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 Holy, Holy, Holy (UMH) No. 64; 1-4
This hymn is over 200 years old, but its words are older still. It draws from the language in Isaiah and Revelation that reveal the activity of heaven is worship; specifically singing holy, holy, holy, the Lord God, the Almighty day and night. This hymn invites the church to join in the song of heaven, reminding us that worship connects the Body of Christ across time, across space, and even across the division of heaven and earth.
SCRIPTURE READING, Luke 22:19-20
(Pg. 159 of the New Testament in the pew Bible)
Leader: This is the Word of God for the people of God
People: Thanks be to God.
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.
SERMON Why Communion? Rev. Meredith Mills
Throughout the sermon, we’re going to be looking at the Great Thanksgiving—the prayer we pray before Communion. We invite you to open the hymnal to page 9 and follow along.
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.
*HYMN One Bread, One Body (UMH) No. 620
This hymn was written in 1978, and references numerous different scripture passages about the unity of believers. It reminds us of the symbol of one bread and one cup: we are all one in Christ. In this age of disconnection and isolation, sing these words with a renewed faith in the God who draws us together.
Offering Legende by Louis Vierne
*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 Come Let Us Eat (UMH) No. 625, 1-4
This song comes to us from the Loma people, an ethnic group found primarily in the mountains of Liberia. Billema Kwillia grew up in a missionary school and later became a teacher and evangelist. This song was originally a call and response song, inviting all to the feast set at the Communion Table. Imagine African drums in the background and you’ll get a better feel for the original music. Notice that the words begin with the message of being fed, and end with the instruction to go and spread God’s word. It reminds us that Communion feeds us so that we might go feed others.
*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 Short Fugue in C major by J. S. Bach
HYMN Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty
(UMH) No. 64; 1-4
1. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
2. Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.
3. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
perfect in power, in love and purity.
4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity.
HYMN One Body, One Bread
(UMH) No. 620
Refrain:
One bread, one body, one Lord of all One cup of blessing which we bless.
nd we, though many throughout the earth, we are one body in this one Lord.
Gentile or Jew, servant or free,
Woman or man, no more. [Refrain]
Many the gifts, many the works.
ne in the Lord of all. [Refrain]
Grain for the fields, scattered and grown,
Gathered to one, for all. [Refrain]
HYMN Come Let Us Eat
(UMH) No. 625; 1-4
1. Come, let us eat, for now the feast is spread,
come, let us eat, for now the feast is spread.
Our Lord’s body let us take together,
our Lord’s body let us take together.
2. Come, let us drink, for now the wine is poured,
come, let us drink, for now the wine is poured.
Jesus’ blood poured let us drink together,
Jesus’ blood poured let us drink together.
3. In Jesus’ presence now we meet and rest,
in Jesus’ presence now we meet and rest.
In the presence of our Lord we gather,
in the presence of our Lord we gather.
4 (Rise, then, to spread abroad God’s mighty word,
rise, then, to spread abroad God’s mighty word.
Jesus risen will bring in the kingdom,
Jesus risen will bring in the kingdom.
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 |