April 7, 2013Rev. Denise M. Childers, Pastor

Sylvia E. Mulherin, Interim Music Director

www.stgumc.org 4910 Ox Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22030-4513

Office: 703.385.4550 • Fax: 703.385.7771 • Preschool: 703.385.4422

®

† Please stand as you are able.

WELCOME Rev. Denise M. Childers

MINISTRY AND MISSION

INTROIT Song of Triumph JAMES DENTON

† CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: God of joy and life and promise. People: We come to you this day to celebrate the renewal of life in the joys of

Easter. Leader: May your joy fill our days. People: And may the resurrection of Jesus Christ inspire us for works of love and

peace. ALL: Renew us in this hour of worship that we may truly live as your people in

this place!

† HYMN NO. 2009 FWS O God Beyond All Praising THAXTED † OPENING PRAYER (in unison)

Father, Spirit, Son, without your presence, this gathering is meaningless. We invite you to come, to receive our worship, and we pray that it will be pleasing in your sight. We know that you see us and invite us to come to you, just as we are. So, that is what we will do. We believe that you will meet us and that we will be changed because we have been with you. May you receive great glory for all that happens in this place today. In the name of the Risen Christ. Amen.

THE PSALTER Psalm 150 (with sung response 1) PAGE 862 UMH NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Revelation 1: 4-8 pg 230 NT Pew Bible

A TIME FOR THE CHILDREN As children come up, the congregation sings “Jesus Loves Me.” Following, children are welcome to remain in worship or are invited to join in one of our ministries for children:

Happy Club (ages 3-kindergarten) is meeting today downstairs in room 101. Children’s Church (1st-3rd grade) is not meeting today.

ANTHEM All Earth Rejoice With A Gladsome Voice arr. Hopson

WE GATHER TOGETHER FOR WORSHIP

WE PREPARE OURSELVES FOR WORSHIP

WE OPEN OUR LIVES TO GOD

FWS-Faith We Sing ° UMH-United Methodist Hymnal ° OT-Old Testament ° NT-New Testament

GOSPEL LESSON Luke 15: 2-32 pp 73-74 NT Pew Bible

MEDITATION A Disturbing God Rev. Dr. Gary Mason

† HYMN NO. 437 UMH This is My Song FINLANDIA

PASTORAL PRAYER INVITATION TO THE TABLE

Beloved, we are God’s children because of the love God has for us, yet we sometimes fail to respond to God’s outpouring of love. Let us confess our sins together. Let us pray.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in unison) Merciful and loving God, your love for us is unconditional, yet our love for you, for others and for ourselves is often marred. We allow prejudice and pride to blind us; our brokenness remains unhealed; we cling to old stories and hurts which impede the work of reconciliation. Forgive us, we pray, for failing to trust you, for playing it safe instead of following the daring call of your Spirit, for withholding forgiveness and grace from ourselves and others. Let your love renew us yet again. Let the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead rekindle creative life within us and restore right relations among us. Amen.

SILENT CONFESSION WORDS OF ASSURANCE AND PARDON

Leader: We know love by this, that Jesus laid down his life for us. Friends, hear the good news and believe: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!

People: Alleluia! Amen. † PASSING THE PEACE

Let us offer one another signs of reconciliation and love.

WE OFFER OUR TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD OFFERTORY Break Thou the Bread of Life arr. Albin C. Whitworth

† THE DOXOLOGY No. 94 UMH 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!

† PRAYER OF DEDICATION THE GREAT THANKSGIVING [SEE INSERT]

WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

† Please stand as you are able.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (in unison) 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.

BREAKING THE BREAD GIVING THE BREAD AND THE CUP PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION † HYMN NO. 438 UMH Forth in Thy Name, O Lord DUKE STREET

BENEDICTION † BENEDICTION RESPONSE He is Lord HYMN NO. 177 UMH

He is Lord, he is Lord! He is risen from the dead and he is Lord! Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

† POSTLUDE A Festive Trumpet Tune GILBERT M. MARTIN

St. George’s Welcomes Our Guests! Please sign in the Attendance Registration pad located in the pew or

complete a yellow card found in the pew rack and place it in the offering plate, so we can greet you and thank you for your visit. We are glad you

are here! Sunday Schedule

9:00 AM Sunday School for ALL ages

10:00 AM Fellowship Time 10:30 AM Worship

The nursery (located off the Fellowship Hall) is available for children through Kindergarten age during Sunday School, Fellowship Time, and

Worship.

Flowers in Worship The flowers on the Altar are dedicated to the honor and glory

of God and given in appreciation for the ministry of Rev. Dr. Gary Mason and the Belfast Mission Ministry By Denise and Clayton Childers