September 1, 2024
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Green)
Prayer Focus: The Working Poor
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 today. We have prayed for you and planned for you, and we hope you have a meaningful worship experience. Whether it’s your first time worshiping with us or you ’ re a lifelong member, we welcome any opportunity to speak with you about how to connect with God through Central. 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: The 66,000
This month we’ll use the lectionary readings to consider how Central should react to the fact that twothirds of the people within ten miles of our campus – 66,000 people – have no connection to any faith community, Christian or otherwise. These are people God loves and calls to discipleship, but they don’t know it or they choose to ignore it. Jesus calls the church to be His disciple-making instrument. In other words, we have a lot of work to do! This task starts with an honest look at ourselves and how we can better be Jesus’ witnesses.
Legacy Sunday
Central will celebrate Legacy Sunday on September 15 to honor those who have been members between 25 and 49 years. New Legacy Members will receive their 25-year pins in the worship service of their choice that morning.
Music Note
Our closing voluntary today was written by Brussels-born Joseph-Hector Fiocco (1703-1741), a composer and harpsichordist of the late Baroque period. He held church positions at Ducal Chapel of the Notre-Dame du Sablon and at Antwerp Cathedral. He ultimately returned to his birthplace and worked in the collegiate church of St. Michael and St. Gudula. He died in Brussels at the age of 38. Fiocco wrote many choral works, including motets and Mass settings. Some of his most significant compositions are Lamentations du Jeudi Saint, a Missa solemnis and Pièces de Clavecin. He is also known to Suzuki violin students for his Allegro, which is part of the Book Six Suzuki violin repertoire. This piece has also been arranged for string quartet, and is sometimes heard at weddings.
GATHERING
PARISH CONCERNS
Order of Worship
The People Come Together in the Lord’s Name
(The service of worship begins. The prelude is offered for the entire congregation. Quiet meditation and private prayer are encouraged.)
OPENING VOLUNTARY .........................................................................................
Felix Mendelssohn
Prelude in G
*CHIMING OF THE HOUR
(*All who are able are asked to stand.)
*GREETING
Leader: Who may abide in the presence of God?
People: Who may live on God’s holy mountain?
Leader: All those who walk blamelessly and do what is right.
People: All those who speak truth from their heart.
*HYMN IN PROCESSION 92 ............................................................................................................. DIX
For the Beauty of the Earth
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 881 ............................................................................
APOSTLES’ CREED
*GLORIA PATRI 71 ........................................................................................................... GREATOREX
Glory Be to the Father COLLECT
Almighty God, in Jesus Christ you have shown us the truth of your commandments. Give us sincere hearts that we may serve you with joy, obey you with love, and manifest your wisdom to the world; through Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP
CHILDREN’S CHURCH DISMISSAL
(Children in first grade and below going to Children’s Church are now dismissed and may be picked up in room #145 or #147 after the service.)
DUET
I Waited for the Lord
I waited for the Lord, he inclined unto me, he heard my complaint. O bless’d are they that hope and trust in the Lord. O bless’d are they that hope and trust in him.
SCRIPTURE LESSON ................................................................................................
Leader: The Word of the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
SERMON ..................................................................................................................
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
What Do They See?
Mark 7:1-8, 21-23
Rev. Thomas Smith
Felix Mendelssohn
God’s Word is Shared
OFFERTORY DUET ............................................................................................................
John Stainer
Love Divine, All Love Excelling
Love divine, all love excelling, joy of heav'n, to earth come down, fix in us thy humble dwelling; all thy faithful mercies crown. Jesu, thou art all compassion; pure unbounded love thou art; visit us with thy salvation, enter ev ' ry trembling heart. Come, almighty, to deliver, let us all thy grace receive; hasten to return, and never, nevermore thy temples leave. Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above; pray, and praise thee, without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love. Love divine, all love excelling, joy of heav'n, to earth come down, fix in us thy humble dwelling; all thy faithful mercies crown. Jesu, thou art all compassion; pure unbounded love thou art; visit us with thy salvation, enter ev ' ry trembling heart.
*DOXOLOGY 94 .............................................................................................. LASST UNS ERFREUEN
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
*COMMUNION HYMN 617 .......................................................................................
DOVE OF PEACE
I Come with Joy CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION 12 THE LORD’S PRAYER GIVING THE BREAD AND THE CUP HYMN DURING COMMUNION(sung by all) 632 ................................................................................................................... UNION SEMINARY Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether 635 .............................................................................................................................. PADERBORN Because Thou Hast Said 621 .................................................................................................................................... OLD 100th Be Present at Our Table, Lord PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION *BENEDICTION *HYMN IN PROCESSION 664 ................................................................................. THE ASH GROVE Sent Forth by God’s Blessing CLOSING VOLUNTARY ............................................... Joseph-Hector Fiocco, arr. Charles Callahan Rondeau
Joyce Collins ..................................................................................................................... by United Methodist Women
CHILDREN'S HOME
Margaret & Thad Gaddy ................................................................................................ by Margaret & Robert Morgan GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET
Cliff Hursey, Sr. ........................................................................................................................................ by Jan Hursey Dot Thompson ............................................................................................................................................ by Fran Lewis
Betty Searcy …..................................................................................................................................... by Fredrick Neely
MINISTRY
Nancy Player, Mary Ann Snow ............................................................................... by Kari & Ben King, Janis Tucker
CLASS
Joyce Collins ................................................................................................................................................. by Joy Poole
Betty Snyder, Walker Matthew Jonathan Carroll ......................................................................... by Gale & Dick Dixon
Dr. Fran Coleman ................................................................................................................. by Debi & Panos Kalaritis
Julie Knight ...................................................................................................................................... by Kari & Ben King
