[please refer to United Methodist Hymn page 13-14]

Holy, holy, holy LORD, God…

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.

Sharing of the Bread & Cup musical selection by Zoe Vandermeer

Prayer after Receiving GOING FORTH

U Closing Hymn #451 “Be Thou My Vision” SLANE

U Commission, Benediction and Passing of the Peace [adapted from ©2001 Nathan Nettleton www.laughingbird.net]

Go now and live your faith boldly as an open statement of God’s truth. By God’s mercy, engage in the ministry to which you have been called, and let the light of God’s word shine brightly in you. And may God strengthen you and keep you safe; May Christ Jesus unveil your minds; And may the Holy Spirit transform you from glory to glory. We go in peace to love and serve the LORD, In the name of Christ. Amen.

Postlude musical selection by Zoe Vandermeer

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cover image: collage by pastor alex by artist unknown.

liturgy: inspired by concept by onthechancelsteps.wordpress.com; Thom M. Shuman © 2016 posted at lectionaryliturgies.blogspost.com; Nancy C. Townley & Shelley Cunningham @ ministrymatters.com.

68 Danbury Road, New Milford, CT 06776 | www.newmilfordumc.org | 860.354.4596 Rev. Alex da Silva Souto, Pastor - mobile: 415.706.5397 | Zoe Vandermeer, Accompanist

Brinna Kolitz, Youth Leader | Lay Leaders: Marylyn Fuller & Pat Tripp Ministers: All members of the New Milford UMC

New Milford United Methodist Church

February 07, 2016 at 9:30am

You are invited to worship with us in the quiet of prayer, in the joy of song, and in the desire to grow in the grace and knowledge of our LORD Jesus Christ.

Part of our mission is to be a place for all people. All are welcome here! Whatever your gender, age, race, religious background, economic status,

sexual orientation or condition of ableness, we greet you as a beloved child of God.

* The order of service is subject to change at the leading of the Holy Spirit. Italicized Bold print invites congregational response in unison.

U Means you are invited to stand if able and comfortable.

ENTRANCE & PRAISE

Prelude musical selection by Zoe Vandermeer

Welcome & News

U Opening Hymn #559 “Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation” WESTMINSTER ABBEY

U Call to Worship [by Thom M. Shuman © 2016 at lectionaryliturgies] Tony Dos Santos

We gather as the faithful of God, we come to listen to what God has to say to us. God has invited us to this place: may our faces reflect our hopes and our hearts. We gather as the faithful of God, people of the new covenant of grace and of promise. We boldly enter into the presence of God, hoping to be transformed into new people. We gather as the faithful of God, our fears melting away in the heart of God. We come to share in the freedom of the Spirit, we come to praise God's holy name.

Prayer of Invocation Pastor Alex [adapted from prayers adapted from prayers “The One We Worship” & “Whole-Y God” by John van de Laar]

U Hymn of Praise #103 “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” ST. DENIO

PROCLAMATION & RESPONSE

Prayer for Illumination [by Shelley Cunningham @ ministrymatters.com] Tony Dos Santos LORD, it is good to be here—to hear Your word, to share Your story.

Help us see Your Son for who He really is. Help us listen to Him, receive His forgiveness, and walk in His light.

Children’s Message “The Practice of Prayer” Pastor Alex [adapted from concept by onthechancelsteps.wordpress.com]

[All children are invited to Sunday School for the lesson “Jesus Calls the Fishermen” from Matthew 4:18-22]

U Gospel Reading Luke 4: 1-13 [NRSV] Tony Dos Santos

U Response to the Word #578 “ Take Time to Be Holy” [v.v. 1, 2] HOLINESS

U Gospel Reading Luke 9:28-43a, [NRSV] Tony Dos Santos

U Response to the Word #578 “ Take Time to Be Holy” [v.v. 3, 4] HOLINESS

Reflecting on God’s Message “Tough Transformation” Pastor Alex

Prayer for Reconciliation [“Tough Transformation” by John van de Laar] Pastor Alex

Assurance of Pardon [adapted from adapted from 2 Corinthians 3, Psalm 99, Luke 9 by Nancy C. Townley & Shelley Cunningham @ ministrymatters.com]

We worship a forgiving God, whose mercy is never ending, whose heart abounds in steadfast love. Because of the love of Jesus Christ, nothing can separate us from the love of God. Listen to Jesus. He will guide and care for you. His ways are the ways of love, peace and hope. AMEN.

Invitation to Offering [adapted from Exodus 34, 2 Corinthians 3 by Shelley Cunningham @ MinistryMatters.com]

Offering of Tithes and Gifts musical selection by Zoe Vandermeer

U Doxology #94 musical selection by Zoe Vandermeer

Praise 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!

Offertory Prayer Pastor Alex [adapted from prayer by Thom M. Shuman © 2016 posted at lectionaryliturgies.blogspost.com]

HOLY COMMUNION

[Communion is a time when we celebrate and share in the presence of the risen Christ around His Table. This is an open Table and all are invited. You need not be a member of this Church

or any Church; you need not be baptized. You need only desire a closer encounter with God. John Wesley, the founder of the people called Methodists, believed that it is possible to have a conversion experience during Communion, and so all are welcome at the Lord's Table]

The Great Thanksgiving [adapted from liturgy by Thom M. Shuman © 2016 posted at lectionaryliturgies.blogspost.com

The God of mountaintops be with you. And also with you. Come, People of God, to the One who will transfigure your hearts. We offer them to God, who will make them dazzle with grace. Let us join in singing glad songs of hope to our God. Our voices rejoice in glad thanksgiving to the One who comes to us.