Today’s Meditation Verse: “So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.
--1 Thessalonians 2:8
Welcome—Pastor Charles
Prelude: “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” by Hannah G.
Call to Worship—Pastor Charles (Leader) and Claudia M. (People)
Congregation is encouraged to read People’s response aloud on Mute setting
Leader: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be the kingdom, now and forever.
Leader: There is one Body and one Spirit;
People: There is one hope in God’s call to us;
Leader: One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism;
People: One God and Father of all.
Leader: Blessed be God who sustains and protects the Holy Church.
People: And blessed be God who guides and confirms us in our Faith. Amen. Alleluia!
—written by the Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel, in Liturgy of God’s Word for Reformation Sunday
Hymn: “O God, Our Help In Ages Past” (verses 1 & 2)—Christopher W. and Rebecca G.
Congregation is encouraged to sing along on mute setting; words and music will be provided onscreen
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God: A Litany for Reformation Sunday—Pastor Charles (Leader) and Claudia M. (People) - Congregation is encouraged to read aloud on mute setting
Leader: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
People: A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.
Leader: There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns.
People: Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus it is He, Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same, and He must win the battle.
Leader: The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; God speaks and the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the Lord! God makes wars cease to the end of the earth; God breaks the bow, shatters the spear, and burns the shields with fire.
People: And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God has willed His truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure, one little word shall fell him.
Leader: Be still, and know that the Lord is God! God is exalted among the nations; God is exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.
People: That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth; the Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him who with us sideth; let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill, God’s truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever.
--posted on the Presbyterian Mission website of the PC (USA)
Reception of Ben G. into the congregation of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
From The United Methodist Book of Worship beginning on page 87
Pastor: Brothers and sisters in Christ: Through the sacrament of baptism, we are initiated into Christ’s holy Church. We are incorporated into God’s mighty acts of salvation and given new birth through water and the Spirit. All this is God’s gift, offered to us without price. Through confirmation, we renew the covenant declared at our baptism, acknowledge what God is doing for us, and affirm our commitment to Christ’s holy Church.
On behalf of the whole Church, I ask you: Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of the world, and repent of your sin? Ben: I do. Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves? Ben: I do. Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in His grace, and promise to serve Him as your Lord, in union with the Church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races? Ben: I do. According to the grave given to you, will you remain a faithful member of Christ’s holy Church and serve as Christ’s representative in the world? Ben: I will.
Do you, as Christ’s body, the Church, reaffirm both your rejection of sin and your commitment to Christ? Congregation: We do. Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include this person now before you in your care? Congregation: With God’s help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround this person with a community of love and forgiveness, that he may grow in his trust of God and be found faithful in his service to others. We will pray for him, that he may be a true disciple who walks in the way that leads to life.
Let us join together in professing the Christina faith as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.
Do you believe in God the Father? Congregation: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Congregation: I believe 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, died, and was buried; He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again; He ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit? Congregation: 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.
Pastor to Ben: As a member of Christ’s universal church, will you be loyal to The United Methodist Church, and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries? Ben: I will. As a member of this congregation, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presences, your gifts, your service, and your witness? Ben: I will.
Members of the household of God, I commend this person to your love and care. Do all in your power to increase his faith, confirm his hope, and perfect him in love. Congregation: We give thanks for all that God has already given you and we welcome you in Christian love. As members together with you in the body of Christ and in this congregation of The United Methodist Church, we renew our covenant faithfully to participate in the ministries of the Church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness, that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
The God of all grace, who has called us to eternal glory in Christ, establish you and strengthen you by the power of the Holy Spirit, that you may live in grace and peace.
Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations—Pastor Charles
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer—Pastor Charles
Congregation is encouraged to pray The Lord’s Prayer aloud on mute setting
Epistle Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8—Claudia M.
Musical Offering: “He Hideth My Soul” by Hannah G.
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 22:34-46—Pastor Charles
Sermon: “The purpose of our being here”—Pastor Charles
Celebration of Ministry: Reconciling Statement--Judy W.
Words for the Journey—Pastor Charles
Postlude: “O Hear the Glad Sound” by Alpha & Omega
