January 19, 2025
Second Sunday after Epiphany (Green)
Prayer Focus: Those Impacted by the California Wildfires
Welcome to worship at Central!
In the name of Jesus Christ, welcome to worship at Central where it is our mission to follow Jesus by loving God and loving our neighbors. Our clergy, Rev. Thomas Smith, Rev. Dr. Ann Kovan, and Rev. Meg Jiunnies, are grateful you’ve chosen to make Central a part of your day! If it is your first time worshiping with us, please fill out a Connect Card and bring it to the Welcome Center where you will receive a gift from the church. Once again, welcome!
Sermon Series: Where You Are
This season between Epiphany and Lent is a way of walking with Jesus as we are making and being made into disciples. This series invites you to look at where you are. We begin with the familiar and the over-familiar, peering at what we ’ ve seen so much that we don’t see it anymore. But we need to look; we need to see because this is where we are.
Sermon Note
The wedding at Cana is the venue for the first sign of Jesus’ identity. Everything in this story is told in relation to Jesus. This first miracle shows us that Jesus is not just a normal person. When we look at Mary’s response, we see her in a sense as the first disciple. She directs people toward Jesus and invites people to participate in and respond to Jesus’ miracle. Our mission field is wherever God puts us, as shown by divine activity at a wedding.
Baptism & New Members
This Sunday in The Well, Baker Griffin Burch will be baptized and his father, Walt (Ellen) Burch, will be received as a new member. In the sanctuary, Karen Kay Gittings will be received as a new member. Please join us in welcoming all of them to Central!
GATHERING
PARISH CONCERNS
Order of Worship
The People Come Together in the Lord’s Name
(The service of worship begins. The prelude is offered to the entire congregation. Quiet meditation and private prayer are encouraged.)
OPENING VOLUNTARY .......................................................................................................
J. S. Bach
*CHIMING OF THE HOUR
Prelude in G BWV 902
(*All who are able are asked to stand.)
*GREETING
Leader: How precious is the steadfast love of God.
People: All people may take refuge in the shadow of God’s embrace.
Leader: Christ is the fountain of life.
People: In Christ we behold the Light of God.
*HYMN IN PROCESSION 89 .........................................................................................
HYMN TO JOY Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 881 ..................................................................................... Apostles’ Creed
*GLORIA PATRI 71 ........................................................................................................... GREATOREX
Glory Be to the Father
COLLECT AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
Holy God, through signs of grace you reveal your glory to all the world. Open our eyes to the hidden and surprising wonders you perform, that we may believe with our minds, and trust in our hearts, that you alone are Lord of all creation. Through Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBER 38 ....................................................................... Karen Kay Gittings
PROCLAMATION
God’s Word is Shared
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON .............................................................................................
Isaiah 62:1-5
Leader: The Word of the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
ANTHEM ....................................................................................................................... Brenda Portman
O Splendor of God’s Glory Bright
O Splendor of God’s glory bright, O living Spring of light from light; come, very Sun of truth and love; come with your radiance from above. Teach us to love with all our might; drive envy out, remove all spite; turn to the good each troubling care, and give us grace your name to bear. As dawn speeds on across the sky, true Dawn, with haste come from on high. O Word, through whom light came to be, come in your power and set us free. All glory be to God Most High, to God the Son let praises rise; the Spirit blest let us adore forever and forevermore.
EPISTLE LESSON ................................................................................................ 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Leader: The Word of the Lord! People: Thanks be to God!
*ACT OF PRAISE 771 ........................................................................................................ Psalm 36:5-10
CHILDREN’S TIME
(Children are invited to the chancel. Following Children’s Time, children in 3K-1st grade will go with a leader to Children’s Church and may be picked up in room #145 or #147 after the service.)
Music Note
Both our Offertory and Closing Voluntary were written by composer Charles Callahan (1951-2023). A native of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Callahan was well-known as an award-winning composer, organist, choral conductor, pianist, and teacher. He was a graduate of The Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia, PA, and The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. Callahan compositions are performed frequently in church and concert; his writing style was described by The Washington Post as “gentle, confident lyricism.” One of the most prolific American composers for the organ, he passed away on Christmas Day 2023.
Donna Flynn ...................................................................................................................................... by Gale & Dick Dixon
John Orr ....................................................................................................................................... by Ann & David Wansley
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
Dolly Brunson ............................................................................................................................... by Martha Anne DeBerry
Bob Sharpe, Donna Flynn ........................................................................................................................... by Audrey Cooke
Bob Sharpe ..................................................................................................................................... by Terrie & Eddie Parker DISCRETIONARY FUND
Donna Flynn ................................................................................................................................................... by Florie Ervin
Donna Flynn, Dolly Brunson .................................................................................................. by United Methodist Women GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET
Dolly Brunson ........................................................................... by Jane Ames, Mark Buyck, William Clarke, Betty Gandy
Rhoda Rabon ................................................................................................................................ by Geneva & Larry Rabon
Donna Flynn .................................................................................................................................................. by Anonymous
MANNA HOUSE
Catherine & Jack Parrish ........................................................................................................................ by Jacquelyn Parrish THE WELL WORSHIP
Donna Flynn .................................................................................................................................................. by Rita Phillips
Dr. Lynn Clary, Mary Amanda Shumpert, Grace Timms, Robbie Timms, Lee Ward ............................ by Pete Hoogendonk
by Ruth & Thomas Barnett
by Kriste & Chuck Lindler
by Nancy & Jim Stewart
by Sally & Tom Carringer
