS OF PARDON AND ASSURANCE

Leader:      The Word which can transform us is not some idle gossip, but good news for us.  

                  It fills us with forgiveness, equips us for service, and sends us forth to love others 

                  as God loves us.

People:     In our midst, the Holy Spirit teaches us all we need to know, gives us what we 

                  need in order to be faithful, and fills us with peace.  Thanks be to God, we are 

                  forgiven!  AMEN.

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON, REVELATION 21:10, 22 - 22:5 (PAGE 259)

Leader:   Christ is risen!

People:  He is risen indeed!

MUSICAL OFFERING.......................... “IN FLANDERS FIELDS”¹................................ CHANCEL CHOIR

**GOSPEL LESSON, JOHN 14:23-29 (PAGE 109)

Leader:      Christ is risen!

People:     He is risen indeed!

**RESPONSE #322 (UMH).................................................. “UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE” (REFRAIN)

Up from the grave he arose, with a mighty triumph o’er his foes;

He arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.  

He arose!  He arose!  Hallelujah!  Christ arose!

SERMON............................................ “HEAVEN HERE AND NOW”.......................... REV. ERIC WARNER

**RESPONSE #2087 (TFWS)...................................................... “WE WILL GLORIFY THE KING OF KINGS”

PRAYER CONCERNS/PASTORAL PRAYER

THE LORD'S PRAYER (IN UNISON)

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.

RESPONSE #2215 (TFWS)................................................................................................. “CARES CHORUS”

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 #127 (UMH)..................................................................... “GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH”

**CHORAL BENEDICTION.......... “MAY YOU RUN AND NOT BE WEARY”¹............... CHANCEL CHOIR

**CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE

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........................................... “TRUMPET VOLUNTARY”¹................................... DAVID LASKY

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           Flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God in loving memory of our father Robert Bunnell, 

                                       who passed away 20 years ago on Memorial Day, by his children.

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**Indicates the congregation should stand if able

UMH: United Methodist Hymnal (red cover)

TFWS: The Faith We Sing (black cover)

W&S: Worship & Song (green cover)

¹Public Music performance provided for and reported to CCLI Licensing

Copyright License: #1824650/Recording License:  CSPL148932 

Worship Service - May 18, 2025

                                           Elkton United Methodist Church

                                                    Fifth Sunday of Easter

                                                     Sunday, May 18, 2025

                                                                10:00 a.m.

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GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE................................... “BREATHE ON ME, BREATH OF GOD”¹......... ARR. BY MARK HAYES

INTROIT...................................... “WE HAVE COME INTO HIS HOUSE”¹..................... CHANCEL CHOIR

OPENING

TIME OF CENTERING PRAYER

RESPONSE #641 (UMH)............................................................................................. “FILL MY CUP, LORD”

Fill my cup, Lord, I lift it up, Lord.  Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.  Bread 

of heaven, feed me till I want no more; fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.

**CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:      Praise God, all you people!

People:     Praise the Lord of all creation!

Leader:      Whales breaching the ocean waves, fish dancing on the ocean floor;
People:     giant redwoods stretching to the sky, tomato vines producing

                  succulent fruit.

Leader:      Mountains blocking the sunrise, redbuds decorating our backyard, grass

                  growing faster than our children;

People:     streams trickling, waterfalls flowing, waves crashing.

Leader:      Praise the Lord of all creation!

All:            Praise God, all you people!

**HYMN #62 (UMH)................................................................ “ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING”

CALL TO CONFESSION

We show others who we are by the lives we lead, the words we speak, the actions we 

undertake.  Let us confess how we have not lived as children of God, when we have failed 

to love as we have been loved…

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (IN UNISON)

Who are we to get in your way, Holy God?  We put people into neat, little boxes, but you 

rip them open, so folks can dance in your joy.  We imprison others with our unmet

expectations, and you set them free with a Word.  We build walls around those we don't 

know, and you tear them down, so they can experience release into your kingdom.  Who 

are we to get in your way, Lord, especially in the way of your forgiveness offered to all!  

Give us your vision that sees everyone as equal - forgiven, graced, loved - even as we seek 

to follow our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  AMEN.

SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

WORDS OF PARDON AND ASSURANCE

Leader:    We know who God is by the love shown to us in Christ Jesus.

People:    We will show others who we are - and Whose we are - by the love poured out 

                 by our lives.  Thanks be to God, we are forgiven!  AMEN.

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON, REVELATION 21:1-6 (PAGE 259)

Leader:    Christ is risen!

People:    He is risen indeed!

MUSICAL OFFERING........... “AND CAN IT BE THAT I SHOULD GAIN”¹............... HANDBELL CHOIR

**GOSPEL LESSON, JOHN 13:31-35 (PAGE 108)

Leader:    Christ is risen!

People:    He is risen indeed!

**RESPONSE #322 (UMH).................................................. “UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE” (REFRAIN)

Up from the grave he arose, with a mighty triumph o’er his foes;

He arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.  

He arose!  He arose!  Hallelujah!  Christ arose!

SERMON......................................... “EVERY TEAR WIPED AWAY”......................... REV. ERIC WARNER

**RESPONSE #706 (UMH)....................................................................................... “SOON AND VERY SOON”

PRAYER CONCERNS/PASTORAL PRAYER

THE LORD'S PRAYER (IN UNISON)

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.

RESPONSE #2215 (TFWS)................................................................................................. “CARES CHORUS”

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............................. “LEAD ME, LORD”¹...................................... CHANCEL CHOIR

**HYMN #2282 (TFWS).......................................................................................................... “I’LL FLY AWAY”

**CHORAL BENEDICTION................... “A CHORAL BENEDICTION”¹.......................... CHANCEL CHOIR

**CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE

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..................................................... “JUBILATION”¹.............................................. JASON PAYNE

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                        Flowers on the altar are given in loving memory of Larry Garber by his family,

                                Gail, Gretchen, Nicole, Hunter, Megan, Halle, Colin and Charlotte,

                               in honor of his 77th birthday today, May 18th.  We love and miss you.

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**Indicates the congregation should stand if able

UMH: United Methodist Hymnal (red cover)

TFWS: The Faith We Sing (black cover)

W&S: Worship & Song (green cover)

¹Public Music performance provided for and reported to CCLI Licensing

Copyright License: #1824650/Recording License:  CSPL148932

  

Worship Service - May 11, 2025

                                          Elkton United Methodist Church

                                            Festival of the Christian Home

                                                     Sunday, May 11, 2025

                                                                10:00 a.m.

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GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE........................................................ “ADORATION”¹............................. ARR. BY MARK HAYES

INTROIT.............................................. “I WILL BLESS THE LORD”¹.............................. CHANCEL CHOIR

OPENING

TIME OF CENTERING PRAYER

RESPONSE #641 (UMH)............................................................................................. “FILL MY CUP, LORD”

Fill my cup, Lord, I lift it up, Lord. Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.  Bread 

of heaven, feed me till I want no more; fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.

**CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:      We come with joy to this celebration of God’s love!

People:     Open our hearts, Lord, to receive your love.

Leader:      We come with hope to this witness of God’s power!
People:     Challenge and encourage us to serve you, Lord.

Leader:      We come with willingness to share God’s good news with all.

People:     We produce the fruit of Love, the life-giving Vine.

Leader:      Easter people, how shall we bear the fruit of Love, the life-giving Vine?

All:            We thank God for this invitation to worship, witness, and serve.  AMEN.

**HYMN #2050 (TFWS)............................................................ “MOTHERING GOD, YOU GAVE ME BIRTH”

OPENING PRAYER (IN UNISON)

Loving God, in your wisdom you have created us and given us many gifts.  Today, we 

thank you for all that we mean to each other and to our friends and families.  We thank 

you for the love that has brought us to this time and place, and for your love which abides 

to tie us all together. Where you are, O God, there is love. AMEN.

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON, REVELATION 7:9-17 (PAGE 249)

Leader:   Christ is risen!

People:  He is risen indeed!

MUSICAL OFFERING....................... “I THANK MY GOD FOR YOU”¹......................... CHANCEL CHOIR

**GOSPEL LESSON, JOHN 10:22-30 (PAGE 104)

Leader:      Christ is risen!

People:     He is risen indeed!

**RESPONSE #322 (UMH).................................................. “UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE” (REFRAIN)

Up from the grave he arose, with a mighty triumph o’er his foes;

He arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.  

He arose!  He arose!  Hallelujah!  Christ arose!

SERMON..................................................... “WHAT A CHURCH!”.............................. REV. ERIC WARNER

**RESPONSE #102 (UMH)........................................................................ “NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD”

PRAYER CONCERNS/PASTORAL PRAYER

THE LORD'S PRAYER (IN UNISON)

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.

RESPONSE #2215 (TFWS)................................................................................................. “CARES CHORUS”

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 #2189 (TFWS).................................................................................. “A MOTHER LINED A BASKET”

**CHORAL BENEDICTION.......... “LORD, LET US NOW DEPART IN PEACE”¹............ CHANCEL CHOIR

**CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE

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.................................................. “TIS THE SPRING........... ARR. BY RICHARD WILLIAMSON

                                                                     OF SAINTS TODAY”¹

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                        Flowers on the altar are given by the Women of EUMC in honor of all mothers –

                                                                in memory of loved ones lost and

                                            in honor of all recovering from surgery and illness this year

 

                            Flowers on the organ are in loving memory of Connie & Marlene given by

                                                                          The Gautsch Family

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**Indicates the congregation should stand if able

UMH: United Methodist Hymnal (red cover)

TFWS: The Faith We Sing (black cover)

W&S: Worship & Song (green cover)

¹Public Music performance provided for and reported to CCLI Licensing

Copyright License: #1824650/Recording License:  CSPL148932

  

Worship Service - May 4, 2025

                                          Elkton United Methodist Church

                                                   Third Sunday of Easter

                                                     Sunday, May 4, 2025

                                                                10:00 a.m.

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GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE................................... “LET US BREAK BREAD TOGETHER”¹.......... ARR. BY MARK HAYES

INTROIT.................................. “ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA! GIVE THANKS”¹................. CHANCEL CHOIR

OPENING

TIME OF CENTERING PRAYER

RESPONSE #641 (UMH)............................................................................................. “FILL MY CUP, LORD”

Fill my cup, Lord, I lift it up, Lord.  Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.  Bread 

of heaven, feed me till I want no more; fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.

**CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:       God, you call us from the corners of the Earth.

People:       From the cities and the fields, from the ghettos and the tables of the wealthy.

Leader:       God, you proclaim good news to us from the corners of the universe.

People:       In the gentle ocean breeze, in the colors that burst forth from our landscapes, 

                    in the faces of children ravaged by war.

Leader:       God, you speak to us from every place on Earth.

People:       To the east, to the west, to the north and to the south, above us, below us, and 

                    within us, your voice rings clear.

Leader:       God, you speak to us in our hearts.

All:             Send your voice to move us, we pray, as we worship this day.  AMEN.

**HYMN #57 (UMH)................................................ “O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING” (VV. 1-3, 7)

OPENING PRAYER (IN UNISON)

God of love, we bring our very selves to worship.  Our triumphs.  Our failures.  Our 

vulnerabilities.  Our greatest joys and our deepest sorrows.  In this time set apart for

worshipping you, may we hear the voice of Jesus urging us to feed and be fed, to love 

and be loved.  AMEN.

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON, REVELATION 5:11-14 (PAGE 248)

Leader:   Christ is risen!

People:  He is risen indeed!

MUSICAL OFFERING.................................. “TOTAL PRAISE”¹..................................... CHANCEL CHOIR

**GOSPEL LESSON, JOHN 21:1-19 (PAGE 115)

Leader:      Christ is risen!

People:     He is risen indeed!

**RESPONSE #322 (UMH).................................................. “UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE” (REFRAIN)

Up from the grave he arose, with a mighty triumph o’er his foes;

He arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.  

He arose!  He arose!  Hallelujah!  Christ arose!

SERMON............................................. “A LAMB ON THE THRONE”......................... REV. ERIC WARNER

RESPONSE #2021 (TFWS)................................................................ “WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE”

What a mighty God we serve, what a mighty God we serve; what a mighty God we 

serve, what a mighty God we serve!

PRAYER CONCERNS/PASTORAL PRAYER

RESPONSE #2215 (TFWS)................................................................................................. “CARES CHORUS”

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

APOSTLES’ CREED AND INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION (UMH PAGE 7-8)

GREAT THANKSGIVING (UMH PAGE 15)

THE LORD'S PRAYER (IN UNISON)

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.

SHARING OF THE BREAD AND CUP

Holy Communion will be served at the chancel rail this morning.  At the direction of the 

ushers, you will be invited forward.  You may kneel or stand at the kneelers.  You will then 

receive a piece of bread from a communion server.  After eating the bread, you will receive 

the juice and after drinking the juice, you will be dismissed by the pastor to return to your 

seat.  If you are unable to come forward for Holy Communion, servers will serve you in 

your seat.

PRAYER AFTER RECEIVING

**HYMN #77 (UMH)................................................................................................. “HOW GREAT THOU ART”

**CHORAL BENEDICTION......................... “GO OUT IN SONG!”¹................................... CHANCEL CHOIR

**CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE

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..................................................... “MACCABEUS”¹............................ ARR. BY JASON PAYNE

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                        Flowers on the altar are given in loving memory of Robert Bunnell by his children. 

                                                        May 5th would have been his 97th birthday.

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**Indicates the congregation should stand if able

UMH: United Methodist Hymnal (red cover)

TFWS: The Faith We Sing (black cover)

W&S: Worship & Song (green cover)

¹Public Music performance provided for and reported to CCLI Licensing

Copyright License: #1824650/Recording License:  CSPL148932