AN ORDER FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD

ENTRANCE

GATHERING OF THE CHURCH PRELUDE Psalm Young * CALL TO WORSHIP Adapted from Psalm 130

Leader: When we cry out from the depths, People: The Lord hears our voice.Leader: Let us wait for the Lord. People: And hope in God’s word.

* HYMN 157 Jesus Shall Reign Watts* OPENING PRAYER

THE PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD

FIRST LESSON Ephesians 4:25-5:2So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

ANTHEM As the Deer Christopher Chapel Singers* GOSPEL LESSON Mark 5:1-20

They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when he had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man out of the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. He lived among the tombs; and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain; for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him; and he shouted at the top of his voice, “What have

you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he had said to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” He begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now there on the hillside a great herd of swine was feeding; and the unclean spirits begged him, “Send us into the swine; let us enter them.” So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea.The swineherds ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came to see what it was that had happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. But Jesus refused, and said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.

* GOSPEL RESPONSE (to be sung by all) No. 349Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in his wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of his glory and grace.

SERMON Decluttering Your Spirit RESPONSE TO THE WORD

* HYMN 264 Silence, Frenzied, Unclean Spirit Troeger

* A STATEMENT OF FAITH No. 883We 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.

* THE GLORIA PATRIGlory be to the FatherAnd 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.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 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.

THE PRESENTATION OF GOD’S TITHES AND OUR OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY Healer of My Heart Kirkland Chancel Choir* THE DOXOLOGY

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

THE SENDING FORTH

* HYMN 500 Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart Croly* CARRYING THE LIGHT INTO THE WORLD* DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING* CHORAL RESPONSE (to be sung by all)

Holy Jesus, every day Keep us in the narrow way, And when mortal things are past, Bring our ransomed souls at last Where they need no star to guide, Where no clouds your glory hide.

WELCOME TO FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CARY

We welcome you to First United Methodist Church–Cary, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We pray that our time of worship will draw you closer to God and invite you to join us for worship on Sunday mornings. Our regular schedule includes Sanctuary services at 8:25, 9:45, and 11:05, 1st on Chatham at The Cary at 9:45, and our Celebration service in the Fellowship Hall at 11:11. We invite you to stop by our information table in the large narthex if you have any questions about our church. Also, our website, firstcary.com, may provide the information you need.We invite you to join us for coffee on Sunday mornings at “First Cup” after each service in the back of the fellowship hall!

WORSHIP LEADERS THIS MORNING: Preacher: The Reverend Dr. R. Carl Frazier, Jr., Lead Pastor Liturgist: The Reverend Martha K. McLean, Pastor of Christian Formation Choir Director/Organist: Kerry Johnston, Director of Music Ministry Pianist: David Griffin

Acolytes: 8:25 9:45 Trevor Lamm 11:05 Lizzie Harrell Lay Readers: Stephen Ministers: 8:25 Libby Sinodis Scott Hansen 9:45 Scott Bloebaum Karen Dufour 11:05 Douglas Richmond Susan Presser

A Stephen Minister is available in the large narthex after each church service to meet and pray with anyone who would like to.

Listening devices are available at the sound booth in the back of the sanctuary. Kids and YouthChildren are always welcome! Bulletins and crayon packs are available at each entrance to the Sanctuary. Nursery and Sunday school classes are available for infants through fifth grade. Youth (grades 6-12) gather in the Fellowship Hall at 9:30. Our ushers are happy to escort you and your child or youth to the Children’s or Youth Ministry area. Cell Phones and Text Messaging interfere with other people’s worship. As an act of worship and as a courtesy to others, please turn off these electronic devices.

Prayer Concerns You may view the list of prayer concerns at firstcary.com/prayerlist

firstcary.com • 919-467-1861

OUR VISIONSharing the heart of Christ from the heart of Cary

OUR MISSIONTo make disciples of Jesus Christ who grow in faith and love

through worship, fellowship, service and witness to one another and the world.

The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

January 31, 2016

Decluttering Your Spirit

Sharing the Heart of Christ from the Heart of Cary

* THE CHIMING OF THE TRINITYTo honor our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

please remain standing for all the chimes of the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

* POSTLUDE Postlude in Classic Style Young* Please stand as you are able

All hymns may be found in The United Methodist Hymnal unless noted as TFWS (which represents The Faith We Sing)

or WS (which represents Worship and Song).