Clinton UMC Worship October 6, 2024, 9:00 A.M.
World Communion Day
Prelude – “All Creatures of Our God and King” – Anita, piano
Watchword – Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” (Genesis 2:18)
Greeting/Announcements
How good and pleasant it is for Christians to live together in Christ on World Communion Sunday!
Open the doors and shout greetings to the Presbyterians, to the First Christians Church, to the Journey Church, to the Nazarene Church, to Life Bridges Church, to the Baptist Church, to the Church of Christ and more!
How good and pleasant it is for Christians to live together in Christ!
Carry greetings across the railroad tracks to those we never meet.
How good and pleasant it is for Christians to live together in Christ!
Send messages and e-mails to Good Christian Friends in Africa and Asia, South America and Europe!
How good and pleasant it is for Christians to live together in Christ!
Extend your hand of fellowship to both the shelters and the mansions, to the projects and the gated communities.
How good and pleasant it is for Christians to live together in Christ!
Reach out your arms to gather in the little ones and the not-so-little, the vulnerable and the ones who think they have to do it all on their own.
How good and pleasant it is for Christians to live together in Christ!
Remember that we are one HUGE family!!! (adapt UMC Discipleship)
Hymn – UMH #157 – “Jesus Shall Reign”
Children’s Moment/Children’s Mission Change Offering – “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”
Unison Prayer – We confess, God who created every person, how easy it is to think that our way of being your church is the one, true way. And so, we believe we have no reason to hear your name spoken in another language. We are sure we do not need to learn songs that have tunes which sound dissonant to us. We believe that our baptism, our communion, our beliefs are the ones closest to your heart, and so we close our hearts, eyes, and hands to those around us.
Forgive us, Gracious God, and have mercy. Remind us that while there may be many types of bread, there is that one Love which has been broken for us. Remind us that while there might be wine or juice offered, there is one Life which has been poured out for us. Remind us that while some remain seated, some come forward, and others dance, there is one Table, offered to us by your grace, through Jesus Christ, our Brother, our Savior. Amen. (Lectionary Liturgies)
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 2:18-24
* Statement of Faith – UMH # 881
* “Glory Be to the Father” – UMH # 71
*New Testament Reading: Mark 2:10-16
*The Passing of the Peace
Message: “Arteriosclerosis”
Hymn – UMH #437 – “This is My Song”
The Great Thanksgiving (Communion)
The table is open to anyone who seeks to respond to Christ’s love and seeks to lead a new life of peace and love.
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.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, Always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 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.
Holy are you and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection you gave birth to your Church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit.
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 in remembrance of me.”
When the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Drink from 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.”
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.
By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet.
Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Giving the Bread and Cup – (Invitation to come to the alter down center aisle starting with back pews. We invite you to place your offering in the baskets provided. Cup your hands to receive the bread)
*Closing Hymn – UMH #156 – “I Love to Tell the Story”
*Benediction
*Sending Song – “Make Us One”
