Princeton UMC Worship, February 6, 2022

5th Sunday after Epiphany February 6, 2022

Pearl of Great Price

By Monica Welch

The Church Gathers Pre-Service Music

“Diptyque” from “L’Orgue Mystique”

Tournemire

Words of Welcome The Peace

The peace of the Lord be with you. And also with you.

Call to Worship On this day of worship, we call on God's name, and hear our own invitation to love and be loved.

Gathered with neighbors and strangers, we call on God's hope, and discover that a lifetime of love and service seems but a few days In this place of praise and prayer, we call on God's love and receive that grace which is as old as creation, yet as fresh as each morning. {adapted from Thom Shuman}

Hymn “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” UMH #103 Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes, most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might; thy justice like mountains high soaring above thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all, life thou givest, to both great and small; in all life thou livest, the true life of all; we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, and wither and perish, but naught changeth thee.

Thou reignest in glory; thou dwellest in light; thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight; all laud we would render: O help us to see 'tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.

Prayer of Confession We spend so much time accusing ourselves, judging ourselves, punishing ourselves for what we have done, or not done. But God still draws us closer to God's own heart of forgiveness, that we might be filled with healing and grace. Join me as we pray together, Lord Jesus Christ, we remember with gratitude those people who generously sowed the seeds of faith in our lives. {Pause for a moment for reflection} We recognize too how you have blessed our lives with the gift of the Holy Spirit, sometimes in big and clear ways, and so often in ways more hidden and mysterious.

We confess the times we fail to notice the ways you are working in us, the ways you call us, the ways you shape us into ourselves: the times when our personal agendas become more important than yours; the times when we have refused to listen to others, your messengers, speaking the truth in love. the times we wallow in pity and shame when doors close; the times when our lives become so entangled with the values of the world that we forget what you have said and done and promised.

Lord Jesus Christ, we know that when we become disconnected from you, our lives become parched and unfruitful. Bless and renew our lives, we pray, so that we may flourish for our sake and for the sake of the world.

{silence for prayer}

Words of Assurance Hear the good news: the one who could accuse us, saves us from sin and death, cradles us in grace.

Now we know there is nothing, not a thing, that can separate us from God. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Amen. {adapted from Thom Shuman and Moira Laidlaw}

To Hear the Word and Reflect Special Music Children’s Time

Scripture Sermon

“Author of Justice”

arr. Larson

This, this is where children belong Welcomed as part of the worshiping throng Water, God's Word, bread and cup, prayer and song.

This is where children belong.

Matthew 13:44-48 This is the Word of Life. Thanks be to God. Let Your Life Speak

TFWS #2233

Rev. Jenny Smith Walz

To Respond in Faith Prayers of the People Sign-in and Connect! Card Let us know you are here, and connect with ways to Feed and Be Fed through PUMC: • Use the Connect! card, text “PUMC” to 609-542-2192, or scan the top QR code.

Invitation to Offering We provide lots of options to give electronically: • Give on our church website, scan the lower QR code, text 844-908-2593, or give via PayPal. Offertory

“Diffusa est gratia” from “L’Orgue Mystique”

Tournemire

Sacrament of Holy Communion 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. . . . 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 the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. . . . . On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

When the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said:

“Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” . . . 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. . . . Through your son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy church, all honor is yours, almighty God, 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, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Prayer After Receiving 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.

And Scatter To Be in the World Hymn “The Lone, Wild Bird” The lone, wild bird in lofty flight is still with you, nor leaves your sight.

And I am yours! I rest in you, Great Spirit, come, rest in me, too.

FWS #2052

The ends of earth are in your hand, the sea's dark deep and far-off land.

And I am yours! I rest in you, Great Spirit, come, rest in me, too.

Each secret thought is known to you, the path I walk my whole life through; my days, my deeds, my hopes, my fears, my deepest joys, my silent tears.

In secret depths you knit my frame, before my birth you spoke my name; within my soul, as close as breath, so near to me, in life, in death.

O search me, God, my heart reveal, renew my life, my spirit heal; for I am yours, I rest in you, Great Spirit, come, rest in me, too.

Benediction Postlude

“Gloria Patri” from “Vêpres du commun des fêtes de la Sainte Vierge”

Dupré

Sharing in Our Worship Today Worship Leader: Lay Reader: Liturgists: Designated Singers:

Rev. Jenny Smith Walz Elli Collins Larry Curtis, Hyelim Yoon Hyosang Park, Jenni Collins, Lori Pantaleo, Tom Shelton

Acolyte: Musicians: Sound & Video: Ushers:

Hazel Cheng, Liam Cheng Rich Spotts, Virtual Chancel Choir Ian Macdonald, Bill Gardner Bob Nuse, Paul Manulik

For a full listing of calendar events, visit our website: https://princetonumc.org/calendar/

Sunday, February 6 8:45 am Contemporary Issues via Zoom 10:00 am Worship Service 10:00 am Confirmation Class attends Sunday Worship in the Sanctuary 10:15 am Children's Ministries in the Formation Wing 11:30 am Newcomers Group in the Fellowship Hall and via Zoom 11:30 am Virtual Coffee Hour 11:30 am Compassion Camp Online 11:45 am Handbell Choir in the Music Room 3:00 pm Love Lives On via Zoom 3:00 pm Divorce Support Group via Zoom 3:00 pm High School Youth Group in the Fellowship Hall 4:00 pm Youth Choir 4:45 pm Middle School Youth Group in the Fellowship Hall Monday, February 7 10:00 am Monday Morning Group 7:00 pm Church Council 7:00 pm NJGMC Weekly Rehearsal in the Fellowship Hall Tuesday, February 8 7:00 pm Trustees via Zoom 7:45 pm Wesley Foundation College Ministry in the Sanford Davis Room 8:00 pm Worship Ministry Team 8:00 pm Godfulness Meditation Small Group Wednesday, February 9 9:00 am Love Lives On via Zoom 4:30 pm Children's Choir in the Sanctuary 5:00 pm Cornerstone Community Meal 6:30 pm Chancel Choir 7:00 pm Children and Youth Formation Team Sunday, February 13 8:45 am Contemporary Issues in the Fellowship Hall 10:00 am Worship Service 10:00 am Confirmation Class in Room 203 10:15 am Children's Ministries in the Formation Wing 11:30 am Newcomers Group in the Fellowship Hall and via Zoom 11:30 am Compassion Camp Online 11:30 am Outreach Committee via Zoom 11:45 am Handbell Choir in the Music Room 3:00 pm 'February in France' Music Concert in the Sanctuary and Sanford Davis Room 3:00 pm High School Youth Group in the Fellowship Hall 4:00 pm Youth Choir 4:45 pm Middle School Youth Group in the Fellowship Hall

Virtual Coffee Hour

Today | 11:30 am

Worshiping online with us today? Please join us for Virtual Coffee Hour, a time and space for us to gather and connect with one another! Click here to join us on Zoom at 11:30! (Meeting ID: 815 2083 0257; Passcode: 435077)

France in February Concert

February 13 | 3:00 pm

The St. John Chamber Players present a French-themed concert on Sunday, February 13 at 3:00 p.m., in the PUMC Sanctuary. The musicians include Barbara Jaffe and Andreia Torain (violin), Louise Jaffe (viola), Linda Meltzer (cello), Rahel Inneger (piano), and Scott Collins (clarinet). The program includes, "Premier Rhapsodie for Clarinet and Piano," by Claude Debussy (1862-1918), "String Quartet in F Major," by Maurice Ravel (1875-1937), and "Suite for Clarinet, Violin, and Piano, Opus 157b," by Darius Milhaud (18921974). Suggested donation: $20 for adults, free for those 16 years and younger, to benefit ministries of the PUMC Outreach Team. Click here to pre-order tickets, call 609-924-2613, or contribute at the event. The concert will be live streamed, but there will not be a recording available after the event.

Seeking Small Group Leaders If you are interested in leading a small group, or simply have a great idea for a small group you would like offered please reach out to Pastora Ashley. If you have never led a small group before, the adult formation team will provide you with resources to equip you in your leadership! We hope to hear from you soon.

Flower Donations It’s that time of year when we ask for your help with altar flower donations. If you had a “special” Sunday that you had last year, email Pam Nugent (poodluvs@aol.com) or call 609-771-0189 to reserve that date.

Wesley Foundation at Princeton Are you looking for a progressive Christian college ministry? We'd love to have you! Email Pastor Skitch (skitch@princetonumc.org) or Grecia Hernandez (ghperez@princeton.edu) for more details about our Tuesday night Bible study!

Have Prayer Concerns?

Today’s flowers are given in honor of

Blessed Lord, give these folks your healing power while they struggle with health issues: Christine Born, Jill Tabor, and Bill DeSantis. from Pam & Gene Nugent

For our Prayer Chain, call Mary Lib Stewart at 609-632-1973 or contact Yvonne Macdonald at yvonnee.mac@verizon.net, 609-497-0337.

Please notify Pastor Jae Hong at jae@princetonumc.org when you or a family member is in the hospital or in need of a pastoral call.

Prayer Concerns The Apperson Family, upon the loss of their daughter and sister Angela Michele’s sister, Jacqueline & her family Marrow Family

All Those Suffering from COVID Jeanette Karen’s nephew, Joe Vicki Santos Gonzales, upon the passing of his wife

Susan’s brother-in-law, Steve The Cutler-Kreutz family Griffon Ashley Joyce Carr