An Order for the Worship of God

Sunday Morning, September 11, 2005

Gathering for Worship

             Piano meditations

             Slide show

             Greeting        

Acknowledging God’s Presence

            *Silence

            *Lighting the candles

              Musical tribute:  “Adagio for Strings,” Barber 

            *Hymn of praise:  #155  All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name

             Choir anthem

 Pastoral prayer

Exploring and deepening our Relationship with God

             Bible drama:  Genesis 3

             Songs of praise:  led by the Praise Team

             Scripture reading:  Luke 1:26-38

             Sermon:  Devoting Ourselves Wholly to God’s Fantasy

            *Hymn of dedication:  #399  Take My Life and Let it Be

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

             Praying our joys and concerns

             Offerings to fund the ministries of our church

             Blessing and sending forth to be Christ to others

The music during the offerings is “My Heart is Longing,”  Brahms

The music played as we are sent forth is “Beloved Jesus,” Brahms

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

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

The leaders of the praise team are Steve and Sandy Ater.

Notes about Grace Church

Grace Church is a United Methodist congregation, established in 1899, initially to minister to the children of East Urbana who had no church connections.  For many years, the congregation gathered on East Main Street, until 1964, when the current building on Philo Road was built.  The congregation made that radical change in order to equip and position themselves for more effective ministry in the community.

We believe that God has a plan (a fantasy—to put it more boldly!) for each of our lives, for our church, and for our society.  The mission of Grace Church is to provide a local environment (physical, social, and spiritual) where God’s fantasies for us are revealed and experienced.

We are working to make Grace Church a place where:

1)  The Bible comes alive and the stories and songs of our faith are conspicuous—dynamically guiding our lives

2)  Each person is encouraged to think fresh thoughts, ask questions, explore inner feelings, and tend to personal growth

3)  Healthy relationships are at the heart of everything we do

4)  All are in recovery from wounds, sin, failure, and brokenness; and the tenderness and forgiveness we find in each other facilitates healing, renewal, and new life

5)  Joy and life-giving humor permeate everything

6)  We are a ‘working church,’ each church member a part of a team in ministry, no committed Christians sitting on the sidelines

7)  We surround our decisions with prayer

8)  We are loyal to our United Methodist heritage and connections

9)  Every person is treated with respect, and we uphold both our unity and diversity

10) Face to face invitations abound to join us as guest, regular participant, or covenant member

11) We notice who is in our neighborhood, and we work together with our neighbors to improve where we live

12) Leaders lead by example, commit themselves to mutual alignment and accountability, work with flexible structures, and embrace both risk and responsibility

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)

“Snap Shots” 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 8):  Receipts $158,398   Expenses:  $170,501

Organized Activities around the church this coming week:  27

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

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

For spiritual needs or pastoral services:  call the church office