UCC MIdland - Celebration Sunday - November 17, 2024

Gathering Song You Are Welcome Here Sing! #26

Welcome to Worship Janet Danek

Announcements & Joys & Concerns
Rev. Bob Snyder

Prelude Amazing Grace arr. Matt Riley
Susan Mercy, soloist
with Orchestra accompaniment

We Bring the Light of Christ into Our Midst
(Acolyte carries the Light to the Communion Table)


Call to Worship Rev. Carl Gillett

One: Let it be known that the people of God are assembled in the presence of the Spirit to celebrate and rejoice.
All: We have come, one and all, at the beckoning of our God, to make a joyful noise for all to hear. We are glad to be together and to become a force for peacemaking in our world.
One: It is important for us to tell our story, to share our history, and commit to continuing the journey. Milestones mark our travels and help us to see the direction of the Spirit that leads us.
All: We commit ourselves now to telling our story, inviting others to join us, and to give thanks for our pastor’s leadership over the past 20 years. Each time we come together in the presence of God we contribute to developing the strength to continue the journey.

* Hymn Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

Orchestra & Choir introduction
Immortal, Invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty victorious your great name we praise.

Interlude

Unresting, unhasting and silent as light,
Not wanting, not wasting, but ruling in might;
Your justice like fountains high soaring above
your clouds which are fountains of goodness and love

Interlude

Your life is life-giving to both great and small;
in all life you’re living, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves and as flowers
then wither and perish,
but naught dims your powers (choir continues)
naught dims your powers, naught dims your powers,
naught dims your powers,

Interlude

So perfect your glory, so brilliant your light,
your angels adore you, all veiling their sight;
All praise we now render as your angels do:
in awe at the splendor of light hiding you.

Ending

All praise we now render as your angels do
in awe at the splendor of light hiding you.

* Prayer of Invocation

Holy God, we give you thanks for equipping and strengthening us to be a force for wonder and joy in the world. Help us, to celebrate this moment, and to manifest humble pride as people who have heard your call through the leadership of this congregation. In a world where gloom and doom are recited daily, we are grateful to be instruments of the good your divine presence intends for the world. We rejoice that your Spirit enables us to be a joyful blessing in the midst of a terrified and anxious society. May this anniversary serve both as a symbol of our history and as a milestone making the beginning of another segment of our journey. May this time together empower us to continue to be your dreams of wonder and to make joy happen. Amen.

Adult’s Moments Board of Educational Ministries

* Hymn Jesus Once Told Us Scroll down

Visitor from Texas Board of Deacons - Nancy Hieb

Thank you, Roger Board of Trustees

The Roger Show Board of Christian Community

Prayers of the People Rev. Bob Snyder
The Lord’s Prayer (“Debts” and “Debtors”)
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 debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen.

Musical Offering For the Beauty of the Earth John Rutter
Choir and Orchestra

* Benediction Quinn Pancost

* Benediction Response Doxology NCH #780

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God all creatures here below;
Praise God above, you heavenly host;
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Postlude Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer

We Carry the Light of Christ into the World
(Acolyte carries the Light from the Communion Table)