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
* Please stand as you are able