BULLETIN | Livingston UMC

Welcome to Livingston United Methodist Church! Whether you are here in person or watching online, an active member, or one-time guest, we hope you will take a moment to sign in to our online guest book.

* indicates an invitation to rise in body or in spirit, as you are able

Prelude

Christ Is Alive

Setting by David Lasky
Tune: TRURO
Music: Psalmodia Evangelica, 1789

Chris Warner, Organist

Welcome

Mike Buck

*Call to Worship

Noelle Russell

Leader: We have walked roads of grief and confusion,
All: And found a stranger walking beside us.
Leader: We have told our stories to those we did not know,
All: And felt our hearts strangely warmed.
Leader: We have sat at tables with unlikely companions,
All: And recognized Christ in the breaking of the bread.
Leader: So let us open our eyes and our doors,
All: For the Risen One walks among us still.

*Opening Hymn

Christ Is Alive

Brian Arthur Wren

1 Christ is alive! Let Christians sing.
His cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring.
His love in death shall never die.

2 Christ is alive! No longer bound
to distant years in Palestine,
he comes to claim the here and now
and dwell in every place and time.

3 Not throned afar, remotely high,
untouched, unmoved by human pains,
but daily, in the midst of life,
our Savior in the Godhead reigns.

4 In every insult, rift, and war,
where color, scorn, or wealth divide,
he suffers still, yet loves the more,
and lives, though ever crucified.

5 Christ is alive, and comes to bring
good news to this and every age,
till earth and all creation ring
with joy, with justice, love, and praise.

The First Reading

1 Peter 1:17–23

Children's Moments

Jen Brizendine

Jesus Loves the Little Children

George Frederick Root and Clare Herbert Woolston

Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Morning, evening, day and night,
They are precious in His sight -
Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Prayer Requests / Prayers of the People

Feel free to text any prayer requests to Mike Buck at (614) 314-2039.

If you prefer that your prayer request remain private, or that others know only that you request prayer, please indicate this when sending your request.

Prayer Response - The Serenity Prayer

God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time,
accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
taking, as Jesus did,
this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it,
trusting that You will make all things right,
if I surrender to Your will,
so that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
and supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen.

The Offering

To support our ministries, Livingston United Methodist Church depends on the financial support of our members and friends of the church like you. Visit our Donate page to give your gift today.

Today is Native American Ministries Sunday, one of the six Special Sundays observed in many United Methodist congregations. This Sunday honors Native American contributions, culture, and ministries. Above-and-beyond gifts given today support Native leadership development, scholarships, and local conference ministries. If you would like to contribute, please use the included envelope or use our online giving platform and choose “UM Special Sundays” from the available options.

Offertory Music

They’ll Know We Are Christians

Arranged by Edward Broughton
by Peter Scholtes

*Doxology (LASST UNS ERFREUEN)

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

*Prayer of Dedication

*Praise Time

Christ Has Risen

Graham Maule and John L. Bell

1 Christ has risen while earth slumbers,
Christ has risen where hope died,
as he said and as he promised,
as we doubted and denied.
Let the moon embrace the blessing;
let the sun sustain the cheer;
let the world confirm the rumor:
Christ is risen, God is here!

2 Christ has risen for the people
whom he loved and died to save;
Christ has risen for the women
bringing flowers to grace his grave
Christ has risen for disciples
huddled in an upstairs room.
He whose word inspired creation
can't be silenced by the tomb.

3 Christ has risen to companion
former friends who fear the night,
sensing loss and limitation
where their faith had once burned bright.
They bemoan what is no longer,
they expect no hopeful sign
till Christ ends their conversation,
breaking bread and sharing wine.

4 Christ has risen and forever
lives to challenge and to change
all whose lives are messed or mangled,
all who find religion strange.
Christ is risen. Christ is present
making us what he has been –
evidence of transformation
in which God is known and seen.

Walk With Me

John S. Rice

Refrain
Walk with me, I will walk with you
and build the land that God has planned
where love shines through.

1 When Moses heard the call of God,
he said, "Lord, don't send me."
But God told Moses, "You're the one
to set my people free."
(Refrain)

2 Now Peter was a most unlikely man
to lead the flock;
but Jesus knew his holiness,
and he became the Rock.
(Refrain)

3 Young Mary Magdalene was sure
her life could be much more,
and by her faith she dared to let
God's love unlock the door.
(Refrain)

4 And when you share your faith with me
and work for life made new,
the witness of your faithfulness
calls me to walk with you
(Refrain)

*The Gospel Reading

Luke 24:13–35

Message

Knit Together: Strangers on the Road

Buzz Thomas

*Closing Hymn

They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love

Peter Scholtes

1 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
may one day be restored:

Refrain:
And they'll know we are Christians
by our love, by our love;
yes, they'll know we are Christians
by our love.

2 We will walk with each other,
we will walk hand in hand,
we will walk with each other,
we will walk hand in hand,
and together we'll spread the news
that God is in our land:
[Refrain]

3 We will work with each other,
we will work side by side,
we will work with each other,
we will work side by side,
and we'll guard human dignity
and save human pride:
[Refrain]

4 All praise to the Father,
from whom all things come,
and all praise to Christ Jesus,
God's only Son,
and all praise to the Spirit,
who makes us one:
[Refrain]

Announcements

Please see our Announcements page for information on upcoming events or ongoing mission and outreach opportunities.

*Benediction & Sending Forth

Postlude

Sing Praise to God

Edward Broughton

We encourage parishioners to remain seated and enjoy the talents of our organist during the Postlude.