EBENEZER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

4901 Woodbine Road

                                                 Sykesville, Maryland 21784

(410)795-6136

www.ebenezerumchurch.org

Rev. Judith A. Emerson, Pastor

June12, 2011

8:30 AM and 11:00 AM

 

Pentecost Sunday

 

PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

       Today is Pentecost Sunday; one of the prominent feasts in the Christian liturgical year. Pentecost is celebrated seven weeks (50 days) after Easter Sunday. It is historically and symbolically related to the Jewish harvest festival of Shavuot, which commemorates God giving the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai fifty days after the Exodus. Among Christians, Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus as described in the New Testament Acts of the Apostles 2:1-31. For this reason, Pentecost is sometimes described as the "Birthday of the Church".

       Today we also celebrate with our Music Director and Organist, Linda Bange, 15 years of Music Ministry at Ebenezer United Methodist Church. During our service today we will sing and hear some of Linda’s favorite hymns.

      

PRELUDE                                      “O Worship the King” 

 

LIGHTING THE CANDLES                          

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

      

*CALL TO WORSHIP

       God promised through a prophet long ago; I will pour out my spirit on all flesh.

       Sons and daughters shall prophesy, the young see visions, the old dream dreams.

       God’s spirit opens minds and hearts to make the commonplace exceptional.

       We want to see, hear, and feel what the Holy Spirit has in store for us.

       Come, Holy Spirit, to make all things new; light the flame of love in our lives. Amen.

 

*OPENING HYMN            “Come, Let Us Use the Grace Divine”                UMH No. 606

 

OPENING PRAYER

       Holy and loving God, confront us now with the wind and fire that transform life as we know it. We are amazed at what we do not understand and tempted to dismiss wonders beyond our experience. Break through our reserve to set us free. As we listen with expectancy, grant us courage to accept the challenges Christ presents to us this day and every day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

FROM THE EPISTLES                            Acts 2:1-21                                           NT pg. 111

    This lesson tells the story of the Holy Spirit filling the apostles and empowering them to share the message of the gospel with people of different languages.

                                                          

HYMN                                                     “Spirit Song”                                    UMH No. 347

 

FROM THE GOSPELS                             John 7:37-39                                            NT pg. 94

 

HYMN                               “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty”            UMH No. 64

 

SERMON                           “Catching a Second Wind!”            Rev. Judy Emerson

 

HYMN                               “From All That Dwell Below the Skies”           UMH No. 101

                                         

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 

       Joys and Concerns

The flowers on the altar are presented in honor of Linda Bange,

in celebration of her 15th Anniversary in Music Ministry at Ebenezer UMC!

 

       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                                                                                                                       

       *Presentation of Gifts

 

*Doxology                                    “Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart”                           UMH No. 160     Stanza #5

Praise God who reigns on high, the Lord whom we adore,

The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, one God forevermore.

Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice, give thanks and sing!

 

       *Prayer of Dedication

       Loving God, we offer these gifts that they may empower today’s disciples, as the mighty wind and tongues of fire inspired and equipped the early apostles. As they gave their all to build your church, we rededicate our lives to making the church a vital force in today’s world. In Jesus’ name we offer this prayer. Amen.

 

*HYMN                                                “Spirit of God”                                  TFWS No. 2117  

*DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING

*POSTLUDE

                                   

                             Ebenezer UMC Contact Information

                             Pastor: Rev. Judith A. Emerson

                             Church Secretary: Sue Bergmann

                             Organist/Choir Director : Linda Bange

                             Youth Director: Melissa Pollack

                             Nursery Coordinator : Susan Rodriguez

                             Nursery Coordinator: Jen Whittington

                             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

Monday

Feed My Sheep at Wesley Freedom UMC

10:30 AM

Tuesday

Stephen Ministry meeting

7:00 PM

Thursday

Craft day at church

Women’s dinner at Beck’s

9:30 AM

6:30 PM

 

SUMMER WORSHIP HOURS

From Sunday, July 3, 2011 through Sunday, September 11, 2011 we will have ONE worship service only at 10:00 AM. Please mark your calendars.

 

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS

Beginning Tuesday, July 5th and continuing through Tuesday, September 6th, we will have summer office hours for the church. Our Church Secretary will be in the office on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM during the summer. The Pastor will be in the office at other times as well, however, if you have a pastoral emergency or need to get in touch with the Pastor or church staff and you cannot reach anyone in the church office, you may contact Rev. Judy by leaving a message on the church voicemail, by email or by calling her home number and she will return your call as soon as possible.

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL  Shake It Up Cafe' starts on June 20th from 5:45-8:00pm with dinner included for all registered children, their families and vbs volunteers.  Bring your friends, your family and your neighbors and let's get cookin'!  If you haven't registered yet, there are registration forms on the table in the back of the Sanctuary.  If you want to help, but can't commit to the week, just drop in on the nights you can!  If you have any questions contact Lori Rapids at 443-487-1149 or blrapids@comcast.net. 

       

SERVICE-LEARNING HOURS can be earned with Feed My Sheep as a student volunteer this summer at the Soup Kitchen at Wesley Freedom UMC. The sign-up sheet for 6th-12th grade is now posted on the bulletin board in the narthex. More details can be found on the sign-up sheet and in the June/July newsletter.

 

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. Here is a preview of the retreat:

2011 Men's Retreat

 "Money, Sex and Power:

Christian Men Living Rightly with
these Sacred Gifts"
 September 30 - October 1   Camp Manidokan


Schedule summary:

Friday evening - arrive, settle in, fellowship, worship and Session #1, "Money."
Saturday morning - breakfast, worship, and Session #2, "Sex."
Saturday early afternoon - lunch and free time
Saturday late afternoon - Worship and Session # 3, "Power."
Saturday evening - dinner and depart.

Resources: Material by Richard J. Foster and The Bible.


Session Leader: Pastor Dave Highfield, United Methodist pastor (mostly
retired), Carroll County resident, and occasional guest preacher at Ebenezer UM Church.  Dave was ordained in 1968 and served churches in Cumberland, Williamsport,  Riderwood, and Westminster, Maryland.