Worship Service March 02, 2025

Order of Service

Welcome, Greeting, Service Introduction                       Rev. Warren Lunsford /All

*Call to Worship                                                                 Rev. Warren Lunsford/All

May this time of worship be for each of us a mountaintop experience

    in which we behold the glory of the Lord.

   Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.  Come in today; come in to stay.

Remember, when we come down from the mountain

    the world and all its problems await us.

May we be so inspired and strengthened by this worship experience that

    we will go from this place to serve our Lord by ministering to his people. Amen

~ (written by H.Burnham Kirkland, Lectionary Worship Aids Cycle C, Series VI, p.62)

Response to the Call                 I Stand Amazed in the Presence                  UMH 371

 Opening Prayer of Confession                            Rev. Warren Lunsford/All                                                           

Holy Lord, we are not ready to meet you

Your Glory is too bright, your mission is too hard.

We doubt instead of being faithful, we act confused instead of following,

   we thrill with mountain top experiences,

      and but lose our vision when we return to the plain.

We do not listen to your voice: forgive us Lord.

We are not ready for your Glory; prepare us Lord.  Amen

Adapted from: http:confessionrcl.blogspot.com/2013/02/cycle-c-transfiguration.3.html, Bill Weaver

Silent reflection and silent confession

Assurance of Forgiveness

On mountaintops and in valleys, in our hopes and in our hearts,

    God knows us better than we know ourselves,

        and God forgives us when we cannot forgive ourselves!
By God’s mercy, we are forgiven; by God’s mercy, we are made whole;

    by God’s mercy, we are equipped to serve others. Thanks be to God! Amen.

Life of the Church                                                 Rev. Cindy Lunsford (see bulletin)

Mission Moment –

Psalm                                            Psalm 99  (UMH 819)                   Gina Elrod/All

Hymn                                           Spirit of Faith, Come Down                      UMH 332    

OFFERING OF OURSELVES

Pastoral Prayer                                                                     Rev. Cindy Lunsford/All    

Worship with Our Tithes & Offerings                           Steve Hawkins instrumental

              Dedication & Offertory                                              Rev. Warren Lunsford

             Doxology                                                                             UMH 095 

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

praise him, all creatures here below;

praise him above, ye heavenly host;

praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  Amen

Centering Song           Glorious Day by Casting Crowns           Steve Hawkins

PROCLAMATION

Prayer of Illumination                                                                                Gary Seiler

Radiant Creator, Strong, Wide, One,

Shine in our minds,

Enlighten our understanding of you and your ways,

   so we may do what is true and live in Your light.  Amen.

Letter Reading                   2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2                     Rev. Warren Lunsford

Scripture                                    Luke 9:18-43                              Rev. Cindy Lunsford

Message          The Cost of Bearing Light in a Dark World           Rev. Cindy Lunsford

Video message conclusion:

WORSHIP AT THE TABLE

Great Thanksgiving & Communion UMH 9-10 (Insert)        Rev. Cindy Lunsford/All

Prayer After Communion:

Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery

     in which you have given yourself to us.

Grant that we may go into the world

     in the strength of your Spirit,

        to give ourselves for others,

 in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.  AMEN

GOING FORTH WITH CHRIST

Closing Hymn                             Fairest Lord Jesus                                      UMH 189

Commissioning & Benediction                                                    Rev. Cindy Lunsford

Depart to Serve, caring for others, as we truly serve God