7th Sunday after the Epiphany February 20, 2022
from Google images
The Church Gathers Pre-Service Music Words of Welcome The Peace
Suite évocatrice pour grand orgue
Tournemire
The peace of the Lord be with you. And also with you.
Call to Worship Look back! Look back with courage. Face the truth God reveals to you. Look forward! Look forward with hope. See possibilities growing from the seeds of lessons learned. There is no shame in revisiting and relearning history. Let us learn and relearn our history together. Wisdom is vindicated by all her children. May it be so. Amen. Hymn Womb of Life Womb of life, and source of being, home of every restless heart, in your arms the worlds awakened; you have loved us from the start. We, your children, gather 'round you, at the table you prepare. Sharing stories, tears and laughter, we are nurtured by your care.
{from Asbury First UMC}
TFWS #2046
Word in flesh, our brother Jesus, born to bring us second birth, you have come to stand beside us, knowing weakness, knowing earth. Priest who shares our human struggles, Life of Life, and Death of Death, Risen Christ, come stand among us, send the Spirit by your breath. Brooding Spirit, move among us; be our partner, be our friend. When our memory fails, remind us whose we are, what we intend. Labor with us, aid the birthing of the new world yet to be, free of servant, lord, and master, free for love and unity. Mother, Brother, Holy Partner; Father, Spirit, Only Son: We would praise your name forever, One in three, and Three in one. We would share your life, your passion, share your word of world made new, every singing, ever praising, one with all, and one with you. Prayer of Confession Almighty God, you love us, but we have not loved you; you call, but we have not listened. We walk away from neighbors in need, wrapped up in our own concerns. We have gone along with evil, with pride, quarreling, and divisiveness. God of the cross, forgive us for the sympathy which makes the pain of another more about our own feelings than their reality. We confess the evil that perverts our desire for justice and equity for the oppressed. We confess the ways we have remained within our comfort zones rather than extended concern for our neighbors. Lord, help those of us with inordinate power release it. Holy God, help us to face up to ourselves, so that, as you move toward us in mercy, we may repent, turn to you, and receive mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. {silence for prayer}
Words of Assurance Friends, the Spirit of God draws us into one, even as we acknowledge our divisions. God's mercy forms us into the Body of Christ. Thanks be to God for forgiveness. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God!. Alleluia! Amen. {adapted from Black Liturgies, Asbury First UMC, PCUSA website}
To Hear the Word and Reflect Special Music
Children’s Time
Scripture
Sermon
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
This, this is where children belong Welcomed as part of the worshiping throng Water, God's Word, bread and cup, prayer and song. This is where children belong.
arr. Morris
TFWS #2233
Exodus 35:21-29; 36:2-7; Romans 12:1-2 This is the Word of Life. Thanks be to God. The Strength of the Community
Pastora Ashley Gonzalez
To Respond in Faith Hymn Welcome Let's walk together for a while and ask where we begin to build a world where love can grow and hope can enter in, to be the hands of healing and to plant the seed of peace, singing welcome, Refrain: welcome to this place. You're invited to come and know God's grace. All are welcome the love of God to share 'cause all of us are welcome here; all are welcome in this place. Let's talk together of a time when we will share a feast, where pride and power kneel to serve the lonely and the least, and joy will set the table as we join our hands to pray, singing welcome, {Refrain} Let's dream together of the day when earth and heaven are one, a city built of love and light, the new Jerusalem, where our mourning turns to dancing, every creature lifts its voice crying welcome, {Refrain}
Prayers of the People
W&S 3152
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, the power, and the glory forever. Amen. Sign-in and Connect! Card Let us know you are here, and connect with ways to Feed and Be Fed through PUMC: • Use the Connect! card, text “PUMC” to 609-542-2192, or scan the QR code. Invitation to Offering
We provide lots of options to give electronically: Give on our church website, scan the QR code, text 844-908-2593, or give via PayPal.
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Offertory
“Choral” from the Vingt-quatre Pièces en Style Libre
Vierne
Doxology 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! Prayer of Thanksgiving
And Scatter To Be in the World Hymn We All Are One in Mission We all are one in mission; we all are one in call, our varied gifts united by Christ, the Lord of all. A single great commission compels us from above to plan and work together that all may know Christ's love.
TFWS #2243
We all are called for service, to witness in God's name. Our ministries are different; our purpose is the same: To touch the lives of others by God's surprising grace, so every folk and nation may feel God's warm embrace. Now let us be united, and let our song be heard. Now let us be a vessel for God's redeeming Word. We all are one in mission; we all are one in call, our varied gifts united by Christ, the Lord of all. Benediction Postlude
“Clameurs et choral” from L’Orgue Mystique
Tournemire
It’s time to make some choices, to put some thoughts down about the Rule of Life you are being called into in this season. Making choices concrete, writing down our intentions, our purpose, our rule, has a lot of power, and the chances of our living into it increase dramatically when we do so. Remember too that less is often more when it comes to spiritual practice, particularly when we are in a season where we already have many commitments. This will require discernment, the practice of listening to the movement and direction of the Spirit, as we choose between multiple good choices.
The Sixth Step: Getting Specific • Look back over the previous five steps, your notes, your reflections, your observations. • What have you discovered about the intersection of your deep gladness and one of the world’s deep hungers? • What are some of the invitations you’ve heard along the way or what is attracting you as some possible next steps for your journey as you live more fully into who you were created to be? • Are you able to put your sense of your Powerful Purpose into words? Maybe it’s a personal mission statement or mantra. Maybe it’s a variety of images that evoke your growing clarity around your vocation. • Bring all of this into prayer and conversation with God. What does God have to say? • What are you ready to write down and commit to as a framework for living into your powerful purpose and in this next season of discipleship? (You can find some examples of Rules of Life in our Online Campus Powerful Purpose group.) Much of this guide is informed by chapter 10 of Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life by Marjorie J. Thompson, 2014 edition.
Prayer Concerns The Apperson Family Michele’s sister, Jacqueline Marrow Family Jeanette Karen’s nephew, Joe Vicki
Santos Gonzales, upon the passing of his wife Susan’s brother-in-law, Steve The Cutler-Kreutz family Griffon Ashley
Joyce Carr The Pisani Family Phyllis Harvey Christine Born Jill Verga Tabor Bill Desantis
For a full listing of calendar events, visit our website: https://princetonumc.org/calendar/ Sunday, February 20 8:45 am Contemporary Issues in the Fellowship Hall 10:00 am Worship Service 10:00 am Confirmation Class in Room 203 10:15 am Children's Ministries in the Formation Wing 11:30 am Compassion Camp Online 11:30 am Newcomers Group in the Fellowship Hall and via Zoom 11:45 am Handbell Choir in the Music Room 3:00 pm Divorce Support Group via Zoom 3:00 pm Love Lives On via Zoom 3:00 pm High School Youth Group in the Sanctuary & Sanford Davis Room 4:00 pm Youth Choir in the Sanctuary 4:45 pm Middle School Youth Group in the Sanctuary & Sanford Davis Room Monday, February 21 **OFFICE CLOSED FOR PRESIDENTS DAY** 10:00 am Monday Morning Group 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 7:00 pm Circle of Care via Zoom 7:00 pm Stewardship & Finance Ministry Team Tuesday, February 22 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 7:00 pm Technology Ministry Team 7:45 pm Wesley Foundation College Ministry in the Sanford Davis Room 8:00 pm Godfulness Meditation Small Group Wednesday, February 23 9:00 am Love Lives On via Zoom 4:30 pm Children's Choir in the Sanctuary 5:00 pm Cornerstone Community Meal 6:30 pm Chancel Choir Thursday, February 24 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 7:30 pm Staff Parish Relations Committee Sunday, February 27 8:45 am Contemporary Issues in the Fellowship Hall 10:00 am Worship Service 10:00 am Confirmation Class in Room 203 10:15 am Children's Ministries in the Formation Wing 11:30 am Compassion Camp Online 11:45 am Handbell Choir in the Music Room 12:00 pm Prayer Bead Workshop at PUMC, KUMC and via Zoom 12:15 pm Adult Formation Ministry Team 3:00 pm High School Youth Group in the Sanctuary & Sanford Davis Room 4:00 pm Youth Choir in the Sanctuary 4:45 pm Middle School Youth Group in the Sanctuary & Sanford Davis Room
Lenten Prayer Beads Workshop
February 27 | 12:00 pm
To prepare us for Lent, Kristen E. Vincent, author of the award-winning book A Bead and a Prayer: A Beginner’s Guide to Protestant Prayer Beads is leading a workshop where she will share the history, symbolism, and use of beads in prayer, and guide participants through the process of making and using their own sets of prayer beads. The workshop is simultaneously available in the Sanford Davis room at Princeton UMC, at Kingston UMC, as well as by Zoom. Register today at princetonumc.org/events or by calling the church office.
Ash Wednesday
March 2
This year Princeton UMC and Kingston UMC are teaming up to provide Ash Wednesday opportunities throughout the day and evening. The Princeton Campus Chapel and Sanford Davis Room will be open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm for meditation, prayer, labyrinth walking, and self-imposed ashes. Then, the Kingston Campus will host an Ash Wednesday worship service at 7:00 pm. This can be attended in person or on Zoom.
Flower Donations It’s that time of year when we ask for your help with altar flower donations. If you had a “special” Sunday that you had last year, email Pam Nugent (poodluvs@aol.com) or call 609-771-0189 to reserve that date.
Terracycle Program As more of us are coming to in-person worship, we want to invite you to contribute to our Terracycle donation bins, now located downstairs, just outside of the Fellowship Hall. Click here to get the current information about which items can be donated (or find the website at princetonumc.org under ’Community.’ Proceeds go to support the Appalachian Service Project.
Wesley Foundation at Princeton Are you looking for a progressive Christian college ministry? We'd love to have you! Email Pastor Skitch (skitch@princetonumc.org) or Grecia Hernandez (ghperez@princeton.edu) for more details about our Tuesday night Bible study!
Sharing in Our Worship Today Preacher: Lay Reader: Liturgists: Acolyte:
Pastora Ashley Gonzalez William Wong Curt Hillegas, Susan Victor Sequoah Hadley
Designated Singers: Hyosang Park, Lori Pantaleo, Tom Shelton Musicians: Rich Spotts, Handbell Choir Sound & Video: Stephen Offer, Ian Macdonald Ushers: Ralph Newhall, Doug Fullman
Have Prayer Concerns? Today’s flowers are given in honor of
Our Dedicated Clergy and Staff
For our Prayer Chain, call Mary Lib Stewart at 609-632-1973 or contact Yvonne Macdonald at yvonnee.mac@verizon.net, 609-497-0337. Please notify Pastor Jae Hong at jae@princetonumc.org when you or a family member is in the hospital or in need of a pastoral call.