THE METHODIST CHURCH IN THE CARIBBEAN AND THE AMERICAS

LEEWARD ISLANDS DISTRICT

MCCA MEN’S LORD’S DAY

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2024
______________________________________________

DISTRICT THEME

‘Trusting God in Difficult Times:

Transforming Obstacles into Opportunities’
2 Chronicles 20:15-22
BISHOP EVERALD GALBRAITH
CONNEXIONAL PRESIDENT
DR. HUBERT MORQUETTE
CONNEXIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT
REV’D JACQUELINE LIDELL
CONNEXIONAL SECRETARY
MRS. MURIEL SMITH
CONNEXIONAL TREASURER
BISHOP CHARLES A. SEATON
DISTRICT PRESIDENT
Rev’d Dr. Joan S. DELSOL- MEADE
DISTRICT SECRETARY
__________________________________________________________
ORDER OF SERVICE
________________________________________________________________________
THE MUSICAL PRELUDE
INTROIT CHOIR
THE CALL TO WORSHIP
Liturgist: The grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the
love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.
Response: And also with you.
Liturgist: Come, let us rejoice and praise the name of the Lord
our God.
Response: Because the Lord our God has kept us from the
destructive path.
Liturgist: Come, let us give thanks to the Lord our God
because His word gives us hope as we reflect on it
at all times.
Response: The Lord is the source of our deep-seated faith,
and our spirits are refreshed in His presence.
Liturgist: The Lord reigns! Let the earth rejoice.
Response: Our God reigns! We shall be glad and wait for
His word.
THE HYMN # 11 MHB WITH gladness we worship
1. WITH gladness we worship, rejoice as we sing,
Free hearts and free voices, how blessèd to bring!
The old thankful story shall scale Thine abode,
Thou King of all glory, most bountiful God!
2. Thy right would we give Thee, true homage Thy due,
And honour eternal, the universe through:
With all Thy creation, earth, heaven and sea,
In one acclamation we glorify Thee.
3. Renewed by Thy Spirit, redeemed by Thy Son,
Thy children revere Thee for all Thou hast done:
O Father! returning to love and to light,
Thy children are yearning to praise Thee aright.
 4. We join with the angels, and so there is given,
From earth, Alleluia, in answer to Heaven.
Amen! Be Thou glorious below and above,
Redeeming, victorious, and infinite Love!
George Rawson, 1807-89

Let us all pray:

All: ALMIGHTY GOD, to whom all hearts are open,
all desires known and from whom no secrets are
hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that we may
perfectly love you and worthily magnify your
holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Liturgist: Let us adore and praise our God:
ALMIGHTY AND ETERNAL GOD, You are from
everlasting to everlasting, Creator and Sustainer of
all things created, visible and invisible; heaven and
earth are full of Your glory. Worthy are You to
receive glory and honour, thanksgiving, and praise.
Response: We worship You and we praise Your name, O
God, for all we owe to Your guiding and
sustaining hand, for the many mercies You have
bestowed on us in the past, for the unfailing
blessings of Your providence that have brought
us to this day, and for the assurance that Your
goodness and Your steadfast love for us will
never cease.
Liturgist: Most of all, we praise Your name for the grace and
truth that are in Jesus Christ our Lord, for our
redemption by His death on the Cross, and for the
abiding presence and comfort and guidance of Your
Holy Spirit. Grant that we may praise You, not only
with our lips, but also with our lives, serving You
with reverence in holiness and righteousness, all the
days of our life.
Response: All praise and glory, blessing and honour,
thanksgiving and worship be to You, O Blessed
Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, One God
forever and ever. Amen.
Liturgist: Let us prepare our hearts for confession as we seek
forgiveness from God
THE CHORUS SEARCH me, O God
SEARCH me, O God, and know my heart today,
Try me, O Saviour, know my thoughts, I pray;
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.
James Edwin Orr, 1912-87

Liturgist: Let us in silence confess our sins to God and pray

for his forgiveness. (Silent Prayer)
ALMIGHTY GOD, our heavenly Father, we
confess our weaknesses and failures to You as we
acknowledge our need of Your pardon and strength.
Response: We have sinned against You in despising the
counsels of Your wisdom and truth, in neglecting
Your holy law and contempt of Your grace, in
thinking and doing what is contrary to the mind
of Christ and in grieving Your Spirit.
Liturgist: We have sinned against each other in unholy
thought, selfish desire, unkind speech, and wrong
behaviour, and in all that is uncharitable.
Response: We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins. For
the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who died for
us, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we
may serve You in newness of life to the glory of
your Name.
Liturgist: This is the good news: Christ Jesus came into the
world to save sinners. If we confess our sins, He is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse
us from all unrighteousness. Our sins are forgiven.
Response: Amen. Our sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God.
THE HYMN # 1 VIP BLESS the Lord, O my soul
BLESS the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me bless His holy name.
He has done great things.
He has done great things.
He has done great things.
Bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me bless His holy name.
Andrae Crouch, 1954-2015

Liturgist: MOST GRACIOUS GOD, Your goodness is all

around us; and today we are eternally grateful to
You as we acknowledge that all good gifts around
us are sent from heaven above. We thank You that
Your love for us is matched by Your power to do
for us more exceedingly than we can ever ask, think
of or do for ourselves. You have given us strength
to toil with our hands, and the ability to conceive
within our minds the ways in which we can enjoy
life in its fullness. We thank You for Your
sustaining power throughout the universe, and for
Your abiding presence in our Church, and in our
families; we are kept by Your grace, and You give
us strength to overcome the troubles of life. Your
mercy endures forever.
Response: We thank You, O God, for the ways in which
You have expressed Your love through Your
power; You do for us what we are unable to do
for ourselves, and time and time again You have
been our Great Physician and healer. Oppressed
and downtrodden, You have been our deliverer;
when in doubt and in despair, You have assured
us of Your faithfulness. Our hearts are forever
touched by Your compassion, and we are forever
grateful for Your loving-kindness to us, from
 generation to generation. Amen! (Prepared
by the Anguilla Circuit – MCCA Men’s Commission).

THE WELCOME AND COURTESIES The Steward on

Duty
THE MESSAGE FROM THE LEEWARD ISLANDS DISTRICT
MCCA MEN’S COMMISSION PRESIDENT:
Brother Sydney MATTHEW
THE HYMN # 585 MHB RISE up, O men of God (By all Men)
1. RISE up, O men of God!
Have done with lesser things;
Give heart and soul and mind and strength
To serve the King of kings.
2. Rise up, O men of God!
His kingdom tarries long;.
Bring in the day of Brotherhood
And end the night of wrong.
3. Rise up, O men of God!
The Church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task;
Rise up and make her great.
4. Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where his feet have trod;
Led onward by the Son of Man,
Rise up, O saints of God!
William Pierson Merrill, 1867-1911

THE MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN

(Children’s Hymn # 480a VIP JESUS wants me for a sunbeam)
1. JESUS Wants me for a sunbeam,
To shine for Him each day;
In every way try to please Him,
At home, at school, at Play.
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;
 A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I’ll be a sunbeam for Him.
2. Jesus wants me to be Loving,
And kind to all I see;
Showing how pleasant and happy
His little one can be.
3. I will ask Jesus to help me
To keep my heart from sin,
Ever reflecting His goodness,
And always shine for Him.
4. I’ll be a sunbeam for Jesus;
I can if I but try;
Serving Him moment by moment,
Then live with Him on high.
Words: Nellie Talbot, c1900
Music: Edwine O. Excell, 1851-1921

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD OF GOD

The Collect: ALMIGHTY AND EVERLASTING GOD, by
whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is
governed and sanctified: hear our prayer which
we offer for all Your faithful people, that in their
vocation and ministry they may serve You in
holiness and truth to the glory of Your name;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
THE OLD TESTAMENT PROVERBS 19:1-11
THE RESPONSIVE READING PSALM 1
HAPPY are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or
take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers. But
their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they
meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of
water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not
wither. In all that they do, they prosper. The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the
wicked will not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the
congregation of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the
way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Liturgist: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the
Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall
be: World without end. Amen.
THE EPISTLE EPHESIANS
6:10-20
THE GOSPEL MARK 10:17-22
THE HYMN # 163 VIP BREAK Thou the bread of life
1. BREAK Thou the bread of life, O Lord, to me,
As Thou didst break the loaves beside the sea:
Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord;
My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word!
2. Thou art the bread of life, O Lord, to me,
Thy holy word the truth that saveth me:
Give me to eat and live with Thee above;
Teach me to love Thy truth, for Thou art love.
3. O send Thy Spirit, Lord, now unto me,
That He may touch my eyes, and make me see.
Show me the truth concealed within Thy Word,
And in Thy Book revealed I see the Lord.
Mary A. Lathbury (vv.1), 1841-1913
Alexander Groves (vv. 2,3), 1843-1909

THE SERMON
THE HYMN OF RESPONSE 329 VIP FIGHT the good fight
1. FIGHT the good fight with all thy might,
Christ is thy strength and Christ thy right.
Lay hold on life, and it shall be
Thy joy and crown eternally.
2. Run the straight race through God's good grace;
Lift up thy eyes, and seek His face.
Life with its way before thee lies;
Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.
 3. Cast care aside, lean on thy guide;
His boundless mercy will provide;
Lean, and thy trusting soul shall prove,
Christ is thy life and Christ thy love.

4. Faint not, nor fear, His arm is near;

He changeth not, and thou art dear.
Only believe, and thou salt see
That Christ is all in all to thee.
Words: John S. B. Monsell, 1811-75
Music: Attr. John Hatton, -1793

THE AFFIRMATION OF OUR FAITH The Apostles’

Creed
I BELIEVE IN GOD, the Father Almighty, Creator of
heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was
conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of
the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was
crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the
dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into
heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He
will come again to judge the living 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.
THE RENEWAL OF FELLOWSHIP The Steward on
Duty
THE OFFERTORY HYMN # 240 VIP I AM So Glad
1. I AM so glad that our Father in heaven
Tells of His love in the Book He has given;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see,
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;
 I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.
2. Though I forget Him and wander away,
Still He follows wherever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me.
3. O, if there's only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song in eternity be:
O, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!
4. If one should ask of me: How can I tell?
Glory to Jesus, I know very well;
God’s Holy Spirit with mine doth agree,
Constantly witnessing: That Jesus loves me.
Philipp Bliss, 1838-76

1. OUR TITHES AND OUR OFFERINGS

2. THE OFFERING FOR WORK AMONG MEN.
THE PRAYERS OF RECOMMITTMENT AND
INTERCESSION
THE HYMN # 289 VIP (v.1) SWEET hour of prayer!
SWEET hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father's throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter's snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
Words: William Walford, 1772-1850
Music: William B. Bradbury, 1816-1868

Liturgist: The Lord be with you;

Response: And also with you.
Liturgist: Let us pray:
 ALMIGHTY GOD, our heavenly Father, the Aid of
all who are in need, and the Helper of all who come
to You for refuge: Loving Father, we thank You for
sending Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord to be the
perfect example of a godly Man who demonstrated
that godly living means to walk in spirit and truth,
in submission to the Holy Spirit and in obedience to
You, His heavenly Father. We lift up to You all the
MCCA Men in the Leeward Islands District and
pray that Your Spirit of grace and truth may rest and
remain on each one. We pray that our men may
grow in grace and in a knowledge of Christ Jesus
their Lord, and that they may become strong in the
Lord and in His mighty strength, and not to rely on
their own abilities but rest in Him alone.
Response: We pray that the beautiful character of our Lord
Jesus Christ may be increasingly reflected in
each one and may all the men throughout our
District be godly examples and witnesses to the
truth of the gospel both in their own homes, and
with each other, and with whom they come in
contact. May they grow into mighty men of God.
(Prepared by the Holland Circuit - MCCA Men’s Commission).

Liturgist: ALMIGHTY and Eternal GOD, we pray for the

whole Church throughout the world, and for the
Methodist Church in particular, that in faith and
unity we may constantly be renewed by the Holy
Spirit for witness and service.
Response: O Sovereign God, who did send Your Holy Spirit
to abide with Your Church to enlighten, comfort
and guide, pour out the same gift upon us, that
we may be empowered to proclaim the good
news of salvation diligently and faithfully until
all peoples everywhere hear it and incline their
hearts to You and surrender their lives to Your
saving grace.
Liturgist: We pray for our Connexional Bishop, the Reverend
Everald Galbraith and the other Connexional
 Officers, for Bishop, the Reverend Charles A.
Seaton, our District President, and the other District
officers, for the Bishops of the other Districts, for
all our Presbyters and Deacons and those in
training, for all preachers, stewards, Class leaders
and Assistant leaders, Leaders of organizations and
for all who are involved in the broad ministry of our
church.
Response: That they may constantly be renewed in faith,
and that in all their vocation and office they may
serve You in holiness and godly sincerity to the
glory of Your name.
Liturgist: LOVING GOD, whose presence is everywhere and
whose compassion never fails, look graciously upon
those who are in trouble or any afflictions, and
especially those known to us, [whom we name in
our hearts before you ………]
Response: Guide the perplexed, defend the wronged, heal
the sick, befriend the lonely, comfort the
sorrowing, support the neglected, relieve the
oppressed and recall to yourself those who have
erred and strayed from your way.
Liturgist: PROTECTING GOD, we place our Children, Youth
and Young Adults in Your hands. We ask not that
You will shield them from difficulty, but that You
will give them the strength to face it; not that You
will protect them from making mistakes, but that
they may be able to learn from them; not that their
lives will be easy, but that they will deal with its
challenges courageously.
Response: Be with them when they are vulnerable, protect
them from lasting harm, and keep them always
in Your loving embrace.
Liturgist: GOD of Peace and love, we entrust our Region and
the World in Your loving care; You are the rock on
which all nations were founded, and You alone are
the true source of our cherished rights of life,
 liberty, and happiness. We pray for Your divine
intervention in the affairs of our Region and the
World: Bring peace, unity, justice and reconciliation
between peoples and our nations, especially where
there are territorial disputes, crime and violence,
terrorism and wars, corruption and injustice and any
unlawful acts against humanity. Give wisdom and
discernment for those in Leadership so that integrity
and righteousness may prevail.
Response: We pray those who unwaveringly work to
promote peace and unity among peoples and
nations, that they may persevere in their
advocacy for an end to injustice suffering.
Protect us, we pray, from the divisions that
challenge our ability to live peaceably as peoples
and nations. (Prepared by the Nevis Circuit - MCCA Men’s
Commission)

(Moment for personal petitions in silence)

Liturgist: Lord, in your mercy,
Response: Hear our prayer.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (Sung to the Tune of “Kumbaya, My Lord”)
FATHER God in heaven, Lord most High!
Hear Your children's prayer, Lord most High!
Hallowed be Your name, Lord Most High!
O Lord, hear our prayer.
May Your kingdom come, here on earth.
May Your will be done, here on earth.
As it is in heaven, so on earth.
O Lord, hear our prayer.
Give us daily bread, day by day.
And forgive our sins, day by day.
As we too forgive, day by day
O Lord, hear our prayer.
Lead us in your way, make us strong.
When temptations come, make us strong.
 Save us from all sin, keep us strong.
O Lord, hear our prayer.
All things come from You, all are Yours.
Kingdom, glory, power, all are Yours.
Take our lives and gifts, all are Yours.
O Lord, hear our prayer.
THE RECESSIONAL HYMN # 337 VIP
ONWARD! Christian soldiers
1. ONWARD! Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the Cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle, see His banner go!
Onward! Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the Cross of Jesus going on before!
2. At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise!
3. Like a mighty army moves the Church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod;
We are not divided; all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
4. Crowns and thrones may perish, Kingdoms rise and wane,
But the Church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never ‘gainst that Church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.
5.Onward, then, ye people! Join our happy throng;
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song;
Glory, laud, and honour unto Christ the King;
This through countless ages men and angels sing.
Sabine Baring-Gould, 1834-1924
THE BENEDICTION
THE MUSICAL POSTLUDE