WEST VIRGINIA CONFERENCE WORSHIP BOOK 2017 Annual Conference Session
The Lord added daily to the community those who were being saved. (Acts 2:47)
June 8-11, 2017 West Virginia Wesleyan College Sandra Steiner Ball, Residing Bishop
Memorial Service
Friday, June 9, 2017 ❖ 11:00 am
† signifies that all are invited to stand as are able Acts 2:44-45 - All the believers were united and shared everything. They would sell pieces of property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them. BELLS CALLING US TO WORSHIP
GATHERING MUSIC "If You Will Only Let God Guide You" by Matt Limbaugh
†GREETING Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose great mercy gave us new birth into a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! The inheritance to which we are born is one that nothing can destroy or spoil or wither.
†LIGHTING OF THE PASCHAL CANDLE (responsive) By your cross, you destroyed the curse of the tree. By your burial, you slayed the dominion of death. By your rising, you enlightened the human race. O benefactor, Christ our God, glory to you.
†OPENING PRAYER (unison) God of compassion and hope, we remember those saints who have finished their race and received their reward. As we worship you, rekindle within us the hope of the resurrection and the promise of eternal life. We know Christ’s presence abides with us in life and in death. Help us to live in constant awareness of that presence. Bless us with your Spirit, as we offer you our praise. Amen.
†HYMN “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” THE SOLID ROCK Words Edward Mote and Music William B. Bradbury
My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
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Refrain: On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil. Refrain
His oath, His covenant, and blood Support me in the whelming flood; When every earthly prop gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay. Refrain
When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found, Clothed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne! Refrain
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Blessed Lord, you have caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning. Grant us to hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSON 1 Peter 1:3-7
SERMON “An Offer You Can Not Refuse” Bishop L. Jonathan Holston Matthew 4:12-23
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostles’ Creed UMH 882 (unison) I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day, he rose again; he ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.
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I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
ANTHEM “Gentle Voice” Lee Dengler
AN ACT OF REMEMBRANCE (responsive) Ever living God, this day revives in us memories of loved ones who are no more. What happiness we shared when they walked among us. What joy, when, loving and being loved, we lived our lives together. Their memory is a blessing forever.
Months or years have passed, and still we feel near to them. Our hearts yearn for them. Though the bitter grief has softened, a duller pain abides; for the place where once they stood is empty now. The links of life are broken, but the links of love and longing cannot break. Their souls are bound up in ours forever.
We see them now with the eye of memory, their faults forgiven, their virtues grown larger. So does goodness live, and weakness fade from sight. We remember them with gratitude and bless their names. Their memory is a blessing forever.
And we remember as well the members who but yesterday were part of our community. To all who cared for us and labored for all people, we pay tribute. May we prove worthy of carrying on the tradition of our faith, for now the task is ours. Their souls are bound up in ours forever.
We give you thanks that they now live and reign with you. As a great crowd of witnesses, they surround us with their blessings, And offer you hymns of praise and thanksgiving. They are alive forever more. Amen.
24 NAMING (As each name is read, a family representative is invited to come forward to meet their District Superintendent and receive a special handmade gift in memory and honor of their loved one’s impact on the Church and world.)
Every name that is read represents a life that was lived in honor of God. Each name brings with it a flood of emotions for all those who knew and loved the one to whom it belonged. As these names are read, we offer our thanks to God for their life and for the variety of ways they lived out their calling to Jesus Christ. We celebrate their impact and service. We honor the loss that has been felt in their passing, but we hold fast to the living hope that comes through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Clergy Conference Relationship Date of Death Lander L. Beal Retired Elder June 6, 2016 G. Bryan Blair Retired Elder April 18, 2017 Gail W. Carson, Jr. Retired Elder July 11, 2016 Ray Merle Conrad Retired Elder January 24, 2017 Richard L. Crickard Retired Elder June 16, 2016 Donald L. Davis Retired Elder June 1, 2016 Daniel A. Deem Retired Elder September 16, 2016 Gerald E. Dotson Retired Elder February 20, 2017 Charles Eaton, Jr. Elder on Honorable Location January 13, 2017 Sylvester L. Green Retired Associate Member May 23, 2017 Gerald A. Harshbarger Retired Elder July 31, 2016 Joel Robert "Bob" Harshberger Retired Elder October 9, 2016 Jonas Johnson, Jr. Retired Local Pastor December 19, 2016 Robert Paul Johnson Retired Elder February 23, 2017 M. Gene Kerby Retired Associate Member January 17, 2017 Milan Klipa Retired Part-Time Local Pastor May 22, 2016 Edward B. Kyle Retired Associate Member September 22, 2016 Phyllis A. Cox McVay Part-Time Local Pastor February 7, 2017 Joseph G. Rodrigues Retired Elder April 21, 2017 E. Glenn Rowe Retired Part-Time Local Pastor April 12, 2017 William P. "Bill" Smith, Sr. Retired Associate Member June 16, 2016 Raymond Robert "Bob" Stanley, Jr. Retired Elder February 14, 2017 John H. Taylor Retired Elder July 18, 2016 Nathaniel L. Turner-Lacy, Jr. Retired Elder July 13, 2016 Clayton E. Whetsel Retired Elder January 29, 2017 F. Emerson Wood Retired Elder July 16, 2016 Kerry Dean Workman Part-Time Local Pastor May 3, 2017
Spouse Spouse of Date of Death Fran Allen Mr. Les Allen (Assigned Supply) February 2, 2017 Jennifer Beckette Rev. Thomas E. Beckette March 22, 2017 Patricia Ann James Rev. D. Vaughn James November 3, 2016 Janis Johnson Rev. Jonas Johnson July 27, 2016 Betty LaParl Rev. Harold LaParl April 2, 2017 Martha Sue Mounts Rev. Emory Mounts February 25, 2017 Lydia Danyell Straley Rev. Martin Straley December 12, 2016
25 Surviving Spouse Surviving Spouse of Date of Death Freda Jewell Rev. Kermit L. Auvil November 25, 2016 Lila Lee Wilkinson Rev. J. Robert Blankenship October 22, 2016 G. Viola Burrough Rev. Austin R. Burrough December 25, 2016 Betty Jean David Rev. Donald L. Davis June 11, 2016 Nellie Gainer Rev. William Vance Gainer February 10, 2017 Ruby Lee Harris Rev. Clovis Dewitt Harris July 17, 2016 Dorothy Lee Litton Hatcher Rev. Oval B. "Joe" Hatcher October 16, 2016 Dorothy Justine Lockhart Rev. Donald Lockhart August 3, 2016 Bonnie Lou Overfield Bradley Mick Rev. Clell Mick August 31, 2016 Polly Mae Miller Rev. Marvin G. Miller July 15, 2016 Velma Lea Riegel Rev. Paul R. Riegel October 14, 2016 Dora Faye Smith Rev. Paul H. Smith March 10, 2017 Betty E. Starkey Rev. Charles Starkey January 9, 2017 Marilyn Taylor Rev. John Hayes Taylor February 26, 2017 Martha Jane Ware Rev. Virgil Ware August 8, 2016 Beulah Dickenson Winfrey Rev. T. Dwight Dickenson August 20, 2016 Barbara Woods Rev. William A. Woods July 30, 2016
At this time, we would invite you to speak the names of others who have passed away in the previous year, recognizing the legacy of faith they also leave behind.
ANTHEM “And Can It Be” Dan Forrest
PRAYER FOR THE SAINTS (unison) Eternal God, You have blessed our lives by the witness and testimony of those whom we have named this day. Our faith was made stronger, our hope steadier, and our lives richer by their faithfulness to You. As we celebrate the gifts of their lives, grant us peace in knowing they have found rest from their labors in Your glorious presence. Enable us to remain faithful and steadfast in our journeys, so that we too may one day be reunited with the saints of Your church and find our eternal home with You. Amen.
†HYMN “God, Your Love and Care Surround Us” BEECHER Text by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, all rights reserved God, your love and care surround us every moment, every day. Now we gather to remember one who followed Jesus' way. Grateful for this life you've given, now we give it back to you, Trusting your eternal promise: "I am making all things new!"
As an ordinary pebble tossed upon a quiet pond Sends out rings of rippling waters, moving waters far beyond — So we touch the lives of others; We are moved by how they live. Help us, in our joy, remember; help us, in our pain, forgive. "Do not let your hearts be troubled," Jesus said to those he loved.
26 "There are many dwelling places in my Father's house above." Jesus, you have gone before us; Jesus, you will guide us there. Lord, we trust your hand to lead us to the place that you prepare.
We hold onto what you promise: Earth and heav'n will be made new. Then your home will be among us; we will always dwell with you. There will be no sound of weeping; you will wipe away each tear. God, we trust your promise to us: Now and always, you are here.
†BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “Variation on HYMN TO JOY” Albert Travis
(Please be seated and continue in a spirit of worship while music is playing.)
NOTES: Greeting: PC (USA) Book of Common Worship Paschal Candle: UM Book of Worship 389 Prayer of Illumination: UM Hymnal 602 Affirmation of Faith: Apostles’ Creed UMH 882 Act of Remembrance: UM Book of Worship 548
Liturgists: Tom Baisden Judi Kenaston Heather Moore Gail Santee
Preacher: Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, Resident Bishop of the South Carolina Annual Conference
Musicians: Rev. David Donathan Craig Hinchman
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Evening Worship Service Celebration of the Historically African American United Methodist Churches of the West Virginia Conference
Friday, June 9, 2017 ❖ 7:30 pm Acts 2:46 – Every day, they met together in the temple and ate in their homes. They shared food with gladness and simplicity
† signifies that all are invited to stand as are able
BELLS CALLING US TO WORSHIP
A READING “Alive” (written by Charlotte Meade)
†PRAISE MUSIC
“Marching to Zion” MARCHING TO ZION Words Isaac Watts and Music Robert Lowry
Come, we that love the Lord, and let our joys be known; join in a song with sweet accord, join in a song with sweet accord and thus surround the throne, and thus surround the throne.
Refrain: We're marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion; we're marching upward to Zion, the beautiful city of God.
Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God; but children of the heavenly King, but children of the heavenly King may speak their joys abroad, may speak their joys abroad. Refrain
28 The hill of Zion yields a thousand sacred sweets before we reach the heavenly fields, before we reach the heavenly fields, or walk the golden streets, or walk the golden streets. Refrain
Then let our songs abound, and every tear be dry; we're marching through Emmanuel's ground, we're marching through Emmanuel's ground, to fairer worlds on high, to fairer worlds on high. Refrain
“We’ll Understand It Better By and By” BY AND BY Words and Music Charles Albert Tindley
We are tossed and driven on the restless sea of time; somber skies and howling tempests oft succeed a bright sunshine; in that land of perfect day, when the mists are rolled away, we will understand it better by and by.
Refrain: By and by, when the morning comes, when the saints of God are gathered home, we'll tell the story how we've overcome, for we'll understand it better by and by.
We are often destitute of the things that life demands, want of food and want of shelter, thirsty hills and barren lands; we are trusting in the Lord, and according to God's word, we will understand it better by and by. Refrain
Trials dark on every hand, and we cannot understand all the ways of God would lead us to that blessed promised land; but he guides us with his eye, and we'll follow till we die, for we'll understand it better by and by. Refrain
Temptations, hidden snares 29 often take us unawares, and our hearts are made to bleed for a thoughtless word or deed; and we wonder why the test when we try to do our best, but we'll understand it better by and by. Refrain
“Through It All” THROUGH IT ALL Words and Music Andrae Crouch
Through it all, through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God
Through it all, through it all, I've learned to depend upon His Word.
SPECIAL MUSIC “Amazing Love” “People Get Ready”
†CALL TO WORSHIP (written by Darlene Moore)
Let the Holy Spirit come. Let the Holy Spirit come. Let the Holy Spirit come! When the Spirit comes, the whole place will be filled. Let the Holy Spirit come. When the Spirit comes, Joel’s prophecy will be fulfilled. Let the Holy Spirit come. Lord, send your Holy Spirit!
†HYMN “Spirit Song” SPIRIT SONG Words and Music John Wimber
O let the Son of God enfold you with his Spirit and his love. Let him fill your heart and satisfy your soul. O let him have the things that hold you, and his Spirit like a dove will descend upon your life and make you whole. Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs. Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs.
O come and sing this song with gladness as your hearts are filled with joy. 30 Lift your hands in sweet surrender to his name. O give him all your tears and sadness; give him all your years of pain, and you’ll enter into life in Jesus’ name. Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs. Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs.
(Instrumental of Spirit Song continues underneath voices while prayer is offered)
†PRAYER (Written by Stephon Williams and B. Kevin Smalls)
Today we have a difficult time forgiving each other. Remind us that we all need You and we all need each other. Lord, may all people become one. Help us to be sensitive to each other and to have open minds. Lord, may all people become one Remind us that no one is perfect. Unite us through our common need for forgiveness. Lord, may all people become one. The Lord loves each of us, no matter what! Lord, teach us to love and forgive each other. Lord, may all people become one.
Spirit of God among us, you have chased us. And far too often we have run from you. We have resisted the call to be blameless in your sight. We have rejected your mandate to eradicate racism and sexism. We have ignored your plea to care for the children and to bless the elderly. Forgive us we pray and renew in us a clean heart. Help us to speak continuously a new Holy-Spirit- created language of unity and peace. Amen.
(As the Amen is said, the gathered are led by the choir in singing the “Spirit Song” refrain)
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs. Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs.
SCRIPTURE Ephesians 2:11-22
LITURGICAL DANCE OFFERING “That Name” YOLANDA ADAMS Karen Williams’ liturgical dancers from Simpson Memorial UMC
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CELEBRATION OF CHURCHES Dr. William White
We give thanks for these holy spaces.
Asbury United Methodist Church Moorefield, WV Potomac Highlands Court United Methodist Church Welch, WV Southern Ebenezer United Methodist Church Huntington, WV Western Janes United Methodist Church Keyser, WV Potomac Highlands John Stewart United Methodist Church Bluefield, WV Southern John Wesley United Methodist Church Lewisburg, WV Greenbrier Jones United Methodist Church Morgantown, WV Mon Valley Logan Memorial United Methodist Church Parkersburg, WV Little Kanawha Main Street United Methodist Church Ronceverte, WV Greenbrier Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church Romney, WV Potomac Highlands St. James United Methodist Church White Sulphur, WV Greenbrier St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Williamsport, WV Potomac Highlands Simpson Memorial United Methodist Church Charleston, WV Midland South Trinity United Methodist Church Fairmont, WV Mon Valley Waldon United Methodist Church Piedmont, WV Potomac Highlands Warren United Methodist Church Grafton, WV Mon Valley
We give thanks for the holy spaces which have faded from our memory but live in the eternal. Forgive us our weakness of memory, but direct our faith to that promised time when we will be remembered whole: the body of Christ.
†HYMN “Lift Every Voice and Sing” LIFT EVERY VOICE Words James Weldon Johnson and Music J. Rosamond Johnson Lift every voice and sing, till earth and heaven ring, ring with the harmonies of liberty; let our rejoicing rise high as the listening skies, let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us; sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; facing the rising sun of our new day begun, let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod, felt in the days when hope unborn had died; yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet come to the place for which our fathers sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered; we have come, treading our path thru the blood of the slaughtered, out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
32 God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, thou who hast brought us thus far on the way; thou who hast by thy might led us into the light, keep us forever in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met thee; lest our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee. shadowed beneath thy hand, may we forever stand, true to our God, true to our native land.
OFFERING
ANTHEM “Total Praise” Richard Smallwood
SCRIPTURE Matthew 14:13-21
MESSAGE "Failure is not an Option” Bishop L. Jonathan Holston
†HYMN “His Eye is on the Sparrow” SPARROW Words Civilla Martin and Music Charles H. Gabriel
Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home, when Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is he: his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me; his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.
Refrain: I sing because I’m happy, (I’m happy) I sing because I’m free, (I’m free) for his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” his tender word I hear, and resting on his goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; though by the path he leadeth but one step I may see: his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me; his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me. Refrain
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Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, when song gives place to sighing, when hope within me dies, I draw the closer to him, from care he sets me free: his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me; his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me. Refrain
CELEBRATION OF SAINTS PAST AND PRESENT Let us now praise those faithful witnesses who made and make God’s invitation of salvation clear to us. Some of God’s faithful have been given places of honor in our churches and cities by virtue of the prophesies they proclaim, the leadership they provide, and the wise counsel they give. Others are harder to remember because their strength is in their silence. They work behind the scenes doing many small deeds with the largeness of grace hidden from plain sight, but these, too, are servants of mercy.
Not one of God’s faithful are forgotten. May we be thankful that those saints of yesterday and today teach our souls to awaken as we name them now:
NAMES We remember those saints, living and eternal, who have been faithful servants of the church and her mission. We invite the congregation to share names aloud, from your seat. We will close when all voices have been heard.
We give thanks for the named and unnamed witnesses who strengthen the church and make it a place of grace. May perpetual light shine upon them all.
PRAYER (written by Charlotte Meade) Thank you, Lord, for those who went before us who prayed fervently and continually for us, who wore the mask of survival while praying that we might shed it, who chose to sing songs of hope in the midst of the blues and overwhelming despair, who smiled through the pain and laughed through the tears, who saved for rainy days—when life was a season of rain, who taught and hugged and mentored in the daylight and humbly knelt beside the bed in the midnight and prayed for better times— if not for them –for their children and for their children’s children.
34 Thank you, Lord, for hearing the moans and groans— the language of the heart, where no words suffice, and we are the inheritors of such great estate… O Lord, let us not deplete the inheritance but continue in the offering of prayers and alms lifting the children for generations before you. Lord, we pray for every mother’s child.
TIME OF SILENCE
Let us all continue in silent prayer as we reflect on these two questions: What alms can we give? What prayers may we offer?
SONG “I Need You to Survive” Hezekiah Walker
I need you, you need me. We're all a part of God's body. Stand with me, agree with me. We're all a part of God's body.
It is his will, that every need be supplied. You are important to me, I need you to survive. You are important to me, I need you to survive. (Repeat 3X)
I pray for you, You pray for me. I love you, I need you to survive. I won't harm you with words from my mouth. I love you, I need you to survive. (Repeat 8 X)
It is his will, that every need be supplied. You are important to me, I need you to survive.
†CALL TO ACTION (written by Krysta Rexrode Wolfe) (responsive) The call of God is a call to action. God says to his body, the Church: The time is now! When, O Lord, shall we remember where we have been? The time is now! When, O Lord, shall we confess how we have been hurt and how we have hurt others? The time is now! When, O Lord, shall we rise up from memory and create new hope? The time is now!
35 When, O Lord, shall our differences be a testament to a broad and holy vision and our disagreements a source of growth? The time is now! When, O Lord, shall we face the realities of danger in our quickly changing neighborhoods with the fearlessness of perfect love? The time is now! When, O Lord, shall we embrace life-giving change with reverence and unity? The time is now! When, O Lord, shall we seek connection and proclaim we are bound together? The time is now! When, O Lord, shall your people cry out for justice and equity? The time is now! When, O Lord, shall we know your glory; when, O Lord, shall we see your face; when, O Lord, will you call us to a homecoming of love and mercy? The time is now and, together, we are the people! Amen.
†AN ACT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (Congregation encouraged to enact An Act of Righteousness with one another.)
One: I need you. I will pray for you. I won’t harm you with words from my mouth. Another: I need you. I will pray for you. I won’t harm you with words from my mouth.
†PRAYER OF GREAT THANKSGIVING AND SENDING FORTH Bishop L. Jonathan Holston Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball
†POSTLUDE “Every Praise” Hezekiah Walker
(Pease follow the Liturgical Dancers from the service and receive the communion elements, a small olive wood communion cup as a gift and a printed list of resources to assist your church to become God’s vessel of blessing bringing hope to the world.)
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Liturgists: Rev. Ann Harrison Rev. Junius Lewis Charlotte Meade Rev. Monty Brown Stephen Prince Rev. Krysta Rexrode Wolfe Kim Rolls Joyce Stewart Dr. William White Loretta Young Rev. Sharletta Green Don Boykin Rev. Jim Martin Loretta Young
Preacher: Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, resident bishop of the South Carolina Conference
Musicians: Rev. David Donathan Craig Hinchman Logan Memorial Praise Team
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