Liturgy of Repentance
GENERAL CONFESSION PART III
RESOLVE TO AMEND
ANTHEM Ohio Ecumenical Choir
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RESPONSE
Bishop Roy I. Sano will issue an invitation for response.
THE LEVELING OF THE PLUMB-LINE
Bishop S. Clifton Ives, President of The
General Commission on Religion and Race, and
Chairperson of The Council of Bishops’ Task Force on
Racism
The representative members of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church have repented for the sin of racism within our communion and, in good faith, intend to make a new beginning. Our church earnestly desires the leveling of God’s plumb-line; we yearn for unity in our faith family. We earnestly pray that the biblical symbols of prophetic judgment we have experienced tonight may become signs of hope.
As the hymn is sung, baskets of salt will be passed so that each participant in this service will remember our vowed intent to "preserve" our unity in Christ. Please stand as you are able for the uniting hymn.
UNITING HYMN Stand as able "Jesus, Lord, We Look to Thee"
Words: Charles Wesley 1749;
Music: Canterbury, adapt. from Orlando Gibbons, 1623
Jesus, Lord we look to thee; let us in thy name agree;
show thyself the Prince of Peace, bid our strife forever
cease.
By thy reconciling love every stumbling block remove;
each to each unite, endear; come, and spread thy banner
here.
Let us for each other care, each the other’s burdens
bear;
to the church the pattern give, show how true believers
live.
Free from anger and from pride, let us thus in God
abide;
all the depths of love express, all the heights of
holiness.
SENDING CHARGE TO THE ASSEMBLY
Given by Byrd L. Bonner, Esq. a member of the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns
BENEDICTION
Given by Bruce W. Robbins, General Secretary of the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns
Friends in Christ,
Let us be sent from this place,
united together as one Methodist faith family.
In the Quest for Unity
We Stand Together
Righted by a Plumb-line,
Cleansed by Ashes,
Supported by the Saints.
As Sisters and Brothers in Christ
We are
Washed in a Font,
Nourished at a Common Table,
Held Together by Song and Story.
We Go Forth as One Church,
The Body of Christ,
The People Called Methodists,
Salted and Ready for Mission.
SENDING FORTH Bishop Roy I. Sano
2 Corinthians 13:13The Grace
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with all of you, now and forever.Go in Peace.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen!
HYMN FOR DEPARTING - Stand as able - "Marching to Zion"
Words: Isaac Watts, 1707; Music: Robert Lowry, 1867
Come, we that love the Lord, and let our joys be known;
join in a song with sweet accord,
join in a song with sweet accord
and thus surround the throne, and thus surround the
throne.
Refrain: We’re marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful
Zion;
we’re marching upward to Zion, the beautiful city of
God.
Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God;
but children of the heavenly King,
but children of the heavenly King
may speak their joys abroad, may speak their joys
abroad.
The hill of Zion yields a thousand sacred sweets
before we reach the heavenly fields,
before we reach the heavenly fields,
or walk the golden streets, or walk the golden streets.
Then let our songs abound, and every tear be dry;
we’re marching through Emmanuel’s ground,
we’re marching through Emmanuel’s ground,
to fairer worlds on high, to fairer worlds on high.
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