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GATHERING AS THE BODY OF CHRIST
Prelude
"Come Down, O Love Divine"
UM Hymnal #475
Welcome and Sharing of Announcements
A Time to Make Connections
THE Hi-5 OF PEACE
Liturgist: God makes peace within us.
People: Let’s claim it.
Liturgist: God makes peace between us.
People: Let’s share it.
Introit
"When the Saints Go Marching In”
Traditional
Collin Holman, Trumpet
Call to Worship
Liturgist: Children of God: welcome!
People: Welcome to this place of love and grace,
Liturgist: Welcome to this place of hope and perseverance.
People: God invites all of us to be a part of the beloved community,
Liturgist: God invites all of us to share in the good news:
People: We are welcome, just as we are. We are loved, just as we are.
Liturgist: In gratitude for all of this, let us worship God.
Opening Prayer
Holy God, Holy Breath, Wind, Flame, Spirit: Set our hearts of fire Burn off all that is dry and lifeless, and grow us anew. Let your Spirit dance within our spirits, Uprooting us when we have been unmoved And refreshing all that is stale in our lives. Breathe on us your peace That we will share that peace with all we meet. We ask for your help and your power to change. Open our hands and eyes, move our feet, toward grace and hope and trust in You. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Opening Hymn
“This Is My Father's World”
UM Hymnal #144
Confirmation
(In Person Only)
PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES
Through confirmation, we renew the covenant declared at our baptism, acknowledge what God is doing for us, and affirm our commitment to Christ's holy Church. Brothers and Sisters, we are blessed to confirm four: Clara Anderson, Elsa Berglund, Collin Holman, Ellis Till
RENUNCIATION OF SIN AND PROFESSION OF FAITH
Pastor: Confirmands, on behalf of the whole Church, I ask you: Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of your sin?
CONFIRMANDS: I do.
PASTOR: Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?
CONFIRMANDS: I do.
PASTOR: Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as your Lord, in union with the Church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races?
CONFIRMANDS: I do.
PASTOR: The pastor addresses candidates who can answer for themselves: According to the grace given to you, will you remain faithful members of Christ's holy Church and serve as Christ's representatives in the world?
CONFIRMANDS: I will.
PASTOR: The pastor addresses the sponsors: Will you who sponsor these candidates support and encourage them in their Christian life?
SPONSORS: I will.
PASTOR: The pastor addresses the congregation, and the congregation responds: Do you, as Christ's body, the Church, reaffirm both your rejection of sin and your commitment to Christ?
CONGREGATION: We do.
PASTOR: Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include these persons now before you in your care?
CONGREGATION: With God's help, we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround these persons with a community of love and forgiveness, that they may grow in their trust of God, and be found faithful in their service to others. We will pray for them, that they may be true disciples who walk in the way that leads to life.
PASTOR: To the confirmands and the congregation, let us join together in professing the Christian faith as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. Do you believe in God the Father?
ALL: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
PASTOR: Do you believe in Jesus Christ?
ALL: 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.
PASTOR: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
ALL: 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.
CONFIRMATION OR REAFFIRMATION OF FAITH
PASTOR: Now, to all who are being confirmed and to all those who have been baptized in the congregation: Remember your baptism and be thankful.
ALL: Amen.
CONFIRMATION LITANY
CONFIRMANDS: We are blessed children from God. We are fearfully and wonderfully made in God's awesome image, blessed with unique gifts, talents and abilities and stories; all to be used for the building of God’s kingdom.
CONGREGATION: We stand behind you as the awesome gifts of God that you are. God has created you in Christ Jesus for good works. We will walk with you into your new life in Christ.
CONFIRMANDS: We know that apart from God we can do nothing. God is the most important part of our lives. We know that God knows more about us than we know about ourselves.
CONGREGATION: We know that apart from God we can do nothing. We promise to do all we can to help you keep God as the most important part of your life.
CONFIRMANDS: Jesus is our advocate to the Father. He the One that gives us new life. He is the true vine. He is Lord. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
CONGREGATION: Jesus is Lord. We will constantly remind you as well as ourselves that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
CONFIRMANDS: God’s people are very precious in the kingdom. Each person has value, no matter what shape, size, or color. We need each other. We love one another. We must serve one another.
CONGREGATION: We promise to be an example of service to all of God’s people and help you see the awesome value of each person.
CONFIRMANDS: Our education is a vital part of life. We promise to honor God by doing our best to excel in this part of our journey.
CONGREGATION: We will be right there running with you helping you to excel in your education.
CONFIRMANDS: There is a lot to do. With God’s help, as we walk with Jesus one step at a time, giving God the glory in all we do, great things are in store for us.
CONGREGATION: We promise to encourage you to walk to your destiny. We have your back. We are with you every step of the way.
ALL: Amen.
PASTOR: ____________________, the Holy Spirit work within you, that having been born through water and the Spirit, you may live as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.
ALL: Amen.
RECEPTION INTO THE LOCAL CONGREGATION
PASTOR: As members of this congregation, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness?
CONGREGATION: We will.
COMMENDATION AND WELCOME
PASTOR: Members of the household of God, I commend these persons to your love and care. Do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their hope, and perfect them in love.
CONGREGATION: We give thanks for all that God has already given you and we welcome you in Christian love. As members together with you in the body of Christ and in this congregation of The United Methodist Church, we renew our covenant faithfully to participate in the ministries of the Church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
PASTOR: The God of all grace, who has called us to eternal glory in Christ, establish you and strengthen you by the power of the Holy Spirit that you may live in grace and peace. We welcome these now confirmed members of The United Methodist Church of Westford!
Message in Music
“We Gather Together”
arr. S. Tucker
Bell Choir
(in-person service only)
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