Worship In August: Our Membership Vows (A Study of Ephesians)
When someone joins a United Methodist congregation, we invite everyone in the worship service to turn to page 38 of The United Methodist Hymnal. It doesn’t matter whether the new member comes from another Methodist congregation or is joining a church for the first time with baptism. We always ask the same question: will you commit to this church through your gifts, presence, prayers, and service?
After the new member replies, “yes,” the whole congregation joins together in a welcome and this re-affirmation of the same commitment:
As members of the body of Christ and as a 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, and our service, that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with him and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
For the next four weeks, as we worship together in one service at 11AM, we will follow the book of Ephesians in expounding upon what it means to be a member of Christ’s holy Church through our prayers, presence, gifts, and service. Not only will we dive more deeply into understanding our membership vows, but we will also enjoy special music and the singing of favorite hymns.
I look forward to worshiping and learning with you. It is an honor to serve as your pastor!
all good things to each of you,
Pastor Darian
Lectionary for August 5, 2018
2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a
Psalm 51:1-12
Ephesians 4:1-16
John 6:24-35