Smithville United Methodist Church
PO Box 293, 505 N Hwy 169
Smithville, MO 64089
816-532-3200
Celebrating Life through Divine Worship
Fifth Sunday of Easter
CELEBRATION SUNDAY
10:00 am, May 22, 2011
The time of centering:
Astounding Good News: Christ is alive! Easter is God’s shining light in our darkness. Easter is hope washing over despair. Easter is brimming over, flowing into each day and setting alleluias loose! God is with us! He gives us a vision! This is a day of celebration! In the name of the living God, we welcome you to this worship service.
PRELUDE Worship begins as the music is played
ENTRANCE OF THE LIGHT
INVOCATION
Gracious God, the excitement and joy of this day surrounds us. Laughter comes easily to our lips. Help us remember that it is not our own doing that brings us here, but only your grace and love. Your love has surrounded us from our birth even when we have not seen it. Your love has been present in your word and the words and acts of others. For this we give thanks. Teach us to walk gently in your path of love, seeking justice, making peace, cherishing the earth and one another. Enliven our imaginations that we can vision future newness. Embolden us with your love that we may live now as if the new had already come. In joy we offer you our celebration!
WELCOME
*SONGS OF PRAISE "Shout to the Lord"
"Lord, I Lift Your Name on High"
CALL TO WORSHIP
LEADER: Welcome home.
PEOPLE: Here find a song for our souls and a vision for the future.
LEADER: Welcome home.
PEOPLE: Here find children’s laughter that chases clouds away, and quiet prayers that lead us to still waters and green pastures.
LEADER: Welcome to this holy space.
PEOPLE: Here there are friends with a tender embrace, and here there are words that heal brokenness and reveal God’s grace.
LEADER: Welcome home. God is expecting you. The candles are lit, and the door is open.
ALL: Welcome to this celebration of renewal and love.
CELEBRATION OF STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS Debbie Shoaf: Coordinator of Youth Ministry AV Team Ushers Radical Hospitality Safe Sanctuary Training AED and CPR Training Work Day May 14th Lay Leadership Development CHILDREN’S SERMON UNISON PRAYER We thank you for those in our church who minister to us and to others. Those who type the bulletins, file correspondence, clean the building, raise the funds to meet our budget, run the hundreds of necessary errands, prepare meals, work with youth, guide children, lead groups, serve on committees, sing in the choir, visit the sick, send cards, and perform many other deeds that help to weave the church together in strength and love. These responsibilities are committed to servants who seek no glory at all, but have only asked in simplicity and lowliness of heart, “What can I do?” For their steadfast and quiet work, we thank you, Lord. Bless all who minister and serve in any way, week after week. To your purpose, and to the glory of your name. Amen SPECIAL MUSIC "Time for Singing" Adult Choir CELEBRATION OF SERVICE Preschool Playground Equipment MODOT Grand Avenue Chamber Meetings starting in July Health Screenings on July 25 Community Emergency Response Team: Greg Robinson Smithville, Mississippi: Pastor Kathy UNISON AFFIRMATION We believe in God, our source of hope, which though fragile and often dashed is surprisingly strong and resilient.We believe hope is given so that we can wake each morning with a sense of wonder and live each day in light of the joy that is promised.We believe hope is woven with faith and love to form a tapestry of beauty and possibility. We believe that out of suffering and destruction can emerge something new, a new earth with the mark of God upon it. We believe our efforts make a difference and transform hope into bread for the hungry, clothes for the poor, and love for the forgotten.We believe the church is a community of hope, living the love of God for all creation, continually renewed of the fresh winds of the Spirit. CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS Choir Lenten Cantata New Drama Group Painting: Lee Hunold RESPONSIVE READING LEADER: Sing for joy to God, all the earth;
PEOPLE: Worship with songs and shouts of joy!
LEADER: Sing praise to God! Play music on the harps!
PEOPLE: Blow trumpets and horns, and shout for joy to the Holy One of Israel!
LEADER: Roar, sea, and every creature in you;
PEOPLE: Sing, earth, and all who live on you!
LEADER: Clap your hands, you rivers; you hills, sing together before God.
All: Sing for joy to God, all the earth!
CELEBRATION OF FELLOWSHIP New members Welcoming Brunch Greeters Youth Council Video Wednesday Nights Softball team with Christian Church Dinner for 8 SONG OF CELEBRATION "Surely the Presence of the Lord" 328 TIME OF PRAYER
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
OUR DISCIPLESHIP OF GIVING
Offering
*Doxology
*Prayer of Dedication
*HYMN OF PREPARATION "Be Thou My Vision" No. 451
SCRIPTURE LESSON: 1 Peter 2:9-10
MEDITATION Easter People: Vision
UNISON READING
We know that God is in the world – was and is and will be. God made it all, and continues to renew and remake and resurrect.
We know God best in the life of Jesus, who was and is our maker of hope, the one who saves.
We know the power and energy of God in the Holy Spirit.
We are filled with God’s joy and pledged to discipleship and love.
We trust in God. We celebrate God. We work together for justice and peace through God.
We are never alone. We are the People of God. We are Easter People.
*HYMN FOR GOING FORTH No. 322
"Up From the Grave He Arose"
TAKING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST INTO THE WORLD
BENEDICTION
God gives life. God renews life. God is life. Celebrate the life within you and let it overflow to enliven the world. May the peace of God dwell within this week and forevermore. We are EASTER PEOPLE. Go forth with new vision and celebrate! Amen.
POSTLUDE
*Please stand if you are able when indicated by an asterisk
