The Worship of God
August 14, 2022
Join us in-person or online each Sunday at 9:30 or 11:00 a.m. Below is this week's order of worship.
* Please stand as you are able.
The congregation speaks the text in bold type.
* Please stand as you are able. | The congregation speaks the text in bold type.
The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Chester Witherington given by Nancy Witherington, Blake Witherington, Leslie Muscarella and Carole Lumpkin.
The Prelude
Voluntary on "All My Hope on God is Founded" arr. Michael Burkhardt
Gwyn Bacon, organ
The Welcome and Opening Prayer
Betsy Butler
The Introit
“This Is the Day” | THIS IS THE DAY
Sung by the Sanctuary Choir
*The Processional Hymn
UMH 529 “How Firm a Foundation” | FOUNDATION
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
my grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
The soul that on Jesus still leans for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.”
*The Affirmation of Faith | “The Apostles’ Creed”
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*The Passing of the Peace
The Sacrament of Baptism | 9:30 a.m.
Madeline Ann Lee and Philippa Barton Lee, daughters of Meghan and Aaron Lee
Children, children, God claims you, God helps you, protects you, and loves you too.
We this day do all agree a child of God you’ll always be. Children, children, God claims you, God helps you, protects you, and loves you too.
The Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer | Nancy Johnson
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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
The Hymn
UMH 261 “Lord of the Dance” | LORD OF THE DANCE
Verses 1 and 2
During the singing of the hymn at 11:00 a.m., children up to grade 2 are dismissed through the front, lectern side doors to attend Children’s Church. They can be picked up at the conclusion of worship in the John Wesley Parlor.
The Offertory
The Offertory Anthem
“Now Thank We All Our God” | Hal Hopson
Sung by the Sanctuary Choir
The words to this anthem can be found on page 102 of the United Methodist Hymnal.
*The Doxology | OLD 100th
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.
The Scripture Reading
John 1:1-5; 9-14
The Message
“John: A Different Kind of Gospel” | Jeremy Lawson
*The Hymn of Response
UMH 156 “I Love to Tell the Story” | HANKEY
I love to tell the story
of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory,
of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story,
because I know 'tis true;
it satisfies my longings
as nothing else can do.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story,
'twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story;
more wonderful it seems
than all the golden fancies
of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the story,
it did so much for me;
and that is just the reason
I tell it now to thee. [Refrain]
I love to tell the story;
'tis pleasant to repeat
what seems, each time I tell it,
more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story,
for some have never heard
the message of salvation
from God's own holy Word. [Refrain]
I love to tell the story,
for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting
to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory,
I sing the new, new song,
'twill be the old, old story
that I have loved so long. [Refrain]
*The Blessing and Congregational Response
We Are One in the Spirit” | ST. BRENDAN’S
We are one in the spirit, we are one in the Lord,
We are one in the spirit, we are one in the Lord,
And we pray that all unity will one day be restored:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
*The Postlude
“Tuba Tune in D” | C. S. Lang
Find ways to connect.
Give Online
Thank you for your generous and sacrificial support of the mission of our church by giving.
Dave Walton |
You can also give by placing a check in the mail to
Athens First UMC
P.O. Box 1109
Athens GA, 30603
Please make all checks out to Athens First United Methodist Church.
Text-to-Give
Text-to-give allows you to give using your cell phone. This is a safe and easy way to place your offering from your home or pew.
- Text “give” to 706-471-1127 and tap on the link you receive.
- Select fund and amount and click “Submit”.
- Fill out payment information and you’re DONE!