February 9, 2025

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany (Green)

Prayer Focus:

Our Children’s & Scouting Ministries

Welcome to worship at Central!

In the name of Jesus Christ, welcome to worship at Central! 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

Today’s scripture lesson prompts us to reflect on our priorities. Peter abandoned everything to follow Jesus, which encourages us to evaluate our own priorities as disciples of Christ.

Altar Rose

The rose on the altar is given to the glory of God in honor of the birth of Charlotte Fields McMillan, who was born December 26, 2024. Charlotte’s parents are Taylor and Sterling McMillan. Proud grandparents are Faith and Ashby Gressette, Cathy Fields, and Buddy Hucks.

Music Note

The hymn Here I Am, Lord (UMH 593) was written by Daniel L. Schutte in 1981. Schutte contrasts the Hebrew psalmic transcendent characterizations of God as Lord of sea, sky, snow, rain, wind, and flame, with compelling prophetic and pietistic themes of the caring God who is intimately involved in the struggles of the poor and oppressed and is concerned for the wellbeing of each member of the human family.

GATHERING

PARISH CONCERNS

(The service of worship begins. The prelude is offered to the entire congregation. Quiet meditation and private prayer are encouraged.)

OPENING VOLUNTARY ...............................................................................................

Gilbert Martin Laudation

*CHIMING OF THE HOUR

(*All who are able are asked to stand.)

*GREETING

Leader: In the sanctuary, God, the Holy One, whose glory fills the whole earth, calls us.

People: Beside the sea, along ordinary paths, in our daily work, God calls us.

Leader: We respond with our whole heart, singing God’s praise and giving thanks.

People: In steadfast love, God fulfills the divine purpose for our lives.

*HYMN IN PROCESSION 64 ....................................................................................................

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 881 .....................................................................................

*GLORIA PATRI 71 ...........................................................................................................

Glory Be to the Father

COLLECT AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

O God, the earth and sky are filled with your greatness, and both people and angels sing your praises. Help us see the amazing things you are doing in the world, and give us the strength to share the good news of Jesus Christ, our teacher and savior. 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 MOMENT FOR SCOUTING

ANTHEM ......................................................................

Avery and

I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together! All who follow Jesus, all around the world! Yes, we ' re the church together!

Leader: The Word of the Lord!

People: Thanks be to God! ANTHEM .............................................................................................................................

Rejoice in the Lord

Rejoice in the Lord, rejoice in the Lord, again I will say: rejoice! Be joyful and sing, be joyful and sing, the Lord is near. EPISTLE LESSON

Leader: The Word of the Lord!

People: Thanks be to God!

*ACT OF PRAISE 853 ................................................................................................................

138 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.)

*HYMN 593

Richard

Leader:TheWordoftheLord!

People:ThanksbetoGod!

Assisting in Worship

Preacher ........................................................................................................................ Rev. Thomas Smith

Liturgist ................................................................................................................. Rev. Meg Bryce Jiunnies

Organist/Choir Director ........................................................................................................ Dr. Don Grice

Director of Children’s Ministries ............................................................................................ Brandie Love

Director of Elementary and Junior Choirs ..................................................................... Dr. Jaime Martinez

Director of Preschool Choir ............................................................................................. Kristen Hardaway Children’s Choir Accompanist ............................................................................................. Gowoon Choi Parish Concerns ................................................................................................... Anna Reaves Yarborough

Greeting ..................................................................................................................................... Lucas Jones

Affirmation of Faith and Glori Patri ..................................................................................... Rennie White Collect and Lord’s Prayer .................................................................. Gainsley & Mary Marchant Burdette Ritual of Friendship .................................................................................................... Sarah Helen Dawson

Scouting Ministry Speaker .......................................................................................................... Tim Fisher Old Testament Lesson ............................................................................................. Mary DuPre McDougal Epistle Lesson ............................................................................................................................ Noah Learn Act of Praise .................................................................................. MarthaAnn Johnson & Smith Johnson

Children’s Time ......................................................................................................................... Porter Love Gospel Lesson .................................................................................................................... Owen Hardaway

Prayers of the People ......................................................................................................... Mary Mac Lucius Benediction .................................................................... Elizabeth England-Plisiewicz and Sullivan Motte

Acolyte ................................................................................................................................. DeBerry Moore

Crucifer ................................................................................................................................. Tucker O’Shea

Banner Bearer ............................................................................................................................. Grant Love