Traditional Worship Bulletin
Traditional Service
August 20, 2023 | 11:00 am
“Words from the Wise”
Ecclesiastes 1:1-18
Rev. Zhenya Gurina Rodriguez, PhD, Associate Pastor preaching
Rev. Lance Marshall – Senior Pastor
Welcome and Announcements
Dr. Mike Marshall, Associate Pastor
Prelude: “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
Robert A. Hobby, arranger
Peggy Graff, organist
*Call to Worship
Rev. Samuel Macias, Associate Pastor
One: God, we have come here this morning to learn wisdom from your Word, from your Holy Spirit, and from one another.
All: We have come so that wisdom may call us out of the darkness and into the light.
One: We have come to have the deeper, richer, wisdom-filled life that you have promised to each of us.
All: Make us ready to hear the Words spoken to our hearts this morning. Call us to hear your wisdom and grant us the courage to respond. Amen.
*Hymn 698: “God of the Ages”
1. God of the ages, whose almighty hand
leads forth in beauty all the starry band
of shining worlds in splendor through the skies,
our grateful songs before thy throne arise.
2. Thy love divine hath led us in the past;
in this free land with thee our lot is cast;
be thou our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay,
thy Word our law, thy paths our chosen way.
3. From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence,
be thy strong arm our ever sure defense;
thy true religion in our hearts increase;
thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.
4. Refresh thy people on their toilsome way;
lead us from night to never-ending day;
fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
and glory, laud, and praise be ever thine.
*Affirmation of Faith 881
I believe in God the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
And 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, dead, and buried;
the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
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.
*Gloria Patri 70
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
**Please be seated
Faith Like a Child
Amber Shive and Mike Marshall
*Hymn 463: “Lord, Speak to Me”
1. Lord, speak to me, that I may speak
in living echoes of thy tone;
as thou hast sought, so let me seek
thine erring children lost and lone.
2. O strengthen me, that while I stand
firm on the rock, and strong in thee,
I may stretch out a loving hand
to wrestlers with the troubled sea.
3. O teach me, Lord, that I may teach
the precious things thou dost impart;
and wing my words, that they may reach
the hidden depths of many a heart.
4. O fill me with thy fullness, Lord,
until my very heart o’erflow
in kindling thought and glowing word,
thy love to tell, thy praise to show.
5. O use me, Lord, use even me,
just as thou wilt, and when, and where,
until thy blessed face I see,
thy rest, thy joy, thy glory share.
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-18
God speaks to us through the reading of scripture.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon Series: Words From the Wise
Rev. Zhenya Gurina Rodriguez, PhD, Associate Pastor
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)
Offertory: “Deep River”
Lloyd Larson, arranger
Choral Union
Thomas Williams, director
*Doxology 95
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Benediction
One: Our gathering will soon be ended. Where will we go, and what will we do?
All: We will go out to be God’s people in the world.
One: May grace, peace, hope, love, and joy forever accompany you. Amen.
*Congregational Benediction: “Let There Be Peace on Earth”
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God our Creator, children all are we.
Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now,
With every step I take let this be my solemn vow:
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
*Postlude: Postlude on “Foundation”
Charles Callahan, arranger
Download The Traditional Worship Bulletin PDF
Notes from First Church
Welcome to First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth – we are glad you’re here to worship with us today!
Please let us know you are here by filling out the attendance pad as it comes by.
Asterisks (*) indicate times when you are invited to stand as you are able.
In addition to your regular contribution, every one dollar ($1) bill placed in the offering plate for the month of August will support Food 4 Kids.
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Discipleship is the process of being shaped by the Holy Spirit through spiritual practices to become more like Jesus. Healthy Plate Discipleship uses a variety of practices to help you more faithfully follow Jesus Christ. Try all six areas to grow strong in faithful discipleship. Learn more at fumcfw.org/healthyplate.
Are you new?
If you would like to find your Worship Plus One, we would love to visit with you and help you explore the First Church groups or ministries of special interest to you! Finding your Worship Plus One will help you meet others, build relationships, and grow stronger in your faith.
For details, please email Lisa Helm (lhelm@myfumc.org), Director of Welcoming Ministries or Dr. Mike Marshall (mmarshall@myfumc.org), Associate Pastor of Leadership Development — and be sure to include your phone number in your email!