The following is a fairly typical order of worship.  The exact order and elements are sometimes changed according to the flow of the "theme" for the Sunday but this bulletin should provide you with a general feel for how worship is conducted. Hymns are from the New United Methodist Hymnal. The style of music varies from traditional to contemporary with many different small groups participating in music. On any given week we may hear from a youth worship band, men's ensemble, women's ensemble, mixed ensemble, instrumental duet, soloist, bluegrass/gospel trio, or handbell choir.

We also celebrate communion once a month alternating monthly between Chalice Communion (the congregation comes forward to receive the bread and wine) and Pew Communion (the congregation remains in their pews while the Elders distribute the bread and cups of juice).
 

UNION UNIVERSITY CHURCH
Order of Worship

PRELUDE
WELCOME

CALL TO WORSHIP
In The Adventures of Pinocchio, the cricket saves Pinocchio from a difficult situation and when Pinocchio asks, "Why did you do this?" the cricket answers, "Because you once saved me. What is given is returned."

Jesus told his disciples, "This is my commandment, that you love others as I have loved you." As we come to worship together, may we do so in gratitude for the love Christ has bestowed upon us and may we say with the cricket, "What is given is returned."

* HYMN #435 "O God of Every Nation"

PRAYER OF INVOCATION
SILENT PRAYER
THE LORD'S PRAYER (debts-debtors)
* GLORIA PATRI #71

CHILDREN'S TIME      The parable of the mustard seed .... and the Heifer Project rabbits

RESPONSIVE READING
Leader: When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
People: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Leader: "Blessed are those who mourn,
People: for they will be comforted.

[We pause for a moment in silence to pray for those in need of comfort this day.]

Leader: "Blessed are the meek,
People: for they will inherit the earth.
Leader: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
People: for they will be filled.
Leader: "Blessed are the merciful,
People: for they will receive mercy.

[We pause for a moment in silence to pray that we may find the strength to forgive those who have hurt us.]

Leader: "Blessed are the pure in heart,
People: for they will see God.
Leader: "Blessed are the peacemakers,
People: for they will be called children of God.

[We pause for a moment in silence to pray for those around our world who are striving to find a road to peace in the midst of harrowing circumstances.]

Leader: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
People: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Leader: "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
People: Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.....

[We pause for a moment in silence to pray for all who have braved ridicule and rejection for their insistence on following the path of God's compassion.]

Leader: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?....Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

MUSIC OFFERING        "Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God"       by Lafferty

COMMON PRAYER
CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE #473 (to the asterisk)

* HYMN #730 "O Day of God Draw Nigh"

INVITATION TO PRESENT TITHES AND OFFERINGS
MUSICAL OFFERTORY
* DOXOLOGY AND BLESSING

SCRIPTURE LESSON Matthew 6:25-33
SERMON     Why Do I Have to Be Good?

* HYMN #428 "For the Healing of the Nations"

* BENEDICTION
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the singing brook to you
Deep peace of gentle hearts to you
Deep peace of the light of the world to you.

* BENEDICTION RESPONSE  byBob Kilpatrick

Leader: In this church, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.
In this church, Lord, be glorified today.
Cong: In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.
In my life, Lord, be glorified today.

(Words and music by Bob Kilpatrick. Copyright 1978, Bob Kilpatrick Music.
Used by permission; CCLI License #1635691)

POSTLUDE     Trumpet, Piano, Guitar trio:   "Come Sunday", by Duke Ellington

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* Please stand as you are able