Princeton UMC Worship - May 29, 2022

Ascension Sunday May 29, 2022

from Google images artist unknown

The Church Gathers Pre-Service Music

Paraphrase sur un choral from “L’Orgue Mystique”

Tournemire

Words of Welcome The Peace

The peace of the risen Christ be with you. And also with you.

Call to Worship We come to this place of prayer, for here we can bring our hopes and dreams, our hidden fears and the doubts we wear on our sleeves.

We come to this place of grace, for here we learn compassion and joy, and discover how deeply we are loved.

We come with these people called the church, to be blessed by the variety of gifts to lives as one for our God. Hymn

Christ for the World We Sing

by Thom Shuman

UMH #674

Prayer of Confession

Called to proclaim repentance, we are reluctant to look at our own failings. Invited to witness to God's loving forgiveness of sins, we would rather not speak aloud of our own. Let us trust in the One who offers us hope and healing, as we pray together, saying, Too often, Lord God, we are hesitant in our proclamation; seeking safe and suitable opportunities to speak of our faith.

Too often, Lord God, we are half-hearted in our service; reluctant to stand out from the crowd or to attract criticism.

Too often, Lord God, we live as if dependent wholly on our own resources; relying on our perceived skills and modest insights.

Too often, Lord God, we look to the clouds for our inspiration, in the vain hope of finding you there.

Forgive the poverty of our efforts and the frailty of our faith and open wide our hearts and minds to the immanent presence of our Risen, Living and Ascended Lord Jesus Christ. silence for prayer

Words of Assurance God fills us with peace; God's steadfast love rests upon us.

Forgiven, redeemed, restored - we will tell everyone, through the lives we lead, what God has done for us.

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 Rev. Malcolm Macdougall

To Hear the Word and Reflect Liturgical dance Children’s Time Scripture Sermon

Sarah Betancourt Where Children Belong

TFWS #2233

Acts 1:1-11; Acts 16:16-34 This is the Word of Life. Thanks be to God. Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth

Rev. Jenny Smith Walz

To Respond in Faith Hymn

Draw the Circle Wide

see insert

Prayers of the People The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Your kingdom come; your 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 yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

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 QR code.

Invitation to Offering We provide options to give electronically, or you can place your gift in the offering plate.

• Give on our church website, scan the QR code, text 844-908-2593, or give via PayPal. Offertory

Ascendit Deus from “L’Orgue Mystique”

Tournemire

Doxology

UMH #94

Prayer of Thanksgiving

And Scatters To Be in the World Hymn

Deep in the Shadows of the Past

TFWS #2246

Postlude for the Sunday within the Octave of the Ascension From “L’Orgue Mystique”

Tournemire

Benediction Postlude

Have Prayer Concerns?

Today’s flowers are given in loving memory of

Comfort Cox-George and Edward Jackson McCormack

by Isabella Dougan

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.

Sharing in Our Worship Today Pastor: Lay Reader: Liturgists: Musician: Liturgical Dance:

Rev. Jenny Smith Walz Liam Cheng Medina Arthur, Susan Victor Rich Spotts Sarah Betancourt

Acolyte: Sound & Video: Ushers:

Liam Cheng Bill Gardner, Ian Macdonald Vasanth Victor, Ida Cahill, Doug Fullman

Prayer Concerns Donald Jones The People of Ukraine Vicki and Family Olivia Gayvette Bruce & Family

Theo Nemeth Victims of Gun Violence The Family of Joan Klass The Born Family Mernel and Mary Jane

Laxman Lawrence Suzanne Grady Sylvia Couvertier Carl Pate

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

Sunday, May 29 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 Rooms 204/205 and on Zoom 11:30 am Reception for Pastor Skitch and Pastora Ashley @ Kingston UMC 11:45 am Handbell Choir in the Music Room 3:00 pm High School Youth Group in the Sanctuary 4:45 pm Middle School Youth Group in the Sanctuary Monday, May 30 **Church Offices Closed for Memorial Day** 10:00 am Monday Morning Group 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 7:00 pm NJGMC Weekly Rehearsal in the Sanctuary Tuesday, May 31 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 7:00 pm PUMC Technology Ministry Team Wednesday, June 1 9:00 am Love Lives On via Zoom 5:00 pm Cornerstone Community Meal Thursday, June 2 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 Saturday, June 4 5:00 pm Inter Cities Performing Arts Concert in the Sanctuary Sunday, June 5 8:45 am Contemporary Issues in the Fellowship Hall 8:45 am Chancel Choir Rehearsal in the Music Room 10:00 am Confirmation Worship Service 11:30 am Newcomers Group in Rooms 204/205 and on Zoom 11:45 am Handbell Choir in the Music Room 2:00 pm Love Lives On 3:00 pm Divorce Support Group 3:00 pm High School Youth Group in the Sanctuary 4:45 pm Middle School Youth Group in the Sanctuary

Newcomers Class

Today | 11:30 am

This five-week class continues this Sunday, offering an opportunity to learn more about Princeton UMC and consider how you might get more plugged into the many ministries happening in the life of our church. At the end of the five weeks, participants will be invited to join into membership at PUMC. Email Pastor Jenny at jenny@princetonumc.org if you want to participate. Have someone in mind who you think should join?

Extend them a special invitation!

Celebration to Honor Pastor Skitch and Pastora Ashley

Today | 11:30 pm

Today, following worship at Kingston UMC, there will be a celebratory reception to honor both Pastor Skitch’s recent ordination and Pastora Ashley’s service to our churches. It will begin around 11:30 am and all are welcome to attend!

Sponsor-A-Pew

This Month

In efforts to make Princeton UMC’s Sanctuary a comfortable, welcoming space, church friends can now “sponsor-a-pew” by contributing money towards new pew cushions in honor or in memory of loved ones.

The approximate cost of the cushions will be: Full Pew: $450 and Half Pew: $225. Please send an email to Lori Pantaleo at loripantaleo@gmail.com or text message 908-239-9608 to show interest or ask questions.

Juneteenth Celebration Cookout

June 25th | 11:30 am

Save the (NEW!) date and location for the second annual Juneteenth Cookout, in partnership with Mt. Pisgah AME Church. The luncheon will be held at The Cloister Inn, 65 Prospect Avenue, near Princeton University.

Want to get involved with preparations? Contact Dana Dreibelbis at danadreibelbis@gmail.com.

Terracycle Program Contribute to our Terracycle donation bins, located downstairs, just outside of the Fellowship Hall.

Click here to get the current information about which items can be donated or visit www.princetonumc.org.

Proceeds go to support the Appalachian Service Project.

All Ages Invited to VBS This Summer

June 27th-30th | 5:30-8:00 pm

There is something for everyone at our second annual community-wide VBS! This year, we'll gather at Mt. Pisgah AME Church to eat, worship, and learn about God's teachings of compassion. There will be groups for children, teens, and adults. Save the dates for June 27-30, from 5:30 pm-8:00 pm. Do you feel called to help lead a group? Or donate money toward a meal? Let Evangeline know at evangeline@princetonumc.org.