Prelude
Chorale Prelude on “Rhosymedre”
Ralph Vaughn Williams
Processional
“Be Thou My Vision” UMH #451
Call to Worship
One:
Beloved,
the living God, the Holy One,
the God who never forgets
has called us to remember.
Beloved,
the living God, the Holy One,
the God who always remembers
has called us to rejoice.
And what is the good news that was and is and will be forever?
Many:
God will free those who are trapped
and all who need help,
God will have pity on the poor, the lost, and the frightened.
God will redeem their lives.
One:
The God of Moses and Miriam,
the God of the Mountain is also our God.
Many:
We have been called up into the mountains;
We have been called to stand on holy Ground.
One:
And what is the good news that was and is and will be forever?
Many:
We do not stand alone.
Thanks be to God.
Presentation of the Crozier
Prayer of Dedication
Dear Bishop, Christ’s beloved,
You have been to the people of God a prophetic voice and a courageous leader. You continue to be to the flock of Christ a shepherd; you support the weak, heal the sick, bind up the broken, restore the outcast, seek the lost, and relieve the oppressed.You faithfully administered discipline, but you did not forget mercy. We receive this symbol of your office, this staff of service, in confidence that when the Chief Shepherd shall appear you will receive the never-fading crown of glory. Amen.
Sung Response
“Wa Wa Wa Emimimo! (come O Holy Spirit Come!)”
Wa Wa Wa Emimimo!
Wa wa wa alagbara
Wa o, wa o wa o!
Come, O Holy Spirit, Come!
Scripture
Luke 2:41-52
41 Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. 43 When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44 Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” 49 He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he said to them. 51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.
Sermon
Anthem
“Peace I Leave with You”
By Felix Mendelssohn
Prayer for Purity
Almighty God,
To you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sharing the Peace of Christ
Table
One: God be with you.
Many: God is with us! We are not alone.
One: Christ be with you.
Many: Christ is with us!
One: The Risen One has met us, blessed and fed us on the road that leads us home. What is the promise?
Many: We we few or many, the Comforter will come.
One: Then lift up your hearts!
Many: Our hearts with rapture thrill!
One: Here we assemble as your family.
Many: We are your people and you are our God. Your love makes us friends; your blood makes us kin.
One: Holy One, Trinity of grace and power: it is good; it is right; it is a joyful thing to give you thanks, Maker and Mother, Beloved and Lover, Father and Friend.
Many: You are ever the father who gives us bread, not stones. You are the mother who never forgets we’re her own.
One: From the beginning of life to the closing of time, you are the One who is with us to the end. And so we sing:
Salvation glory and power to God
for Jesus our redeemer reigns;
The mountains, hills, and valleys sing
as angels, saints, and heav’ns proclaim:
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Halle, Halle, Hallelujah!
Salvation glory and power to God
for Jesus our redeemer reigns.
Tune: CANDLER
One: Holy are you and blessed is your Beloved, Jesus, meek and wild. By his birth, his baptism into life, death and glory, Christ redeemed us from sin, and restored creation’s story. Truly human, whole and holy, he gave us grace, showed us truth, and taught us what forgiveness means.
One: We remember the night when Jesus gave himself to us.
Many: We remember, we will never forget.
One: He took bread and gave thanks,
Many: We remember, we will never forget.
One: He gave it to his friends: This is my body. Take. Eat. Share. Remember.
Many: We remember, we will never forget.
One: He took the cup and gave thanks,
Many: We remember, we will never forget.
One: He gave it to his friends: This is my blood, given for you. Take. Drink. Live. Remember.
Many: Oh, how we remember!
One: We remember the Gift you’ve given, and offer ourselves to you as Christ offers himself to us, a whole and holy sacrifice of prayer and praise. In the name of your Beloved, we proclaim the mystery of faith:
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
what wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of life
to lay aside his crown for my soul, for my soul.
to lay aside his crown for my soul.
To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing,
to God and to the Lamb I will sing!
To God and to the Lamb who is the great I AM,
while millions join the theme I will sing, I will sing.
while millions join the theme I will sing!
Tune: WONDROUS LOVE
One: Breathe, Holy Spirit!
Many: Breathe, Holy Spirit!
One: Breathe on this bread and cup.
Many: Breathe on us gathered here, and all in your keeping.
One: Breathe peace, Jesus.
Many: Breathe, Holy Spirit!
One: By your Spirit, make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes again in grace and glory, then lost in wonder, love, and praise, we and all creation sing for joy:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures here below.
Praise God, blest holy Trinity
both now and for eternity. Amen
Tune: OLD 100th
The Lord’s Prayer
Music During Communion
“Bless the Lord O My Soul” FWS 2013
“Hymn of Promise” UMH 707
Blessing
Sending Forth
“All My Days”
Worship Notes:
Prayer of Dedication: Adapted from the consecration prayer for UMC Bishops, HME 2017
Table Liturgy and Prayers: Composed by Heather Murray Elkins and members of the WV conference
Drew Theo Chapel 