WELCOME TO WORSHIP | sunday | october 12, 2025

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

to each other and our community.

PRELUDE
Glorious Celebration | Cynthia Dobrinski
Handbell Choir
Cynthia Dobrinski | © 2014 Agape (a division of Hope Publishing Company | all rights reserved | used with permission under One License #A-726973

WELCOME | Pastor Doug Johns

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

WELCOME ONE ANOTHER

* CALL TO WORSHIP | Jeanne Deinken, liturgist 
Come, beloved of God, not to stand still, but to move forward in faith.

We come to walk the path Christ sets before us.

Each step of faith shapes who we are created to be.
We offer our gifts, our hearts, and our will to God’s purpose.

When we live with focus and love, the world is changed.
One act of kindness, one word of hope, can ripple through creation.

Come, people of God—join the journey of becoming.
With open hearts and willing spirits, we follow Christ together!

* 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, you call us to follow you into places unknown, to trust your voice even when the way is unclear. So often we cling to what feels safe, and our hearts become tangled by fear or hesitation. Set us free, O God—free from the need to control, free from the weight of doubt, free to embrace your leading with open hearts. Empower us to step into the journey of who we are meant to be, to walk with courage, clarity, and compassion. Lead us not where we want to go, but where you are already at work. May our lives ripple outward—each act of love, each step of faith, each moment of clarity— becoming part of your healing work in the world. Amen.

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in the God of all Creation, made known to us in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. God’s perfect and endless love shows us how to love one another.
We believe in Christ Jesus, God with us, King and Suffering Servant, High Priest and Lamb of God. He is the Bread of Life, The Word made flesh, whose life, death and resurrection redeems and restores us and gives hope to the world.
We believe in the Holy Spirit who inspires, sustains, and purifies us. The Spirit continues to form us into the nature of Christ and transform us with gifts. Binding us into one body, the Spirit calls us to love and serve the world.
We rejoice in our God, who like a faithful mother does not abandon her child. We celebrate our God, who like a loving father welcomes the prodigal home.
In life and death, we belong to you, everlasting God: our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.

* 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
Prelude on “Thaxted” | Michel Helman                                               
Handbell Choir
Michael Lee Helman | © 2017 Lorenz Corporation (admin. by Music Services) | all rights reserved | used with permission under One License #A-726973

SCRIPTURE 
Mark 10:13-16 | New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
¹³ People were bringing children to him in order that he might touch them, and the disciples spoke sternly to them. ¹⁴ But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” ¹⁶ And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

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

MESSAGE
The Ripple Effect | Focus | 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

I Must Tell Jesus with Blessed Assurance | arr. Mary McDonald
Chancel Choir 
I must tell Jesus all of my trials; I cannot bear these burdens alone. In my distress he kindly will help me; he ever loves and cares for his own. This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long. This is my song!

Mary Elizabeth McDonald   © 1985 Purifoy 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
Tuba Tune | Paul Fey
Chuck Stanley, organ
Paul Fey | © 2021 Paul Fey | all rights reserved | used by permission

* please stand in body or spirit.

Join us next Sunday as we continue The Ripple Effect series with the message Freedom, based on 
Mark 10:17-31. 

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