Leaders Are Raised Up

ENTRANCE

The service begins with the ringing of a bell or the clamor of a gong.
The lay leader and pastor stand in the back of the worship space, in front of the choir or musical ensemble, and announce, together:

Alleluia. Christ is risen!
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

The lay leader then invites everyone currently serving as a named officer or leader of any ministry to stand, be named, and greeted with applause and thanks to God from the congregation before all stand to sing:

Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire UMH 651

OR

ABBREVIATIONS
AH = The Africana Hymnal

BOW = United Methodist Book of Worship

CCLI = Christian Copyright Licensing International, SongSelect

TFWS = The Faith We Sing (2000)

UMH = United Methodist Hymnal

W&S = Worship & Song (2011)

SOZ = Songs of Zion

Agnus Dei CCLI #626713

Prayer for Illumination

(after “Come, Holy Ghost”)
Holy Spirit, you constantly prepare us
for the day we will be asked to lead
within the body of Christ.
Prepare us again as we hear your word
that we may faithfully and joyfully respond
to your call to lead when it comes. Amen.

(after “Agnus Dei”)
Holy, holy are you Lord God Almighty.
We bow before your glory.
Alleluia.
Send again your Spirit among us
as your word is read
and your truth proclaimed
that we may know and trust
those who lead among us now,
or may soon be called to lead,
and follow where they lead toward you. Amen.

WORD AND RESPONSE

Reading Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 (NRSV)

Sermon Leaders Are Raised Up

Confessing in Song
The deacon, pastor, or others may prepare the Lord’s table, and the offering may be collected during the singing.

God, the Spirit, Guide, and Guardian UMH 648

OR

I Will Follow CCLI #5806878

THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION

Invitation to the Table UMH 8
Confession, Pardon, and Peace UMH 8

The Great Thanksgiving BOW 66-67

OR

The pastor lifts hands in prayer and invites all to join in this posture of prayer.

Holy Wisdom is with us.
We praise you, Christ Crucified.

Holy Spirit breathes in us.
Spirit of Power, Spirit of Life!

Holy Source of All draws near.
In you alone we boast!
With all creation we sing:

Holy Holy Holy UMH 21 or other setting

Holy are you, O God,
ever creating,
and ever preparing your people
and guiding us by your Spirit
for the work that lies ahead.
Holy are you, O God.

Holy are you, O God,
enfleshed in Jesus,
delivering us from the power of sin and death,
and empowering by your Spirit,
those you call to lead us.
Holy are you, O God.

Holy the food Jesus gave,
when on the night of his betrayal
he took bread, blessed it and broke it,
and gave it to his disciples.
Holy the words he spoke then,
and your Spirit speaks still:
"This is my body broken for you. Remember me."

Holy the drink Jesus offered,
when that same night he took the cup,
thanked you and shared it.
Holy the words he spoke then,
and your Spirit speaks still:
"This is my blood of the new covenant for you. Remember me."

We remember you,
Source, Wisdom and Spirit of Holiness.
We praise you not only with our lips
but with our lives:

Jesus Christ,
crucified, you called and claimed us,
risen, you have raised us,
coming again, you make all things new.
Even so, come Lord Jesus! Hallelujah!

Even so, come and fill this feast, Holy Spirit,
Spirit of Power, Spirit of Life.
Come upon us and these gifts of bread and wine.

Make them be for us what Jesus says they are,
Christ's body, Christ's blood.
Make us become what Jesus prays we are,
one body in him empowered and enlivened by his blood.

Deacon, Lay Leader, or Pastor:
One in service, one in witness, one in compassion,
and one even now in prayer, saying:
Lord, have mercy.

One with all persons kept in poverty or slavery,
with all who are in fear from abusers, terrorists, and oppressors,
with all who face addiction of any kind,
and with all who are targeted for unjust treatment because of who they are;
Lord, have mercy.

One with the earth, and all creatures upon it,
the riches in its depths,
and the fragility of its air and water;
Lord, have mercy.

One in prayer for leaders in religious, political, economic, and social life;
and for all who work to sustain and protect our lives
as military, civilian workers, and first responders;
Lord, have mercy.

One with families, friends, and neighbors,
near and far, like us and different from us;
with all who need your healing power,
Lord, have mercy.

Pastor:
So may this food and drink be holy,
and nourish us in holy conversation this day
and every day
as on that day we feast with him
in new creation.

And now and ever,
all glory to you,
Holy Spirit, Holy Wisdom, Holy Source
of all that was, and is, and is to come. Amen.

The pastor breaks the bread in the sight of the people, then serves the servers, one of whom also serves the pastor. The people are then served.

Music During Communion

Become to Us the Living Bread UMH 630

AND/OR

For the Bread Which You Have Broken UMH 615

Thanksgiving after Communion

Almighty God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery
by which you nourish all your people
with eternal life.

Send us now in the strength of the Spirit
to walk with Christ and one another
in leadership or service
as you call us. Amen.

SENDING FORTH

Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart UMH 500

OR

With All I Am CCLI #4257734

Deacon or Pastor:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Rejoice that God supplies the leaders we need
when we need them,
from among all of us
who walk with Jesus and his disciples.
So go, and keep walking with Jesus and each other.
People: Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia!