WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT
"WHAT DO WE REALLY KNOW ABOUT GOD?" ISAIAH 40:21-31
SUNDAY • FEBRUARY 7, 2021 11:00AM WORSHIP
WELCOME! Welcome to Centenary United Methodist Church. Thank you for worshiping with us today! We are grateful for your presence and invite you to participate in our worship, program and ministry life here at Centenary. We hope the worship will inspire and comfort you as we hear God’s message proclaimed. During this time, now more than ever, may the grace and love of Christ surround you.
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OUR MISSION “The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
PARTICIPATING IN WORSHIP PREACHING
The Reverend Dr. P. Glenn Kinken III
LITURGISTS
The Reverend Bret Cogan The Reverend Susannah Pittman
MUSIC
Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music Ministries Susan Bates, organ Centenary Chamber Ensemble The Virtual Chancel Choir
CHANCEL FLOWERS
The Chancel flowers are given in loving memory of Dr. & Mrs. Beverly N. Jones Sr., Mr. & Mrs. James E. Holmes Jr., Dr. Beverly N. Jones Jr., Jewell Voss Jones Mickey, and Judy Jones Belville by Dr. Beverly & Mrs. Janet Jones, III and family, and Elizabeth & Jim Holmes and family. Musical texts are printed with permission. One License A-707342 COVER PHOTO: Easter Sunday Morning 2020 by Doug Peninger.
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LET US WORSHIP Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany • 11:00 am • February 7, 2021
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS VOLUNTARY
All That Hath Life and Breath Praise Ye the Lord! — René Clausen All that hath life and breath praise ye the Lord, shout to the Lord, Alleluia! Praise Him, laud Him, Alleluia!
GREETING INTROIT
Heavenly Display, from Shaker Songs — arr. Kevin Siegfried The waves of the ocean imitate the rolls of the heavenly music that rolls in heaven. O le ul um ulla, O glory to God for this heavenly display. The wheels of a timepiece imitate the flows of the heavenly love, love that flows in heaven. The wings of an eagle imitate the seraphim that soar in the heavens of heavenly love.
CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 147:1-11 (In Unison)
Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp. He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Praise the Lord!
HYMN (found on page six)
#73 O Worship the King — LYONS
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
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.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
After each prayer, the leader may conclude: Lord, in your mercy. All may respond: Hear our prayer. 3
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.
WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED CANTICLE Psalm 45:15 (Sung in Latin)
Oculi omnium — Charles Wood The eyes of all wait upon Thee, and Thou givest them their meat in due season.
SCRIPTURE Isaiah 40:21-31
Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God?” Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (NIV) This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
SERMON
"What Do We Really Know About God?"
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT INVITATION TO OFFERING OFFERTORY
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Be Thou My Vision — arr. Bob Chilcott Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart, be all else but naught to me, save that thou art; be thou my best thought in the day and the night, both waking and sleeping, thy presence my light. Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word; be thou ever with me, and I with thee, Lord; be thou my great Father, and I thy true son; be thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one. Be thou and thou only the first in my heart; O Sovereign of heaven, my treasure thou art; great heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be thou my vision, Ruler of all.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Almighty and forgiving God, we your unworthy servants give you most humble thanks for all your goodness and loving kindness, to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. Give us such an awareness of your mercies, that our hearts may be thankful, and that we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
WE GO AS GOD'S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD HYMN (found on page seven)
#103 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise — ST. DENIO
BENEDICTION
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.
BENEDICTION RESPONSE
A Clare Benediction — John Rutter May the Lord show His mercy upon you, may the light of His presence be your guide; may He guard you and uphold you, may His spirit be ever by your side. When you sleep, may His angels watch over you; when you wake, may He fill you with His grace; may you love Him and serve Him all your days; then in heaven may you see His face.
VOLUNTARY
Sonata III: Con moto maestoso — Felix Mendelssohn
SERMON NOTES _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 5
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OUR WORSHIP BULLETIN IS INTERACTIVE Our worship bulletin is fully interactive. If you see a website address, simply click on the text and you will be redirected. Also, within our announcements, when you see text that is red and bold, it is a link to an email address or web page. Again, click on the text and you will be re-directed.
SENIOR ADULT PROGRAM FOR FEBRUARY Thursday • February 18 • 11:30am • Zoom On Thursday, February 18, we will have the privilege of hearing from Centenary member, J. Dudley Watts, Jr., who serves as Forsyth County Manager. This program will be online using Zoom. You can plan to join the Zoom conference call as early as 11:30 am, with remarks scheduled to begin at noon. Information you’ll need to join the Zoom call will be emailed to all recipients of the senior adult newsletter. If you are new to Centenary or new to our senior adult programs, please contact Rev. Craig Ford (336-724-6311 ext. 1353) so we can make sure you receive that information.
CARD MINISTRY The Congregational Care Ministry at Centenary is starting a card ministry and would love for you to join us! We are seeking volunteers to assist in writing notes of encouragement. Supplies and recipient lists will be provided, and there is flexibility in time commitment. Please contact Rev. Susannah Pittman (336.724.6311 ext. 1357) by February 17 for more information or to volunteer.
FEBRUARY...LOVE LOVE lost can be devastating. Dreams are dashed. Hearts are broken. Lives are seemingly destroyed. Stephen Ministers are ready to help as you take those first uncertain steps into the limbo of divorce. It’s never easy, but having someone by your side can give you the confidence to make a new life. —A Stephen Minister at Centenary If you or someone you know could benefit from Stephen Ministry please sontact Deena Morgan (336-692-2314) Wilba Brady (336723-6236), Rev. Craig Ford (336.724.6311 ext. 1353), or Rev. Susannah Pittman ( 336.724.6311 ext. 1357)
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WINTER CHECK-IN Tuesdays • Now-February 9 • Noon-1 pm • Zoom Rev. Susannah Pittman invites you to four, stand-alone sessions where we will Check-in with one another. Each session will offer a scripture passage to center and guide the conversation as we seek to offer support and care during this season. Sign up by clicking on the Engage tab on the Centenary website and look for this event. For more information, contact Rev. Susannah Pittman (336.724.6311 ext. 1357). LENTEN CHECK-IN Tuesdays • February 23 – March 30 • Noon - 1 pm • Zoom Rev. Susannah Pittman invites you to six, stand-alone sessions during the season of Lent where we will Check-in with one another. Each session will offer a Scripture passage from the lectionary for Lent to center and guide the conversation as we seek to offer support and care during this season. To register, CLICK HERE. For more information, contact Rev. Susannah Pittman.
FEBRUARY ZOOM SUNDAY SCHOOL Zoom Sunday School continues in February! This month we’ll be talking about being superfans and sharing kindness. Show your team spirit by wearing your team colors. Each age group will meet with Kate and Jeanette for 20 minutes. Preschool will meet at 8:30 am, K-2nd will meet at 9 am, and 3rd - 5th will meet at 9:30 am. We hope you and your kids will join us! If you have not received the Zoom information by email, contact Jeanette Juran.
FEBRUARY 7 10:00 am Sunday school (Via Zoom) 11:00 am Worship (Via Live Stream) 1:00-4:00 pm Church Council Leadership Retreat NO YOUTH GROUPS TONIGHT
CENTENARY
To love youth on behalf of Jesus in hopes of loving them to Jesus.
MINISTRY
FEBRUARY 10 6:00 pm Confirmation via ZOOM: The Church & John Wesley
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FOR THE RECORD
January 26- February 1, 2021 Worship Attendance
Contributions
11:00 am Live Stream Roots Revival
759 147
Total
906
Virtual Sunday School (Includes Adult, Youth & Children)
258
Offering Special Gifts Centenary Fund Capital Campaign
$35,227 1,700 0 5,906
Total
$42,833
In Memoriam Edith Warner Myers September 29, 2020 The ministers and members of Centenary Church extend their deepest sympathy to the bereaved family and pray they may know the comfort and peace of our Heavenly Father.
PO Box 658 • Winston-Salem. NC 27102
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www.centenary-ws.org