An Order for the Worship of God

Sunday Morning, September 25, 2005

Gathering for Worship

             Piano meditations

             Slide show

             Greeting         

Acknowledging God’s Presence

            *Silence

            *Lighting the candles

              Musical tribute:  “Sheep May Safely Graze”  --J.S. Bach 

            *Hymn of praise:  #158  “Come, Christians, Join to Sing”

 Pastoral prayer

Exploring and deepening our Relationship with God

             Bible drama:  Genesis 4

 A Time of Praising God—led by the Praise Team

             Scripture reading:  selections from John 4

             Sermon:  “A Place for Making Personal Discoveries”

            *Hymn of dedication:  #378  “Amazing Grace”

Moving on:  Receiving God’s Grace and Taking up Our Ministries

             Confirmation of new church members

             Praying our joys and concerns

                        (after each joy, “Thanks be to God,” after concerns, “Lord, have mercy.”)

             Offerings to fund the ministries of our church

*Doxology (#2023)

            *Blessing and sending forth to be Christ to others

            *Postlude

The music during the offerings is “Air” from Orchestral Suite in D Major, --J.S. Bach

The music played as we are sent forth is “Allegro”  --J.S. Bach

The preacher today is J. Michael Smith, pastor of Grace Church.

The organist/pianist is J. Gordon Wilson, music director of Grace.

The chancel choir director is Callie McFarland

The Praise Team leaders are Steve and Sandy Ater

Membership in Grace Church

When one becomes a member of Grace United Methodist Church, locally--one also becomes a part of THE CHURCH (universal):  spanning 2000 years of history, and inviting people from every tribe and race on this terrestrial globe to participate.

THE CHURCH has participated in Christ’s ministry of grace across the years and around the world.  It stretches out to human needs, conveying God’s love and ours.  The outreach of the God’s love through the church knows no limits.

In the United Methodist Church, EVERYONE is a minister, not just the clergy. 

• ALL Christians are called to be involved in personal ministry to others
• ALL Christians are called to glorify God through worship and witness
• ALL Christians are called to scope all of life through the vantage point of Christ
• ALL Christians are called to resist evil and do good, always
• ALL Christians are called to learn and share the stories and songs of Christian faith
• ALL Christians are called to imitate Jesus in being Christ to others
• ALL Christians are called to share significant time and space with other Christians
• ALL Christians are called into maturity through the practice of spiritual disciplines

The vows of church membership are:

1. to renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject evil, repent of sin
2. to accept the freedom and power God gives to resist evil, injustice, and oppression
3. to confess Jesus Christ as Savior, put one’s whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as one’s Lord
4. to remain faithful members of Christ’s holy church and serve as Christ’s representatives in the world
5. to be loyal to the United Methodist Church and do all in one’s power to strengthen its ministries
6. to participate faithfully in the church’s ministry with one’s prayers, presence, gifts, and service
7. to receive and profess the Christian faith as contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments

Anyone who desires to become a member of Grace United Methodist Church should contact the pastor.  We ask all current and future members of Grace Church to remember that church membership is a sacred covenant, it leads us into  work and relationships that are of extreme importance, and all who take the vows are to be held accountable for remaining faithful to them through obedience and periodic renewal.  

Contact information for Grace Church

Church phone:  (217)328-1414                       

Address:  2004 Philo Road, Urbana, IL  61802

Check the Web at:  www.urbanagrace.org   (site updated almost daily)

e-mail:  urbanagrace@urbanagrace.org            

pastor’s cell:  898-3148

Sources of information

Tapes of Sunday worship and sermons

Weekly letter from the pastor*

“Assorted Notes” from the pastor*

Weekly Update of Church Activities*

Slide show of memories and announcements (before/after worship)

“Snapshots” of happenings, people in church*

Reports of officers, budget, meetings, church organization (office)

Web site (www.urbanagrace.org)

Sign board along the road, posters and bulletin boards, handouts

We are working to make sure everyone receives all the information and material he or she wants—in the form (e-mail, postal, pick up, etc.) best suited to each person.  Please take responsibility to communicate with the office what resources you want and how we can best deliver them to you.  Items marked with an (*) can be picked up in the entryway of the sanctuary.

Special services at Grace Church (ask an usher for details)

Nursery service during worship services for all children 4 and under. 

Transportation to and from worship services

Large print bulletins and song sheets.  Hearing aids 

Funding our Ministries 2005

(thru Sept 15):  Receipts $161,812  Expenses:  $177,367

Organized Activities around the church this coming week:  29

 (pick up a copy of the Weekly Update for details)

Opportunities to Volunteer for a Ministry:  see notebook in the entryway to the sanctuary, or call the office

For spiritual needs or pastoral services:  call the church office