EBENEZER UNITED
(410)795-6136
Rev. Judith A. Emerson, Pastor
5th
Sunday after Pentecost
PRELUDE “Here I Am, Lord” arr. by Mark Hayes
LIGHTING THE
CANDLES
REFLECTION FOR
WORSHIP
The message today will reflect on how everybody
has a role in the church. Just as it was important that Ebenezer's
"founding fathers" took action to create our church and make it a vital
part of the community, it is important today that we each continue to minister
in the community – glorifying God with the gifts we have been given.
This summer we
will hear from several lay preachers in our congregation who are using their
gifts by proclaiming the Word of God in worship. Today Bill Jones will share
with us what he has learned about God’s call in his life as he continues to
study the history of
SUMMER SING-A-LONG
WELCOME
*CALL TO WORSHIP
We do not know the time or the
season of God’s visitation among us.
But we await God’s promise as we gather in
this house of prayer.
Christ intercedes for all disciples, that we may know God’s love and care.
We join Christ in prayer that we may all be
one,
as Christ is one with
the Creator.
Amen.
*OPENING HYMN “Ye Servants of God”
PRAYER
Loving God, as we gather for this time of
worship we pray that your Word will draw us together as a community of faith.
We come for renewed inspiration as we accept the challenges of each day. Just as so many of your faithful followers in
the past joined as one to build the ministries of Ebenezer United Methodist
Church, teach us to work together as the body of Christ today. Help us, O God, to
use our gifts to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to glorify you in all that
we say and do. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
EPISTLE
LESSON Ephesians 4:11-13 NT pg.
182
In
this lesson the new Christians in
GOSPEL LESSON John 6:24-35 NT pg. 92
In our Gospel Jesus
tells the crowd of the true bread of life, the bread from heaven.
HYMN “Blest
Be the Dear Uniting Love”
MESSAGE “A Gifted
People, Then and Now” Bill Jones
HYMN “What Gift Can We Bring”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Joys and Concerns
Silent Prayer
Pastoral 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, and the power, and the
glory forever. Amen.
THE GIFTS OF THE PEOPLE
Offertory "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen." Ralph
Jones
*Presentation of Gifts
*Doxology
Praise
God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise
God, all creatures here below;
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
Praise
God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise
Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise
the Spirit, Holy Spirit!
Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
*Prayer of Dedication
Almighty God, may
the work of Christ be accomplished through these gifts and through our faithful attention to the tasks you call us to
do in Jesus’ name. Amen.
*HYMN “We
Are the Church”
*DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING
*POSTLUDE
Ebenezer United
Pastor
Rev. Judith A. Emerson
Church Staff
Secretary: Sue Bergmann
Organist/Choir Director
: Linda Bange
Youth Director:
Melissa Pollack
Nursery Coordinator :
Susan Rodriguez
Nursery Coordinator: Jen Whittington
Contact Information
Church Office: 410-795-6136
Church Fax:
410-795-1237
Pastor’s Office:410-970-6975
Pastor’s Home: 410-442-2881
Church E-mail eumcwinfield@yahoo.com
Pastor’s E-mail revjae@aol.com
Church Website www.ebenezerumchurch.org
This Week
|
Day |
Event |
Time |
|
Tuesday |
Visit to Brinton Woods |
|
|
Thursday |
Craft day at church |
|
HOLLY MART COMMITTEE
There will be a meeting
for all interested in helping with the Holly Mart on Tuesday, August 2 at
CHILDREN’S CHOIR PARTY
There will be a
party for the children’s choir on Sunday August 7 at
MEN’S RETREAT The sign up sheet is posted on the bulletin
board in the Narthex for the men’s retreat this fall. We need a minimum of 12
men attending to hold the retreat. Sign up today! If you have questions, please
see Buck Scott.
HOW WILL YOU USE YOUR GIFTS?
I am
very thankful for the members of this congregation who so willingly use their
gifts for the ministries of the church. Some we see on Sunday morning as they
read scripture, greet and usher or even preach God’s Word. Others do a lot of
work “behind the scenes” taking care of the church building, caring for those
in need, teaching classes, leading programs, running summer camps, visiting the
sick and providing oversight for financial needs. These are just a few of the
ways you can utilize your gifts to glorify God.
It is my responsibility, as your Pastor, to provide opportunities for
everyone to discover their gifts and share them as part of the body of Christ.
Whether your gift includes preaching, teaching, painting or moving furniture,
all are equally important to the body of Christ. Please help me to identify and
utilize your gifts. It doesn’t mean you have to preach on Sunday morning
(although that could happen) but it does mean we all have a gift to offer and
each and every gift is needed as we glorify God together and continue to make
disciples of Jesus Christ. How will you
use your gifts at EUMC this year? Let’s talk about it!
Rev.
Judy