Sunday February 5th Worship Service! Join us In Person Or Online

(Image: Jacob Wrestles With The Angel   Koenig, Peter)

©Order of Worship for Sunday February 05, 2023

5th Sunday After the Epiphany

Black History Month

Holy Communion

For the Avent Ferry UMC Worship Video Click Here (Link opens in a new window)

The worship video will be available live at 11:00 am.
Text for hymns are found below each hymn.  Click on the hymn highlighted text for music if shown.

Prelude and Call to Worship: “We Shall Overcome”, Afro-American spiritual: adapt. By William Farley Smith, 1986. Adapt. © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House ………………………………………………Rhonda B., Greg D.
 
Coming of the Light:……………………………………..Evan G.
 
Greetings:………………………………………Pastor Steven
 
Opening Prayer: ……………………………Samantha M.
 
Opening Hymns:  “Lift Every Voice and Sing” #519 UMH
Words by James Weldon Johnson, 1921
Music by J. Rosamond Johnson, 1921
 
1. Lift every voice and sing, till earth and heaven ring,
ring with the harmonies of liberty; 
let our rejoicing rise high as the listening skies,
let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
 
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us; 
sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
facing the rising sun of our new day begun, 
let us march on till victory is won. 
 
2. Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod, 
felt in the days when hope unborn had died; 
yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet
come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
 
We have come over a way that with tears has been
watered; we have come, treading our path thru the
blood of the slaughtered,
out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last
where the white gleam of our bright star is cast. 
 
3. God of our weary years, God of our silent tears,
thou who has brought us thus far on the way;
thou who hast by thy might led us into the light,
keep us forever in the path, we pray.
 
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where
we met thee, lest our hearts drunk with the wine of
the world, we forget thee;
shadowed beneath thy hand, may we forever stand,
true to our God, true to our native land.
 
“This Little Light of Mine” #585 UMH (sing through twice)
Words: Afro-American spiritual Music: Afro-American spiritual;
adapt. By William Farley Smith, 1987
Adapt. 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House
 
1.This little light of mine, I’m goin’-a let it shine,
this little light of mine, I’m goin’-a let it shine
this little light of mine, I’m goin’-a let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. (let it shine)
 
2. Everywhere I go
3. All through the night
 
Announcements:…………………………………………..Lorri B.
 
Giving of our tithes and offerings …………………
You can do this with no fee through your bank’s online bill pay option. It is easy to set up for automatic monthly giving. Or, you can use this link: Online Giving
 
Offertory: “My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord”,Spiritual Arranged by Florence B. Price, © 1937 Warner Brothers………………………..………Rhonda B.
 
Offertory Response:… “The Doxology” #94 UMH
Words: Thomas Ken, 1674 Music: Geistliche Kirchengesänge, 1623;
Adapt. © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House
 
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 up-lifts!  Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
 
Prayer After Receiving:…………………………Pastor Steven
 
Prayers of the People:…………………………..Pastor Steven
 
Hymn of Preparation:“We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder” #418 UMH
Words: Afro-American spiritual Music: Afro-American spiritual
Adapt. And arr. By William Farley Smith, 1986
Adapt and arr. © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House
 
1. We are climbing Jacob’s ladder; we are
climbing Jacob’s ladder, we are climbing
Jacob’s ladder; soldiers of the cross.
 
2. Every round goes higher, higher; every
round goes higher, higher, every round
goes higher, higher;  soldiers of the cross.
 
3. Sinner, do you love my Jesus?  Sinner,
do you love my Jesus?  Sinner, do you
love my Jesus?  Soldiers of the cross.
 
4. If you love him, why not serve him?  If you
love him, why not serve him?  If you love him,
why not serve him?  Soldiers of the cross.
 
5. We are climbing higher, higher, we are
climbing higher, higher, we are climbing
Higher, higher;  soldiers of the cross.
 
Old Testament Lesson: …..Genesis 32:22-32…..Samantha M.
 
The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.”
 
But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.”
 
The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the thigh muscle that is on the hip socket, because he struck Jacob on the hip socket at the first thigh muscle.
 
Sermon:….“What Are You Fighting For?”………Pastor Steven
 
Holy Communion:
 
Communion Hymn: “Let Us Break Bread Together” #618 UMH
Words and Music: Afro-American spiritual
Adapt. And arr. © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House
 
1.Let us break bread together on our knees,
let us break bread together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.
 
2.Let us drink wine together on our knees,
let us drink wine together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.
 
3.Let us praise God together on our knees,
let us praise God together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.
 
Closing Hymn: “Here I Am, Lord” #593 UMH
© 1981, 1983, 1989 Daniel L. Schutte and NALR
 
1. I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save.
I have made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. 
Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
 
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? 
I have heard you calling in the night. 
I will go, Lord, if you lead me. 
I will hold your people in my heart.
 
2. “I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain. 
I have wept for love of them. They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send?
 
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? 
I have heard you calling in the night. 
I will go, Lord, if you lead me. 
I will hold your people in my heart.
 
3. I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame. 
I will set a feast for them. My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send?
 
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? 
I have heard you calling in the night. 
I will go, Lord, if you lead me. 
I will hold your people in my heart.
 
Dismissal with blessing:……………………………Pastor Steven
 
Postlude: “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me”, Afro-American spiritual; adapted by William Fareley Smith, 1986. Adapted © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House………………………………………………………………Greg D.
 

 
CONFESSION & PARDON

Pastor Steven: Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

All pray in silence.

Pastor Steven: 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!

All: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
All:  Glory to God. Amen.

THE PEACE
Let us offer one another signs of reconciliation and love.
All, including the pastor, exchange signs and words of God’s peace by crossing hands, wave to one another due to social distancing guidelines.

Pastor Steven: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Pastor Steven: Lift up your hearts. The pastor may lift hands and keep them raised.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
Pastor Steven: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Pastor Steven: And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
All: 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.
Pastor Steven: In union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
All: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Pastor Steven: All honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.

All: Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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