
We are continuing our Sanctuary worship series with a focus on the symbols of the Holy Spirit that we find in our beautiful worship space.
Christ is my firm foundation
The rock on which I stand
When everything around me is shaken
I’ve never been more glad
That I put my faith in Jesus
‘Cause He’s never let me down
He’s faithful through generations
So why would He fail now?
He won’t
No, He won’t,
I’ve still got joy in chaos
I’ve got peace that makes no sense
I won’t be going under
I’m not held by my own strength
‘Cause I’ve built my life on Jesus
He’s never let me down
He’s faithful through every season
So why would He fail now
He won’t
He won’t
He won’t fail
He won’t fail
He won’t
He won’t
He won’t fail
He won’t fail
Christ is my firm foundation
The rock on which I stand
When everything around me is shaken
I’ve never been more glad That I put my faith in Jesus
‘Cause He’s never let me down
He’s faithful through generations
So why would He fail now?
He won’t
I flirt with the world
It steals my love for You
My fear grips my faith
And I am left unmoved
Your gaze stops my heart
Your voice fills the dark
Your love is the spark that lights this life
So we rise
Out of the depths you cry
Come and be satisfied
Father, You sing
Father, You sing over Your children
You quiet the storm
Inside my shipwrecked soul
Your Spirit will lead
It calls the wayward home
At the sound of Your name
Our sin is washed away
In Christ, we’re crucified
In You, we die, in You, we rise
Out of the depths you cry
Come and be satisfied
Father, You sing
Father, You sing over Your children
Let us see through Your eyes
We are Your great delight
Father You sing
Father, You sing over Your children
And we’re singing along
Your daughters and sons
We’re singing Your song
We are Your children
Out of the depths you cry
Come and be satisfied
Father, You sing
Father, You sing over Your children
Let us see through Your eyes
We are Your great delight
Father, You sing
Father, You sing over Your children
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Traditional Service
May 15, 2022 | 11:00 am
“Including”
Acts 11:1-18
3rd in the Series, God at Work in Our Lives
Dr. Tim Bruster and Rev. Lance Marshall
Co-Senior Pastors
Welcome / Announcements
Rev. Phyllis Barren, Associate Pastor
Prelude: “Fugue on the “Kyrie””
François Couperin, composer
Peggy Graff, organist
*Call to Worship
(based on 1 Corinthians 1:3; Galatians 3:28; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Mark 10:14-15; Romans 12:15-16; Romans 12:17-18; Romans 15:7; Ephesians 4:3; and 1 John 4:7-8)
One: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
All: And also to you.
One: There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.
All: For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
One: For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
All: Jesus said, “Let the children come to me; do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”
One: Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.
All: Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
One: Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
All: Let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.
*Hymn 400: “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
Come, thou Fount of every blessing,
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
mount of thy redeeming love.
Here I raise mine Ebenezer;
hither by thy help I’m come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wandering from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger,
interposed his precious blood.
O to grace how great a debtor
daily I’m constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
seal it for thy courts above.
*Affirmation of Faith 883
We are not alone, we live in God’s world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the church:
to celebrate God’s presence, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us. We are not alone.
Thanks be to God. 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.
Sacrament of Baptism
Emma Kay Bradley, daughter of Bryttany and Chase Bradley
Baptismal Hymn 191: “Jesus Loves Me” (vs. 1)
Jesus loves me, this I know,
for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong;
they are weak, but he is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
Congregational Response
With God’s help we will so order our lives after the example
of Christ that Emma Kay, surrounded by steadfast love, may be established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal.
Faith Like a Child
Dr. Mike, Associate Pastor
*Hymn 378: “Amazing Grace” (vv 1-4)
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
’tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be,
as long as life endures.
Scripture: Acts 11:1-18
God speaks to us through the reading of scripture. Thanks be to God.
Sermon: “Including”
Dr. Tim Bruster, Co-Senior 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: “All Creatures of Our God and King”
Mark Hayes, 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: “Here I Am lord” (refrain)
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.
*Postlude: “Postlude on “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing””
Albert L. Travis, arranger
Download Traditional Worship Bulletin 5.15.22
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.
“Faith Like a Child” is our children’s sermon developed for young worshipers of all ages.
In addition to your regular contribution, every one dollar ($1) bill placed in the offering plate during the month of May will support start-up kits.
The Sanctuary flowers are given in honor and celebration of Lamar Smith’s 95th birthday by his loving family.
News
Read First Church news and Stories of Us online and sign up for emails at fumcfw.org/news.
Events
Browse programs and events or search by ministry or keyword at fumcfw.org/events.
Worship with us Online
SUNDAY MORNINGS
8:30 am | DiscipleChurch | fumcfw.org/dc
9:30 am | The Gathering | fumcfw.org/gathering-live
11:00 am | Traditional Worship | fumcfw.org/traditional-live
11:11 am | eleven:eleven | fumfw.org/1111-live
WRR Radio
Listen to each previous week’s Sanctuary sermon and music on Sunday mornings at 7:30 am on WRR 101.1 FM.
Media Playlists
Watch past services or sermons or listen to podcasts of sermons, services, and special music offerings at fumcfw.org/media.
For more information visit us online at fumcfw.org, “Like” us on Facebook, and “Follow” us on Twitter and Instagram!
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.
Worship
Gathering to focus onGod together
Serve
Being God’s people in the world
Give
Putting God first in all things
Learn
Discovering and understanding who God is
Play
Enjoying the good life God gives
Pray
Talking and listening to God’s direction
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!
eleven:eleven, downtown
may 15, 2022
gathering and registration
please use this time to connect with others and to register your attendance on the cards in your seats. you may scan the qr code below or Click here to register online. cards may be left in the seat or brought with your offering during the offering song
gift of song
“closer to fine”
written by indigo girls
performed by eleven:eleven revolution
the welcome candle
come, come, whoever you are, wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving. it doesn’t matter. ours is not a caravan of despair. come, even if you have broken your vows a thousand times, come, yet again.
gathering song
“god of movement”
written by peter mayer
performed by eleven:eleven revolution
sharing signs of peace and welcome
gift of story
acts 11: 1-18 (nrsv)
now the apostles and the brothers and sisters who were in judea heard that the gentiles had also accepted the word of god. so when peter went up to jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, saying, “why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?” then peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, “i was in the city of joppa praying, and in a trance i saw a vision. there was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners, and it came close to me. as i looked at it closely i saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. i also heard a voice saying to me, ‘get up, peter; kill and eat.’ but i replied, ‘by no means, lord, for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ but a second time the voice answered from heaven, ‘what god has made clean, you must not call profane.’
this happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven.
at that very moment three men, sent to me from caesarea, arrived at the house where we were.
the spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us.
these six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house.
he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘send to joppa and bring simon, who is called peter; he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.’ and as i began to speak, the holy spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. and i remembered the word of the lord, how he had said, ‘john baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the holy spirit.’
if then god gave them the same gift that god gave us when we believed in the lord christ, who was i that i could hinder god?” when they heard this, they were silenced. and they praised god, saying, “then god has given even to the gentiles the repentance that leads to life.”
john 13:34-35
i have given you a new commandment, that you love one another. just as i have loved you, you also should love one another. by this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.“
kairos song
“out beyond ideas”
written by rumi/david wilcox
performed by eleven:eleven revolution
kairos
rev. dr. mary ellen barrow
message
resurrection stories
“disturbing our collective illusions”
rev. tom mcdermott
gift of song
“street corner symphony”
written by rob thomas
performed by eleven:eleven revolution
benediction
thoughts for further reflection
let your curiosity be greater than your fear. – pema chodran
the boundary between ourselves and other people and between ourselves and nature is illusion.
oneness is reality. – charlene spretnak
don’t ask what the world needs. ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.
because what the world needs is people who have come alive. ― howard thurman
life begins at the end of your comfort zone. — neale donald walsch
for you who no longer possess it, freedom is everything. for us who do, it is merely an illusion. – emile cioran
we do not see things as they are, we see them as we are. – anais ninn
to follow Jesus is to be a wholemaker, essentially to love the world into new being and life. – ilia delio
opportunities and small groups
HOW TO ASSIST THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE via UMCOR
Online at UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery – Global Ministries
tuesdays, 7-8 pm
beginning may 10
facilitated by kagan parker and mary ann blue
online Only
meeting for 5 weeks – exploring honest and healthy conversations around what it means to be an “ally” for those experiencing injustice and marginalization.
contact tom for info tmcdermott@myfumc.org
tuesdays, 7-8:30 pm
in-person @ winehaus, Winehaus 1628 Park Pl Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76110
wine, beer, light bites, with conversation about sunday’s message, current topics, and more.
contact tom for info: tmcdermott@myfumc.org
If you would like to volunteer in the service, in one of our mission or outreach programs, or for more info about eleven:eleven & FUMCFW, email tom mcdermott:
tmcdermott@myfumc.org
like and follow us:
subscribe to eleven:eleven emails and Tom’s blog post here
Make payable to FUMC Fort Worth; deliver to the Business Office, the Main Church Office, or via mail to 800 W. 5th St., Fort Worth, Texas 76102.
Text 817-241-2327 and enter the amount in the message bar. You must have a ShelbyGive account set up with the church in order to Text to Give.
Download the app to give from your smartphone. Learn more.
We are continuing our Sanctuary worship series with a focus on the symbols of the Holy Spirit that we find in our beautiful worship space.
This Sunday our theme is “Veneration” and our scripture is from Matthew 25, the Parable of the Last Judgment. Perhaps of all the teachings of Jesus, this parable is the clearest about how we are to live and treat one another and at the same time one of the most challenging. It shows us how to venerate Jesus through the way that we live and serve.
Each apostle was a unique person with his own gifts and his own liabilities. We can learn a lot from them and be inspired by them in the way we live out our own faith.
This week we’re beginning a new worship series entitled Sanctuary. Sanctuary — the word brings to mind a place of refuge or safety. We even use the word for nature reserves, which are safe places for animals.
This Sunday we’ll wrap up our Darkest Before Dawn worship series with a miracle that is perhaps the greatest of miracles — that of a restored life — made whole by amazing grace.
The story of Paul gaining a new vision for his life is relevant for our lives today.
This Sunday is Palm Sunday, the final Sunday in the season of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week — remembering the last week of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
An inspiring service of worship in the traditional style with special enhancements designed to engage people of all ages. This service features the traditional elements of worship, including sermon, hymns, liturgy, and monthly Communion. Worship music includes various choirs, orchestra, and instrumental ensembles for special music. This service takes place within the beauty of our Sanctuary and utilizes the stunning music of our 160-rank pipe organ.
Children (Kindergarten and up) are provided with special bulletins. Added features such as the “Faith Like a Child” time (children’s sermon) and sidebar commentary to our younger worshippers are included to further enhance meaning for all ages.
Contact: Elaine Johnson | ejohnson@myfumc.org
This First Church Sunday morning offering led by Rev. Lance Marshall is a casual and relevant opportunity for worship, learning, and prayer. The service emphasizes in-depth Biblical teachings that explore the foundations of our faith. Sermon messages bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the challenges of our daily lives. The Gathering is a warm and welcoming community inviting everyone to connect socially, intellectually, and spiritually within First Church.
Contact: Rev. Lance Marshall | lmarshall@myfumc.org
We love laughter and no-holds-barred messages that question the answers and unmask the illusions as we search for the next chapter together. This is 55 minutes of authentic storytelling, great coffee, and meaningful conversation — with the music of Brad Thompson (Fort Worth Star Telegram’s “Best Local Musician”) and the Revolution Band doing some of your favorite pop, classic rock, and acoustic songs.
We’re passionately inclusive here at eleven:eleven, whether you identify as LGBTQ+ or straight, conservative or liberal, Christian or agnostic, young or old — or anywhere in between and beyond. We’re casual, “come as you wish,” non–traditional, and always curious about kindness, justice, our stories, Jesus’ life — and how to do our lives better.
Here’s your invitation to reconnect your spirit without disconnecting your mind. We believe in the universal love of God and your next adventure. Join this growing community and become part of our story — and let’s see where it takes us! #1111FUMCFW
Contact: Rev. Tom McDermott | tmcdermott@myfumc.org
DiscipleChurch is a unique worship service centered on the sacrament of Holy Communion and a passion for social justice.
Contact: Charme Robarts | crobarts@myfumc.org
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