EBENEZER UNITED
(410)795-6136
Rev.
Judith A. Emerson, Pastor
January 1, 2012
10:00 AM
Order of Worship
New Year’s Day
PRELUDE “Noel Joyeux” Young
LIGHTING THE CANDLES
WELCOME
*CALL TO WORSHIP
The
dwelling place of God is with humanity.
The
Human One comes among us in glory.
God is making all things new!
Praise
God, all nations!
We rejoice to be in God’s house together
this New Year’s Day!
Praise
God, all nations! God’s faithfulness endures forever!
*HYMN “Angels from the Realms of Glory” UMH No. 220
PRAYER
Loving God, we welcome the new beginning
that a fresh year offers. All our good intentions are caught up in the promise
of starting over. Help us to leave behind that which we cannot change and move
forward boldly on the paths in which you would lead us. Equip us to witness to
all we have seen and heard. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
OLD TESTAMENT
Isaiah 60:1-6 OT pg. 649
In our reading today the prophet envisions
the end of exile and the glorious restoration of Jerusalem. Although darkness
covers the earth, the Lord will be a light making God’s people shine.
ANTHEM “Christmas Chimings” Chime Choir
GOSPEL Matthew 2:1-12 NT pgs.
1-2
Our Gospel is the story of the wise men
from the east, who, guided by a star, come to worship
the child born to be king. Despite the wicked plotting of Herod, the Magi are
able to bring their gifts to Jesus without betraying his exact location.
HYMN “There’s a Song in the Air” UMH No. 249
SERMON
“The Golden
Rule” Rev. Judy Emerson
HYMN “This is a Day of New Beginnings” UMH No. 383
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Joys and Concerns
Silent Prayer/Pastoral Prayer
THE GIFTS OF THE PEOPLE
Offertory “Coventry Carol” Bill Jones, solo
*Presentation of Gifts
*Doxology “What
Gift Can We Bring”
Stanza #4
This gift we now
bring, this present, this token,
these
words can convey it, the joy of this day!
When grateful we
come, remembering, rejoicing,
this
song we now offer in honor and praise!
*Prayer of Dedication
O God, as the Magi presented costly gifts
to the Child they dared to worship as your special messenger. We offer these
gifts praying they will keep us open to the signs of your presence and
responsive to your summons, no matter where it leads. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
The Great Thanksgiving
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, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
The Sharing of the Cup and Bread
The
Prayer after Receiving
Communion Offering for
Hymns during communion: #237, #219, #216
*HYMN “We Three Kings” UMH No. 254
*DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING
*POSTLUDE
To Our Visitors
Welcome to Ebenezer United Methodist Church! We are so happy you are
visiting today. It is our prayer that you will feel the warmth of our church
family spirit, and that you will experience God’s presence in a mighty way as
you worship with us this morning.
We
offer a nursery during worship for infants through kindergarten. The nursery is located down the hall in our
education wing. Our staff will certainly come and get you if your child needs
you. Please feel free to utilize this ministry of our church.
It
would be helpful if you would sign the attendance roster on the end of the pew
and complete a Welcome Card and place it in the offering plate. We would like
to keep in touch and help you learn more about Ebenezer UMC. We are blessed by
your presence with us this morning.
I want to offer my heartfelt
thanks to the congregation of Ebenezer UMC for your generous Christmas Gift
presented to me during the late service on Christmas Eve.
I am blessed to continue serving in ministry
with you for another year.
Thank you for your constant love
and support.
Blessings,
Rev. Judy
This Week
|
Day |
Event |
Time |
|
Wednesday |
OWLS lunch Choir practice |
12:00 PM 6:00-8:30 PM |
|
Thursday |
Building Committee |
7:00 PM |
Guess What’s New
in Your Pew?
We no longer have attendance
cards
We are returning to the attendance roster!
Please sign the book and pass it
down the pew!
Special Prayer
Requests cards are in the pew rack
in addition to our prayer request
board in the narthex.
Fill out a card when needed and
place it in the offering plate.
Stephen Ministry
Cards are
now available for your information!
Welcome Cards are in the pew rack
for our Visitors to
complete and place in the offering plate.
End of Year Financial
Statements for Your Taxes
If you would like
a giving statement for the total contributions you have made to Ebenezer UMC in
2011, please make a note on the attendance roster next to your name and a
statement will be prepared for you.
MISSION POSSIBLE
A Note from your
Pastor, Rev. Judy Emerson
Matthew
25:35-40
New International Version (NIV)
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was
thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me
in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you
looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then
the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,
or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a
stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and
clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in
prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of
these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
On Wednesday, January 11, 2012 Heidi Davis, a young adult who has grown up at Ebenezer UMC, will join a team of volunteers from Maryland as they begin a journey to Namibia, Africa. Heidi will serve as a volunteer Missionary to the Children of Zion Village in Namibia from January through March, 2012.
Many in that country have experienced financial strains as their economy has continued to struggle. The needs of the orphans in Namibia continue to be great. Children of Zion, Inc. is an organization committed to providing for all of the children at the Children of Zion Village. They work to provide for those who are currently there as well as those who may be placed in their care in the future. They are committed to providing food, shelter, clothing, medical care, education and love as they share the stories of Jesus with them and teach them of God’s love. Several children have medical needs requiring ongoing care.
With my encouragement and at the direction of the Administrative Council, the Endowment and Finance Committees at EUMC voted to support Heidi as a Missionary from our church and provide the financial support she needs in order to cover her transportation and related expenses for this journey. On behalf of the church we are providing a total of $4,500.00 in order to provide for the logistical costs of this Mission experience. This money will come from our “Above and Beyond Missions” line item in our Endowment fund.
In addition to these expenses there are many other needs in order to provide for the children in this orphanage. Our Sunday school classes are collecting white socks (all children’s sizes), bandanas, and pencils to send with Heidi when she leaves on January 11, 2012.
If you
would like to donate some of these items or wish to make a financial contribution
to support the ongoing cost of food, shelter, clothing and medical expenses, it
would be very much appreciated. All
contributions will need to be at the church NO LATER THAN NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2012.
Please
visit the website www.childrenofzionvillage.org
in order to learn more about this very important ministry. If you would like to
make a contribution, please make your check payable to Ebenezer UMC and be
sure to include a notation that reads: Children of Zion Village. You may place
your check in the offering plate on Sunday morning or leave it in the church
office.
Our congregation is truly blessed to have one of our members step up to the plate and give of her time and talents in such an extraordinary way. It is my hope that the entire congregation will find a way to support this church wide Mission experience by making it a Mission Possible! Please support Heidi with your ongoing prayers for all at the Children of Zion Village.
The Essential One-Hundred for 2012
Bible Reading Plan
You will find a special bookmark in your bulletin today about the Essential 100. This is a carefully selected list of short Bible passages – 50 from the Old Testament and 50 from the New Testament. Most are about 1-2 chapters in length, just the right amount for a busy person to read in a few minutes. The readings cover all major types of biblical writing, including Historical Books, Poetry and Wisdom, the Prophets, the Gospels, Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation. They’re organized into 20 sets of 5 readings each, so you can easily get the big picture of the Bible without getting overwhelmed.
Whether you are new to the Bible or you’ve been reading it for years, by following this plan for your personal daily or weekly devotions, you will discover that this is a unique and meaningful way to get an overview of the Bible’s message. Portions of The Essential One-Hundred will be used as a guide for a Lenten Study this year. As you read through the Bible remember that your goal is not to just make it through, rather, it is to gain further insight and to draw closer to God by becoming more spiritually disciplined.