He Set Me Free
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free,
I’m following the path God laid for me,
I took His hand when I heard Him call
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work, or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that place at the close of day.
If parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembering joy,
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah, yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow,
My life’s been full, I’ve savored much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief
Lift up your heart and share with me .
God wanted me now – He set me free.
Celebration of Life for Our Brother in Christ
Ralph E. Clauer
August 20, 2017 Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Leader: Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.
People: For you, LORD, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,
Leader: that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
INTRODUCTION “Into My Heart” (Verse 1) FWS 2160
HYMN OF INVOCATION UMH
”Hymn 1”
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Mark my teaching, O my people, listen to the words I am to speak. I will tell you a story with meaning, I will expound the riddle of things past, things that we have heard and known, and our parents have repeated to us.
People: We will mark your teaching and listen to the words you speak. We will hear a story with meaning that we have heard and known, and our parents have repeated to us.
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Self-revealing God, we have come to know more of you even in the contemplation of the stories we have heard before in our childhood. We come not only to hear your word but to seek the gifts of the Spirit to do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HEARING OF THE WORD
FIRST READING
“Genesis 45:1-15” Page 74
HYMN OF PREPARATION UMH
“Hymn 2”
PSALM “Psalm 133” UMH 850
NEW TESTAMENT READING
“Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32” PAGE 1759
GOSPEL
“Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28” PAGE 1525
MESSAGE Pastor Michael Turner
WITNESS: Pastor, family, friends, and members of the congregation may briefly voice their thankfulness to God for the grace they have received in the life of Ralph and their Christian faith and joy.
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
moment of silence
Affirmation of faith
gloria patri umh 70
prayers of the people
passing of the peace
offering of self and resources
hymn of dedication UMH
“Hymn 3”
benediction and sending forth fws 2160
“Into My Heart” (Verse 2)
as you are able – please stand to praise god