15th Sunday after Pentecost

Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas

September 13, 2020 / 10:45 a.m.
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CHIMING OF THE HOUR

WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS Dr. Jan Davis

OPENING VOLUNTARY Fairest Lord Jesus arr. Linda McKechnie

(with J.S. Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring)
Scott Montgomery, organ & Frode Gundersen, piano

* CALL TO WORSHIP Dr. Daniel Rupp

Pastor: Come to Christ, that living stone,
rejected by the world, but in God’s sight chosen and precious.
All: We have responded to Christ’s call,
and seek to be built into a spiritual house,
a living reminder of God’s presence on earth.

* OPENING HYMN 181 Ye Servants of God HANOVER

1. Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim,
and publish abroad his wonderful name;
the name all-victorious of Jesus extol,
his kingdom is glorious and rules over all.
2. God ruleth on high, almighty to save,
and still he is nigh, his presence we have;
the great congregation his triumph shall sing,
ascribing salvation to Jesus, our King.
3. "Salvation to God, who sits on the throne!"
Let all cry aloud and honor the Son;
the praises of Jesus the angels proclaim,
fall down on their faces and worship the Lamb.
4. Then let us adore and give him his right,
all glory and power, all wisdom and might;
all honor and blessing with angels above,
and thanks never ceasing and infinite love.

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (The Apostles’ Creed)

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;
the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
* GLORIA PATRI 70 MEINEKE
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.

CALL TO PRAYER
We cannot come before God unless we are first honest with ourselves about who we are,
about the mistakes we make, and about how well or poorly we care for others.
In this spirit of reflection, let us offer our prayers to God.

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
O God of Shalom,
we have built up walls to protect ourselves from our enemies,
but those walls also shut us off from receiving your word and love.
Break down those walls.
Help us to see that the way to your heart
is through the reconciliation of our own hearts with our enemies.
Bless them and us,
that we may come to grow in love for each other and for you, through Jesus Christ.
Amen.

PASTORAL PRAYER

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, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT Confirmation

GIVING OF OUR TITHES & OFFERING

OFFERTORY ANTHEM Down to the River to Pray arr. Sheldon Curry

Central UMC Choral Scholars

* DOXOLOGY 95 OLD 100th

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

SCRIPTURE LESSON Genesis 45:1-11

SERMON Living the Dream: Dr. Jan Davis

The Palace of God’s Mercy
* CLOSING HYMN 383 This Is a Day of New Beginnings BEGINNINGS
1. This is a day of new beginnings,
time to remember and move on,
time to believe what love is bringing,
laying to rest the pain that’s gone.

2. For by the life and death of Jesus,

God’s mighty Spirit, now as then,
can make for us a world of difference,
as faith and hope are born again.
3. Then let us, with the Spirit’s daring,
step from the past and leave behind
our disappointment, guilt, and grieving,
seeking new paths, and sure to find.
4. Christ is alive, and goes before us
to show and share what love can do.
This is a day of new beginnings;
our God is making all things new.

BENEDICTION

CLOSING VOLUNTARY Toccata in D Minor Gaston Bélier

Scott Montgomery, organ

(*) The asterisk indicates to please stand, as you are able.

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MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT
Did you know that Central had 32 students complete Confirmation this past year? We recently held
Confirmation Services, where 26 of these students reaffirmed their baptism and took the vows of
church membership. Over the past year, these students have grown in their faith and knowledge of
Christianity and Methodism. They blessed the congregation by serving as part of our Usher Team on
Sunday mornings. Thank you for your encouragement and support of our youth as they continue to
grow in their faith.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
We are so glad that you have chosen to be with us this morning. We are mindful during this pandemic
just how special worshipping together is. In our effort to keep everyone as safe as possible, we are
asking that everyone adhere to the following directives while in the sanctuary.
1. Masks must be worn over your nose and mouth at all times.
2. Everyone is encouraged to partipate fully in the worship service, including the singing of the
hymns and responses, and the spoken liturgy. Masks must be on.
3. Please refrain from physical contact with others, outside of your family groups.
No handshaking, embracing, or touching.
4. Please remain seated and enjoy the closing voluntary. An usher will indicate when your row
may depart afterwards. You will leave via the window aisles, and exit through the north
vestibule doors.
5. We ask that you take everything with you when you leave.