(Image: by unknown artist)
©Order of Worship for Sunday June 01, 2025
Seventh Sunday after Resurrection
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
Coming of the Light
Greetings……………………………………….Pastor Steven
Announcements……………………………………Lorri B.
Call to Worship………………………………….Elizabeth B
The roots of the Tree of Life run deep into the sacred soil.
The limbs of the Tree of Life reach out to embrace the goodness of all creation.
The trunk of the Tree of Life stands strong in the face of hatred and malice toward the least, the lonely, the left out.
The branches of the Tree of Life struggle toward the heavens, hoping to bring about God’s reign of justice and love for all.
The winds of the Spirit breathe through the Tree of Life, bringing renewal and hope.
May our worship this day be a worthy offering that supports the Tree of Life and brings the goodness of the Sacred to our world.
Written by Sally Johnson, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement
Opening Prayer…………………………………..Elizabeth B.
Gracious Creator, you invite us into relationship with every breath. Settle us, center us, and calm us to the ever-moving flowing of your Spirit calling us to become one with you. We pray in humility and hope of grace. Amen.
Written by Sally Johnson, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement
Opening Hymns……“We Are God’s People” #2220 TFWS
Words by Bryan Jeffery Leech Music by Johannes Brahms, adap
© 1976 Fred Bock Music Co.
1. We are God’s people, the chosen of the Lord,
born of the Spirit, established by the Word.
Our cornerstone is Christ alone, and strong in Christ we stand;
O let us live transparently and walk heart to heart and hand and hand.
2. We are God’s loved ones, the Bride of Christ, our Lord,
for we have known it, the love of God outpoured.
Now let us learn how to return the gift of love once given;
O let us share each joy and care and live with a zeal that pleases heaven.
3. We are the body of which the Lord is Head,
called to obey Christ, now risen from the dead.
God wills us be a family diverse, yet truly one;
O let us give our gifts to God and so shall God’s work on earth be done.
4. We are a temple, the Spirit’s dwelling place,
formed in great weakness, a cup to hold God’s grace.
We die alone, for on its own each ember loses fire;
yet joined in one the flame burns on to give warmth and light and to inspire.
“They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love” #2223 TFWS
Words and Music: Peter Scholtes © 1966 F.E.L. Publications, assigned 1991
To The Lorenz Corp.
1. We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, we are one
in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, and we pray that all unity
may one day be stored:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love;
yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
2. We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand,
we will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand,
and together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love;
yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
3. We will work with each other, we will work side by side,
we will work with each each other, we will work side by side,
and we’ll guard human dignity and save human pride:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love;
yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
4. All praise to the Father, from whom all things come, and
all praise to Christ Jesus, God’s only Son, and all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love;
yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
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
“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
Hymn of Preparation:………….Make us one…….2224
Make us one, Lord, make us one; Holy Spirit, make us one. Let your love flow so the world will know we are one in you. Make us one, Lord, make us one; Holy Spirit, make us one. Let your love flow so the world will know we are one in you.
Gospel Lesson:…………….John 17: 20 – 26….Elizabeth B.
“I ask not only on behalf of these but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
“Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them and I in them.”
Sermon:……“When Will They Be One”………….Pastor Steven
Service of 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
“Blest Be the Tie That Binds” #557 UMH
Words: John Fawcett, 1782 Music: Johann G. Nageli
1. Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
2. Before our Father’s throne we pour our ardent prayers;
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts
and our cares.
3. We share each other’s woes, our mutual burdens bear;
and often for each other flows the sympathizing tear.
4. We we asunder part, it gives us inward pain; but we shall
Be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.
Dismissal with Blessing……………………………………….Pastor Steven
Postlude
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Sunday June 1st Worship Service