Sunday, September 18, 2022 - In Ordinary Time
Order of Worship Sunday, September 18, 2022 In Ordinary Time ~ Quietly meditate as the light moves forward ~ BRINGING IN THE LIGHT MUSIC FOR THE GATHERING From “Partita on St. Anne” (O God, Our Help In Ages Past) Adagio - Arr. Paul Manz (a life-long Lutheran) This piece is being played by the CUMC organ. This selection and the postlude utilize the instrument’s MIDI capabilities. The organist is not known. WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP One: With steadfast hearts and true desire, Many: we come to find strength to be faithful stewards. One: In sure and certain hope of being found faithful, Many: we choose this day to serve God. One: By being honest with ourselves and before God, Many: we come to claim our identity as worthy servants, standing to offer our prayer to the One we worship. HYMN OF PRAISE O God, Our Help In Ages Past Blue Bk ~ No. 117 Text: Isaac Watts Music: William Croft (1708) / W. H. Monk (1861) OPENING PRAYER – Led by Heavenly Father, keep us from ungodly and unprincipled thinking. Keep the eyes of our heart looking to Jesus for our provision and protection and prevent me we pray from looking to our own bank-balance or any other source of supply for our security. May we have an undivided heart that looks to Jesus the, Author and Finisher of our faith… and in Whose name we pray, AMEN. GOSPEL HYMN The Servant Song Black Bk ~ No. 2222 – Verses 1 through 5 Text and Music: Richard Gillard GOSPEL LESSON Luke 16:1-13 Faithfulness With Money 1 Jesus also said to the disciples, “A certain rich man heard that his household manager was wasting his estate. 2 He called the manager in and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give me a report of your administration because you can no longer serve as my manager.' 3 “The household manager said to himself, What will I do now that my master is firing me as his manager? I'm not strong enough to dig and too proud to beg. 4 I know what I'll do so that, when I am removed from my management position, people will welcome me into their houses. 5 “One by one, the manager sent for each person who owed his master money. He said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?' 6 He said, ‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil.' The manager said to him, ‘Take your contract, sit down quickly, and write four hundred fifty gallons.' 7 Then the manager said to another, ‘How much do you owe?' He said, ‘One thousand bushels of wheat.' He said, ‘Take your contract and write eight hundred.' 8 “The master commended the dishonest manager because he acted cleverly. People who belong to this world are more clever in dealing with their peers than are people who belong to the light. 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves so that when it's gone, you will be welcomed into the eternal homes. 10 " Whoever is faithful with little is also faithful with much, and the one who is dishonest with little is also dishonest with much. 11 If you haven't been faithful with worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 If you haven't been faithful with someone else's property, who will give you your own? 13 No household servant can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be loyal to the one and have contempt for the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." The Word of God for the children of God. Thanks be to God. SERMON HYMN What A Mighty God We Serve Green Bk ~ No. 3016 – Sing 3x Text and Music: Trad. African American song ©2011 Arr. by Jackson Henry SERMON - “No Easy Answers" ~ Pastor Emily PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Pastor Emily Fall Sports Blessing: players, coaches, spectators, parents The Lord’s Prayer – Blue Bk – No. 895 GIVING OF OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS You can give at any time by going to Centenary’s web page click on the Donate tab at www.centenary-umc.com ++ Doxology ~ Blue Bk ~ No. 95 Praise God from whom all blessings flow Praise Him, all creatures here below Praise Him above the Heavenly host Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen Offertory Prayer – Pastor Emily BENEDICTION – Pastor Emily ~ seated ~ POSTLUDE O God, Our Help In Ages Past Introduction and Theme - Arr. Paul Manz The organist is unknown. ~ The Postlude is part of our worship celebration. Quietly reflect as the Postlude is provided ~ The printed music, lyrics, videos, and music selections are covered under CCLI-11024657, St. James Music Press # 21308, and ONE LICENSE #738667-A. Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-700000. All rights reserved. Today’s scripture is from the Common English Version of the Bible (CEB). The call to worship is from The Center for Faith and Giving, 9/22/19 and the opening prayer is from Praying Through Luke, author unknown.
