EBENEZER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

4901 Woodbine Road

Sykesville, Maryland 21784

(410)795-6136

www.ebenezerumchurch.org

Rev. Judith A. Emerson, Pastor

 

November 13, 2011

8:30 AM & 11:00 AM

 

Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost

                                                            

PRELUDE                                  “Fantasia on Forest Green”                                       Purvis

LIGHTING THE CANDLES                                        

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP

            The Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, without warning.
            We who are God's children should be ready at all times, without fear.
            Instead of fear, we should be full of joy, because of our salvation in Jesus!
            Praise God for our salvation in Christ Jesus!

 

*HYMN                            “God Hath Spoken By the Prophets”                    UMH No. 108  

                              

PRAYER (together)

      Merciful God, who desires that we should each receive salvation through your Son: Keep us strong in our faith, and alert in our discipleship; that we may live as your children without fear of destruction, encouraged by your love. Keep our hearts and minds attuned to Christ, so we will know your peace. In our Savior's name we pray. Amen.

 

ANTHEM (8:30 AM)                “My Lord, What a Morning”                            Chancel Choir                    (11:00 AM)               “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”       Cherubs & Joyful Noise

 

CHILDREN’S SERMON   (11:00 AM)                                                                    Julie Jones

 

 

 

FROM THE EPISTLES                 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11                                    NT pg. 193

       In company with Silvanus and Timothy, Paul greets the new Christians of Thessalonica, gives thanks for their faith and their conversion from idols to the worship of the true and living God.

      

FROM THE GOSPELS                    Matthew 25:14-30                                          NT pg. 27

       In our Gospel lesson Jesus answers a question about taxation by teaching that people should pay what belongs to the Emperor to the Emperor and the things of God to God.

 

HYMN                             “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”                 UMH No. 206

 

SERMON                      “Early Birds & Night Owls”          Rev. Judy Emerson

 

*HYMN                                        “When We Are Living”                                UMH No. 356

                                   

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

            Loving God, we have faith in your Son Jesus, but we need more faith to be ready for his return. Forgive us for our immaturity in living as your children, unsure of the salvation which Christ has given us. Awaken us to the joy which is ours; that we may know we are your children, saved by your Son who died for us. In his name we pray. Amen.

 

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

            If we have come in sincere repentance and faith, trusting the power of God to transform us, we will find wholeness and assurance. Live, then, as children of God, in the steadfast love that endures forever. Amen.

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 

       Joys and Concerns

       Veterans Day Remembrance

       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  

    *Presentation of Gifts

    *Doxology                                                                                                        UMH No. 94

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 up lifts!

Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

    *Prayer of Dedication

                 Great God, hear our joyful noise as we offer these gifts and summon others to give as we hope to give, not according to what we want, but in proportion to the blessings you have bestowed on us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS (8:30 AM)

 

*HYMN                                      “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”             TFWS No. 2129

 

*DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING

*POSTLUDE

 

 

 This Week

Day

Event

Time

Monday

Feed My Sheep

10:30 AM

Tuesday

Visit to Brinton Woods

10:30 AM

Wednesday

Choir practices

6:00-8:30 PM

Thursday

Finance Committee Women’s prayer group

7:00 PM

7:30 PM

Saturday

Breakfast at Harry’s

8:30 AM

 

HOLLY MART THANK YOU! A special thank you to everyone who helped to make our annual Holly Mart a great success yesterday!!!

 

EUMC CHURCH FAMILY CHRISTMAS DINNER: Saturday, December 10th, 2011 at 6:00 PM at the Winfield Volunteer Fire Company Social Hall. The meal will be catered by Salerno's and we will have Christmas music and entertainment for all ages. Plan on joining us for this special church family event. Contact Sandy Wean or Mazie Barnes if you have questions.

Adults (Ages 11 and up) - $15.00

Children (Ages 3 to 10) - $7.50

Infant to 2 years old - Free!

CHURCH DOORS – Please double check the outside doors each time you enter and exit the church building. There are times when the door does not completely close and the bar on the door must be pressed in again in order for the door to close and lock. This is necessary in order to keep our building secure. Your cooperation is appreciated!           

 

MEN’S BREAKFAST AT HARRY’s Saturday, November 19th at 8:30 AM. We are taking the ladies to breakfast! If you would like to join us please sign up in the narthex.

 

COLD WEATHER SHELTER November 20thand December 18th.  We need donations of food and helpers to serve. If you can lend a hand please sign up.

 

POINSETTIAS If you would like to order a poinsettia for Christmas, please fill out the order form found on the table in the back of the sanctuary. There are also envelopes for you to put your order form and payment in. Please give it to Jean Hedrick or leave in the church office.

 

GOOD SAMARITAN FUND Our Good Samaritan Fund was established in order for the Pastor to confidentially help people in our congregation and community who are in need of financial assistance. This fund supports those needing help with rent, food, gas, medication, and other basic necessities. The fall and winter months seem to bring greater demands for assistance than other times of the year. If you are able to make a contribution to our Good Samaritan Fund at this time, it would be greatly appreciated by those in need. You can make your check payable to Ebenezer UMC and place it in the offering with a notation that it should be designated to the Good Sam Fund.

 

CHILDREN’S CHOIR PRACTICE There will be no rehearsal for the children’s choirs on Wednesday, November 16, 2011.

 

THANKSGIVING FAMILIES  If you are donating food for our Thanksgiving families, please place non-perishable items in the bin in the Narthex. If you have frozen items, please put them in the freezer in the kitchen.

 

THANSKGIVING EVE WORSHIP SERVICE  We will worship at Taylorsville UMC this Thanksgiving Eve at 7:30 PM. Pastor Judy will be preaching and our Chancel Choir will join in an anthem with the choir from Taylorsville UMC.

THE SEASON OF ADVENT IS COMING SOON!

Lighting the Advent Wreath in Worship

The First Sunday in Advent is November 27, 2011. If you would like to participate in the lighting of the Advent wreath during our 8:30 AM or 11:00 AM Worship, or for one of our Christmas Worship times, please sign up on the chart in the narthex. All are invited to participate in the lighting of the Advent Wreath - individuals, families, or combined families are welcome.

 

Advent Bible Study

Tuesday Afternoons or Evenings 11/29, 12/6, 12/13, 12/20 

1:30 PM to 3:00 PM or 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Can we say no to God? Do you think there have been times when you have failed to recognize angels who have appeared in your life? What can we learn from the story of the Christ Child’s birth? These are some of the questions we will explore during the season of Advent. Our Advent Study is based on Adam Hamilton’s Book The Journey; Walking the Road to Bethlehem. You may read the book before we begin the study; however, it is not necessary. This is a four week study to help us better understand the events that led up to the birth of Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem; to explore the significance of the Nativity; and to reflect upon the meaning of these events for our lives today. Our time together will include small group discussions and a video presentation in which Dr. Hamilton visits the Holy Land in order to retrace the steps of Mary, Joseph, and others culminating in the events around Jesus’ birth. If you would like to participate, please sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex. The afternoon and evening classes are the same – so you may alternate between the two as it meets the needs of your own schedule each week.

 

BUILDING COMMITTEE This committee will meet on November 17 at 7:00 PM

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE  This committee will meet on November 21 at 7:00 PM