Christ United Methodist Church

An open and hospitable community of believers

who eagerly invite everyone to connect with God

and to follow Jesus.

Pentecost

Confirmation Sunday

May 11, 2008 – 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Morning Worship

Please pray silently for the service when the gathering music begins.

PRELUDE                      Fantasia on Come, Holy Spirit                                          J. S. Bach 

CHORAL INTROIT
 

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM                                                               Rev. Thompson

                         9:30 – Kirsten Adams/Wesley Samuel Sesay/Paulina Hannah Taylor

            11:00 – Brianne Molnar/Steven Sesay/Sheryl Sesay/Trevor Howell/Melissa Barnes

Members of the household of faith, I commend to your love and care Kirsten, Wesley and Paulina/Brianne, Steven, Sheryl, Trevor and Melissa, whom we this day recognize as members of the family of God. Will you endeavor so to live that they may grow in the knowledge and love of God, through our Savior Jesus Christ?

With God’s help we will so order our lives after the example of Christ, that, Kirsten, Wesley and Paulina/Brianne, Steven, Sheryl, Trevor and Melissa, surrounded by steadfast love, may be established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal.

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN 539

O Spirit of the Living God                                                              FOREST GREEN
 

*GREETING                                                                                                  Rev. Thompson

The peace of Christ be with you!

And also with you!

*CALL TO WORSHIP

We are here because we have heard the call of Jesus in our lives.

We are here to challenge and support one another.

We are here because we want to be God’s people.

We want to learn more about what it means to be the people of God.

We come, seeking to be moved, changed, and made whole by the Spirit of the living God.

Let us open our hearts to the moving of the Spirit, and prepare to leave this place as true disciples of Christ. Amen. 

*ACT OF PRAISE                                                                                  BETHEL PARK

Glory to the Father, glory to the Son, glory to the Holy Ghost, Three in One; as it was in the beginning, is now and shall be, world without end. Amen.

*** 

PRAYER CONCERNS                                                                                  Rev. Shaver

If you have a personal concern, or if there is another for whom you wish to pray, come kneel at the altar during the Prayer Hymn. 

*PRAYER HYMN Renew #148

The Servant Song                                                                             GILLARD 

MORNING PRAYER, THE LORD’S PRAYER AND CHORAL RESPONSE

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. 

THE OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS                                                             SCHUMANN 

We give thee but thine own, whate’er the gift may be; all that we have is thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from thee. 

ANTHEM (9:30)             Borning Cry                              John Ylvisaker, arr. D. Kallman

I was there to hear your borning cry, I’ll be there when you are old. I rejoiced the day you were baptized, to see your life unfold. I was there when you were but a child, with a faith to suit you well; in a blaze of light you wandered off to find where demons dwell. When you heard the wonder of the word I was there to cheer you on; you were raised to praise the living Lord, to whom you now belong. If you find someone to share your time and you join your hearts as one, I’ll be there to make your verses rhyme from dusk till rising sun. In the middle ages of your life, not too old, no longer young, I’ll be there to guide you through the night, complete what I’ve begun. When the evening gently closes in and you shut your weary eyes, I’ll be there as I have always been with just one more surprise. I was there to hear your borning cry, I’ll be there when you are old. I rejoiced the day you were baptized, to see your life unfold. I was there to hear your cry, to see your life unfold. 

Marissa Cozza, Laura Danley, Molly Patterson, Monica Seger, Kevin Boyer,

Nick Caster, Kian McCollum and Mitchell Warmbein, soloists;

Colleen Bodnar, flute; Stephen Amaditz, piano 

ANTHEM (11:00)                                                           Thomas Matthews

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  

Debra Bates, soloist 

*THE PRESENTATION OF OUR GIFTS                             OLD HUNDREDTH

(please stand when the ushers reach the Chancel steps) 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God all creatures here below; praise God above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. 

SCRIPTURE                                                               Rev. Funka 

New Testament: Matthew 15:21-28                                                  page 17 

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

Thanks be to God! 

MESSAGE                    “The Other Woman”                                     Rev. Thompson 

“Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.” (Matthew 15:28)

RECEIVING THE CONFIRMATION CLASS                                          Rev. Osborne

                                                                                                                         Mr. Stierheim

Questions of Examination

Ritual of Confirmation

Brothers and sisters of the household of faith, I commend to your love and care these persons whom we this day receive into the membership of this congregation. Do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their hope, and perfect them in love.

We rejoice to recognize you as members of Christ’s holy Church, and bid you welcome to this congregation of the United Methodist Church. Your peace, joy and welfare are now our own. With you, we renew our vows to uphold it by our prayers, our presence, our gifts and our service.

*CLOSING HYMN 115

How Like a Gentle Spirit                                                        SURSUM CORDA 

*LOOKING AHEAD 

*BENEDICTION 

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE                                                        RANDOLPH

God be with you till we meet again; by his counsels guide, uphold you, with his sheep securely fold you; God be with you till we meet again. 

POSTLUDE       “Final: Allegro” from Symphony No. 1 in D Minor                 Louis Vierne 

*those able, please stand                            ***ushers will seat those waiting 

Music used by permission                                                                     CCLI #1104136

SHARING THE DREAM

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Your next opportunity to “Share the Dream” for Christ Church will be in the form of “A Closer Look” group discussion, based on the feedback received from the completed Vision Surveys. The final group discussion will be held at the church on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Otterbein Room. The evening will be facilitated by the Vision Team. Everyone is encouraged to come and participate. The topic will be as follows:

·       May 14: “A Closer Look: Building & Budget”

Please sign the blue insert or call the church office to attend. 
 

A CLOSER LOOK: WORSHIP AND ADULT EDUCATION

Worship and Adult Education was the topic for our third “A Closer Look” Wednesday evening session. We focused our attention on the important role worship and adult education plays in our daily lives.
 

Acknowledging the importance of life-long learning, suggestions were made about the different types of classes that would nourish growth and equip us to face life’s challenges.
 

We were surprised to learn that sixty percent of people in South Hills don’t attend church, prompting discussion about whether we are being intentional about inviting people to church; and if we are not, why not.
 

What motivates people to worship, the importance of different types of worship services, and ways we can make worship more meaningful were also discussed.
 

Sign-up to attend this week’s session, “A Closer Look: Building & Budget”.

To view any of the previous “A Closer Look” visioning sessions, survey results, and the questions discussed, please visit the church website, www.christumc.net and click on CUMC Visioning. 

MINISTERS:

Elders: R. Duane Thompson,

Thomas H. Funka, John T. Shaver

Deacons: Linda Williams, Peggy Osborne

Christ United Methodist Church

44 Highland Road

Bethel Park, PA 15102

Phone: 412-835-6621

Fax: 412-835-9130

Email: mail@christumc.net

CUMC website: www.christumc.net

THIS MORNING

WELCOME to Christ United Methodist Church. We are pleased that you have chosen to worship with us today. Please sign the attendance pad and let us know any way in which we may be helpful to you. All are cordially invited to the Fellowship Coffee Hour in the Christian Life Center following the 9:30 service.
 

Duane Thompson is preaching, assisted in the service by John Shaver and Tom Funka. Peggy Osborne is the Coordinator of Youth Discipleship. Gregg Stierheim is the Director of Youth Ministry. Linda Williams is directing the Chapel Choir at 9:30 and the Chancel Choir at 11:00. Mark Reed is the organist.

BEING baptized this morning are members of the Sesay family and five particpants of this year’s confirmation class.

ALTAR FLOWERS are given by Donna H. Dunkelberger and Carly Anne Majors in memory of Paul V. Dunkelberger and Karen Dunkelberger Majors.

NARTHEX FLOWERS are given by Ed and Joan Grimm in memory of Betty Krisby and Marcella Grimm.

GREETERS are Walt and Maureen Schaltenbrand, Mark and Kathy Schroeder at 9:30; Lynn Thorn, Christopher Amodeo, Grant and Barbara Anderson at 11:00.

VISITORS are encouraged to stop by the Welcome Center located in the Lobby (rear entrance). You will find helpful hosts to answer your questions and literature that explains our ministries.

LARGE-TYPE bulletins, hymnals, hearing amplification devices and children’s bulletins (on occasion) are available from the ushers.

THE COMFORT ROOM is available as a place for kids to take their parents when they need to cry or play during the worship service. Closed circuit viewing of the service is available. Please ask the ushers for assistance to room D113.

THE LITURGICAL COLOR of red, symbolizing fire, adorns our Sanctuary and Altar to remind us of the tongues of flame which descended on the apostles at Pentecost.

DIAL-A-DEVOTION: 412-835-4525 

Shepherd’s Prayer Chain Group:

Call Donna Callen 724-941-3953

This week’s theme: Power from Beyond Ourselves

Sunday:                  Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34, 35; 1 Corinthians 12:3-13;

                                 John 20:19-23

Monday:                                Acts 2:1-4

Tuesday:                                John 14:25-31

Wednesday:          2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Thursday:              Luke 24:44-49

Friday:                    Ephesians 3:20-21

Saturday:                1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Affirmation: And that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not save by sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give you into our hand.” (1 Samuel 17:47)

Note: Reading now taken from

“A Guide to Prayer For All Who Seek God”

which is available in our Bookstore.

ABOUT THIS MORNING’S MUSIC

PRELUDE: The Fantasia super “Komm, Heiliger Geist” comes from a group of eighteen chorale preludes composed earlier in Bach’s life and later revised and compiled into a collection often called the Leipzig Chorales. It is interesting to compare these revisions from late in Bach’s life with the early versions, providing a window into how his compositional practices matured over time. Komm, Heiliger Geist opens the collection. The exuberance of Bach’s “fantasy,” with its whirling manual figuration and full-organ registration, is suggestive of the rushing winds and tongues of fire of Pentecost. The ecstatic sixteenth-notes never cease until the final chord, creating a continuous cascade of sound.

POSTLUDE: Vierne’s Symphony No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 14 (1898-99) remains the most popular of his six symphonies for organ. The sparkling “Final” makes use of a technique popularized by Richard Wagner in orchestral music such as the famous “Ride of the Valkyries” – the melodic material is placed in the bass register with fast-moving broken chords in the upper register used as accompaniment. After this bombastic principal theme, a gentler theme is presented in canon between the hands and pedal. After a period of development, both themes return in dramatic fashion.

CALL Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute at 412-661-1239 for a counseling center appointment. 

“BEYOND THE WALLS” Cable TV Ministry – Watch CUMC Worship services on Cable Channel 7 in the following communities: Peters Township: Sundays, 3:00 p.m.; Upper St. Clair: Monday, 7:00 p.m.; Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m.; Bethel Park: Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m.; Saturdays 6:30 p.m. DVDs are available in the Jane Hahne Library. PITTSBURGH COMCAST BROADCAST on (Channel 95), Monday-Friday 11:00 a.m., Monday-Sunday 6:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 2:00 p.m. It can also be seen throughout southwestern PA at anytime on Comcast Digital, through Comcast ON DEMAND.