Recognition of RetireesFriday, June 19, 2015 | 11:30 a.m.

Forever the SameWritten for the 125th Anniversary of Hudson United Methodist Church, Hudson, NC.

Words and Music: Rebecca Ratcliff Brittain ©2014 OneLicense.net E-801569. All rights reserved.

We’re God’s church; we’re his people; we will celebrate the past.God’s been faithful and forgiving as he’s led us ‘til at last, with God’s help we’ve seen vic-t’ries;

in dark times, we’ve known his grace. We have sought to do his bidding, and we’ve longed to see his face.

Let us live for God’s glory and respond as he inspires. Let us never miss the moment to be used as he desires:

to do justice, to love mercy, to walk humbly with the Lord, and to spread the love of Jesus ‘til he’s worshipped and adored.

 We will wait in your presence; Holy Spirit, come in pow’r. We will trust you for the future, for all things beyond this hour.

Jesus, you are salvation; help us always to proclaim you’re the same now and forever. Alleluia to your name!

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 Jesus, I Have Promised

Words: John E. Bode, ca.1866 (Lk. 9:57); Music: Arthur H. Mann, 1881. OneLicense.net E-801569. All rights reserved.

O Jesus, I have promised to serve thee to the end;be thou forever near me,my Master and my friend.I shall not fear the battle if thou art by my sidenor wander from the pathway if thou wilt be my guide.

O let me feel thee near me! The world is ever near;I see the sights that dazzle the tempting sounds I hear;my foes are ever near me, around me and within;but Jesus, draw thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.

O let me hear thee speaking in accents clear and still,above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self-will.O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control;O speak, and make me listen, thou guardian of my soul.

O Jesus, thou hast promised to all who follow thee;that where thou art in glory there shall thy servant be.and Jesus, I have promised to serve thee to the end;O give me grace to follow, my Master and my friend.

Until the Whole World Hears