FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
NAPA, CALIFORNIA
Order of Worship
Welcome to this service of worship. With the sound of the bells and the opening notes of the Prelude, worship has begun. You're invited to use this time to make the transition between "getting here" and "being here" – to begin to meet and be met by God. Take this time to enter into the spirit of our worship through moments of contemplation or silent personal prayer. Allow the music to lead you to be still and know that inner peace, strength and love offered by God at the center of your being. Be aware of being here with others, too, who are “on the Way." Feel the spirit of this community! We’re glad that you’re here!
Large Print Bulletins and Nursery Care (for children ages 5 & under) are available. Please ask an usher for assistance. Hearing Assistance: If you have hearing aids with a "T" coil (telephone pickup), switch to the "T" position and sit downstairs to use the Assistive Listening System. Individual hearing assistance devices are available; please ask an usher for a receiver. Seat cushions are also available; please ask an usher for assistance.
**(During the worship service, please stand if you are able where indicated by an asterisk.)
Words of Meditation
In our gospel lesson for today Jesus literally commands us to love. How can anybody be "commanded" to love? Isn't love something that just happens to you? Doesn't it come "out of the blue?" Aren't you just "struck" by it? We really ought to acknowledge the mystery and giftedness of love. A quote from the Marriage Encounter movement might be worth remembering: "Love is more something you do than something you're in!"
Welcoming Words and Parish News Barbara Thompson, Lay Leader
[Please sign the red registration book and pass it to your neighbor.]
Sound of the Bells
Prelude Adagio John Stanley
** Call to Worship:
[adapted from a prayer from Bread for the Journey, edited by Ruth C. Duck, p. 46]
Leader: We gather to worship the Source of all living things, to give thanks for the power of recurring re-creation of life that we see all around us.
People: In this gathering we also give thanks for the timeless resurrection of Jesus, the Christ, in our midst.
Leader: May these signs inspire us to manifest his love in all of our relationships and in all that we say and do.
People: So may those cries of joy first heard on Easter morning, now echo down through the centuries to our own time and place! Amen.
** Hymn Praise to the Lord, the Almighty No. 139
Hebrew Scriptures Isaiah 45: 1,4,9-13,19 OT pp. 674-675
Anthem Crucifixus from Mass in B minor J. S. Bach, ed. Carlton Young
Gospel Lesson John 15: 9-17 Nt pp. 109-110
Invitation to the Child in Us Where Children Belong No. 2233
(All are invited to come forward during the singing.)
** Hymn Help Us Accept Each Other No. 560
[Sung to the tune, Aurelia, on page #545]
Sermon What's Love Got to Do with It? Doug Monroe
"You did not choose me but I chose you." – John 15: 16a
Prayers of the People
God, we come to you in prayer. Receive our prayers, O God.
1) Joys and Celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.)
We thank you, O God. Alleluia!
2) Those who are ill or suffer.
Be with them; comfort us. Your grace is ever sure.
3) Situations waiting for peace and justice.
Be with them; comfort us. Your grace is ever sure.
God, we come to you in prayer. Receive our prayers, O God.
Music by Jan Lanterman
Silent Prayers of Reconciliation and Words of Assurance
Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer (No. 895)
Offertory Aria Gordon Young
** Doxology Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow No. 95
** Prayer of Dedication
** Hymn At the Font We Start Our Journey No. 2114
** Benediction
** Postlude A Tune for A Trumpet Gilbert Martin
Greet one another by all means! But you all are invited to move now to the Fellowship Room for refreshments and further conversation!
Our Mission Statement: The First United Methodist Church unconditionally welcomes all people in greater Napa wherever they are on their faith journey. As a congregation rooted in scripture, tradition, experience and reason, we promise opportunities to grow in the Spirit and to become active followers of Jesus Christ.
Come All, Come Grow, Come Follow
LESSONS FOR TODAY: Acts 10: 44-48; Psalm 98; 1 John 5: 1-6; John 15: 9-17
LESSONS FOR NEXT SUNDAY: Acts 1: 1-11; Psalm 47; Ephesians 1: 15-23; Luke 24: 44-53. Doug Monroe will be preaching.
MUSIC FOR NEXT SUNDAY: Special Music: In Remembrance by Jeffery L. Ames Featuring Vocal/Flute/Piano: Jan Lanterman, Nancy Crane and Anita Davies
Parish News:
We regret to announce that Arthur M died this past Monday, May 15th. The family is planning a Memorial Service to be held here at the church at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, May 26, 2006. We offer our condolences to Arthur's wife, Ruby, and to the members of their family.
Sierra Service Project News: Tickets continue to be on sale for the SSP fund-raising car wash ($7 for cars, $10 for vans) to be held at "Sleep City" on Jefferson Street, Sunday, June 11th. See one of the SSP youth selling these tickets in the Fellowship Hall. Get a clean car while supporting our youth!
Calendar this week
Today: Sunday School for all ages 10:45 A.M.
GRAPE Express: Dig into the Bible (3-year-olds through 5th Grade)
Middle School (6th through 8th Grades) Beall Youth Library
Adult Bible Study Parlor
Church & Society Forum: "Parks and Open Space" Fellowship Hall
"Faithlink" Lydia Room
Growth and Outreach Committee Meeting at Noon
High School Youth Group 5:00 P.M. – Youth Room
Monday: Prayer Group 3:30 P.M. – Parlor
Church Council Meeting 7:30 P.M. – Parlor
Tuesday: Mini Thrift Shop 9:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. Adams Hall
The Table
Wednesday: God’s House Band 5:00 P.M. – Sanctuary
Leadership Team 6:00 P.M. – Parlor
Cathedral Choir 7:30 P.M. – Choir Room
Friday: Memorial Service for Arthur M 11:00 A.M. Sanctuary