INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHURCH CONFERENCE WORSHIP
Pastors: Please read these instructions ahead of time!
Why church conference is conducted as worship…
“The annual meeting in a discipleship congregation is shaped to serve the mission and vision of the community of faith.” [p. 148] “Annual meetings in a discipleship congregation are concerned with much more than approving budgets, receiving reports, and electing officers. First and foremost they are about the spiritual life of the church. Worship, therefore, is first on the agenda at the annual meetings of discipleship congregations.” [p. 148]
From Power Surge, Michael Foss.
Announce this as a Church Conference …
Kindly announce this as a “church” conference. Do not announce it as “church/charge” or a “charge” conference! All church members have voice and vote in a church conference (see ¶248, 2012 Book of Discipline). Also, please follow the directions in ¶246.8 regarding the announcement of the church conference. “Notice of time and place…shall be given at least ten days in advance by two or more of the following…from the pulpit of the church, in its weekly bulletin, in a local church publication, or by mail.”
This year’s theme: On the Wings of Love: Powered by Presence and Service
How to set up for the church conference worship experience
SMALL CHURCH --For churches with under twelve in attendance at church conference: Church Conference will be held around a table with all seated together. The table area in front of the DS and the pastor will serve as the worship altar.
MEDIUM CHURCH—For churches with between 12 and 30 present for church conference. Please set up your fellowship hall with a table for the DS, pastor and the secretary in front and rows of chairs placed on a slight “V” angle with a center aisle so people can see each other better. The table area in front of the DS and the pastor will serve as the altar area.
LARGE CHURCH—For churches with over 30 in attendance, and/or for Sunday morning Worship/Church Conference, please meet in your sanctuary. The church altar or the table where the DS, pastor and secretary may be sitting in front will serve as the altar.
ADAPTATIONS– This order of worship suggests that the “business” of the church conference is part of “the work of the people” (liturgy). It is “worshipful work” and as such, placing the items for the church conference in the context of worship is appropriate as a response to the Word proclaimed and before we recommit ourselves to community, hospitality and service through the celebration of Holy Communion. If the combining of worship and worshipful work does not resonate with your cultural context or community, engage in discussion with your district superintendent as to how this worship might be modified.
BULLETIN—The bulletin content and cover art can be downloaded and fine tuned to your church’s special worship requirements. Print page numbers in the bulletin to reference the various church conference reports. Items in blue are for the district superintendent’s copy of worship and need not be duplicated in your booklet.
QUESTIONS?---Ask your district superintendent for guidance. And, consult your district superintendent if your Church Conference will occur as Sunday morning worship.
Worship supplies and volunteers needed:
➢ Enough feathers for each person to have one. Your DS will bring these to the meeting.
➢ Cup and plate for juice and bread for communion.
➢ Grape juice and a loaf of bread
➢ Napkins to cover the communion elements before and after communion and additional napkins to hold the bread with during communion and to hold under the cup.
➢ Hand sanitizer for communion servers.
➢ A Christ candle (pillar or taper) and lighter(s) for the altar.
➢ A cloth to cover the altar table or the table in front of the pastor and DS where items will be placed.
➢ A bulletin with the congregational responses in and order of the church conference agenda. Words to hymns are printed in the bulletin resource. You can copy this bulletin, making changes and inserting your church conference booklet page numbers.
➢ Copies of your church conference booklet for all attending.
➢ Lay volunteers to read the scriptures, to light candles, to prepare communion, to help serve communion.
➢ Musicians and singers as needed.
CHURCH CONFERENCE WORSHIP 2014
New England Annual Conference United Methodist Church
Theme: “On the Wings of Love: Powered by Presence and Service”
ENTERING GOD’S PRESENCE
CALL TO WORSHIP
All:
We are here as a United Methodist community of God to account for our ministries, order our life together, and to resolve that in the year ahead we will answer the call of Jesus Christ to his disciples, leading this church into active ministries of love and justice.
Superintendent:
I hereby call the Church Conference of [church name] into session. Let us pause to open ourselves to the power of God’s abiding presence as we sing together:
SONG UMH # 328 “Surely the Presence of the Lord” [sing twice]
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place;
I can feel his mighty power and his grace.
I can hear the brush of angel wings,
I see glory on each face;
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
The candle on the altar is lighted during the singing and the bread and cup uncovered.
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
SCRIPTURE LESSON Isaiah 40: 26-31
The accompanist may play “Eagle’s Wings” softly underneath the readings.
Reader 1: Look up at the sky and consider:
Who created these?
The one who brings out their attendants one by one,
summoning each of them by name.
Reader 2: Because of God’s great strength
and mighty power, not one is missing.
Reader 3: Why do you say, Jacob,
and declare, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord
my God ignores my predicament”?
Reader 4: Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the creator of the ends of the earth.
God doesn’t grow tired or weary.
Reader 5: God’s understanding is beyond human reach,
giving power to the tired
and reviving the exhausted.
Reader 6: Youths will become tired and weary,
young ones will certainly stumble;
Reader 7: but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength;
they will fly up on wings like eagles;
they will run and not be tired;
they will walk and not be weary.
SUNG RESPONSE UMH 143
And God will raise you up on eagle’s wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of God’s hands.
GOSPEL LESSON John 20: 19-21
[the people stand if that is their practice]
It was still the first day of the week. That evening, while the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit…”
The Word of God for the people of God!
Thanks be to God!
SUNG RESPONSE
And God will raise you up on eagle’s wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of God’s hands.
SHARING: ON THE WINGS OF LOVE
Superintendent: Just as God’s power and presence is a gift given without price, so too our own presence here in this moment, and in service to the world, is a gift of love that we give. Each of us offers a unique contribution in the ministry as Christ’s presence to a hurting world. No matter how simple or complex, no matter how many minutes or hours, each of us brings something that helps to lift God’s people on the wings of love.
You each were given a feather. Feathers are fragile things alone but when they work together, and in collaboration with the wind, they provide enough power to lift a bird to amazing heights. They are symbols for us today of how each of our gifts, given together and in collaboration with God’s Holy Spirit, are multiplied and given power.
I invite us to a time of sharing and celebrating about the gifts that have taken wing in this congregation. I’ll ask your pastor to begin and then open it those who have been asked to share.
SUNG RESPONSE
And God will raise you up on eagle’s wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of God’s hands.
CHURCH CONFERENCE
Superintendent: Having been reminded that we are all called to ministry together, lay and clergy alike, let us enter into the business of your Church conference.
1. Election of Secretary
2. Lay Leadership/Nominations Report and Election of Church Leaders and Trustees
3. Examination and Recommendation of Candidates for Church Related Vocations. ¶247:10
4. Reaffirm Candidates for Ministry and Lay Speakers
5. Paper Ballot for any New Candidate for Ministry (DS must be notified ahead of time.)
6. Staff Parish Relations Report, Approval of Pastoral Compensation, And Other Staff Appointed By The Bishop
7. Retired Pastor or Extension Ministry Report
8. Trustee Report (Bequests)
9. Year-to-date Finance Report
10. 2013 Audit/Fund Balance Report
11. Membership Report and Remembrance of the Saints
12. Any additional Remarks by DS or District Lay Leader (if present)
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Superintendent: All are welcome to this meal of bread and cup of communion who desire to live in the love and peace of Jesus Christ that draws us into care for each other and all the world.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Superintendent: Let us be honest before God:
All: Holy Living God, you call us to be your wings of love in the world,
bringing your presence to all in need.
But sometimes we hesitate.
We are unsure. We are frightened. We are overwhelmed.
[silent reflection]
Superintendent: Forgive us, we pray.
All: Give us strength, give us courage.
Call us again
to serve You,
to serve neighbors and strangers.
Superintendent: Remember that Jesus promised to be with us always through the Spirit. Be assured of his presence now! In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
All: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! Glory to God! Amen!
Superintendent: As forgiven and called people, I invite you to pass the peace of Christ with each other.
THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give you thanks and praise!
It is right, and a good and joyful thing,
always and everywhere to give thanks to you,
Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth…
You molded each creature and formed us in your image,
creating land and water and breathing life into all things and calling it good.
When we sought to separate ourselves from you,
You have remained present, the very substance and depth of all life.
Time and again you have freed us, met us, sustained and called us.
As we prepare to join this heavenly feast,
in this silence we especially call to mind those who have no earthly tables,
or no place at a table, and so little daily bread. [silence]
…Along with all of creation,
and along with all the company of heaven,
we hear the chorus of saints in every time and place praising you!
Holy, holy, holy!
All creation sings your praise!
Blessed are all who answer your call!
Hosanna in the highest!
Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ…
We gather around him now
as did the crowds at Galilee
witnesses to his teaching, healing, saving presence.
On his last night with his beloved friends
who would become his presence in the world after he was gone,
he invited them to a common ritual in an uncommon way.
When he broke the bread and said the traditional prayer, he added,
“Take, eat, this is my body, given for you.
Whenever you break bread, remember his moment
And do this in my name.”
And when he took the cup for the traditional blessing after the meal, he added,
“Drink from this, all of you;
this is my new covenant with you,
poured out not only for you, but for many.
Whenever you drink together, remember me.”
When the elements are lifted by two lay persons assisting at the table, the people speak these words:
We do this in now remembrance of you, Jesus!
We break this bread and lift this cup!
You died and rose again
and live forever through your Spirit
that transforms and empowers us
to action in your name!
[the Presider breaks the bread and pours the cup]
Living God, make us one in this Spirit
so that we may be one in ministry to the world! Amen!
COMMUNION
[The bread and cup are shared, music may be played and/or sung.]
PRAYER AFTER RECEIVING
Superintendent: Let us pray together:
Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery
in which you have given yourself to us.
Grant that we may go into the world
on the wings of love,
in the power of your Spirit,
to give ourselves in service for others,
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.