February 15, 2015 10 a.m. Transfiguration Sunday Welcome Guests! It is a pleasure to have you worship with us today! In the mighty name of our living Lord Jesus, we welcome you to this service of celebration. May you feel Christ’s presence, hear his Word proclaimed, and be blessed, and renewed. Please be sure to sign the guest book and join us again, if possible, in the near future. Please note that Nursery care is available during worship for ages 0-2. The asterisk (*) Indicates to please stand, if you are able. Large print bulletins and hearing assistance devices are available from the ushers. Gathering Prelude Lighting of the Altar Candles Introit: “Father We Love You” Men’s Chorus * Hymn: “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus” Sung 3x’s The United Methodist Hymnal #349 Greeting & Welcome Pastor Roy *Call to worship Liturgist, Doug Fassett Leader: God calls us to the mountaintop. People: God, we come! Leader: Christ invites us to the place where the Spirit’s presence is revealed in power and glory. People: God, we are here! Leader: The Spirit offers us a revelation of the Living Lord. People: As we worship this day, open our eyes to your presence, O God, and transfigure our lives to mirror your own! All: Amen Opening Prayer: God, open our eyes to experience your glory. Make us like Peter, James, and John, who left daily life behind as they climbed your mountain to touch the divine. Make us like Elisha, who refused to leave his mentor and teacher Elijah in pursuit of a special blessing. May we, who are gathered here today, be doubly blest by your presence with us, in all your power and glory, on this Transfiguration Sunday. Amen. Special Music: “Lord, Touch Me” Men’s Chorus Children’s Story Time “Different but the Same” Pastor Roy Children in will be dismissed at this time for Sunday school. Finding the Quiet Center Our Time of Intercessory Prayer: We come, together in prayer, with prayers of Joy & Thanksgiving, with prayers for Hope, Healing, and Wholeness. --With prayers for ourselves, and for others, with prayers for our homes, and the world around us. Today, is there an experience of God that you might share in praise of God? 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. Proclamation and Response Hearing the Word of God in Scripture Liturgist, Doug Fassett Old Testament Lesson: 2 Kings 2: 1-12 (NIV) p.260 *Hymn: “Steal Away to Jesus” The United Methodist Hymnal #704 * Gospel Lesson: Mark 9: 2-9 (NIV) p.714 Pastor Roy May God bless the reading, hearing, understanding and preaching of His Holy Word. Response: AMEN. Morning Message: “Peak Experience” Pastor Roy Our Offering: “The Lord’s Prayer” Chancel Choir The United Methodist Hymnal #95 *Giving Glory to God in Song Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. Sending Forth *Closing Hymn: “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” The United Methodist Hymnal #703 *Dismissal with Blessing Pastor Roy *Our parting prayer in song for one another: You are invited to circle the sanctuary, to sing this prayer to one another. Bind us together, Lord, bind us together with cords that cannot be broken. Bind us together Lord, bind us together, Lord, bind us together in love. *Organ Postlude Let the fellowship continue – You are invited to join us for coffee in Fellowship Hall downstairs. 8 Church Street, Secretary Office hours: Stafford Springs, CT 06076 Mon. Weds. & Thurs. (860) 684-2468 7:30 -12:30 Fax: (860) 684-3418 first.untd.methodist@snet.net Fri. 7:30 -11:30 “Like” us on Facebook! Connie Fogarty, Administrative Assistant Our Web site is www.fumcstafford.org Our Participants in worship this morning: Jill Gregori - Minister of Music Weekly Attendance Kathy Aborn – Lay Leader Sunday Worship: Liturgist – Doug Fassett Morning Service 103 Greeters – Leroy Atkins, Julie Geraldi Evening Service 4 Ushers – Charles Williams, Tom Reilly Prayer & Praise: Nursery Attendant – Substitute Coffee Hour – Peg Symonds, Deb Jacobsen Nursery, 2 Counters – Jeff Aborn, Robert Spencer Pre K - 2, 7 Sound Techs – Butch Hajosy, Gary Symonds, 3-5, 1 Chris Rossick Middle School, 6 Men’s Chorus – Pastor Roy, Tom Reilly, Robert Spencer, Gene Panciera, Fred Streb, Adult Study Gordon Giller, Steve Jacobsen, Jeff Roberts, ( groups), Doug Fassett, Dave Burns, Leroy Atkins; Directed by Jill Gregori Last Year 2014 Worship:125 Rev. Roy Richardson, pastor Ash Wednesday Service, February 18 at 6:30p.m. Liturgist – Kathy Aborn, Greeters – Joan Johnson, JoAnn West, Ushers – Fred Streb, Leroy Atkins, Sound Techs – Gary Symonds, Butch Hajosy, Chris Rossick Next Sunday, February 22 , 2015– Worship Participants Counters –Joan Johnson, JoAnn West, Liturgist –Lindsay Jacobsen, Greeters –Lisa Smith, Betty Burns, Ushers –Lisa Smith, Betty Burns, Coffee Hour – Phyllis Lindsay, Perne Barnes. If you are unable to participate next week contact the office by Wednesday. If you have a last minute cancellation and the office is closed it is your responsibility to find a replacement! Thank you!   First United Methodist Church February 15, 2015