WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT
"WHO ARE THE TRUE WINNERS?" MATTHEW 25:31-33
SUNDAY • SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 11:00AM LIVE STREAM
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 Bret Cogan
LITURGISTS
The Reverend Meg Gaston The Reverend Dr. P. Glenn Kinken III
MUSIC
Emily Lott, soprano Martha Bassett, alto Jeff Maggs, tenor Jason McKinney, baritone Susan Bates, organ Jonathan Emmons, piano Fiona Burdette, cello
CHANCEL FLOWERS
The chancel flowers are given in loving memory of Betty Crawford Wilson and Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Crawford, Jr. by Louisa Sohmer and Mr. and Mrs. Mark Sohmer. Musical texts are printed with permission. One License A-707342 COVER PHOTO: Easter Sunday Morning at Centenary 2020 by Doug Peninger
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LET US WORSHIP Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost • 11:00 am • September 20, 2020
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS VOLUNTARY
Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart — arr. John Innes
GREETING INTROIT
Blood of the Lamb — Woody Guthrie, Jay Bennett, Jeff Tweedy Have you laid down your burdens? Have you found peace and rest? Are you washed in the blood of the lamb? I've laid down all my troubles and I've found peace and rest. I'm all washed in the blood of the lamb. Have you learned to love your neighbors of all colors, creeds, and kinds? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? I've learned to love my people of all colors, creeds, and kinds. I am washed in the blood of the lamb. I am washed, yes, I'm washed, I am washed in the blood. I'm all washed in the blood of the lamb. I'm all clean, I'm all spotless, I'm all pure like the snow. I'm all washed in the blood of the lamb.
CALL TO WORSHIP Rupert Bristow Prayers for Inclusion and Diversity (In Unison)
Lord of variety and richness, bring us to an understanding of difference and diversity, reflecting your glory, not our prejudice. Help us to see things through your eyes, not our short sight. Create in us a capacity to look for you in the strange as well as the familiar. Open our eyes to see, Lord. Amen.
HYMN (found on page six) AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
#548 In Christ There Is No East or West — ST. PETER Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is one true church, apostolic and universal, whose holy faith let us now declare: We believe in God the Father, infinite in wisdom, power, and love, whose mercy is over all his works, and whose will is ever directed to his children’s good. We believe in Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of man, the gift of the Father’s unfailing grace, the ground of our hope, and the promise of our deliverance from sin and death. We believe in the Holy Spirit as the divine presence in our lives, whereby we are kept in perpetual remembrance of the truth of Christ, and find strength and help in time of need. We believe that this faith should manifest itself in the service of love as set forth in the example of our blessed Lord, to the end that the kingdom of God may come upon the earth. 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
A Dream of Paradise — Hamilton Gray Once in the evening twilight, I dreamt a happy dream. Methought I was in heaven above, and saw its crystal gleam. And calm amid the glory, there stood a singer fair who through the stillness of the night sent forth this song of prayer: "Father in heaven above, glorious and mighty: send forth Thy light of love, o King most mighty. Then in my dream celestial, I heard the din of strife, with all earth's cares and sorrows and bitterness of life. The cry of the little children, the moan of the poor and sad, this song from God's bright angel was sent to make them glad. And far in that world of glory with God's eternal throng, beyond the gates of paradise where all is one dream of song. The voice of the heavenly singer shall send forth the old refrain, when sun and stars have faded, no more to rise again.
SCRIPTURE Matthew 25:31-33
“Now when the Human One comes in his majesty and all his angels are with him, he will sit on his majestic throne. All the nations will be gathered in front of him. He will separate them from each other, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right side. But the goats he will put on his left." (CEB) This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
SERMON
"Who Are the True Winners?"
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT INVITATION TO OFFERING OFFERTORY
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For Everyone Born — Brian Mann, arr. Tom Trenney For everyone born, a place at the table, for everyone born, clean water and bread, a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing, for everyone born, a star overhead. And God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy, compassion and peace: yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy! For young and for old, a place at the table, a voice to be heart, a part in the song. The hands of a child in hands that are wrinkled, for young and for old, the right to belong. For everyone born, a place at the table, to live without fear, and simply to be, to work, to speak out, to witness adn worship, for everyone born, the right to be free!
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Rupert Bristow Prayers for Inclusion and Diversity
Generous God, we love to receive. Help us to love to give too. May our experience of receiving good things, the gift of life, the gift of grace, the gift of your creation, transform our lives. And may that lead to a desire to give to others around us the gifts of listening, learning, loving. Above all, help us to receive and give, in equal measure, the hope that your Son showed us. Amen.
WE GO AS GOD'S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD HYMN (found on page seven) BENEDICTION
VOLUNTARY
#454 Open My Eyes, That I May See — OPEN MY EYES 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. Great Is Thy Faithfulness — arr. John Innes
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FOR THE RECORD
September 8 - September 14, 2020 Worship Attendance
Contributions
11:00 am Live Stream Roots Revival
739 83
Total
822
Virtual Sunday School (Includes Adult Formation & Youth)
Offering Special Gifts Centenary Fund Capital Campaign
$83,731 2,325 345 4,109
Total
$90,510
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In Memoriam Kathie Lee Hoyle Masten August 28, 2020 Margaret Smith Pittard September 3, 2020 The ministers and members of Centenary Church extend their deepest sympathy to the bereaved families and pray they may know the comfort and peace of our Heavenly Father.
CENTENARY
To love youth on behalf of Jesus in hopes of loving them to Jesus.
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MINISTRY
September 20 10:00am Sunday school (Via Zoom)  11:00am Worship (Via Live Stream) 5:00-6:00pm Middle School Youth Group (@ the side lawn of the church on 5th Street, next to the Columbarium). Please wear your mask, bring a water bottle and your own chair!!! 6:30-7:30pm Senior High Youth Group (@ the side lawn of the church on 5th Street, next to the Columbarium). Please wear your mask, bring a water bottle and your own chair!!! **IF there is inclement weather, we will cancel this event. Keep your eyes on the forecast! **
CHECK-IN with SUSANNAH Mondays • September 21-October 26 • 1pm-2pm • 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. Sign up by clicking on the Engage tab on the Centenary website and look for this event. For more information, contact Rev. Susannah Pitmman (ext. 1357/spittman@ centenary-ws.org).
COFFEE BREAK with DOUG PENINGER September 30 • 10:15am • Zoom Join Director of Communications, Doug Peninger, as he welcomes Rev. Susannah Pittman and friends to a 30-minute coffee break. Sign up by clicking on the Engage tab on the Centenary website. For more information, contact Doug Peninger (ext. 1386/dpeninger@centenaryws.org).
GRIEFSHARE Thursday • September 24 • 10:00am - Noon • Zoom Congrgational Care invites you to a seminar reflecting on the Loss of a Spouse. You can register for the seminar on the Engage tab on the church website. For questions, contact Sandra Gramley (ext. 1352/ sgramley@centenary-ws.org).
LIVE STREAM YARD SIGNS Did you miss out earlier this year? We have a new batch in stock and we would love for you to help us invite folks to worship with us via our Live Stream. You may pick one up at the church on Mondays and Thursdays from 10am - 2pm. Please call Mary Ann Wexler (336-7246311 ext. 1346) to let her know you are coming. These will go fast!
CONGREGATIONAL CARE Thursday • October 8 • Noon-1pm • Zoom “Let’s Have Lunch” is hosted by our Shining Light on Mental Health ministry. This one-hour Zoom meeting will feature Rev. Susannah Pittman speaking on ways to Reflect, Rekindle and Recharge during this time of COVID-19. To register, visit the Centenary website and click on the Engage tab. Once there, scroll to this event for the registration link. For questions, contact Sandra Gramley (336-724-6311 ext. 1352/ sgramley@centenary-ws.org). PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Wednesdays • Noon • Sanctuary • Reservation Required Begins October 7 We are a people of patterns and rituals, and we long for ways and opportunities to make meaning in our lives. We long to inhabit the sacred spaces and sanctuaries that help us give shape to our lives, to understand our place in God's world. In that spirit, and during this wilderness season of waiting, we are eager to offer you an alternative way of worshipping together. Each Wednesday at Noon, we will gather for a 30-minute worship experience of prayer and contemplation. To register, visit www.centenary-ws.org and click on the Engage tab. Seating is very limited. We will follow strict safety guidance of mask-wearing and social distancing. For any questions, please contact Rev. Susannah Pittman (spittman@centenary-ws.org) or Jonathan Emmons (jemmons@ centenary-ws.org).
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PO Box 658 Winston-Salem. NC 27102