Clergy Session

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Clergy Executive Session Worship May 30, 2018 1:30 p.m.

*Opening Hymn; UMH #77 How Great Thou Art 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 through the universe displayed. Refrain: Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee; how great thou art, how great thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee; how great thou art, how great thou art! When through the woods and forest glades I wander and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur and hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze; Refrain: Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee; how great thou art, how great thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee; how great thou art, how great thou art! And when I think that God his son not sparing, sent Christ to die, I scarce can take it in; that on that cross my burden gladly bearing Christ bled and died to take away my sin; Refrain: Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee; how great thou art, how great thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee; how great thou art, how great thou art! When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart. Then I shall bow in humble adoration, and there proclaim my God, how great thou art! Refrain: Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee; how great thou art, how great thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee; how great thou art, how great thou art!

*Opening Prayer

Pastor Delonta Hicks

Holy God, you promise us that where two or three are gathered you are there in the midst. Lord, we welcome you amongst us today and celebrate the gift of life that you have lavished upon each of us. We ask that you would open our ears so that we may hear your voice. Open our minds so that we may receive your eternal wisdom. Open our spirits so that we may know your leading and guidance. And open our hearts so that we may receive your wonderful love. We ask all this in the glorious name of Jesus. Amen. *Prayer Response UMH #473 Lead Me, Lord Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness; make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only, that makest me dwell in safety. (Repeat)

Scripture

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Patricia Sebring

12

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles,[e] some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.[f] 14 Yes,

the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? 18 But

our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 22 In

fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, 24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. 27 All

of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.

Reflection

Melissa Rudolph

Response UMH #473 Lead Me, Lord Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness; make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only, that makest me dwell in safety. (Repeat)

*Closing Prayer Litany

Rev. Braulio Torres

(L) Lord, as we settle ourselves deeper into this sacred space, remind us God that all we do is an offering to you. All: Lord may we be reminded. (L) Give us, Lord, the wisdom and discernment you granted Solomon who was faced with the unfamiliar and the uncertain. All: Lord do so grant

(L) Saturate the atmosphere with your Spirit, that we might be so overwhelmed with your presence that we experience you as never before. All: Spirit of the living God fall fresh on us. (L) And may all that we do or say be done for your glory. All: Lord, not our will, but thine; not our cause, but yours. Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, oh Lord, our strength and our redeemer. *Closing Hymn UMH #419 I AM Thine, O Lord I am thine, O Lord, I have heard thy voice, and it told thy love to me; but I love to rise in the arms of faith and be closer drawn to thee. Refrain: Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to the cross where thou hast died. Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to thy precious bleeding side. Consecrate me now to thy service, Lord, by the power of grace divine; let my soul look up with a steadfast hope, and my will be lost in thine. Refrain: Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to the cross where thou hast died. Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to thy precious bleeding side. (Repeat)

Hymns the United Methodist Hymnal 1989 Opening Prayer (adapted) http://www.lords-prayer-words.com/times/opening_prayer.html#ixzz59Y6ZARhw