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 June 22nd Worship Service

(Image: By unknown artist)

©Order of Worship for Sunday June 22, 2025

Second Sunday after Pentecost

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…….The Lord Bless You and Keep You ……Greg/Daniel
(Public Domain)

Coming of the Light

Greetings……………………………………….Pastor Steven

Announcements……………………………………Lorri B.

Call to Worship………………………………….Ian D.
As we have been baptized into Christ,
We are clothed with Christ.
And if we belong to Christ,
Then we are Abraham’s offspring
And heirs according to the promise.
Thanks be to God.

Opening Prayer………………………………………Ian D.
Holy God, there is much that tries to separate us from one another. Creed and color, gender and nation, class and culture call for our fragmentation, but you call us to live together in your grace. You call us your children. You call us beloved. Today, let the refrain: “There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:29) guide us with every step. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Opening Hymns……“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.”

A Litany For Pride………………….Chad/Joe/Phillip
These prayers were written for LGBTQ Pride Month 2021 worship at St. John’s Presbyterian Church (http://www.stjohnssf.org/) in San Francisco, CA.

“Help Us Accept Each Other” #560 UMH
Words: Fred Kaan, 1974 Music: John Ness Beck, 1977
© Hope Publishing Co., 1975, 1977

1. Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us;
teach us as sister, brother, each person to embrace.
Be present, Lord, among us, and bring us to believe
we are ourselves accepted and meant to love and live.

2. Teach us, O Lord, your lessons, as in our daily life
we struggle to be human and search for hope and faith.
Teach us to care for people, for all, not just for some,
to love them as we find them, or as they may become.

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.

Giving of our tithes and offerings……….Pastor Steven
AFUMC Online Giving Link: https://afumc.com/give/

Offertory…..Spirit of God/Leaning on the Everlasting Arms…..Bell Choir

“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” (The Doxology)
#95 UMH
Words by Thomas Ken, 1674
Music attributed to Louis Bourgeois, 1551

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Prayer After Receiving……………………..Pastor Steven

Prayers of the People………………………Pastor Steven

Anthem……….…Fairest Lord Jesus………..Bell Choir

Lesson:……………..Matthew 25: 14 – 30…………Ian D

For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. At once the one who had received the five talents went off and traded with them and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance, but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Hymn of Preparation:……People Need the Lord….2244
1. People need the Lord,
People need the Lord;
At the end of broken dreams,
He’s the open door.

2. People need the Lord,
People need the Lord;
When will we realize
People need the Lord.

Sermon:………….Use Your Talent………….Pastor Steven

Order of Farewell:

Pastor: I thank you, the members and friends of Avent Ferry United Methodist Church, for the love and support you have shown me while
I have ministered among you.

I am grateful for the ways my leadership has been accepted.
I ask forgiveness for the mistakes I have made.
As I leave, I carry with me all that I have learned here.

Congregation: We receive your thankfulness, offer forgiveness, and accept that you now leave to minister elsewhere.
We express our gratitude for your time among us.
We ask your forgiveness for our mistakes.
Your influence on our faith and faithfulness
will not leave us with your departure.

Pastor: I accept your gratitude and forgiveness, and I forgive you,
trusting that our time together and our parting
are pleasing to God.
I release you from turning to me and depending on me.
I encourage you continuing ministry here
and will pray for you and for your new pastor, Rev. Liz Roberts.

Let us pray.

All together: Eternal God, whose steadfast love for us is from
everlasting to everlasting,
we give you thanks for cherished memories
and commend one another into your care as we move in
new directions.
Keep us on in your love forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Closing Hymn…….Sent Forth By God’s Blessing…UMH #664

“Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” #664 UMH
Words: Omer Westendor, 1964 Music: Welsh folk tune;
Words © 1964 World Library Publications, Inc.; harm,
© 1972 Contemporary Worship 4

1. Sent forth by God’s blessing, our true faith confessing,
the people of God from this dwelling take leave.
The service is ended, O now be extended the fruits of
our worship in all who believe.
The seed of the teaching, receptive souls reaching,
shall blossom in action for God and for all.
God’s grace did invite us, and love shall unite us
to work for God’s kingdom and answer the call.

2. With praise and thanksgiving to God ever living,
the tasks of our everyday life we will face.
Our faith ever sharing, in love ever caring,
embracing God’s children of each tribe and race.
With your grace you feed us, with your light now lead us;
unite us as one in this life that we share. Then may all
the living with praise and thanksgiving give honor
to Christ and that name which we bear.

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

Postlude………………Like a Prayer………………………..Greg/Daniel
Songwriters: Patrick Leonard / Madonna © EMI, Blackwood Music, Inc.

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 June 22nd Worship Service