(Image:  Jesus Mural of Faith, Hope, Love and Peace Chicago, IL US)

©Order of Worship for Sunday February 4, 2024

Fifth 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

Prelude: …………“We Shall Overcome”……….Greg D.
Words: Rev. Charles Tindley Music:Trad. African-American gospel song
 
Coming of the Light:……………………………………….
 
Greetings:………………………………………Pastor Steven
 
Opening Prayer: ……………………..………Melrose D.
O God of all the nations,
You manifested your love by sending your only Son
into the world that all might live through him.
Pour your Spirit on your Church,
that it may fulfill his command to preach the
Gospel everywhere;
send forth laborers into your harvest;
defend them in all dangers and temptations;
give them grace to bear faithful witness to you;
endue them with zeal and love, that they may turn
many to righteousness; through the same your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
 
Opening Hymns:“Christ for the World We Sing #568
Words: Samuel Wolcott, 1869 Music: Felice de Giardinini, 1769
 
1. Christ for the world we sing, the world to Christ we
bring, with loving zeal; the poor, and them that mourn,
the faint and overborne, sinsick and sorrow worn,
whom Christ doth heal.
 
2. Christ for the world we sing, the world to Christ we
bring, with fervent prayer; the wayward and the lost,
by restless passions tossed, redeemed at countless
cost, from dark despair.
 
3. Christ for the world we sing, the world to Christ we
bring, with one accord; with us the work to share,
with us reproach to dare, with us the cross to bear,
for Christ our Lord.
 
4. Christ for the world we sing, the world to Christ we
bring, with joyful song; the newborn souls, whose days,
reclaimed from error’s ways, inspired with hope and
praise, to Christ belong.
 
 
We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations #569 UMH
Words and Music: H. Ernest Nichol, 1896
 
1. We’ve a story to tell to the nations,
That shall turn their hearts to the right, a
Story of truth and mercy, a story of
Peace and light, a story of peace and light.
Refrain
For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the
dawning to noon day bright; and Christ’s great
kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom
Of love and light.
 
2. We’ve a song to be sung to the nations,
That shall lift their hearts to the Lord, a
Song that shall conquer evil and shatter the
Spear and sword, and shatter the spear and sword.
Refrain
For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the
dawning to noon day bright; and Christ’s great
kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom
Of love and light.
 
3. We’ve a message to give to the nations,
That the Lord who reigneth above hath
Sent us his Son to save us, and show us that
God is love, and show us that God is love.
Refrain
For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the
dawning to noon day bright; and Christ’s great
kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom
Of love and light.
 
4. We’ve a Savior to show to the nations,
Who the path of sorrow hath trod, that
All of the world’s great peoples might come to the
Truth of God, might come to the truth of God.
Refrain
For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the
dawning to noon day bright; and Christ’s great
kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom
Of love and light.
 
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:……….“We Remember You”………..Godwin O.
 
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
 
Epistle Lesson:……….1 Corinthians 9:16-23……….Melrose D.
 
If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.
 
For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.
 
Hymn of Preparation:“Pass it On#572, UMH
Words and Music: Kurt Kaiser, 1969 © Communiqué Music, Inc.
 
1. It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing. 
That’s how it is with God’s love once you’ve experienced it; 
you spread his love to everyone; you want to pass it on. 
 
2. What a wondrous time is spring, when all the trees are
budding; the birds begin to sing, the flowers start their
blooming. That’s how it is with God’s love once you’ve
experienced it; you want to sing, it’s fresh like spring;
you want to pass it on.
 
3. I wish for you, my friend, this happiness that I’ve found; 
you can depend on him, it matters not where you’re bound. 
I’ll shout it from the mountaintop; I want my world to know;
the Lord of love has come to me, I want to pass it on.
 
Sermon:……“Bring All People to the Lord”…….Pastor Steven
 
Holy Communion:……………………………….Pastor Steven

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
 
Communion Hymn:“Turn Your Eyes Upon  Jesus#349 UMH
Words and Music: Helen H. Lemmel, 1922
© 1922, renewed 1950 Singspiration Music
 
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his
Wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow
strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.
 
Closing Hymn:“I’m So Glad Jesus Lifted Me#2151 TFWS
Words and Music: African American spiritual
 
1. I’m so glad, Jesus lifted me,
I’m so glad, Jesus lifted me,
I’m so glad, Jesus lifted me,
singing glory, hallelujah,
Jesus lifted me.
 
2. Satan had me bound, Jesus lifted me,
Satan had me bound, Jesus lifted me,
Satan had be bound, Jesus lifted me,
singing glory, hallelujah,
Jesus lifted me.
 
3. When I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me,
when I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me,
when I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me,
singing glory, hallelujah,
Jesus lifted me.
 
Dismissal with Blessing:………………………………Pastor Steven
 
Postlude:…………“Faith is the Victory”………………….Greg D.
Words: J. Yates Music: I Stanley


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Sunday February 4th Worship Service