Avent Ferry United Methodist Church

Avent Ferry United Methodist Church is a Christ centered community of faith that is committed to reaching out to and embracing all individuals. With open hearts, open minds, and open doors, we are making intentional efforts toward celebrating diversity and being genuinely welcoming and inclusive of all individuals. As a Reconciling United Methodist Church, we follow Jesus Christ by loving and accepting: All Ages, All Races, All Abilities, All Cultures, All Ethnicities, All National Origins, All Education Levels, All Gender Identities, All Sexual Orientations, All Socio-Economic Statuses, All Family or Marital Statuses.

Sunday January 21st Worship Service

Image: “Fish Symbol on Shrine Wall” Mural Abomey, Benin

©Order of Worship for Sunday January 21, 2024

Third Sunday After The Epiphany

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

Prelude: ………………………………….….……….Greg D.

Coming of the Light:…………………………………….Evan G.

Greetings:………………………………………Pastor Steven

Opening Prayer: ………………………………..…Kelly G.
O Christ, who commanded the apostles to go into all the
world, and to preach the gospel to every creature,
let your name be great among the nations from the rising up of the sun to its going down,
now and forever. Amen

Opening Hymns:“Rock of Ages” #361 UMH
Words: Augustus M. Toplady, 1776 Music: Thomas Hastings, 1830

1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood, from thy wounded side which
flowed, be of sin the double cure; save from wrath and
make me pure.

2. Not the labors of my hands can fulfill thy law’s demands;
could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone; thou must save, and thou alone.

3. Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress; helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.

4. While I draw this fleeting breath, when mine eyes shall close
in death, when I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy
judgment throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide
myself in thee.

“Grace Greater than Our Sin” #365 UMH
Words: Julia H. Johnston, 1911 Music: Daniel B. Towner, 1910

1. Marvelous grace of our loving Lord.
grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that will pardon and
cleanse within, grace, grace, God’s grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin!

2. Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that will pardon and
cleanse within, grace, grace, God’s grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin!

3. Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
Brighter than snow you may be today.

Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that will pardon and
cleanse within, grace, grace, God’s grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin!

4. Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see his face,
will you this moment his grace receive?

Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that will pardon and
cleanse within, grace, grace, God’s grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin!

Psalter:………………Psalm 62:5-12 #787 UMH……Kelly G.
Response:
I sing your praise for steadfast love;
fulfill your purpose for me.

For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from God,
who alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my deliverance and my honor;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before God who is a refuge for us.
Response
Those of low estate are but a breath,
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.
Put no confidence in extortion,
set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
and to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love,
for you repay all according to their work.
Response

Passing of the Peace:…………………………….Pastor Steven
Let us offer signs of reconciliation and peace to one another.

Gloria Patri:………“Glory Be to the Father” #71 UMH
Words: Lesser Doxology, 3rd-4th century
Music: Henry W. Greatorex, 1851

Glory be to the Father
and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.

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:………………“Imagine”…………………….Greg D.
Words and Music: John Lennon © 1971 (renewed 1999) Lenovo Music

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

Anthem:………..“Go, Light Your World”………..Women’s Choir
Words and Music: Chris Rice

Gospel Lesson:…………….Mark 1:14-20………..Kelly G.

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea–for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him

Hymn of Preparation:“I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” #2129 TFWS
Words: Anon. Music: Anon. Arr. c 1986, Word Music

1. I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
No turning back, no turning back.

2. The world behind me, the cross before me,
The world behind me, the cross before me,
The world behind me, the cross before me,
No turning back, no turning back.

3. Though none go with me, still I will follow,
Though none go with me, still I will follow,
Though none go with me, still I will follow,
No turning back, no turning back.

Sermon:….. “Stepping Into The Unknown”……Pastor Steven

Closing Hymn: “We Will Follow” #3160 W&S
Words: Traditional Zulu Music: Traditional Zulu
Arr. © 2005 The General Board of Discipleship of The
United Methodist Church

We will follow, we will follow Jesus. We will follow,
we will follow him. We will follow, we will follow Jesus.
Wherever he leads us we will follow.

We will follow, we will follow Jesus. We will follow,
we will follow him. We will follow, we will follow Jesus.
Wherever he leads us we will follow.

Dismissal with Blessing:…….……………Pastor Steven

Postlude:……………………………………………………Greg D.

For Online Giving, follow this link Avent Ferry Give . You can also mail checks to Avent Ferry UMC, 2700 Avent Ferry Road, Raleigh, NC 27606.

For additional AFUMC Announcements: See your AFUMC Announcements E-mail or Click Announcements Here

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Sunday January 21st Worship Service