WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT
"CALLED TO BE OUR BEST SELVES" 1 JOHN 1:1-2:2
SUNDAY • APRIL 18, 2021 11AM 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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WEBSITE
www.centenary-ws.org
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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 Kate May The Reverend Susannah Pittman
MUSIC
Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music Ministries Susan Bates, Organist/Music Associate Centenary Chamber Ensemble
CHANCEL FLOWERS
The Chancel flowers are given in loving memory of Brad Roquemore, Penny Roquemore and Emmett McCall by Allison and Wayne Roquemore.
Musical texts are printed with permission. One License A-707342 COVER PHOTO: The Trumpet en Chamade by Doug Peninger.
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LET US WORSHIP Third Sunday of Easter • April 18, 2021
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS VOLUNTARY
O Holy Lamb of God — Johann Sebastian Bach
GREETING INTROIT Psalm 17:6-8
Hide Me under the Shadow of Your Wings — John Ebenezer West Hide me under the shadow of your wings, O Lord, and give your angels charge concerning me: that I may lie down in peace, and take my rest, for it is you, Lord, only, who makes me dwell in safety.
CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 4 (In Unison)
Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord. Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us. Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
HYMN (found on page six)
#304 Easter People, Raise Your Voices — REGENT SQUARE
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.
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.
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WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED CANTICLE Isaiah 60:1-3, Psalm 117
Arise, Shine, for Thy Light Is Come — Healey Willan Arise, shine, for Thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Alleluia! Oh, praise the Lord, all ye nations, and laud Him all ye people! For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth forever.
SCRIPTURE 1 John 1:1-2:2
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father— Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (NIV) This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
SERMON
"Called to Be Our Best Selves"
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT INVITATION TO OFFERING OFFERTORY
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True Light — Keith Hampton This little light of mine, I'm gonna' let it shine. Almighty God is light. He lives in us as true light. In the beginning, out of the darkness, God created true light. Don't let the light that You've given me die, and don't desert my mind. But let the one who serves You praise You again and again. This little light of mine, I'm gonna' let it shine. Everywhere I go I want the world to know, God gave the world true light.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
All things come from you, O God, and with gratitude we return to you what is yours. You created all that is, and with love formed us in your image. When our love failed, your love remained steadfast. You gave your only Son Jesus Christ to be our Savior. All that we are, and all that we have, is a trust from you. And so, in gratitude for all your gifts, we offer you ourselves, and all that we have, in union with Christ's offering for us. By your Holy Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
WE GO AS GOD'S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD HYMN (found on page seven)
#303 The Day of Resurrection — LANCASHIRE
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS 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
Sing Hallelujah, Praise the Lord — BECHLER Sing hallelujah, praise the Lord! Sing with a cheerful voice; exalt our God with one accord, and in his name rejoice. Ne'er cease to sing, O ransomed host, praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, until in realms of endless light your praises shall unite.
VOLUNTARY
Prelude in G Major — Johann Sebastian Bach
SERMON NOTES _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 5
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OUR WORSHIP BULLETIN IS INTERACTIVE Our digital worship bulletin is fully interactive. If you see a website address, simply click on the text and you will be re-directed. 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.
STEPHEN MINISTRY “The Heart is like a garden. It can grow compassion or fear, resentment or love, or feelings of hopelessness. What seeds will you plant there?” Does your life suddenly feel like you are caught in a tornado, and the planted expectations of your life are caught in destructive wind gales? A Stephen Minister is a trained congregant who will walk alongside you as a nonjudgmental friend. If you or someone you know could benefit from Stephen Ministry please sontact Deena Morgan (336-692-2314) Wilba Brady (336-723-6236), Rev. Craig Ford (336.724.6311 ext. 1353), or Rev. Susannah Pittman (336.724.6311 ext. 1357).
RACIAL HEALING AND THE GOSPEL OF RECONCILIATION: An Online Workshop on the Ministry of Reconciliation Saturday • April 24 • 9:00am-Noon Rooted in 2 Cor. 5:16-20, this workshop will teach reconciliation as spirituality, highlighting biblical examples of reconciliation and share how each of us can create an environment of reconciliation as followers of Christ. You will learn a 6-step process of reconciliation that can be used as a resource tool to engage this work in your home, at work and within our community. The facilitators are Rev. Vincent Howell, Centenary UMC, Clemmons, NC, and Cindy Thompson, Boundless Impact, and Christ UMC, Greensboro, NC. For more information contact Rev. Bret Cogan or Suzanne Epermanis (336-830-3471). This workshop is sponsored by the Western North Carolina Conference. REGISTER FOR WORKSHOP
SPRING CHECK-IN Tuesdays • April 20 – May 25 • Noon - 1 pm • Zoom Rev. Susannah Pittman invites you to six, 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. To register, CLICK HERE. For more information, contact Rev. Susannah Pittman.
APRIL SUNDAY SCHOOL Our theme for Zoom Sunday School in April is Reconnect where we’ll be learning about making peace. 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!
CENTENARY
To love youth on behalf of Jesus in hopes of loving them to Jesus.
MINISTRY
APRIL 18 10:00 am Sunday school (Via Zoom) 11:00 am Worship (In-person & Via Live Stream) 2:00 pm West End Ringer rehearsal 5:00 pm Middle School youth group - West Lawn of the church (between the library & the church). Wear your mask, bring a chair, and your water bottle. 6:30 pm Senior High youth group - West Lawn of the church (between the library & the church). Wear your mask, bring a chair, and your water bottle. **If there is inclement weather, we will NOT have Youth Group** APRIL 21 7:00 am 6th Grade Bible Study. All 6th graders are invited for breakfast & short Bible Study before school! (Make sure to dress warm & wear your mask!) 6:00 pm Confirmation
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We celebrate the marriage of Warren and Diane Boyer on April 17, 2021
OPEN FLOWER DATES May 16 & June 6 A wonderful way to honor or remember a loved one, friend, group, or anniversary is by providing flowers in our Sanctuary for Sunday morning services. Our Flower Calendar has open dates available on May 16, 2021 and June 6, 2021. This is a first come basis and it can be for one family or shared by 2 or 3 families who wish to honor or remember different family members or other people If you are interested, please contact Paige Morgan Foy.
PO Box 658 • Winston-Salem. NC 27102
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www.centenary-ws.org