MORNING WORSHIP April 6, 2014 11:00 a.m. “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12
PRELUDE
Vocalise Jay Whatley, Organist
INTROIT
Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord Sanctuary Choir Dr. Terry Morris, Director of Music
THE GATHERING
Sergei Rachmaninoff John Ness Beck
Rev. Charles Thompson
*GREETING *HYMN
Love Divine All Loves Excelling Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heav’n, to earth come down! Fix in us thy humble dwelling, All thy faithful mercies crown. Jesus, thou art all compassion, Pure, unbounded love thou art; Visit us with thy salvation, Enter ev’ry trembling heart.
Mockelbust
Breathe, oh, breathe thy loving Spirit Into ev’ry troubled breast; Let us all in thee inherit; Let us find thy promised rest. Take away the love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be; End of faith, as its beginning, Set our hearts at liberty. Come, Almighty, to deliver; Let us all thy life receive; Suddenly return, and never, Nevermore thy temples leave. Thee we would be always blessing, Serve thee as thy hosts above, Pray, and praise thee without ceasing, Glory in thy perfect love. Finish then thy new creation, Pure and spotless let us be; Let us see thy great salvation Perfectly restored in thee! Changed from glory into glory, Till in heav’n we take our place, Till we cast our crowns before thee, Lost in wonder, love and praise!
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM AT 11:00
Dr. Steve Wende With God’s help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround Audrianna Dianne Schaefer with a community of love and forgiveness that she may grow in her trust of God and be found faithful in her service to others. We will pray for her, that she may be a true disciple who walks in the way that leads to life eternal.
SUNG RESPONSE I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry "I was there to hear your borning cry, I'll be there when you are old. I rejoiced the day you were baptized, to see your life unfold.”
*CONGREGATION RESPONSE Lamb of God Your only Son, no sin to hide, but you have sent him from your side, To walk upon this guilty sod, and to become the Lamb of God. O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God, I love the holy Lamb of God! O wash me in his precious blood – my Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of the faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet. Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen.
LIFE OF THE CHURCH
SHARING OF COMMUNION
Rev. Ann Spears *CHRIST’S INVITATION Leader: Christ our Lord invites to His table all who love Him, who earnestly repent of their sins and seek to live in peace with one another. Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! People: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! Glory to God. Amen.
Dr. Steve Wende
*HYMN
When in Our Music God is Glorified When in our music God is glorified, And adoration leaves no room for pride, It is as though the whole creation cried: Alleluia! Choir Only How often, making music, we have found A new dimension in the world of sound, As worship moved us to a more profound Alleluia!
Mockelbust
COMMUNION MUSIC
THE LORD’S PRAYER Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, Forever. Amen.
Let every instrument be tuned for praise! Let all rejoice who have voice to raise! And may God give us faith to sing always: Alleluia!
THE WORD IN SONG
Rev. Terence Hagans
*SENDING FORTH
Bettcher
*SUNG RESPONSE
How Deep the Father’s Love for Us Sanctuary Choir
*THE WORD IN SCRIPTURE Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Matthew 11:1-12 This is the Word of the Lord! Thanks be to God!
MESSAGE The Suffering, Advancing Church
Near the Cross Sanctuary Ringers
Raney & Sherman Joyce Jones
The Cross of Christ Jay Whatley, Organist
So has the church, in liturgy and song, In faith and love, through centuries of wrong, Borne witness to the truth in every tongue: Alleluia!
*FAITHFUL GIVING
Communion will be brought to you so that all may partake of the Sacrament in unison and unity. If you would like a gluten free communion wafer, please notify an usher.
Page 10, N.T Pew Bible
Dr. Steve Wende
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; No turning back, no turning back.
POSTLUDE
Toccata on HYFRYDOL Jay Whatley, Organist
GREAT THANKSGIVING Lift up your hearts! We lift them up to the Lord! Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God! It is right to give our thanks and praise! It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! On the night before He went to the cross, our Lord took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to His disciples, and said: “Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” When the supper was over, Jesus took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to His disciples, and said: “Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Anne Roberts
* Please stand, as you are able
ACOLYTE Georgia Lawson
Dr. Timothy Tennent President Asbury Theological Seminary
Matthew 6:9-13 arr. Malotte
Cooper Lawson
NEW MEMBERS Christina Maley and Michael Metzdorf Richard Guinn Mark Milchanowski
CLERGY ON-CALL Dr. Paul Clines, 832-668-1800, option 7 Service of Healing in the Chapel, 12:05 p.m. Assisted Listening Devices are available from the sound console.
Easter Offering Christ is blessing First Methodist Houston as we serve children, youth, the elderly, the needy and our community in His love. We want to make a special effort to continue to share His blessing with others. Please write “Easter Offering” on the bottom of your check. Easter envelopes are available in the pews. All gifts received will go to serve others in the name of the Risen Christ.
ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS Skeeters Minor League Baseball Day Trip, May 7. Cost is $20 and includes transportation, ticket, hot dog, drink and chips. We have a block of tickets on hold, with a release deadline of April 7, so make your reservation NOW with Judy Saenz, 832.668.1836 or jsaenz@fmhouston.com. The seats are in a shaded part of the stadium, close to concession stands and restrooms. We will leave from the Downtown Lobby by 9:30 a.m. and will return by 3:30 p.m. Malta, Sicily, & Italy, October 5-18, 2014. Rev. Ann and Max Spears invite you to join them for the trip of a lifetime led by Biblical Archaeologist Dr. Jim Fleming, which will follow St. Paul from the shipwreck in Malta to his death in Rome. Please sign up as soon as possible; a $500 deposit is due now to hold your place. For more details go to fmhouston.com/italytrip. To register or for more information, contact Judy Saenz at 832.668.1836 or jsaenz@fmhouston.com.
MISSIONS Eagle Pass Mission Trip: Join our team April 23-26 as we reach out to those in Eagle Pass who are in great need of Christ’s hope. Help with home repair projects and assist in the local food pantry. To register or receive more information, contact the Missions Office at 832-668-1819 or kjames@fmhouston.com. You can make a difference for a family in need. Be part of a home repair team May 17-18. Contact the Missions Office at 832.668.1819 or Jerry Abshire at 713.459.2764.
EGGSTRAVAGANZA AT WESTCHASE Join us at the Westchase campus for our annual Easter Eggstravaganza on Sunday, April 20! The event will be from 1 - 3 p.m. We will have live music, our big egg hunt, petting zoo, pony rides, video games, moonwalks, Ferris wheel, kids’ crafts and face painting! This year we will also have some of the most popular food trucks in Houston on site if you would like to purchase lunch.
UNITED METHODIST MEN Our next meeting will be Saturday, April 12. Our speakers will be Sara and Henry Clines (Dr. Paul Clines’ parents) who will speak on their mission activities in Honduras! Plan to join us for breakfast at 7:30 in Fellowship Hall.
LET’S READ BOOK CLUB Join us April 7 when Janet Nolte will review The Believers by Janice Holt Giles, a historical novel about the Shaker religion set in Kentucky. We will meet from 12-1. Bring your lunch!
WEEKDAY BIBLE STUDIES Tuesday Noon Bible Study: Priscilla Shirer’s Gideon: Your Weakness, God’s STRENGTH through May 6. Lunch will be served beginning at 11:30 a.m. Thursday Noon Bible Study with Allen Houk. “The Book of Acts.” Lunch will be served beginning at 11:30 a.m.
PORT HOUSTON Neighbors in Action will provide 400 snack bags for Port Houston students who will take the STAAR test at Port Houston Elementary this year. The students need the following donations: water bottles, cereal bars, individual raisin boxes, sugar free fruit snacks, and large Ziploc bags. Please contact Kathrin Meier at 832.434.8105 or kmeier@fmhouston.com.
FIRST PLACE 4 HEALTH Living for Christ, a 12-week Christcentered healthy living program will help you put Christ in first place as you create balance in the four core areas of your life—emotional, spiritual, mental and physical. The results = weight loss and total health from the inside out! To register or for information, contact Janet Nolte (713.664.7647) or Robin Milutin (832.668.1861).
CHILDREN Main Street Indoor Park – Free: open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. – noon for parents/caregivers with infants – PK children. www.fmhkids.com.
FREE HYMNALS! The choir has some vintage hymnals that we will give away on a first come, first served basis. Please check with the Welcome Desk, or contact Rebecca Holland, rholland@fmhouston.com or 832.668.1824.