Recognition of RetireesFriday, June 17, 2016 | 11:30 a.m.

Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life 

UMH 164. Words: George Herbert, 1633 (Jn. 14:6); Music: Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1911; adapt. by E. Harold Greer

OneLicense.net E-801569. All rights reserved.

Come, My way, My truth,

My life:such a way as gives us

breath,such a truth as ends all

strife,such a life as killeth death.

Come, my Light, My feast,

my Strength:such a light as shows a

feast,such a feast as mends in

length,such a strength as makes

his guest.

Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart:

such a joy as none can move,

such a love as none canpart,

such a heart as joys in love.

Go live through Opening Remarks and Recognition of

Retirees

Leader:Brothers and sisters in Christ, you came to us from congregations where the Spirit of the Lord was upon you,

and you answered the call to proclaim the good news and to give your lives in service to Christ and his church. This you have done faithfully and well.

People:We thank God for the community of faith in which the Word of God was heard and the call of God found response.

In their journeys of faith, many persons have looked to you for help and have not been disappointed.

You have found that in the gracious providence of God, both joy and suffering can be means of healing and growth.

Leader:At your licensing and ordination, you received authority to read the Holy Scriptures in the church, to proclaim the Word, to celebrate the sacraments,

to order the life of the church, and to connect the church and the world in service. By God’s grace, you have done these and many things that seemed to be beyond your power.

People:We thank God for the vision which has guided you and for the power of God at work in your lives to enable you to be faithful and to give fruit for your labors.

We have seen the love and grace of God made visible in your lives and witness. We have been blessed by your ministry, and we thank God for you.

Leader:Never think lightly of the great good that God has wrought through you. Continue to be true to your calling. May God’s love and power be with you always. And now let us pray:

Unison:God of grace, we give thanks for the ministries of these, your servants, and for the countless ways in which you have ministered to us through them.

Give them a sense of your abiding presence, that they may continue to love and serve you, and ever grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Go live through passing of the torch

O For a Heart to Praise My God

UMH 417. Words: Charles Wesley, 1742 (Ps. 51:10); Music: Thomas Haweis, 1792 OneLicense.net E-801569. All rights reserved.

O for a heart to praise my God,

a heart from sin set free,a heart that always feels

thy bloodso freely shed for me.

A heart resigned, submissive, meek,

my great Redeemer's throne,where only Christ is heard

to speak,where Jesus reigns alone.

A humble, lowly, contrite heart,

believing, true, and clean,which neither life nor

death can partfrom him that dwells within.

A heart in every thought renewed,

and full of love divine;perfect and right and

pure and good,a copy, Lord, of thine.

Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart;

come quickly from above;write thy new name

upon my heart,thy new, best name of Love.

Go Shine Your Light!