Introduction
(Patricia Farris)
This service is an invitation
to present ourselves to God in a rehearsal of Mr. Wesley's attempt
to express what is at the heart of Methodist commitment. Music and
song become the touchstone for reflection and claiming for ourselves
Wesley's 18th-century profession into our 21st-century awareness and
witness.
Reader: (Rev.
Farris) The distinguishing marks of a Methodist are not our opinions,
of any sort. Assenting to a particular theology, embracing any particular
ideology, espousing the judgment of one teacher or another, are all
quite beside the point. We do not place any of our faith in being
attached to any extraordinary way of speaking or unusual set of expressions.
We prefer the most obvious, easy, common words to communicate our
meaning, both on ordinary occasions, and when we speak of the things
of God.
HYMN #196 “Come,
Thou Long-Expected Jesus”
Reader: (Brad
Beeman) By salvation we mean holiness of heart and life. And this
we affirm to spring from true faith alone. Who, then, is a Methodist?
A Methodist is one who has the love of God shed abroad in his or her
heart by the Holy Spirit. A Methodist is one who "loves the Lord
your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all
your mind, and with all your strength" (Luke 10:27). God is the
joy of the heart, and the desire of the soul that is constantly crying
out, "Whom have I in heaven but you? There is none upon earth
that I desire beside you! My God and my all! You are the strength
of my heart, and my portion for ever!" We are therefore happy
in God, indeed, always happy, as having in us a well of water springing
up to everlasting life, and overflowing our souls with peace and joy.
Perfect love having cast out fear, we rejoice evermore (1 John 4:18).
HYMN #384 “Love
Divine, All Loves Excelling” vs. 1-2
Reader: (LAY LECTOR)
Whether in ease or pain, whether in sickness or health, whether in
life or death, we give thanks from the ground of our hearts to God
who orders it for good. Knowing that as every good gift comes from
above, so none but good can come from the Father of Lights, into whose
hand we have wholly committed our bodies and souls, as into the hands
of a faithful Creator. For indeed we pray without ceasing. It is given
us always to pray, and not to faint. ... Our hearts are lifted up
to God at all times and in all places. In this we are never hindered,
much less interrupted, by any person or thing. Consequently, we always
exercise our love to God by praying without ceasing, rejoicing always,
and in everything giving thanks. This commandment is written in our
hearts, "That those who love God, love their brother and sister
also." We also, accordingly, love our neighbors as ourselves.
We love every person as our own soul. ...
HYMN #561 “Jesus
United By Thy Grace” vs. 1-2
Reader: (Larry
Young) For Methodists are pure in heart. The love of God purifies
our hearts from all vengeful passions, envy, malice, and wrath, from
every unkind attitude or evil affection. It cleanses us from pride
and arrogance of spirit that lead to contention. ... For all our desires
are for God and to the remembrance of God's name. Our one desire is
the one design of our life, namely, not to do our own will, but the
will of God who sent us. Our one intention at all times and in all
things is not to please ourselves but God whom our souls love. For
as we love God, so we keep God's commandments. Not only some, or most
of them, but all, from the least to the greatest. ... To do the will
of God on earth as it is done in heaven is our daily crown of rejoicing.
Accordingly, we strive with all our might to keep all the commandments
of God. For our obedience is in proportion to our love, the source
from which it flows. Therefore, loving God with all our heart, we
serve God with all our strength.
HYMN 173 “Christ
Whose Glory Fills the Skies” vs. 1 & 3
Reader: (Shannon
Sturges, Lay Leader) By consequence, whatever we do, it is all to
the glory of God. In all our endeavors, we not only aim at this, but
actually attain it. The customs of the world do not hinder our "running
the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1). We know that vice
does not lose its nature, no matter how fashionable it becomes. We
remember that everyone is to give an account to God. ... But "whatever
is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence
and if there is anything worthy of praise" (Phil. 4:8), we think,
and speak, and act; glorifying the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
in all things. Lastly, as we have time, we do good to all people;
to neighbors and strangers, friends and enemies. We seek to do good
to them in every possible way, not only to their bodies, by feeding
the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick or the prisoner
(Matt. 25:34-40), but much more we labor to do good to their souls,
according to the ability that God gives.
HYMN 554 “All
Praise to Our Redeeming Lord” vs. 1-2
Reader: (Rev.
Farris) These are the principles and practices of our denomination.
These are the values of a true Methodist. By these values, by these
fruits of a living faith, we labor to distinguish ourselves from the
unbelieving world. ... But we earnestly desire to not be distinguished
at all from real Christians, of whatever denomination. Not from any
who sincerely follow after what they know they have not yet attained.
No, "Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother,
and sister, and mother" (Matt. 12:50). And I implore you, brothers
and sisters, by the mercies of God, that we be in no way divided among
ourselves. Is your heart right, as my heart is with yours? I ask no
further question. If it is so, give me your hand. For opinions, or
words, let us not destroy the work of God. Do you love and serve God?
It is enough. I give you the right hand of fellowship. If there is
any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing
in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, let us strive together
for the faith of the Gospel (Phil. 2:1). Let us lead a life worthy
of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and
gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making
every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one
hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and
Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all (Eph. 4:1b-6).
HYMN 550 “Christ
From Whom All Blessings Flow” vs. 1-2
First
United Methodist Church
1008 Eleventh Street
Santa Monica, CA 90403
www.santamonicaumc.org
(310) 393-8258
The
Character of a Methodist