Responsive Reading Psalm 27 UMH 758, with sung response Anthem Kyrie (Gospel Mass) Robert Ray Chancel Choir The Lesson Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 The word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." But Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir." But the word of the LORD came to him, "This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir." He brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your descendants be." And he believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as righteousness. Then he said to him, "I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess." But he said, "O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?" He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him. When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates." Ministry with the Young at Heart Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church We listen, Lord! The Church at Prayer Now in the silence of or hearts let us give thanks for the gift of this day and pray for the life of the world Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer, and The Lord s Prayer Each petition concludes with In your mercy. All respond with TFWS 2193 Lord, listen to your children praying, Lord, send you Spirit in this place; Lord, listen to your children praying, send us love, send us power, send us grace. *Gospel Processional Freedom is Coming Traditional South African (Congregation is invited to stand and face the center as the Gospel is read; choir will sing.) *Gospel Lesson Luke 13:31-35 Some Pharisees came and said to Jesus, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." He said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.' Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'" The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ Thanks be to God *Gospel Recessional Freedom is Coming (Choir will sing) Sermon City of God Rev. Linda Farmer-Lewis Prayer Hymn Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying TFWS 2193
Offering Our Gifts to God Offertory Let the River Run Carly Simon Choir Ensemble *Doxology Alleluia TFWS 2043 *Prayer of Dedication Gracious God, with these gifts, we go to tell that fox, Herod, that demons will be cast out and people will be healed, and the work of Christ will be done, and we will build God s City, right here, through Christ our Lord. Amen. *Concluding Hymn O Holy City Seen of John UMH 726 *Benediction Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God You are invited to be seated for the postlude. Postlude Trumpet Tune David N. Johnson The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and used by permission. Jerusalem And did those feet in ancient time walk upon England s mountain green? And was the Holy Lamb of God on England s pleasant pastures seen? And did the countenance divine shine forth upon our clouded hills? And was Jerusalem built here among these dark satanic mills? Bring me my arrows of desire! Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold! Bring me my chariot of fire! I will not cease from mental fight, Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand, Till we have built Jerusalem in England s green and pleasant land. Words by William Blake, set as a hymn tune by Charles Parry, under current consideration as the new national anthem of England. Order of Worship to the Glory of God Central United Methodist Church 215 N. Capitol Ave. Lansing Michigan Second Sunday in Lent February 21, 2016 Bring me my bow of burning gold! Bring me my arrows of desire! Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold! Bring me my chariot of fire! - William Blake Summons to Worship Janet Geissler, carillonneur Voluntary What Wondrous Love is This Announcements Rev. Linda Farmer-Lewis * Greeting One Another in Christ s Love *Opening Hymn O Day of Peace that Dimly Shines UMH 729 Gathering Prayer Deb VanNortwick, liturgist Gracious God, Come build your city. Come prophet and raze. Come construction worker and hammer. Come Lamb to judge, Come Lord to rule. Come Spirit create your New Jerusalem, right here, that we may be your City of God and proclaim anew, Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Amen. The Epistle Philippians 3:17-4:1 Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. For the Word in Scripture, for the Word among us, the Word within us Thanks be to God
10am *Staff 10:30am Marketing 1:00pm Nurture Tuesday February 23 Wednesday February 24 Thursday February 25 5:45pm *Bell Choir 6:30 *Spirit Singers 7:30 *Chancel Choir Friday February 26 Saturday February 27 Sunday February 28 9:30 *Worship/Sanctuary 10:30 *Fellowship Time 11:00 *Sunday School for All Ages 5:30pm *Vespers Class Downtown for Good! This Week at Central Sunday February 21 9:30am *Worship/Sanctuary 10:30 *Fellowship Time 11:00 *Sunday School for All Ages 4:00pm Geissler/Welter Recital 5:30 *Vespers Class Monday February 22 February 21 ~ Monthly In-Gathering for S Lansing Food Bank ~ Geissler/Welter Recital News of the Parish ~ Week of February 21, 2016 Today s radio broadcast is sponsored by Jamie and Paul Zimmer in celebration of their 50 th Wedding Anniversary. You are invited following Worship to Fellowship Hall on the main level for refreshments and conversation. We look forward to seeing you. Prayer Ministry Prayers are asked for the following ~ Rotating Prayer List ~ Diane DeVinney, Bernice Erickson, Jack Lasing, Florence Locke, Revena McLaughlin, Marge Sleight Our Missionary in Cameroon ~ Mbwizu Ndjungu Deployed Military ~ Lt/Col. Matthew Rawlins, 5 th Tour Hospice Care ~ Jean Fitch Strength and Healing Frank Anderson, Rock Brandstadt, Peter Hudy, Barbara Jessup, Don Keim, Tom Kephart, Caroline Martin, Nancy Mellor, Douglas Minear, Stephanie Rave, Howard and Wilma Sewell, Carolyn Smith, Julie Templin, Chris Tyle, and those God knows are on our hearts and minds. Looking Ahead
Requiem for the Living has been postponed from March 5 to May 22, at 9:30 a.m. You will hear pieces of it in worship between now and then. Copies of the current Central Journal are available at the front office desk. Next Sunday s Lectionary readings are Isaiah 55:1-9, Psalm 73:1-8, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9. You may wish to read ahead to enhance your worship experience. We continue accepting pledges for 2016. ASSISTING IN TODAY S SERVICE Greeters: Ottawa Entrance: Joe and Nancy O Shea Capitol Entrance: Al and Sharon Doering Radio Announcer: Peter Hudy Studio Engineer: Mike Cooper Videographer: Ministry Team Head Usher: Edie Robinson Coffee Hour: Loraine Metzger, the Murphys OUR CHURCH STAFF Senior Pastor: Rev. Linda Farmer-Lewis Minister of Spiritual Rev. W. J. (Bill) Formation: Amundsen, Ret. Administrative Secretary: Pat Mort Education Ministries Joi Tennant Director: Music Ministries and Worship Arts Director: Caryn Welter Chancel Choir Director: Andrew Minear Bell Choir Director: Brandon Smith Section Leaders: Austin Borst, Bailey Shepherd, Brandon Smith, Anne Todey Facilities Manager: Building Attendants: Bruce Newton Jeremy Brown, Anthony Moran, Edward Pea
Nursery Care is available every Sunday for infants and preschoolers in the Nursery, below the Sanctuary. After Worship Please join us for: Coffee/Cookie Fellowship in Fellowship Hall then you may choose at 11:00 Pastor s Class in the First Floor Lounge Or Coffee House Conversations in the Shalom Center S. end of Fellowship Hall Or All in the Family Sunday School Kids and their adult relatives gather in the Project Room (near the piano) for an intergenerational Sunday School Experience! You are cordially invited to join Jamie and Paul Zimmer and their family at Fellowship Time to celebrate the Zimmer s 50 th Wedding Anniversary. The flowers on the altar are from Heidi and Wendy and their families. Celebrating Our 53rd Year of Radio Broadcasts The following Sundays are available through June: April 3, 10, 17, 24 May 1, 8, 22 June 5, 12 Please check and see what dates you can sponsor to keep this ministry on the air and contact the office with them. Thank you. Central s FAX number is (517) 485-9772 Geissler / Welter recital today! Classic and Classical will be a fun-filled hour of classical music and familiar tunes sometimes with a twist. Won t you come and hear such things as James Galway s transcription of Annie s Song, Moyse s edition of Bach Bourees, and John Williams music from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer s Stone. Pastor Linda and Bill s address is: 2828 Woodview Lansing MI 48911 Pastor Linda s cell phone is 517-581-5595; her email is farmlewis@aol.com