WELCOME TO OUR SANCTUARY SERVICE
Just a few housekeeping rules: We kindly ask that you remain spaced out from each other in the pews, hallways and bathrooms. Every other pew is marked off, and a volunteer will help you find a seat when you come in. Please make sure that you have checked your temperature before being seated and keep your mask on. We welcome you to Westminster UMC.
ORDER OF WORSHIP:
WELCOME AND GREETING
Leader: The Lord be with You
People: And also with you
*HYMN Up From the Grave He Arose (UMH) No. 322; 1-3
Robert Lowry wrote this hymn in the mid 19th century while reflecting on the resurrection stories. Sitting at his organ, he started playing a dirge. Then, the music seemed to just spontaneously burst into joy as he sang “Up from the grave he arose!” Listen for that joy when we get to the chorus. This is a song to be sung with a bounce in your step and a smile on your face.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Jesus loves kids! All kids are invited to come forward for a children’s message. Afterward, the children may either return to sit with their parents, or go with our wonderful childcare workers for a short lesson and some play time.
SCRIPTURE READING Romans 10:9-13
(Pg. 159 of the New Testament in the pew Bible)
*HYMN How Firm a Foundation (UMH) No. 529, 1-5
The author of this hymn is a great mystery, attributed only to “K.” It was published in 1787, and gained popularity quickly. By the time of the Civil War, it was one of the most popular hymns on both sides of the battlefield. It is a hymn of faith in times of trial, reminding us that the scripture lay a “firm foundation” for our faith, regardless of what may come. Listen especially to the last line: “I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”
SERMON Why Liturgy? Rev. Meredith Mills
Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy name
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today 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.
Offering
*THE APOSTLES’ CREED (UMH) No. 881
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;*
the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic** church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
*DOXOLOGY (UMH) No. 95
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
*HYMN Christ is Made From the Sure Foundation (UMH) No. 559, 1-4
In 1962, Doris Akers was leading the Sky Pilot Choir in prayer before a worship service. The prayer time really took off, and the choir was late to the service! She eventually encouraged the choir to leave the choir room and go to the service, saying, “I hate to leave. There’s such a sweet, sweet spirit in here.” The phrase stuck with her, and she went on to write this classic. This hymn reminds us that our prayer and worship invites the Spirit of God to be among us.
I HAVE DECIDED, TFWS, 2129
There is a folktale about this song that may or may not be true. The story goes that a family in a small village in India converted to Christianity. Facing backlash from the tribe, they stood firm even at the cost of their lives. Story goes that the father spoke these words as a response to tribal leaders. Whether or not the story is true, the song speaks to a faith that will stand strong in the face of pressure.
*BENEDICTION
Benediction is a fancy word for blessing. At the end of worship, you are sent into the world with a blessing. Listen to the words and claim them for the week. Then depart in peace, knowing that you go in the presence of God.
POSTLUDE
HYMN Up From the Grave He Arose
(UMH) No. 322; 1-3
1. Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior,
waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!
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!
2. Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior,
vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord! [Refrain]
3. Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;
he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord! [Refrain]
HYMN How Firm a Foundation
(UMH) No. 529
1. How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent Word!
What more can he say than to you he has said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
2. “Fear not, I am with you; O be not dismayed,
for I am your God, and will still give you aid.
I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
3. “When through the deep waters I call you to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow,
for I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
and sanctify to you the deepest distress.
4. “When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be your supply.
The flames shall not hurt you. I only design
your dross to consume, and your gold to refine.
5. “The soul that on Jesus still leans for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes.
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!”
HYMN I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
1. I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
no turning back, no turning back.
2. Though none go with me, I still will follow;
though none go with me, I still will follow;
though none go with me, I still will follow;
no turning back, no turning back.
3. The world behind me, the cross before me;
the world behind me, the cross before me,
the world behind me, the cross before me;
no turning back, no turning back.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Nature Walk On Saturday, May 1st at 10:00am-11:00am, join us for a monthly nature walk! Please register so we know who is coming and we wait for you at the front.
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Leadership Meeting
Ladies' Tea |