AN ORDER FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD

ENTRANCE

GATHERING OF THE CHURCH

A MISSION MOMENT: ZOE

PRELUDE Voluntary on HYFRYDOL Phillips

* GREETING Leader: In the midst of the congregation, we praise you.People: Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to God’s holy name!Leader: We extol our Sovereign God, and bless God’s name forever.People: Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, God’s greatness is unsearchable.

* HYMN 3150 (WS) Father, We Have Heard You Calling hyfrydol

* OPENING PRAYER

THE PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD

FIRST LESSON Acts 17:1-9After Paul and Silas had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three sabbath days argued with them from the scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This is the Messiah, Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you.” Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. But the Jews became jealous, and with the help of some ruffians in the marketplaces they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar. While they were searching for Paul and Silas to bring them out to the assembly, they attacked Jason’s house. When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some believers before the city authorities, shouting, “These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has entertained them as guests. They are all acting contrary to the decrees of the emperor, saying that there is another king named Jesus.” The people and the city officials were disturbed when they heard this, and after they had taken bail from Jason and the others, they let them go.

ANTHEM Lord, Here Am I Beck Chancel Choir

* GOSPEL LESSON John 15:1-8(Jesus said) “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

* GOSPEL RESPONSE (to be sung by all – No. 186)Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

SERMON Truth to Power

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

* HYMN 444 O Young and Fearless Prophet blairgowrie

* A SCRIPTURAL AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (No. 888) : This is the good news which we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved: Christ died for our sins, was buried, was raised on the third day, and appeared first to the women, then to Peter and the Twelve, and then to many faithful witnesses. We believe Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One of God, the firstborn of all creation, the firstborn from the dead, in whom all things hold together, in whom the fullness of God was pleased to dwell by the power of the Spirit. Christ is the head of the body, the church, and by the blood of the cross reconciles all things to God. Amen.

* THE GLORIA PATRI Glory be to the FatherAnd 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.

* LITANY OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Almighty God, you have raised up servants to proclaim the gift of redemption and a life of holiness.For our spiritual forebears, Susanna, John, and Charles Wesley; Barbara Heck, Jacob Albright, Philip William Otterbein, and Martin Boehm, inspired by your Spirit, we give thanks.In their ministry, through their difficulties, and in spite of their weaknesses,you were their hope and their salvation.You led them and their followers to create the heritage that is ours.We praise you for the women and men, young and old, who followed them, who gave themselves unselfishly for the welfare of the Church, whose commitment and vision encouraged and supported the Church.Their talents, enthusiasm, idealism, and dedication infused the Church with energy.Their outstanding gifts and witness shaped our thought and life.We praise you for these countless members of your Church, whose names we now remember.Silence is kept to remember the names of saints.And we give you thanks for the place of our rich tradition among the churches which comprise the Body of Christ.With all your people throughout creation, give us a new vision, new love, new wisdom, and fresh understanding, that we may serve you more fully;through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE THE LORD’S PRAYER

THE PRESENTATION OF GOD’S TITHES AND OUR OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY The Wondrous Cross Larson

Sharing the Heart of Christ from the Heart of Cary

* THE DOXOLOGYPraise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

THE SENDING FORTH

* HYMN 580 Lead On, O King Eternal lancashire

* CARRYING THE LIGHT INTO THE WORLD

* DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING

* CHORAL RESPONSE (to be sung by all – No. 302, stanza 6)King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!

* THE CHIMING OF THE TRINITYTo honor our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

please remain standing for all the chimes of the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

* POSTLUDE Jubilation on PISGAH Wood * Please stand as you are able

WELCOME TO FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CARY

We welcome you to First United Methodist Church Cary, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We pray that our time of worship will draw you closer to God and invite you to join us for worship on Sunday mornings. Our regular schedule includes Sanctuary services at 8:25, 9:45, and 11:05, 1st on Chatham at The Cary at 9:45 and 11:05, and our Celebration service in the Fellowship Hall at 11:11.

We invite you to stop by our information table in the large narthex if you have any questions about our church. Also, our website, firstcary.com, may provide the information you need.

We invite you to join us for coffee on Sunday mornings at “First Cup” from 8:00 until 11:00 in the back of the fellowship hall!

OUR VISIONSharing the heart of Christ from the heart of Cary

OUR MISSIONTo make disciples of Jesus Christ who grow in faith and love

through worship, fellowship, service and witness to one another and the world

Fifth Sunday of Easter

April 29, 2018

Photo by Keem Ibarra on Unsplash

WORSHIP LEADERS THIS MORNING: Preacher: The Reverend Carl Frazier, Lead Pastor Liturgist: The Reverend Heather Herrin Wong, Pastor of Senior Adult Ministry Choir Director: Kerry Johnston, Director of Music Ministry Pianist: David Griffin Acolytes: 8:25 Trevor Lamm 9:45 Lela Player 11:05 Emily Baker Lay Readers: Stephen Ministers: 8:25 Chris Dresp Eric Buchholtz 9:45 Timmons Player Jan Hargrove 11:05 Anderson Hanes Ann Young

A Stephen Minister is available in the large narthex after each church service to meet and pray with anyone who wishes.

Listening devices are available at the sound booth in the back of the sanctuary. Kids and YouthChildren are always welcome! Bulletins and crayon packs are available at each entrance to the Sanctuary. Nursery and Sunday school classes are available for infants through fifth grade. Youth (grades 6-12) gather in the Fellowship Hall at 9:30. Our ushers are happy to escort you and your child or youth to the Children’s or Youth Ministry area.

Prayer Concerns You may view the list of prayer concerns at firstcary.com/prayerlist

firstcary.com • 919-467-1861

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