Worship Booklet The Sixth Session of the Upper New York Annual Conference May 27‐30, 2015 OnCenter, Syracuse, New York Bishop Mark J. Webb Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Opening Worship Wednesday, May 27, 1:30 p.m. *Indicates an invitation to rise in body or spirit. OPENING MUSIC InsideOut ANNOUNCEMENTS (Safety & housekeeping) Ms. Vicki Putney Benefits Officer INTROIT Seneca Singers CALL TO WORSHIP Dr. Scott Johnson Conference Lay Leader Here, in this place, You have chosen to be with us. (Speaker turns to the East.) We come from the East, where the morning sun awaits us, and Your light is there. (Speaker turns to the South.) We come from the South, from which warm winds blow, and Your spirit warms us. 2
(Speaker turns to the West.) We come from the West, the place of the unknown, and Your certainty waits us. (Speaker turns to the North and gestures.) We come from the North, the place of wisdom, and find Your wisdom is already here. Around, before, and behind us, Your presence is here. We open our arms and our hearts, so that You may come inside. See that we are a good place for You to live. See that we are Your children, and You are our God. A Directional Prayer by Ray Buckley – UMC Native American; Adapted by the Upper New York Worship Team) *HYMN with PROCESSION Gather Us In, TFWS #2236 2. We are the young, our lives are a mystery, we are the old who yearn for your face; we have been sung throughout all of history, called to be light to the whole human race. Gather us in, the rich and the haughty, gather us in, the proud and the strong; give us a heart, so meek and so lowly, give us the courage to enter the song. 3
3. Here we will take the wine and the water, here we will take the bread of new birth, here you shall call your sons and your daughters, call us anew to be salt for the earth. Give us to drink the wine of compassion, give us to eat the bread that is you; nourish us well, and teach us to fashion lives that are holy and hearts that are true. 4. Not in the dark of buildings confining, not in some heaven, light years away— here in this place the new light is shining, now is the Kingdom, and now is the day. Gather us in and hold us forever, gather us in and make us your own; gather us in, all peoples together, fire of love in our flesh and our bone. *LITANY ONE: As you are able, please join us in acknowledging each of the four directions that we travel from as we center on Christ. Christ is the center of creation, of our lives, and of the world. We seek the wisdom of directions. Please use the card that was placed on your chair before worship to participate in the litany. 4
From each direction we return to the center, reminded that Christ brings healing and salvation and, by God’s Spirit, renews the face of the earth. Let us be silent as we face our center point. ONE: Let us face East. (All persons face East.) ALL: From the East, the direction of the rising sun, we glean wisdom and knowledge through desert silences and humble service. Enable us, O God, to be wise in our actions and in our use of the resources of the earth, sharing them in justice, partaking of them in gratitude. ONE: Let us face South. (All persons face South.) ALL: From the South come guidance and the beginning and end of life. May we walk good paths, O God, living on the earth as sisters and brothers should, rejoicing in one another’s blessing, sympathizing in one another’s sorrows, and together look to you, seeking the new heaven and earth. ONE: Let us face West. (All persons face West.) ALL: From the West come purifying waters. We pray that the Spirit of God may again breathe over the waters, making them pure and that we, too, may be purified so that life may 5
be sustained and nurtured over the entire face of the earth. ONE: Let us face North. (All persons face North.) ALL: From the North come strong winds and gentle breezes. May the air we breathe be purified, and may our lives feel that breath of the Spirit, strengthening and encouraging us. (All persons return facing center.) ONE: If we walked a path in each direction, the sacred paths would form a cross. ALL: Returning to the center, we discover Christ, who calls us and challenges us. (Traditional Lakota Tribe Prayer, Alt., UM Book of Worship #470) SPECIAL OFFERING: Africa 360 Offering The Rev. Darryl Barrow Conference Superintendent, Crossroads District The offering was previously taken at our local churches to support The United Methodist Church’s Imagine No Malaria and Africa University Endowed Scholarship campaigns. *HYMN A Place at the Table, Worship & Song #3149 1. For everyone born, a place at the table, For everyone born, clean water and bread, 6
A shelter, a space, a safe place for growing, For everyone born, a star overhead. CHORUS: And God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy, yes, God will delight when we are creators, of justice, justice and joy! 2. For woman and man, a place at the table, Revising the roles, deciding the share, With wisdom and grace, dividing the power, For woman and man, a system that’s fair. CHORUS 3. For young and for old, a place at the table, A voice to be heard, and part in the song, The hands of a child in hands that are wrinkled, For young and for old, the right to belong. CHORUS 4. For just and unjust, a place at the table, Abuser, abused, with need to forgive, In anger, in hurt, a mindset of mercy, For just and unjust, a new way to live. CHORUS 5. For everyone born, a place at the table, 7
To live without fear, and simply to be, To work, to speak out, to witness and worship, For everyone born, the right to be free. CHORUS WORDS OF BLESSING The Rev. Darryl Barrow Conference Superintendent, Crossroads District SCRIPTURE: Matthew 9:36‐38 BISHOP WEBB’S ADDRESS: The Promise of Harvest TIME OF PRAYER Spirit of the Living God, UMH #393 Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. *SONG God of This City, Chris Tomlin VERSE 1: Youʹre the God of this city Youʹre the King of these people Youʹre the Lord of this nation You are VERSE 2: Youʹre the Light in this darkness Youʹre the Hope to the hopeless 8
Youʹre the Peace to the restless You are There is no one like our God There is no one like our God CHORUS: For greater things have yet to come And greater things are still to be done in this city Greater things have yet to come And greater things are still to be done in this city BLESSING Bishop Mark J. Webb PROCESSIONAL 9
Act of Repentance Wednesday, May 27, 7 p.m. *Indicates an invitation to rise in body or spirit. GATHERING MUSIC InsideOut Amazing Grace in Seneca INTROIT Seneca Hymn Singers American Sign by Roselyn Kingsbury CALL TO REPENTANCE The Rev. Thomas Pullybank and Blenda Smith, members of CONAM We are called to remember that God has been present with all persons since creation, and through prevenient grace, God has been a living Spirit moving among the world’s diverse cultures. We are called to acknowledge a historic desire among Christians to spread the good news of the gospel. Yet we must also recognize that the Church has caused indignities, cultural genocide, and atrocities against tribal persons. We are called to honor the worth and dignity of all persons 10
and admit the Church’s participation in the destruction of Native American peoples and their culture. We are called to acknowledge that, historically, to become Christian has required Native American peoples to abandon their cultural practices. These practices include traditional religious expression and prayer ceremonies, languages and arts, clothing and hair styles, music and dance. Often, conversion has caused division within families and tribes, and the loss of the unique identity associated with family and clan. We are called to remember the many massacres of Native Americans. Especially, as Methodists, we are called to acknowledge the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre of almost 200 persons, mostly women and children, at a U.S. peace camp in an attack led by a Methodist preacher. We are called to recognize the real purpose of boarding schools across this country to Christianize and Americanize Native American children by severing all connections with their families, culture, and languages. To do so resulted in cruel punishment, abuse and sometimes death. We are called to understand the legacy of over five centuries of historical trauma, and its effect on Native Americans today. Especially, as members of the Upper New York Conference, we are called to acknowledge the widespread violence done to the Iroquois people during the War for Independence, when 11
American soldiers burned whole fields and villages in an attempt to drive Native American people from their land. We are called to acknowledge our personal and corporate profit through the 1452 Doctrine of Discovery, wherein the Church declared war against all non‐Christians throughout the world, thereby sanctioning and promoting the conquest, colonization, and exploitation of non‐Christian nations and their territories. We are thankful that the 2012 United Methodist Church repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery, but we lament that the doctrine is still used in American courts as a legal document and as a basis for human rights abuses and the seizing of native lands. TODAY, we are called to confess, deeply reflect upon and apologize for over 500 years of maltreatment and the resultant trauma with which Native Americans still live. Only then are we ready to honestly repent – to turn our hearts, souls and actions in new directions of healthy, respectful and honoring ways of living. TODAY, we are called by the 2012 General Conference of The United Methodist Church to hold an Act of Repentance Service for the Healing of Relationships with Indigenous Persons. We are called to launch a process of healing through listening and learning with Native Americans. We are called to be the living 12
and resurrected body of Christ in the world. *OPENING HYMN Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness, TFWS #2120 REFRAIN Spirit, Spirit of gentleness, blowing through the wilderness, calling and free; Spirit, Spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, Wind, Wind on the sea. 1. You moved on the waters, you called to the deep, Then you coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep; And over the eons you called to each thing: Wake from your slumbers and rise on your wings. REFRAIN 2. You swept through the desert, you stung on the sand, And you gifted your people with a law and a land; And when they were blinded with their idols and lies, Then you spoke through your prophets to open their eyes. REFRAIN 3. You sang in a stable, you cried from a hill, Then you whispered in silence when the whole world was still; And down in the city you called once again, When you blew through your people on the rush of the 13
wind. REFRAIN 4. You call from tomorrow, you break ancient schemes, From the bondage of sorrow the captives dream dreams, Our women see visions, our men clear their eyes, With bold new decisions your people arise. REFRAIN *LITANY: Respect for All of Life (Mohawk Prayer) Bethany Printup‐Davis ONE: Thank you Lord for the people gathered around us today. Let us take this time to give thanks for these things of the earth that give us the means of life. ALL: Thank you for the plants, animals, and birds that we use as food and medicine. ONE: Thank you for the natural world in which we find the means to be clothed and housed. ALL: Thank you Lord for the ability to use these gifts of the natural world. ONE: Help us to see our place among these gifts; not to squander them or think of them as means of selfish gain. ALL: May we respect the life of all You have made. May our spirits be strengthened by using only what we need, and may we use our strength to help those who need us. 14
MUSICAL RESPONSE This Is a Day of New Beginnings, Verse 1 UMH #383 This is a day of new beginnings, Time to remember and move on, Time to believe what love is bringing, Laying to rest the pain that’s gone. REFLECTION: Dan Cook – Mohawk MUSICAL RESPONSE This is a Day of New Beginnings, Verse 3 Then let us, with the Spirit’s daring, Step from the past and leave behind Our disappointment, guilt, and grieving, Seeking new paths, and sure to find. REFLECTION: Marilyn Anderson – Seneca MUSICAL RESPONSE This is a Day of New Beginnings, Verse 4 Christ is alive, and goes before us To show and share what love can do. This is a day of new beginnings; Our God is making all things new. PRAYER Bethany Printup‐Davis and Ashley Riddell Creator God, We come to this time and this place to give thanks for 15
Your abundant love for each of us. We know we have not always done Your will and loved our neighbor. We ask You for ears to hear your truths. We ask for eyes to see the pain of others as well as the beauty of their beings. We ask for open hearts to love one another as You have loved us. Help us, beloved God, to be your hands and feet as we seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with You. Amen. MESSAGE: Spirituality: the Highest Form of Consciousness The Rev. Thom White Wolf Fassett RESPONSIVE CONFESSION Bishop Mark J. Webb and The Rev. Rachel Morse Isaiah 40:3 (The Message) Thunder in the desert! “Prepare for God’s arrival! Make the road straight and smooth, a highway fit for our God. Fill in the valleys, level off the hills, Smooth out the ruts, clear out the rocks. Then God’s bright glory will shine and everyone will see it. Yes. Just as God has said.” 16
Maker of the silent, contemplative oceans and the singing streams and the laughing waterfalls and the storms pummeling hot pavement and the secret rains kissing cool earth By your Spirit and Word coming forth: Power over and under water, Knowledge beyond knowledge O God, you know. We have not sought justice. What justice do we deserve? But mercy, we plead, mercy. ALL: God, have mercy. Daniel 9:4‐7, 16 (The Message) O Master, great and august God. You never waver in your covenant commitment, never give up on those who love you and do what you say. Yet we have sinned in every way imaginable. We’ve done evil things, rebelled, dodged, and taken detours around your clearly marked paths. We’ve 17
turned a deaf ear to your servants the prophets, who preached your Word to our kings and leaders, our parents, and all the people in the land. You have done everything right, God, but all we have to show for our lives is guilt and shame, the whole lot of us…” “We know it’s our fault that this has happened, all because of our sins and our parents’ sins, and now we’re an embarrassment to everyone around us.” On behalf of our ancestors, ALL: we fall to our knees. On behalf of our people, we bow our heads. On behalf of ourselves, we rend our hearts. What have we done? Instead of listening ALL: we talked nonstop. Instead of loving others, we hoarded blessings. Instead of hearing the cries of our neighbors, we turned their cries around and made it about us. 18
Instead of honoring God’s natural order we imposed our own order, we took too much for ourselves, we made love transactional, and we pretended like this was what you wanted from us. Knowledge beyond knowledge O God, you know. Instead of confessing, Instead of repenting on behalf of our ancestors and on behalf of the systems from which we benefit and the history of our nation and the history of our Church: we have closed our eyes we have not spoken up we have cut ourselves off we have pretended like this was what you wanted from us. 1 Corinthians 2:3 (The Message) (language adapted for inclusivity) It’s a wonder God didn’t lose God’s temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, God embraced us. God took our sin‐dead lives and made us alive in Christ. God did this on God’s own with no help from us! 19
ALL: God have mercy! Free us in grace and open our hearts to receive the blessing of a new relationship. Hold us accountable by your Spirit to talk less and listen more to take less and give more to destroy less and heal more to display less pride and more humility And with your grace may we enter into this time of repentance that you have created for us out of darkness and chaos and water. With your soaring Spirit pull us together in the birth of something new. SYMBOLIC ACTION in response to our confession Askwa: I John 4:12 (ISV) Sharon Schmit Member of CONAM No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God lives in us, and God’s love is perfected in us. You were given a ribbon at the beginning of the service. If you do not have one, simply raise your hand; the ushers will see 20
you receive one. Notice the ribbon is gray. It represents the ashes of repentance. Turn to a neighbor. Create a group of three if need be. Tie your ribbon on your neighbor’s wrist and let your neighbor do the same for you. With a simple knot, create a bracelet. This is not easily done alone. We need a partner, a reminder that the journey toward repentance requires relationship. Notice the bracelet forms a circle, a reminder that all our brothers and sisters are part of the circle of life. Through our acts of repentance we begin our journey to complete the circle. At some time, I hope after Annual Conference session, you will need to remove the ribbon. As you break it speak these words, “never again.” Pray that never again will the circle be broken. THE FUTURE Bishop Mark J. Webb (Adapted from the Council of Bishop’s Statement) On behalf of the Upper New York Conference, we will o Affirm our commitment to empowering the presence of Native and indigenous people in the life of the Conference. o Support Native American Ministries Sunday in Upper New York Conference. o Strengthen the Upper New York Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM). o Support General Advances and church‐wide funding for 21
Native ministries. o Commit ourselves to the development of new Native and indigenous ministries and strengthen our support for existing community entities. o Commit to developing relationships of mutuality with Native peoples in local contexts. o Continue to provide education for non‐Native people about why the Act of Repentance is important. In partnership with Native ministry leaders and resource people throughout the Connection, the Upper New York Conference will support: o Developing new Native and indigenous leaders across the Connection including an increased number of people nurtured for service in congregational, annual conference, jurisdictional and central conference, and general church ministries, including the episcopacy. o Support General Church initiatives related to land and treaty rights, support for tribal sovereignty and cultural preservation; better health care and education for Native people and the safety of Native and indigenous women. *BLENDING OF THE WATERS Amazing Grace, UMH #378 “But let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty river.” (Amos 5:24) Rivers, lakes and water flow freely in the Upper New York Conference. As a symbol of flowing together with a 22
genuine desire to journey toward justice with our Native American sisters and brothers, each local church was asked to bring water from your geographic area. During the singing of “Amazing Grace,” please bring your water to the pool of repentance as a symbol of our desire to acknowledge and repent for the history, historic trauma, and current realities of Native Americans in the Upper New York area. All are encouraged to sing this familiar hymn in their native language. 1. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now I’m found; Was blind but now I see. 2. ʹTwas grace that taught my heart to fear And grace my fears relieved How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed. 3. Through many dangers toils and snares I have already come ʹTis grace hath brought me safe thus far And grace will lead me home. 23
4. The Lord has promised good to me His Word my hope secures He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures. 5. Yea when this flesh and heart shall fail And mortal life shall cease I shall possess within the veil A life of joy and peace. 6. When weʹve been there ten thousand years Bright shining as the sun Weʹve no less days to sing Godʹs praise Than when we first begun. SENDING FORTH 24
Bishop Mark J. Webb Memorial Service Thursday, May 28, 7 p.m. *Indicates an invitation to rise in body or spirit. GATHERING MUSIC InsideOut PRELUDE Traditional Hymn Tunes arr. Herbert Colvin WELCOMING Vicki Putney Benefits Officer *OPENING HYMN O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus Upper Room Worshipbook #152 Tune: Ebenezer 1. O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free! Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me! Underneath me, all around me, is the current of thy love – Leading onward, leading homeward, to thy glorious rest above. 2. O the deep, deep love of Jesus – spread his praise from shore to shore! How he loves us, ever loves us, changes never, 25
nevermore! How he watches o’er his loved ones, dies to call them all his own; How for them he’s interceding, watching o’er them from the throne! 3. O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best! ‘Tis an ocean vast of blessing, ‘tis a haven sweet of rest! O the deep, deep love of Jesus – ‘tis a heav’n of heav’ns to me; And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to thee! *CALL TO WORSHIP Dr. Scott Johnson ONE: God of grace, Come; Come into this sacred place where we, your children, seek to join our hearts with those who have gone before us. ALL: Come into this time of remembrance for the faithful lives of these great saints. ONE: God of mercy, grant us faith; a faith that goes beyond the known and visible, a faith that lives into the mystery with hope; ALL: A faith that joins us with that great cloud of witnesses as we honor and remember their faithfulness to the promise. ONE: God of all creation, grant that we, too, would grow strong in the promise; that we, too, would have the strength to persevere. ALL: And as we walk alongside, companion and lift up one 26
another, let us celebrate and join our hearts with thanksgiving for these lives and their abiding faithfulness. A WORD TO THE FAMILIES Bishop Mark J. Webb MUSICAL RESPONSE How Great Thou Art, UMH #77 O Lord my God! When I, in awesome wonder, Consider all the worlds thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed. Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee; How great thou art, how great though art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee; How great thou art, how great though art! SCRIPTURE: Romans 8:28 – 39 *HYMN Love Divine, All Love’s Excelling, UMH #384 1. Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heaven to earth come down; Fix in us thy humble dwelling, All thy faithful mercies crown! Jesus, thou art all compassion, Pure, unbounded love thou art; Visit us with thy salvation; 27
Enter every trembling heart! 2. Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit Into every troubled breast! Let us all in thee inherit; Let us find that second rest. Take away our bent to sinning; Alpha and Omega be; End of faith, as it’s beginning, Set our hearts at liberty. 3. Come, Almighty to deliver, Let us all thy life receive; Suddenly return and never, Perfectly restored in thee; Thee we would be always blessing, Serve thee as thy host above, Pray and praise thee without ceasing, Glory in thy perfect love. 4. Finish then, thy new creation; Pure and spotless let us be. Let us see thy great salvation Perfectly restored in thee; Changed from glory into glory, Till in heaven we take our place, Till we cast our crowns before thee, Lost in wonder, love, and praise. 28
SERMON: Life is Eternal ... Love is Immortal The Rev. Susan Shafer Senior Pastor, Rochester: Asbury First UMC AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Rev. Susan Shafer ONE: If we believe that life has meaning and purpose ALL: And we do ONE: If we believe that the Giver of Life loves us ALL: And we do ONE: If we believe that divine love lasts ALL: And we do ONE: If we believe that justice, mercy, and humility endure ALL: And we do ONE: If we believe that God so loved the world to give God’s only son ALL: And we do ONE: If we believe that Jesus is the transcript in time of God in eternity ALL: And we do ONE: If we believe that all God’s children are precious in God’s sight ALL: And we do ONE: If we believe grace and forgiveness are the heart of the universe ALL: And we do ONE: If we believe that God has loved us personally 29
ALL: And we do ONE: If we believe in God ALL: And we do ONE: Then we shall trust God over the valley of the shadow of death ALL: And we do ONE: Then we shall trust that love is stronger than death ALL: And we do ONE: Then we shall trust the mysterious promise of resurrection ALL: And we do ONE: Then we shall trust the faith of Christ, relying on faith alone ALL: And we do ONE: Then we shall trust the enduring worth of personality ALL: And we do ONE: Then we shall trust the Giver of Life to give eternal life ALL: And we do ONE: Then we shall trust the source of love to love eternally ALL: And we do ONE: Than we shall trust that Eli rests protected in God’s embrace ALL: And we do ONE: Then we shall trust in God ALL: And we do 30
NAMING OF THE SAINTS The Rev. Abel Roy and The Rev. Nola Anderson Conference Superintendents As the names of those who died this past year are read, the bell will toll, and a district superintendent will light a candle. Friends and families are invited to stand with the reading of the name. A youth representative will give the family a hand‐blown glass pumpkin symbolizing the fruit born from the ministry of the deceased. Clergy Spouses January 12, 2014 Barbara Brockway Evelyn Young February 13, 2014 Nelson Dean May 28, 2014
Kathleen Mihaly August 11, 2014 Marjorie Greenfield September 15, 2014 Ellen Stanton October 19, 2014 Reta Karan November 1, 2014 Harry Maines November 15, 2014 Ruth Wait December 8, 2014 Wilma Burt December 20, 2014 Patricia Arnold December 17, 2014 Ashton Bruce Cornell December 26, 2014 Barbara Vollmer December 30, 2014 January 27, 2015 Roma Marie Gould Ireta Beeghly January 26, 2015 Beverly Boston February 9, 2015 31
Ramona Andrews Nancy Vanloon Deborah Campbell Jane Babcock Joan Kirk Louise Rees Frances Ackley John Poorman Florence Benton George D. Vineyard CLERGY Margaret “Mari” Rockwell
David L. Franke Ruth Gray Daniel H. Berry Eric Blidberg Frederick H. Jackson Eric Roy King Arthur H. Andrews Arthur Melius Charles Hess III Joseph Fiske Richard Elliott Alice Hobbs Marian Thomas Malcolm Howard L. Alden Smith February 17, 2015 February 5, 2015 February 24, 2015 March 6, 2015
March 7, 2015
March 29, 2015 April 3, 2015
April 5, 2015
April 6, 2015
April 13, 2015
June 25 2014
July 5, 2014
July 9, 2014
July 26, 2014
July 30, 2014
August 20, 2014 September 16, 2014 September 30, 2014 October 2, 2014 October 24, 2014 October 26, 2014 November 6, 2014 December 2, 2014 December 12, 2014 December 13, 2014 December 19, 2014 32
Claude Corbett January 14, 2015 Jane Borden January 15, 2015 Robert V. Smith February 12, 2015 Billie Jean Melton February 13, 2015 Donald H. Turk March 4, 2015
Victor Zaccaro March 18, 2015 REMEMBERING THE LAY MEMBERS TO ANNUAL CONFERENCE Dr. Scott Johnson Conference Lay Leader The names of those persons who died this year and who served as lay members to Conference may be lifted. PREPARATION FOR THE GREAT THANKSGIVING: Hebrews 11:39 – 12:1 (Message) Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours. Do you see what this means — all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. 33
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING Bishop Mark J. Webb and Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar and Dr. Scott Johnson ONE: Pay attention, says the Lord. Lift up your heads, even if they are heavy. Lift up your hands stretch them out loosen your grip and tight‐fistedness. Lift up your hearts, if you can. If they weigh too much, ask your neighbor to help you. We are about to hand them over to our God. Holy God, who was present before and beyond all things, who made light out of darkness who made earth out of sea who made people out of dirt. And when we treat each other like dirt, You, O God, liberate entire populations. You forgive entire races. You have given us a million and one chances, and we will surely need a few more. 34
Confession ALL: We come, jumbled and insecure hard‐hearted, tight‐fisted, tense, depressed, addicted, aggressive, competitive, fearful, anxious. We are weak in love and sluggish in courage. We have withheld ourselves from each other. ONE: And we wonder, can we ever really be free from the blight? Will there always be a little, tiny part of us that whispers, “You’re not good enough” ALL: or shouts it, and stomps its feet? Will we have to uproot ourselves and wither away entirely and warn others, to “stay away!”? ONE: God, you have mercy: In your infinite grace, you made us and said, “You are good.” ALL: We are good. ONE: In your infinite compassion, you gave us the Christ, who said, “You are good.” ALL: We are good! ONE: You are forgiven! ALL: You are forgiven! Praise God! 35
ONE: Praise God, who planted us, God’s people in an everlasting garden from the very beginning and gave us everything that was good! Praise God, who by grace gave us faith and through all seasons for all generations in this great garden of plentiful harvest nurtures the soil in which we are rooted by the faithfulness of those who have gone before us. Praise God with all the people on earth and with the great cloud of witnesses as we sing the unending hymn: SUNG RESPONSE: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. ONE: Jesus, present with us was also present with the Spirit of God. He brought this Spirit wherever he went, and preached good news to people who were marginalized 36
and healed people who were sick and ate with people who sinned and cleansed people who had demons. Being full of God’s Spirit, Jesus feared nothing. Not even suffering, torture, and death. Being full of God’s Spirit, Jesus ate with his friends. He knew that, like us, they had dirt under their fingernails. But they worked together to fight the demons of disease and pests and weeds, together they fought, together they followed. Being full of God’s Spirit, Jesus took a loaf of bread and shared it with each person present. Even the one who had succumbed to the blight and had sold Jesus to the authorities for a sack of coins. Jesus said, “Eat this. Remember me.” Being full of God’s Spirit, Jesus took a cup and shared it with each person present. Even the ones who would wither away as soon as the mob showed up in the garden. Jesus said, “Drink this. Remember me.” 37
And even today, we remember — not just that he was betrayed by his friends, or that he was tried and executed, but that he, being full of God’s Spirit, triumphed over all. And today, we remember — our friends and family members not just in the circumstance of death, but that they, being full of God’s Spirit, join us in singing this mystery of resurrection: SUNG RESPONSE: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. God of all creation, Pour out your Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and cup. make them be for us: Christ. make us be for the world: Christ. May your Spirit give us power to cast out all demons, to be freed from the past, to be filled with your grace, to be bound together with love to be sent forth with thanksgiving, to serve you in the ways you created for us. 38
Through the compassion of Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we honor you, God of infinite grace. Amen. An usher will guide you to a communion station. Communion is by intinction. Receive the bread and dip the bread into the cup. There are two gluten‐free stations, one center front and one center back. Communion is served by cabinet members and those who will be ordained Saturday, May 30, 2015. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Bishop Mark J. Webb *HYMN We Cannot Measure How You Heal Worship & Song #3139 1. We cannot measure how you heal or answer every sufferer’s prayer, Yet we believe your grace responds where faith and doubt unite to care. Your hands, though bloodied on the cross, survive to hold and heal and warn, To carry all through death to life and cradle children yet unborn. 2. The pain that will not go away, the guilt that clings from things long past, The fear of what the future holds are present as if meant to last. 39
But present, too, is love which tends the hurt we never hope to find, The private agonies inside, the memories that haunt the mind. 3. So some have come who need your help and some have come to make amends, As hands which shaped and saved the world are present in the touch of friends. Lord, let your Spirit meet us here to mend the body, mind and soul, To disentangle peace from pain and make your broken people whole. SENDING FORTH Bishop Mark J. Webb For All the Saints POSTLUDE Ralph Vaughan Williams ‐ arr. Carolyn Hamlin 40
Celebration of Ministry Friday, May 29, 7 p.m. *Indicates an invitation to rise in body or spirit. *OPENING HYMN This Little Light of Mine – Chorus, UMH #585 This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. I’ll Fly Away ‐ Chorus I’ll fly away, Oh Glory I’ll fly away; (in the morning) When I die, Hallelujah, by and by, I’ll fly away (I’ll fly away). Every Time I Feel the Spirit – Chorus, UMH #404 Every time I feel the spirit moving in my heart, I will pray Every time I feel the spirit moving in my heart, I will pray. INVOCATION PROVISIONAL MEMBER (The Rev. Pamela Carey): Lord, we celebrate the ministry of those who serve the Church as 41
new provisional members. ALL: Continue to bless the ministry of all provisional members. FULL MEMBER (The Rev. Sung Ho Lee): Lord, we celebrate the ministry of those who serve the Church as new full members. ALL: Continue to bless the ministry of all full members of Conference. RETIRED MEMBER (The Rev. Carlos Smith): Lord, we celebrate the ministry of those who begin a new chapter by serving the Church in retirement. ALL: Continue to bless the ministry of all retirees. CERTIFIED LAY MINISTER (Helen St. Louis): Lord, we celebrate the ministry of those who serve the Church as newly certified to be engaged in specialized ministries. ALL: Continue to bless the ministry of all certified lay person. LOCAL PASTOR (Pastor Angela Stewart): Lord, we celebrate the ministry of those who serve the Church as newly licensed local pastors. ALL: Continue to bless the ministry of all local pastors and associate members. EXTENSION MINISTER (Pastor Sean Chanthasone): Lord, we 42
celebrate the ministry of those who are appointed to serve the Church outside the local church setting. ALL: Continue to bless the ministry of all extension ministers. ALL: Lord, we celebrate the ministry of all those who serve the Church in all and every capacity. CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC RESPONSE: Rise and Shine Rise and shine And give God the glory, glory Rise and shine And give God the glory, glory Rise and shine And give God the glory, glory Children of the Lord PRESENTATION OF RETIREES The Rev. Matt Stengel, BOM Co‐Chair PRESENTATION of those to be Commissioned The Rev. Pamela Carey and The Rev. Leon Van Wie, BOM Member Commissioned to perform the duties of the Ministry of Elder: Andy McClaren Anderson 43
Abigail Cady Browka Gary Mark Kubitz Penny Lee Lacy Nancy O’Connor Raca Chad Michael Sayers Alison Elaine Schmied Commissioned to perform the duties of the Ministry of Deacon: Rebecca Lynn Naber Carrie Sturtevant Wolfe PRESENTATION of those to be Ordained The Rev. Sung Ho Lee and The Rev. Sheila Price, BOM Member Ordained to perform the duties of the Ministry of Elder: Emily Barner Huyge Douglas P. Mackey Jr. Edith Aletta Poland Geraldine Edith Rapino Carlos Rosa‐Laguer Gregory P. Stierheim Heather L. Stierheim Corey Anna Tarreto Turnpenny THE HISTORIC QUESTIONS for those to be Ordained as Elder Bishop Mark J. Webb, Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar, 44
and Dr. Scott Johnson CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Halle, Halle, Halleluja, FWS #2026 Halle, Halle, Halleluja! Halle, Halle, Halleluja! Halle, Halle, Halleluja! Halleluja! Halleluja! PRESENTATION OF RETIREES The Rev. Holly Nye, BOM Co‐Chair RECOGNITION of newly appointed to Extension Ministry Pastor Sean Chanthasone and The Rev. Carmen Perry, BOM Member These names appear as printed in the appointment list. CONGREGATIONAL MUSICAL RESPONSE Jesus Loves Me, UMH #191 Jesus loves me this I know, For the Bible tells me so, Little ones to Him belong, They are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! 45
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so. RECOGNITION of those newly receiving a Local Pastor’s License Angela Stewart and The Rev. Michelle Bogue‐Trost, BOM Registrar These names appear as printed in the appointment list. OFFERING: Mission of Peace The Revs. Heather and Gregg Stierheim *HYMN A Place at the Table, Worship & Song #3149 1. For everyone born, a place at the table, For everyone born, clean water and bread, A shelter, a space, a safe place for growing, For everyone born, a star overhead. CHORUS: And God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy, yes, God will delight when we are creators, of justice, justice and joy! 2. For woman and man, a place at the table, Revising the roles, deciding the share, With wisdom and grace, dividing the power, For woman and man, a system that’s fair. CHORUS 46
3. For young and for old, a place at the table, A voice to be heard, and part in the song, The hands of a child in hands that are wrinkled, For young and for old, the right to belong. CHORUS 4. For just and unjust, a place at the table, Abuser abused, with need to forgive, In anger, in hurt, a mindset of mercy, For just and unjust, a new way to live. CHORUS 5. For everyone born, a place at the table, To live without fear, and simply to be, To work, to speak out, to witness and worship, For everyone born, the right to be free. CHORUS PRESENTATION OF RETIREES The Rev. Matt Stengel, BOM Co‐Chair RECOGNITION newly certified Lay Ministers and newly Certified in a Specialized Ministry Helen St. Louis and Denise Walling, BOM Member CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE: Oh How I Love Jesus, UMH #170 47
1. There is a name I love to hear, I love to sing its worth, It sounds like music in my ear, the sweetest name on earth. CHORUS: O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, because he first loved me! 2. It tells me of a Savior’s love, who died to set me free; It tells me of his precious blood, the sinner’s perfect plea. CHORUS 3. It tells of one whose loving heart can feel my deepest woe; Who in each sorrow bears a part that none can bear below. CHORUS PRESENTATION OF RETIREES The Rev. Holly Nye, BOM Co‐Chair PRESENTATION of the One Matters Award Presented by The Rev. Mary Haggard, Discipleship Ministries PRESENTATION of the 2015 Harry Denman Evangelism Award Presented by 2014 recipient Mary Bradley 48
CELEBRATION OF … ... The Laity ALL: We thank God for your ministry AND THE LAITY RESPOND: We give thanks and praise for opportunities to serve. ... The Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members ALL: We thank God for your ministry And THE FELLOWSHIP RESPOND: We give thanks and praise for opportunities to serve. ... The Order of Deacons ALL: We thank God for your ministry And the DEACONS (provisional and full) RESPOND: We give thanks and praise for opportunities to serve. ... The Ministry of Elders ALL: We thank God for your ministry And the ELDERS (provisional and full) RESPOND: We give thanks and praise for opportunities to serve. ... The Ministry of All ALL: We thank God and offer praise for all of the opportunities to serve. *CLOSING HYMN 49
Pass It On, UMH #572 1. It only takes a spark to get a fire going, And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing, That’s how it is with God’s love once you’ve experienced it, You spread God’s love to everyone; you want to pass it on. 2. What a wondrous time is spring, when all the trees are budding, The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming. That’s how it is with God’s love once you’ve experienced it, You want to sing, it’s fresh like spring, you want to pass it on. 3. I wish for you, my friend, this happiness that I’ve found; You can depend on God, it matters not where you’re bound. I’ll shout it from the mountain top; I want the world to know; The Lord of love has come to me, I want to pass it on. SENDING FORTH Bishop Mark J. Webb 50
Music  Gather Us In by Marty Haguen, The Faith We Sing, #2236; © 1982 GIA Publications, Inc.  A Place at the Table by Shirley Erena Murray, Worship & Song, #3148; © 1998 Hope Publishing Company; music © 2001 GIA Publications, Inc.  Spirit of the Living God by Daniel Iverson, #393, The United Methodist Hymnal © 1953, renewal © Birdwell Music  God of This City by Chris Tomlin, © 2006 sixsteps Music. All rights reserved.  Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness by James K. Manley, The Faith We Sing, #2120; © 1978 James K. Manley  This Is a Day of New Beginnings by Brian Wren and Carlton R. Young, The United Methodist Hymnal, #383; Words and music © 1983, 1987 Hope Publishing Co.  Amazing Grace by John Newton, 1779, The United Methodist Hymnal, #378  O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus by Samuel Trevor Francis, Upper Room Worshipbook, #152  How Great Thou Art by Stuart K. Hine, The United Methodist Hymnal, #77; © 1953, renewed 1981 Manna Music, Inc.  Love Divine, All Love’s Excelling by Charles Wesley, The United Methodist Hymnal, #384  We Cannot Measure How You Heal by John L. Bell, Worship & Song, #3139; Words © 1989 WGRG, The Iona Community (Scotland), admin. by GIA Publications, Inc.  I’ll Fly Away by Albert E. Brumley, The United Methodist Hymnal, #585 © Copyright 1932 in “Wonderful Message” by Hartford Music Company. Renewed 1960 by Albert E. Brumley & Sons (SESAC) (admin. by ICG) All rights reserved.  Every Time I Feel the Spirit adapted and arranged by William Farley Smith © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House.  This Little Light of Mine, The United Methodist Hymnal, #404, adapted by William Farley Smith © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House.  Halle, Halle, Halleluja, The Faith We Sing, #2026  Jesus Loves Me by St. 1 Anna B. Warner, The United Methodist Hymnal, #191, 51
© 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House  Oh How I Love Jesus by Frederick Whitfield, The United Methodist Hymnal, #170  Pass It On by Kurt Kaiser, The United Methodist Hymnal, #572; © 1969 Communiqué Music, Inc. Music used with permission, CCLI #11004960 Acknowledgements Worship Planning Team: The Rev. Gregg Stierheim, Chair; Pastor Margaret Currier; Nancy Dibelius; Christine Doran; The Rev. Rachel Morse; Bethany Printup‐Davis; the Rev. Thomas Pullyblank; Ashley Riddell; Sharon Schmidt; Pastor Chad Sayers; Blenda Smith; Nairobi Smith; Kae Wilbert; Nancy Wilson Ordination Planning Team: The Rev. Colleen Preuninger and The Rev. Sheila Price Musicians: Nairobi Smith; Louis Chabrier; David Wood; Iain Cockram; Hayden Longest; Kelsey Rosenblum Call to Worship (Memorial Service): Nancy Dibelius Great Thanksgiving (Memorial Service) and the Responsive Confession (Act of Repentance) Litanies: The Rev. Rachel Morse Affirmation of Faith (Memorial Service): The Rev. Dr. Robert A. Hill, Dean Marsh Chapel Boston University; adapted by The Rev. Susan Shafer Organist: Wayne Skinner Allen Organ supplied by Piano & Organ Center, 102 Lawrence Rd., N. Syracuse, N.Y. 13212 52