(The asterisk (*) designates when the congregation will please stand.

Worshipers who find standing difficult are invited to remain seated.

Worshipers are encouraged to turn off their cell phones while they are in the sanctuary.

Bold print is read or sung by the congregation. )

THE WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

(You are invited to sign and pass the Ritual of Friendship pads.

When it reaches the end of the pew, please pass it back so that all may note those worshiping today.

Cards are available in the pew for those desiring to request prayer or praise

for specific needs, concerns and joys.  Please place the card in the offering plate during the offering.)

THE PRELUDE                                                                            Youth Handbell Choir               

“Praise Ye the Lord of Hosts”                                                               Robert J. Ward

THE CALL TO WORSHIP

        Leader: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ!

        All: We have come to experience God’s grace in our worship and in our lives!

*THE CHIMES AND SERVICE OF LIGHT

 (The congregation stands with the first note of the chimes. 

The acolytes bring in the living flame, symbolizing the presence of God’s Holy Spirit. 

The Holy Bible is carried in and placed facing the congregation

*THE PROCESSIONAL HYMN                                                                                                   Hymn No. 254         “We Three Kings” 

THE CALL TO PRAYER

           Leader:   The Lord be with you.

           All:          And also with you.  

           Leader:   Let us pray: 

God in heaven, your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, is the light of the world.  Grant that we, your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that Jesus may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth, now and for ever.  Hear us now as we pray, each in our own words and in our own way.  

            Moments of Silent Prayer

(Those desiring to come to the altar for a time of intercessory prayer

 are welcome to come and kneel or stand. 

All are invited to spend these moments in silent prayer seated at your pew.)

            The Pastoral Prayer

            The Lord’s Prayer

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.

RESPONDING TO GOD IN OFFERING OUR GIFTS AND OURSELVES

                     (If you are visiting this morning, you are our guest.  If Grace U.M. Church is your home, remember that

                     the biblical expectation is that you will give your tithe to your church.  May we all remember that giving to

                     God in response to His great love is the most celebrative moment of corporate worship. Today’s loose

                     coin offering is dedicated to MUFF.)

           The Giving of our Tithes and Offering

           The Offertory

                  “Morning Has Broken” (Hymn 145)                                                      Eugeneie Rocheroll

         *The Festival Doxology and Prayer of Dedication                                                 Hymn No. 94

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!

*THE HYMN                                                                                                                             Hymn No. 206

         “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”

(The altar of this church is open to you…come.

Come to witness, come to repent, come to pray.)

*THE CHIMES AND SERVICE OF LIGHT

(The acolytes carry a flame from the altar at the close of the service

as a symbol that we must carry the message of God’s grace

out from this sanctuary into the world.)

*THE BENEDICTION  

         Now, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father be with you; and may the Holy

            Spirit come upon you and disturb you and trouble you, and set before you an impossible task and dare you to

            do it; until in your desperation you fall on your knees and tarry until He fills you with His power, which alone will

            enable you to do it, and then…but only then, may the Lord grant you His peace!  Amen. 

*THE POSTLUDE                                                                                          

         “Praise the Almighty”                                                                                      Michael Burkhardt

Grace United Methodist Church

Ministers

The Congregation of Grace United Methodist Church

Pastors

Stephen A. Beutler          Grace Marie Ransom          Rob Ransom

Our Missionaries

Oscar Ramos, Hispanic Ministry of North Indiana Conference

Jeff Newton, Kokomo Urban Outreach Ministries

Dr. Dennis Marke, Medical Missionary, Kissy, Sierra Leone

Specialized Ministries

Barbara Hobbs, Pianist/Organist

Jacque Hunt, Chamber Ensemble Director                Pam Lyon, Altar Choir Director

Arlene Buell, Handbell Choirs Director

Debbra Long, Volunteer Parish Nurse                        Phil Montgomery, Counselor

Cindy Lovegrove, Office Manager

Our Greeters today are Judy & Dick Emry and Donna Faulkner

Our Ask Me Greeters are Theresa & Jack Amos.

The flowers are given to the glory of God by Karen & Paul Zimmerman

in celebration of Melissa’s 18th birthday