Celebrate inWorship

This short liturgy can be incorporated into a spring worship service to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of The Advance.

Hymn
"Pass It On," No. 572, The United Methodist Hymnal

Prayer
Teach us, good Lord,
to serve as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost;
to fight and not to heed the wounds;
to toil and not to seek for rest;
to labor and not to ask for any reward,
except that of knowing that we do your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—"Prayer of Ignatius of Loyola," No. 570, The United Methodist Book of Worship

Meditation
Name each Advance project your church participates in and celebrate all of them, one by one. Pray specifically for each project. Children may process through the church carrying banners or posters that highlight specific Advance projects.

Offering
Play or sing "Here I Am, Lord," No. 593, The United Methodist Hymnal.
Children may stand in front of the altar with Advance project posters and an offering basket for each project. Invite people to come forward to put their pledges, offerings, or other gifts in the offering basket of the project or projects in which they personally wish to participate.

Sending Forth
Invite participants to stand and hold hands with the persons on either side, forming a circle or an unbroken line. Sing together "Blest Be the Tie that Binds," No. 557, The United Methodist Hymnal.

"We take now the hands of those in need around the world so that they too may have the opportunity to experience transformation, hope, and joy. We go forth as people called by God in the name of Jesus Christ."