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FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Sunday School – 9:30 a.m.
Casual Worship – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship – 10:45 a.m.
April 27, 2008
Theme: Puzzling Questions – Why Should I Give Up…Give In…Give Away...?
WORSHIP PREPARATION THOUGHT: “Sometimes we hold on to our possessions because we fear we might run out – life seems scarce. But when we believe that giving is the way to live, we will produce more in the future – life seems abundant.” John C. Maxwell
GATHERING
CALL OF THE CHURCH BELL
REGISTRATION OF ATTENDANCE & COMPLETION OF PRAYER CARDS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
OPENING VOLUNTARY
CHORAL INTROIT “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” Wyeth
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Gather us in, Mysterious Maker God.
People: That being close to you we will understand your intention for creation.
Leader: Weave us into one, Sweet Savior of All.
People: That living your ways we will create communities of faith and peace.
Leader: Gather us in, Powerful Spirit of Renewal.
All: That treasuring the past we will boldly shape the future.
Leader: Weave us into one, Holy One in Three.
All: That women and men, child and elder, familiar and unknown, together may be
the signs of your presence, the weavers of your communities and the witnesses to
your coming. Amen
*HYMN OF PRAISE “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” Hymn #140
During the hymn, please hold up completed Prayer Request Cards so the ushers may collect them.
*OPENING PRAYER
O God, our resurrection & life, the promise of your new life in Christ is like a breath of fresh air in a dry & thirsty land. We have gathered as believers and as those who are honestly seeking the truth. Guide our worship this hour.
O God who makes all things new, speak to us as whole people today. May your truth touch not just our intellects, but also our deeper yearnings of heart & soul. We bring with us our daily concerns, as well as our more eternal questions. May your new creation in us shed light upon our everyday walk.
O God who fed your people manna in the wilderness and the multitudes with but a few loaves and some fish, feed us now with the abundance of what you freely offer, that we might overflow with your goodness right where we live. All this we pray in the name of, and because of, Jesus our Christ. Amen.
PRAYER & PROCLAMATION
ANTHEM “ Love As Christ Would Love” By Bob Burroughs
CHILDREN'S MOMENT Dismissal for Children's Church
SCRIPTURE READING Luke 6:36-38
PRAYERS
THE LORD'S PRAYER
*HYMN OF PREPARATION “Many Gifts, One Spirit” Hymn #114
SCRIPTURE READING II Corinthians 9:5-12
SERMON “Inside Out and Upside Down” Pastor Joy
RESPONSE
*HYMN “Because He Lives” Hymn #364
OFFERING
OFFERTORY “Look At the World” By John Rutter
*DOXOLOGY “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” Page #95
*DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING
*CONGREGATIONAL “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” Hymn #302
BENEDICTION (4 th verse only)
*CLOSING VOLUNTARY
* Indicates those in the congregation who are able will please stand.
Following worship, our Stephen Ministers are available for one-on-one prayer.
Please come to the communion area, and someone will meet you.
OUR WORSHIP LEADERS
Joy Caschetta , Pastor Richard Boyd , Diaconal Minister of Music
Sharon Moorhead , Liturgist Susan Niederer, Musician
John and Betty Carter, Greeter Ben Hanley, Sound
Geneva Bennet and Ann Zimmerlee , Flowers Darion Meeks and Victoria Symonds, Acolytes
Kathy Clayton, Visitation Person
Ushers: Bill Ford, Captain; Scott Abner , Steve Brown, Dave Ehlers, Mike Niederer, and Scott Neill