WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT
SUNDAY • OCTOBER 3, 2021 9AM WORSHIP
WELCOME! Welcome to Centenary United Methodist Church. Thank you for worshiping with us today! We are grateful for your presence and invite you to participate in our worship, program and ministry life here at Centenary. We hope the worship will inspire and comfort you as we hear God’s message proclaimed. During this time, now more than ever, may the grace and love of Christ surround you. Centenary United Methodist Church provides multi-generational ministries that offer innovative ways to grow deeper in faith and discipleship. From Worship to Missions and from Spiritual Formation to Music and the Arts, there is a way for everyone to engage. To learn more, visit our website to select the Ministries tab.
EVERY DAY FOR EVERYONE We invite you to register your in-person worship attendance by scanning the QR code below with your smart phone.
OUR MISSION “The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
PARTICIPATING IN WORSHIP PREACHING
The Reverend Dr. P. Glenn Kinken III
LITURGIST
The Reverend Susannah Pittman
MUSIC
Martha Bassett, vocals Matt Kendrick, bass Federico Pivetta, piano Ken Wilmot, trumpet John Wilson, drums
Musical texts are printed with permission. One License A-707342 COVER PHOTO: "Easter Morning" by Doug Peninger
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LET US WORSHIP Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost • October 3, 2021
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS GATHERING MUSIC GREETING OPENING PRAYER
† HYMN (found on page seven)
O God, we join with our sisters and brothers around the world in remembering Christ’s sacrifice for us. For the opportunity to eat and drink together and for the life we have received, we give you thanks and praise. In the abundance of your many gifts, grant us grace to fill one another’s lives with love. Redeem, restore and remold us until we are made new. Transform our daily bread into the bread of life, and the cup that we drink into the cup of salvation. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. #548 In Christ There Is No East or West — McKEE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
After each prayer, the leader may conclude: Lord, in your mercy. All may respond: Hear our prayer.
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GOD'S WORD PROCLAIMED SCRIPTURE
Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12
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Please stand as you are able.
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. But someone
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has testified somewhere, “What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them? You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned them with glory and honor, subjecting all things under their feet.” Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.” (NRSV) This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. SERMON
"Are You Going on to Perfection"
THE COMMUNITY RESPONDS AND GIVE THANKS INVITATION TO OFFERING OFFERTORY
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Lord, I Want to be a Christian — African American Spiritual
Almighty and forgiving God, we your unworthy servants give you most humble thanks for all your goodness and loving kindness, to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. Give us such an awareness of your mercies, that our hearts may be thankful, and that we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
WE CELEBRATE HOLY COMMUNION INVITATION TO COMMUNION 4
CONFESSION AND PARDON
Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another. Therefore, let us confess before God and one another. 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. 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! In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! Glory to God. Amen
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. The pastor gives thanks appropriate for the occasion, remembering God's acts of salvation, and concludes: And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn: 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. The pastor continues the thanksgiving. The institution of the Lord's Supper is recalled. The pastor concludes: And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice in union with Christ's offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith. Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. The pastor invokes the present work of the Holy Spirit and then praises the Trinity, concluding: All honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
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.
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RECEIVING OF ELEMENTS CLOSING PRAYER
Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE COMMUNITY GOES FORTH TO SERVE † HYMN (found on page eight)
BENEDICTION
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#418 We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder — JACOB'S LADDER May the Lord bless you and keep you, May the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you, May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.
CELEBRATION MUSIC
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OUR DIGITAL WORSHIP BULLETIN IS INTERACTIVE
Our digital worship bulletin is fully interactive. Within our announcements, when you see text that is red and bold, it is a link to an email address or web page. Click on the text and you will be re-directed.
ADULT FORMATION
MISSIONS
SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDY The Whitfield Foundations Class invites you to join them as they study our new Bishop, Ken Carter’s book, God Will Make a Way. They will be looking at his experience and reflection on the events that led to the crossroad our denomination finds itself over the issue of sexuality. The members of the Whitfield/Foundations class want to be better informed so we can all engage in this process from a place of knowledge and grace. If you are interested in joining, contact Rev. Bret Cogan.
RISE AGAINST HUNGER Centenary is doing Rise Against Hunger on October 17 from 2-4pm. Set up will start at 12:30pm. We will be spaced out differently this year than in years past, and look forward to packing as many meals as possible. Contact Rev. Meg Gaston (mgaston@centenary-ws. org) if you have any questions.
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY NO CHILDREN’S WORSHIP TODAY Because we celebrate communion on the first Sunday of each month, there is no Children’s Worship. K-3rd graders will remain in the service with their grown-ups to participate in worship and communion together. If you did not pick up a worship bag on your way in, they are available in the Narthex and outside the East transept. We look forward to having your child join us for children's worship next week! SATURDAY MORNING PLAYGROUP Families with infants through two-year-olds are invited to play Saturday, October 9, between 9:00am and 10:30am. We will be in the East Building, first floor play space and on the playground (weather permitting). You can drop in any time between 9:00am and 10:30am. Contact Jeanette Juran with questions or for more information.
CONGREGATIONAL CARE STEPHEN MINISTRY Aging can be a difficult process filled with loss and change. A friend had a difficult time after the loss of her husband and moving to a retirement community alone. Her Stephen Minister provided a listening, caring heart that helped her find peace. If you or someone you know could benefit from Stephen Ministry please contact Deena Morgan (336-692-2314) Wilba Brady (336723-6236), Rev. Craig Ford: cford@centenary-ws.org/336-7246311 ext. 1353/, or Rev. Susannah Pittman: spittman@centenaryws.org/336-724-6311 ext. 1357. GRIEFSHARE: LOSS OF A SPOUSE Sunday • October 24 • 2pm-4pm • 107 East Building Congregational Care invites you to the GriefShare: Loss of a Spouse seminar. This event includes a video featuring some of the nation’s foremost Christian experts on grief and recovery as well as group discussion. You can register for the seminar on the Engage tab on the church website or by CLICKING HERE. For questions, contact Sandra Gramley (ext. 1352/sgramley@centenary-ws.org).
YOUTH MINISTRY OCTOBER 3 10:00am Sunday school on the 4th Floor 5:00pm Middle School Youth Group (@ Middle School room 4th Floor) 6:15pm ALL youth dinner (@ Youth Commons) 6:45pm Senior High Youth Group (@ Senior High room 4th Floor We invite you, as we kick off the 2021/22 school year, to register your 6th through 12th graders so we have your current contact information and keep you up to date on all things Youth Ministry at Centenary. Just click on our QR code to be directed to our registration page!
ENGAGEMENT NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION CLASS If you are interested in learning more about Centenary and becoming a member of our church family, we are having a New Member Class on Sunday, October 10 at 5pm. If you plan to join us, please email Rev. Meg Gaston (mgaston@centenary-ws.org) to let her know. If you need childcare, please let Rev. Meg know by Tuesday, October 5.
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CHURCH OFFICES CLOSED
Church offices will be closed on Monday, October 11, for a staff development day. Offices will re-open on Tuesday, October 12 at 9am.
TEXT TO GIVE You may now text your gifts of tithes and offerings! Text cumcws to 73256 and you will be linked to enter your payment information and make your contribution.
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PO Box 658 • Winston-Salem. NC 27102
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