EBENEZER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

4901 Woodbine Road

Sykesville, Maryland 21784

September 25, 2011

8:30 AM and 11:00 AM

 

Order of Worship

 

 

 

THE PRELUDE                                           “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”                        arr. by Hayes

LIGHTING THE CANDLES  

GATHERING AND WELCOME

      

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP

       God summons us from work to worship!

       We are called to look beyond life’s routines.

       We are called to look for life’s meaning and possibilities.

       God is at work with us to accomplish Eternal purposes.

       Then let us worship God with joy and praise,

       knowing our salvation is in Christ!

      

*HYMN                                                     “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”                   UMH No. 154

                                                                                        Stanzas 1-3               

 OPENING PRAYER

               Holy God, we are among those who have been taught about your love

and your power.  Help us this day to worship you with true devotion and to proclaim the wonders of your name as we obey and serve you.  When we make commitments, help us to follow through. When our actions condemn us, grant us a new heart and a new spirit. We open ourselves to your work among us as we listen to your message of truth. Show us your glory as we share in your goodness. We pray in Jesus’ name.   Amen

 

 

SUNG RESPONSE                                    “All Hail the Power of Jesus Name”                   UMH No. 155

                                                                                   Stanzas 4-6

      

ANTHEM (8:30 AM)                                          “Oh Be Careful”                                     Cherub Choir

                                                                           “Shout to the Lord”                           Joyful Noise Choir

 

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM (11:00 AM)                                                  UMH No. 39

Mia Rose Pollack

Parents: Melissa & Matthew Pollack

 

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON                                  Exodus 17:1-7                                              OT pg. 61

       The people are at the point of rebellion because they are without water in the wilderness. Moses disapproves of their readiness to challenge the Lord through their lack of trust, and he asks God what is to be done.

                              

EPISTLE LESSON                                                   Philippians 2:1-13                                        NT pg. 186

       Paul tells the new disciples to be of one mind in love, knowing how Christ Jesus accepted the condition of a servant and was obedient to the point of death. We now confess him as Lord and are called to an obedient life of faith.

 

HYMN                                                                   “Sanctuary”                                   TFWS No. 2164

                                                          Brenda Sebly and Mike Nickey, guitarists

       

GOSPEL LESSON                                            Matthew 21:23-32

       Jesus tells a parable of two sons who obeyed their father differently, and he indicates that it is the same with those who are apparently obedient and disobedient in this age.

Both John the Baptist and Jesus offered their message of repentance and the hope of the reign of God to all.

 

SERMON                                                    “It’s Not Too Late!”                      Rev. Judy Emerson

                   

HYMN                                                                     “More Like You”                                 TFWS No. 2167

 

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.

 

GIFTS OF THE PEOPLE

       Offertory                                                                      “Joshua”                                             Chancel Choir              

      *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 uplifts!

Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

       *Prayer of Dedication

               Loving God, use these gifts, and our time and talents to work in your vineyard. Grant to us the capacity to move beyond good intentions to give ourselves completely to the purposes of your realm. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

*CLOSING HYMN                                                     “Trust and Obey”                                  UMH No. 467

*BLESSING WITH DISMISSAL

*POSTLUDE

 

 

TFWS=The Faith We Sing Hymn Book

UMH=The United Methodist Hymnal

*= Congregation stands as able

 

 

 

 

This Week

Day

Event

Time

Today

UMYF meeting at the Pollack’s

6:30-8:00 PM

Monday

Craft day at church

9:00 AM

Tuesday

Brunch committee meeting

6:30 PM

Wednesday

Choir practices

6:00-8:30 PM

Thursday

Craft day at church

Building committee meeting

9:30 AM

7:00 PM

Friday-Saturday

Men’s retreat at Manidokan

 

 

BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING this Thursday, Sept 29, 2011 at 7:00 PM.

 

BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY DATES If you have not given the church office your birthday or anniversary date and would like to see it in the newsletter, please write it on an attendance card and place it in the offering plate.

 

MEN’S RETREAT

Men of Ebenezer! The September 30th - October 1st  men's retreat is almost here. The theme of our 24 hours together will be "Money, Sex, and Power: Men Challenged to Live as Christians." We'll participate in worship, three teaching sessions, small group discussions, and have free time to explore Camp Manidokan in the fall. This is also an opportunity to invite your men friends who may be open to new friendships and exploring a more faithful and disciplined life. Contact Buck Scott for more details, 410-795-0878. I joyfully anticipate being the spiritual leader for this retreat. – Pastor Dave Highfield

 

MISSION OPPORTUNITY   EUMC will be collecting coats of all sizes for children and adults as part of our mission outreach this year. If you have a coat in good condition that you would like to donate you may leave it in the collection bin in the narthex. They will be given out at Shepherd’s Staff in late October. Also, check the bulletin board and sign up sheets for our mission day, October 8. We will have several opportunities for you to help others!

 

INFORMATION NEEDED! We would appreciate getting our college students addresses and birthdays so we can keep in touch with them! Please leave this information on the desk in the church office or e-mail it to church.

 

SAFE SANCTUARY As part of our Safe Sanctuary policy, we need volunteers who work with children to watch the Safe Sanctuary video. Please let Chuck Wisner know if you need to watch this, and he can send it by e-mail to you. Also, anyone working with children or youth in the church, for any reason throughout the year, must complete and sign a sexual misconduct form and return it to the church office before October 16th. You may pick up a copy from the table in the back of the sanctuary.

 

CHARGE CONFERENCE Our annual Charge Conference will be held on Sunday, October 16th at Wesley Freedom UMC. Worship will be at 3:30 PM and our Charge Conference will be held immediately after. All members of the Administrative Council are encouraged to attend. If you are coming and could bring an appetizer/dessert, please let Sue Bergmann know.