Category: Holiday

Worship Service (at home)

May 24, 2020 (during the season of COVID-19 Virus Quarantine)

Faxon-Kenmar United Methodist Church, Williamsport, PA

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May 24, 2020 Order of Worship

Ascension Sunday – Today is Ascension Sunday, the day we recognize Jesus’ ascent into heaven.

(Prepare for our worship together by taking some quiet time before you start listening to the Prelude. Bring your bible to follow along in the scripture readings.)

PRELUDE “If My People’s Hearts Are Humbled” – Page

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CALL TO WORSHIP
Come gather ’round; Jesus is here.
We wait for the coming Spirit.
Come gather ’round; see the power of Christ before you.
With joy, we praise God.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Lord Jesus Christ, in you we see awesome power.
You triumph over death and bring forth new life.
You stand over all earthly powers.
You are the head of the church.
Yet, we often fail to acknowledge this power in our lives.
We see violence in the world.
We see injustice in our communities.
We see suffering and death of so many who have the COVID-19 virus and are front line workers.
We see hunger and need among our neighbors.
We see longing for something more.
We see failures and faults in our lives.
In all these things, we feel powerless.
Forgive our hesitance to call upon you.
Forgive our propensity to rely upon ourselves.
Forgive our reluctance to acknowledge your power.
Speak your words of power again.
May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Amen.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE
May God give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation,
that the power of Jesus Christ may be visible in your life.
By the grace of Jesus Christ we are forgiven
and empowered to serve.

MEDITATION “Hear My Prayer, O Lord” (Psalm 143) – Lau

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PRAYER– Today we celebrate before the prayer time…Tomorrow is Memorial Day, a day on which we honor the many women and men who died while serving in the U.S. military.

(You are invited to say a prayer for our world, nation, community and families. Take this time to lift anyone up for a joy or concern.)

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.

SCRIPTURE Acts 1:6-14. Luke 24:44-53

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MESSAGE WDJD (What Does Jesus Do series) Part 4: “Jesus Prays”

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OFFERING (Your gifts of tithes and offerings may be mailed to the church office, or you may arrange to give to God through electronic giving. Please call the church office to use this option.

SPECIAL MUSIC “My Jesus I Love Thee” – Gordon/Hayes
Piano Duet by David Koskey and Dave Shover

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PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Holy God, we ask for your blessing of these gifts of our lives, service, money and witness. Use our gifts to make a difference in our world. Touch the lives of those we reach. May each person be transformed by You.

BENEDICTION
In the presence of Christ, we have gathered as community in worship.
In the grace of Christ, we leave the sacred time.
May God clothe you with Power on high.
May God put this Power to work in each of us.

POSTLUDE “Alleluia! Alleluia! Let the Holy Anthem Rise” – Beaney

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We look forward to you joining us in celebrating Pentecost in a new way this year!

misc-forms/Time-Sensitive-Pentecost-Project.pdf

Rev Susan Halverstadt, Pastor
David Koskey, Director of Music
Dave Shover, Special Music

Portions of the service are taken from “The Abingdon Worship Annual,” edited by Mary J. Scifres and B.J. Beu, Copyright © Abingdon Press.

Faxon-Kenmar UMC is using CCLI Streaming License 3356248 Exp. 3.31.21.

Easter Worship Service (at home)

April 12, 2020 (during the season of COVID-19 Virus Quarantine)

Faxon-Kenmar United Methodist Church, Williamsport, PA

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(Preparation for our worship today: Please gather two items. 1) your bible and turn to Gospel of John 20:1-18.   2) a candle, if you have one and a lighter.)

Prelude “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” – Victor Johnson

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(Light your candle at this time. The lighted candle can represent our Resurrected Christ)

 

Welcome

Grace and peace to you. We are thankful you are joining us for worship today as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus during this time of distancing and staying at home due to the COVID-19 virus.

 

Call to Worship

L: Don’t weep! Don’t mourn! There is great Good News!
P: Christ the Lord is risen today!
L: Put away your garments of mourning; let the light of God’s love flood into your lives.
P: Christ the Lord is risen today!
L: No more do we have to fear the darkness; it has been overcome by God’s light.
P: Christ the Lord is risen today. ALLELUIA!

 

Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, we confess that like the disciples of old, we ran and hid, in our hearts, from the terror and sadness of the crucifixion. We didn’t want to be there. We found ways of avoiding the scene and pretending that it was all a bad dream. But it wasn’t a dream. Jesus our Lord was crucified. That’s a fact. And we were numbed by the news. But now we have been given the most blessed gift of forgiveness for our stupidity and stubbornness; we have been given the gift of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. New Light has shined in our deep darkness. Restore us again to your presence. Soften our hard hearts. Brighten our spirits, for we ask this in the name of the Resurrected One, Jesus Christ. AMEN.

 

Words of Assurance

Do not fear. God has conquered death. Jesus Christ, who was crucified, is risen from the dead. Love has been poured out again for each one of us. ALLELUIA! AMEN.

Special Music “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth/Christ Arose” –  Kevin Boesiger

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Prayer

Let us pray to God, who alone makes us dwell in safety:
For all who are affected by coronavirus, through illness or isolation or anxiety,
that they may find relief and recovery:
Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.
For those who are guiding our nation at this time, and shaping national policies,
that they may make wise decisions: Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.
For doctors, nurses and medical researchers, that through their skill and insights
many will be restored to health:
Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.
For all of the workers keeping our country moving, that through their work
All of us may be helped as one: Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.
For the vulnerable and the fearful, for the gravely ill and the dying,
that they may know your comfort and peace:
Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.
For the resurrection of your son, Jesus Christ,
For the power in our lives that comes when we choose to put our faith in Christ,
Help us tell the story of God’s power in all ways
We commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray,
to the mercy, protection and embrace of God.
Holy God and Creator of us all,
accept these prayers for the sake of your Son,
our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Gospel reading (you are invited to read out loud) John 20:1-18

 

Message “The Old, Old Story for This New Day”

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Benediction

Alleluia! This is a day of new beginnings! This is the day of brightness and hope! For God has done wondrous things for us! Go in joyful peace and know that God’s peace and love go with you always. ALLELUIA! AMEN.

Postlude “Festive Postlude on Llanfair” – Mary McDonald

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Rev Susan Halverstadt, Pastor

David Koskey, Director of Music

Faxon-Kenmar UMC is using CCLI Streaming License 3356248 Exp. 3.31.21.

Good Friday Worship Service (at home)

April 10, 2020 (during the season of COVID-19 Virus Quarantine)

Faxon-Kenmar United Methodist Church, Williamsport, PA

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(Preparation: Please find a cross in your home- a picture, piece of fabric in a cross shape, cross that you normally hang on the wall, a piece of jewelry that is a cross or a piece of paper in the form of a cross. Set in on a table in front of you. Bring your bible.)

Prelude “Out of the Depths I Cry Unto You” – Robert Lau

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WELCOME
Welcome to this time of worshipping God on this Good Friday…a time we remember the sacrifice of Jesus.

 
GREETING

God is light, in whom there is no darkness at all.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world.
And we loved darkness rather than light.

 
PRAYER

We pray for people throughout our world. Hear our prayer, O Lord.
We pray for people suffering from the COVID-19 virus and the many family and friends who are grieving the death of people close to them. Hear our prayer, O Lord.
We pray for people who are recovering from the COVID-19 virus. Hear our prayer, O Lord.
We pray for the gift of community, caring, self sacrifice of many throughout our nation and our world in the face of the pandemic. Hear our prayer, O Lord.
We pray for the researchers and decision-makers, truck-drivers and first responders, custodians and small business people who are focused on caring for others above themselves. Hear our prayer, O Lord.
We pray for the many who are homeless and without food, fighting to stay alive in the face of COVID-19 virus spread. Hear our prayer, O Lord.
We pray for the many people who have heard your call to serve you, to share your word of forgiveness, hope and love. Hear our prayer, O Lord.
While Easter is a joyful festival, we keep it now in a time of difficulty and worldwide sorrow.
We hold on to Christ who is with us as we read the bible.
We trust in his Spirit that draws us together as one.
We believe that the gospel gives us strength and comfort in the face of the stress of this season of sheltering due to the COVID-19. Hear our prayer, O Lord.

 
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.

 
Music “Were You There Spiritual” – Mary McDonald

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Gospel reading:  John 19:16b-42
 
Good Friday Message

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Postlude “Meditation on the Crucifixion”                    – Dennis Eliot

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Rev Susan Halverstadt, Pastor

David Koskey, Director of Music

Faxon-Kenmar UMC is using CCLI Streaming License 3356248 Exp. 3.31.21.