WELCOME TO WORSHIP | sunday | june 22, 2025

a diverse, inclusive church experiencing and reflecting the love, hope and joy of Jesus Christ

to each other and our community.

PRELUDE
Let Us Go into the House of the Lord | Dave & Jean Perry
Ensemble

Dave & Jean Perry | © 1999 Belwin-Mills Publishing Corp. | all rights reserved | used with permission under One License #A-726973

WELCOME  |   Pastor Doug Johns

WAYS TO CONNECT  |   christchurchfl.org/ways2connect
Please see below.

* CALL TO WORSHIP  | Susan Spragg, liturgist 
Come, people of God, called by God’s grace and sent with purpose!
We gather to worship the One who sends us forth in love.
Christ has given us the Great Commission, to go and make disciples of all nations.
We rejoice in the mission, ready to share God’s truth and light.
The Spirit empowers us, strengthening us for the work ahead.
With boldness and faith, we answer God’s call.
Let us lift our voices in praise, dedicating ourselves to God’s kingdom!
With joy and thanksgiving, we worship our God who sends us into the world.

* GATHERING HYMN
Lift High the Cross | The United Methodist Hymnal No. 159 (verses 1,2,3,4)
(refrain) Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim

till all the world adore his sacred name.

Come, Christians, follow this triumphant sign.

The hosts of God in unity combine. (refrain)

Each newborn servant of the crucified bears

on the brow the seal of him who died. (refrain)

O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,

as thou hast promised, draw the world to thee. (refrain)

So shall our song of triumph ever be:
Praise to the crucified for victory! (refrain)

George W. Kitchin, Michael R. Newbolt & Sydney H. Nicholson © words & music: Hope Publishing Company | CCLI License # 487103

* OPENING PRAYER 
Gracious God, we are humbled and grateful for the calling you have placed upon our lives. You have commissioned us to go forth—to share the Good News and to be bearers of your light in the world. Strengthen us through your Spirit that we may be faithful witnesses in our homes, our neighborhoods, and to the ends of the earth. Give us courage to speak and the compassion to serve. Let our lives reflect the hope and salvation found in Christ, so that all may come to know your love and grace. Shape us into a people who not only go to church, but are the church – serving the world in Christ’s name. Amen.

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 
A Modern Affirmation of Faith
We believe in God, Creator of all things, Giver of life and breath. God is present and walks with us daily through times of joy and sorrow. We believe in Jesus Christ, The Word made flesh who lived among us. He was crucified, died, and buried. On the third day, He rose from the dead and lives today, bringing healing and hope to the world. He calls us to love God and all people, welcoming each person as part of God’s family. We believe in the Holy Spirit that came down on the first disciples to empower them, teach them, and lead them into all truth. We believe the same Spirit empowers us today as daughters and sons of God to transform the world with the amazing power of God’s love. We believe that God is moving among us today: still creating, still restoring, and still filling us with power as we live each day for the glory of God.

* GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.

Henry W. Greatorex | public domain | CCLI License # 487103

MUSIC MINISTRY 
Still I Sing Alleluia | Kyle Pederson
Ensemble

Kyle Pederson | © 2023 Beckenhorst Press, Inc.| all rights reserved | used with permission under One License #A-726973

SCRIPTURE 
Matthew 28:16-20  |   New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
¹⁶ Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him, but they doubted. ¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

These are the words of God for us, the people of God. Thanks be to God

MESSAGE 
The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss | Off We Go | Pastor Doug Johns

OFFERING  | Pastor Cathy Johns
worshiping through the offering of our lives and gifts

·      Place offerings in the plates or wooden boxes

·      Give online at christchurchfl.org/give 

·      Text GIVE to 954.880.3885

·      Mail a check to Christ Church, 4845 NE 25^th Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

Connect cards may also be placed with your offering. Christ Church is a congregationally supported ministry. We thank you for your faithfulness as we reflect the love, hope and joy of Jesus to our community.

MUSIC MINISTRY

Wake Up, Church, Wake Up!| Pepper Chopplin
Chancel Choir 
How lovely is thy house, O Lord, what joy we find inside as we in blessed peacefulness abide. How comforting is the music, how comfortable are the pews as we rest in the Lord. Wake up, church, wake up! The Lord is calling you. There is kingdom work to do and so arise and shine. Now tell the world your light is come. There’ll be plenty time to rest when life is done. We can’t hide inside the walls, sitting on the pews. God calls us to go out and we cannot refuse. And so arise and shine and give God the glory, children of the Lord.

Pepper Dean Choplin | © 2003 Lorenz Publishing Company, assigned to Lorenz Publishing Company (Admin. by Music Services) | all rights reserved | used with permission under One License #A-726973

* DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Bourgeois & Ken | public domain | CCLI License # 487103

MORNING PRAYER

THE LORD’S PRAYER 
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

* HYMN OF COMMITMENT
Lord, you Gave the Great Commission| BEECHER
Lord, you give the great commission: “Heal the sick and preach the word.”
Lest the church neglect its mission, and the gospel go unheard,
help us witness to your purpose with renewed integrity.

(refrain) With the Spirit’s gifts empower us for the work of ministry.

Lord, you call us to your service: “In my name, baptize and teach.”

That the world may trust your promise, life abundant meant for each,
give us all new fervor, draw us closer in community.  (refrain)

Lord, you bless with words assuring: “I am with you to the end.”
Faith and hope and love restoring, may we serve as you intend
and, amid the cares that claim us, hold in mind eternity.  (refrain)

Cyril Vincent Taylor & Jeffery Rowthorn | © words: 1978 Hope Publishing Company | music: 1942 | renewed 1970 Hope Publishing Company | CCLI License # 487103

* SENDING FORTH

* RESPONSE
Spirit Song | The United Methodist Hymnal No. 347
O let the Son of God enfold you with his Spirit and his love. 
Let him fill your heart and satisfy your soul. 
O let him have the things that hold you, and his Spirit like a dove 
will descend upon your life and make you whole.

Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs. 
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs.

John Wimber | © 1979 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing Co. | CCLI License # 487103

MUSIC FOR CLOSING
Jubilant Ringing|Phil Lehenbauer
Chuck Stanley, organ

Phil Lehenbauer © 2013 Phil Lehenbauer | used by permission

* please stand in body or spirit.

Join us next Sunday, when we conclude the series The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss, with the message
Green Eggs and Ham Theology, based on John 9:1-17. 

For a complete list of all the ways to conect click here