*HYMN #405 Seek Ye First Seek Ye. THE SERMON What s in Your Bucket? Dr. Bodt

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1 MARY TAYLOR MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 168 Broad Street Phone: Milford, Connecticut FAX: Order of Worship 10:00 a.m. (* Those who are able may stand. Late arrivals will be seated.) THE BELL TOLLS Welcoming us to worship God PRELUDE I Call to Thee, Lord Jesus Christ J.S. Bach ANNOUNCEMENTS AND MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES (Please keep our focus on the worship of God by sharing those items not published elsewhere.) *CALL TO WORSHIP Romans 5:1-5 L: Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. P: Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in the hope of sharing the glory of God. L: And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, P: And hope does not disappoint us, because God s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Let us worship God. *HYMN #110 A Mighty Fortress is Our God Ein feste burg THE PRAYER OF THE DAY (seated, unison) O gracious God, we pray for your holy Church universal, that you would be pleased to fill it with all truth, in all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it; where it is right, establish it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of him who died and rose again, and ever lives to make intercession for us, Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer, alt. SILENT CONFESSION AND WORDS OF PARDON ooo THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES Joel 2:28 Bible p.833 Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. THE EPISTLE Colossians 3:1 Bible p.1073 Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. *THE GOSPEL Matthew 6:25-33 Bible p. 882 Reader: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Christ. *HYMN #405 Seek Ye First Seek Ye THE SERMON What s in Your Bucket? Dr. Bodt RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS Hymnal p. 45 (With the Apostles Creed, Hymnal #881) By Letter of Transfer: Alan and Linda Gregory, sponsored by Ed and Brenda Pineau By Profession of Faith: Elizabeth Kingsley, sponsored by Leigh Bak PRAYERS OF PETITION AND INTERCESSION Leader: Lord, in Your mercy, People: Hear our prayer. THE LORD S PRAYER Hymnal #895 *THE PEACE L: May the peace of the Lord be always with you. P: And also with you. (Greet one another with signs of Christ s peace.) EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY SPOTLIGHT Bill Katt PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS Organ Anthem: God Hath Spoken Briggs and Wetherill *Presentation: All Things Come of Thee, O Lord Hymnal #588 *Prayer of Dedication HYMN #528 (seated) Nearer, My God, to Thee Bethany HYMN #462 (seated) Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus Trust in Jesus You are invited to come forward to receive a healing anointing for yourself or on behalf of another. Please come by the center aisle and return by the side aisles. Stand or kneel (as able) at the Communion rail and speak name and need to the anointer. This practice from the earliest days of the Church expresses God s love as a mysterious, caring expression of Christ s promise I will be with you always. Please remain in prayer until all have returned to their seats. *THE BENEDICTION *THE BENEDICTION RESPONSE Shalom to You Hymnal #666 Shalom to you now, shalom, my friends. May God s full mercies bless you, my friends. In all your living and through your loving, Christ be your shalom. *THE BELL TOLLS Sending us to walk with and witness for Jesus *POSTLUDE Fanfare on Ein Feste Berg J.Pethel (During the postlude you may leave following the pastor or remain seated). THE WORSHIP IS ENDED: THE SERVICE BEGINS.

2 Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church First Methodist Church in Milford: 1843 Current building dedicated: 1893 Merged with Myrtle Beach Community Church: 1969 Whoever you are, wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here. REFORMATION SUNDAY PENTECOST XXIII October 27, 2013

3 Sunday, October 27 Monday, October 28 Tuesday, October 29 Wednesday, October 30 Thursday, October 31 Sunday, November 3 Monday, November 4 Tuesday, November 5 Wednesday, November 6 Thursday, November 7 ~Calendar at Mary Taylor Memorial~ PENTECOST XXIII 9:00 a.m. Sunday School for all ages Wesley Center 10:00 a.m. Worship Sanctuary 10:00a.m. New Members received 11:00 a.m. Fellowship Hour-Dodd Hall 11:00 a.m. Men s Club Soup & Sandwich Luncheon 11:45 a.m. Visitation Ministry meeting Wesley Center 3:00-5:00 p.m. Sunday School Harvest Festival 7:00 p.m. Service of Healing and Wholeness The Chapel 5:45 p.m Confirmation Class 7:00 p.m. Extravagant Generosity study Gunn Library 7:00 p.m. Disciple I Bible Study 10:00 a.m. Extravagant Generosity study Gunn Library 6:30 p.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:45 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal 1:00 p.m. The Church Office will close early today ALL SAINTS SUNDAY/PENTECOST XXIV 9:00 a.m. Sunday School for all ages Wesley Center 10:00 a.m. Worship Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Fellowship Hour-Dodd Hall 7:00 p.m. Service of Healing and Wholeness The Chapel 5:45 p.m Confirmation Class 7:00 p.m. Disciple I Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:45 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal 6:00 p.m. Pastors-Lay Leaders meeting 6:00 p.m. Missions Committee meeting 7:00 p.m. Trustees meeting- Egan Room Dear Mary Taylor Memorial family, Grace Notes October 27, 2013 The Protestant Reformation began on October 31, 1517 when an Augustinian monk, Martin Luther, nailed his Ninety-five Theses to the door of the cathedral church in Wittenberg, Germany. His call to scholarly debate the theses were written in Latin, not German of certain questionable practices in the Church went viral through the 16 th century version of the Internet: the printing press. Translated into German, they became the rallying cry for reform. Today s Call to Worship from Romans 5:1-5 is the pivotal text that convinced Luther that salvation was not the property of the Church, to be sold through indulgences (pardons from sin), but the gift of grace, a free gift of God in Christ. This emphasis on grace is what so closely ties Methodism to the theology of Luther. In fact, the founder of Methodism, the Rev. John Wesley, had his conversion ( I felt my heart strangely warmed ) in a Moravian prayer meeting where one was reading Martin Luther s preface to St. Paul s epistle to the Romans. (quotes from Mr. Wesley s Journal). As heirs to this legacy of grace, each new generation of our church must ask To what degree is my church in keeping with the radical love of Jesus, and to what extent have we drifted into institutional self-preservation and the sale of what God intends as a free gift? Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Brian MARY TAYLOR MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Website: mtmumc@sbcglobal.net Ministers All the People of God Bishop The Rev. Dr. Martin D. McLee Lay Leaders Kelly O Hara & Leigh Bak Superintendent The Rev. Kenneth Kieffer Prayer Chain Stacy Meszaros Pastor The Rev. Dr. Brian R. Bodt Administrative Assistant Mary Lou Kampert Pastoral Assistant The Rev. Harold V.W. Vink Sexton Bruce Rumford Music Director Dr. Richard L. Riccardi Child Care Coordinators Betty Laferriere and Nicole Ellerbeck

4 Head Usher Kelly O Hara Liturgist Susan O Shea Acolytes Julianna Patterson & Amanda Repetsky AT WORSHIP TODAY Greeters Betty and Paul Daneault Cross Bearer John Leum Bible Bearer Anna Wessinger Anointers Priscilla James, Laura Perregaux, Faye Zeiner, Rev. Hal Vink GREETING YOU AFTER WORSHIP is Dr. Bodt at the Narthex door and Susan O Shea at the Dodd Hall door. THE ALTAR FLOWERS are given with love and gratitude for all the love and prayers of our friends at Mary Taylor, by Michael and Maureen Groves. TO ASSIST YOU IN WORSHIP, see our ushers for: Large print Bibles, hymnals and bulletins Hearing Assist Devices Children s bulletins for ages 3 6 and 7 12 PLEASE OFFER PRAYER CONCERNS using the "Blue Sheets" in each pew or obtain one from an usher. Ushers collect them on the opening hymn and our Lay Leaders speak them during the Prayer of Intercession and Petition. Please obtain others permission to share their concerns. These prayers are included in our on-line prayer chain and Monday night Healing Service. Please also speak your concerns as invited during the prayer. TODAY S LITURGY is from Holy Scripture, The United Methodist Hymnal (1989), and The United Methodist Book of Worship (1992). NO SERMON COPIES are available from October 20. Previous messages are available in the rear of the church and on-line: CHURCH INFORMATION is available in the racks in back of the church. CHILD CARE: For children 5 and under is provided in Wesley Center, building next door to sanctuary OR the service may be heard in Dodd Hall, if you wish to use it for restless children during service. Please note that children over five are expected to remain in the sanctuary; the child care in Wesley Center is not staffed to provide for older children. Our Safe Sanctuary policy requires that children leaving the sanctuary must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. OUR LIFE IN PRAYER, MINISTRY AND MISSION OFFICE HOURS: Monday Friday, 9 a.m. 2 p.m. If Wesley Center is locked, call Mary Lou at or Pastor Brian ( ). FOOD BASKET: Please place non-perishable food items in the basket located in the back of the church & monetary donations in the Beth-El envelope. ANIMAL SHELTER DONATIONS: CAT FOOD is desperately needed for seniors with pets. Please leave food items in the back of the church or take to the Milford Animal Shelter at Silver Sands State Park. ALTAR FLOWERS ORDERS are taken at any time for Altar Flowers OR In Lieu of Flowers to support missions (UMCOR, UM Army and others please see info. table in back of church for list). *A donation in lieu of altar flowers is honored with a cross and miniature mission scarf placed on the altar. Please contact Beth O Brien at or bgobrien11@optonline.net or Beth O Brien, 7 Breakneck Court, Milford, CT CONTACTING THE PASTORS: Pastor Brian (brian.bodt@yahoo.com: , ext. 11 or ) is typically in office 9 Noon, Mon. Thurs. Pastor Hal Vink can be reached at or vinkhaljane@yahoo.com. Please inform them or the office ( , mtmumc@sbcglobal.net) of pastoral care needs and hospitalizations. FIX IT BOX is in Dodd Hall. See a need? Drop a completed form in the box. WE HOST Alcoholics Anonymous AND Gamblers Anonymous WEEKLY. Please call the church office for the schedule or see it posted on the bulletin boards. VITAL CONGREGATION WEEKLY REPORT FOR OCTOBER 20: Total worship attendance all services: 211 (Oct. 20, 201; Healing and Wholeness Oct. 21: 10) Total Offering: $ Amount given to Charities and Benevolences: $ ; Total Number Persons Engaged in Small Groups 81 (Sunday School, 16; Church Council, 12; Confirmation, 7; Disciple,11; EG Adult Study, Tues., 5; EG Adult Study, Wed., 3; Bell Choir 9; Adult Choir 18). Total number persons received on profession of faith: 0; Total Persons involved in local, national, and international missions: 0. *Important! Small Groups please the church office (mtmumc@sbcglobal.net) or call ( ) with your attendance. PLEASE NOTE: Should there be a medical or other emergency during the worship service, someone designated by the head usher will call #911. Do not call on your cell phone. Multiple calls may delay response. Thank you.

5 OTHER MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES UNITED METHODIST WOMEN: TWO NOVEMBER MEETINGS! Tuesday, November 12, 10:00 a.m., 1 st Floor, Wesley Center Tuesday, November 12, 7 p.m. For those who cannot attend during the day, at Rachel Merva s home; 90 Dart Hill Road, Milford. For more information contact Joan Zauner at or jzauner@yahoo.com. BIBLES FOR PAST CONFIRMANDS: if your child was confirmed prior to 2012 and desires a Confirmation presentation Bible, please contact Pastor Brian no later than Sunday, Nov. 24 at brian.bodt@yahoo.com or , ext. 11. THE UPPER ROOM DISCIPLINE: orders are being taken for the 2014 Upper Room Discipline, a daily devotional based on the lectionary upon which Sunday morning scripture choices are usually based. Cost is $10 for regular print and $15 for large print. To order, contact Don Hastings at or mctmwash@aol.com. LAGASSE FAMILY BENEFIT will be held Sat., Nov. 9, 4 8 p.m. at Jonathan Law High School, 20 Landsdale Avenue, Milford. Michelle Lagasse (age 34) lost her life to cancer in August leaving a widower and four young children who are now struggling financially. You may purchase tickets from Chris Paton ( ; christopherpaton@msn.com) or Nancy Nemec-Jolley ( ; nj5@att.net). See the fliers on the bulletin boards for more info. VOLUNTEERS NEED FOR THE 38th ANNUAL LIVING CRÈCHE ON DEC. 22 ND DEC. 23 RD (6-8 p.m.) and 24 th (5-7 pm). Volunteers dress in costume as members of the Nativity tableau, serving in roughly 20 minute shifts, remaining still and looking at the baby Jesus. This public witness is well-known in Milford for nearly forty years. In addition, we need volunteers to assemble (Dec. 15 th ) and dismantle (Dec. 29 th ) the crèche structure. If you would like to be a part of the living crèche team, contact Rachel Merva at or rmerva@optonline.net. Consider making this your new tradition in witness to Christ s love! COOKIE WALK CANS (large oz. or extra-large oz.) are still needed for the Cookie Walk on December 7 th. Please leave them in Dodd Hall and they will be picked up. SAVE THE DATE: MONDAY NOVEMBER 25 TH MILFORD BLOOD BANK will hold their annual Blood Drive in the MTMUMC Sanctuary and Dodd Hall from 10:30am- 4:00 pm. WANT TO SERVE: as a Bible bearer, acolyte or cross bearer? Please contact Noel Fino: as a Liturgist? Please contact Laura Perregaux: REPOINTING OF THE CHURCH continues under the direction of the Trustees and is expected to last two weeks. There may be some limited access at various times. We will keep you advised as work progresses. ACTIVITIES AND INFORMATION TODAY "HEART CARDS" connected to our Extravagant Generosity campaign may be given to Diana Titus at the table during Fellowship Hour. Please see the bulletin board with the postings of those Heart Cards received announcing "Things I Love About My Church" and "People Who Made a Difference in My Spiritual Life." LEADERSHIP SUMMIT ATTENDEES: We would like to include your 2014 Extravagant Generosity commitment in next Sunday's announcement. Please turn your Estimate of Giving (pledge) Commitment in to the church office by this Wednesday noon. Thank you. WELCOME VISITORS! May you experience God s presence with us. Please complete a red visitor s card (in the pew racks) and wear the Visitor name tag to help us greet you warmly. Our Ambassadors will look for you! FELLOWSHIP HOUR follows worship in Dodd Hall. The Soup and Sandwich Luncheon is open to all (no charge, free will offering) and hosted by the Men s Club; dessert is hosted by the Methodist Youth Fellowship. Next Sunday s hosts are the Staff-Parish Relations Committee. VISITATION MINISTRY TEAM meets at 11:45 a.m. on the first floor of the Wesley Center. Get a sandwich and soup and come on over! HARVEST FESTIVAL/TRUNK OR TREAT will be held from 3 5 p.m. in our parking lot. This festival for our children will include lots of new games, delicious food, fellowship and, of course, Trunk or Treat. Costumes are optional but fun: no devils or witches, please. Last minute helpers? See Sylvia Elliott or Cathy Cono! THE NOVEMBER BEACON (our monthly newsletter) was mailed this past Wednesday. Extra copies are in the rear of the church. Many of the notices today are briefer versions of that material for its wider exposure and for your advance planning. Please read the Beacon for additional details. OUR UPDATED SAFE SANCTUARY POLICY is now available in the rear of the church or from the church office. It was approved unanimously by our Church Council on Sept. 19 th and will be voted upon at our Nov. 21 st, 7:30 p.m. Church Conference (all welcome, vote reserved to members of MTMUMC). If you have questions about the policy, please contact Dennis Darak at NEED A NEW OR REPLACEMENT NAME TAG? Please contact (mtmumc@sbcglobal.net or , ext. 10) with your request. PLEASE KEEP NAME TAGS on for Fellowship Hour and return them before leaving. SEE THE CALENDAR FOR THE WEEKLY MEETING SCHEDULE.

6 THIS WEEK ALL SAINTS REMEMBRANCE NAMES are due Wed. noon. See Next Sunday notice. BULLETIN NOTICES FOR NOVEMBER 3rd are due by Noon on Wed., October 30th, hard copy to the church office or to EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY ADULT STUDY CONTINUES THIS WEEK: Tuesday at 7 p.m. with Kelly O Hara; and Wed., Oct. 23, 10 a.m. with Laura Perregaux. The study concludes Nov. 5 & 6. No Sunday sessions are held. Come to either Tuesday or Wednesday s classes or contact Laura at misslmp@yahoo.com or THE CHURCH OFFICE will close at 1 p.m. on Thursday this week. Otherwise, our regular hours of M-F, 9 a.m. 2 p.m. are in operation. NEXT SUNDAY ALL SAINTS SUNDAY: STANDARD TIME RESUMES! Turn clocks back one hour Saturday night. We will celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord s Supper and remember all those who have died in the Lord since the last All Saints (see next notice). The message Sinner in a Tree is a monologue based on the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10. Our Extravagant Generosity message will be What is your vision and hope for our church? presented by the Meszaros family. ALL SAINTS REMEMBRANCES that will be remembered next Sunday currently include: Monica Adams (mother of Gavin O Brien) June Costello Rickey David Dubien (Al s brother) Thomas Graybill Virginia Hancock (sister of Maryanne Meehan Jordan) Phyllis Jensen George Johnson (Edie Reichard s uncle) Dorothy Law Thomas Myers (Diana Cable s dad) Mary Ann Quesinberry Myra J. Sheldon Adriana Smith (Lydia Smith s sister-in-law) Kim Stutler Daniel Tashlein (Sally Chapin s nephew) Michael K. Wolfer (friend of the Hastings) Lynn Azzam (Pat Jaser s cousin) Mary Lou Dewey (Sally Chapin s sister-in-law) Merle Fortune (cousin of Maryanne Meehan Jordan) Joan Hackett (Missy Hackett s mother-in-law) Muriel Hastings (Don Hasting s aunt) Christine Johnson David Korenchuk Sandra Martin (Sylvia Elliott s sister) Gus Portuondo Herbert Rattley (grandfather of Aaron & Ryan Rattley) Linda Siebert (mother of Jennifer Siebert) Spirit X (David Scott Ude) Missy Hackett s brother Albert Sullivan Jane Viola (friend of Mary Lou Dewey) If your dear one is not listed here, please send the name and family or friendship relationship to Mary Lou Kampert, Administrative Assistant, at mtmumc@sbcglobal.net or call her at , ext. 10 by this Wednesday noon, Oct. 30 th. THANKSGIVING DAY COMMUNITY SUPPER SIGN-UPS will begin next Sunday during Fellowship Hour. If you plan to attend to eat or serve or donate, please see Laura Perregaux or Debbie Dubien. The supper will be Nov. 28, 5:30 p.m. in Dodd Hall. COMING SOON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10 offers two mission opportunities: Jewelry sale will benefit Missions right after worship in Dodd Hall. See Maryanne Petremont s table! See her ( ) or Jane Vink ( ) with donations. Intergenerational Hat and Scarf Making will be in Dodd Hall from 4-6 p.m. MYF and Missions are partnering again as they did last year with pillow-making, only this time it will be cold-weather gear for folks in need. For more details contact Leigh Bak at OUR NEXT ADULT SPIRITUAL GROWTH STUDY led by Pastor Hal begins Nov. 12/13, Tuesdays from 7-8:30 and Wednesdays from 10 11:30 in the Gunn Library, 2 nd Floor of the Wesley Center. Wrestling with Angels is a challenging look at some of life s tough questions featuring video presentations by renowned spiritual leaders and group sharing. Sign up with Pastor Hal at or vinkhaljane@yahoo.com. A WINTER COAT DRIVE will benefit folks in Bridgeport and Milford through the Golden Hill and Mary Taylor Memorial U.M. churches and the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. Needed are clean, gently used warm coats, sweaters, gloves, hats, scarves, winter boots in all sizes (infant through adult, men s and women s). Bring your donations to MTMUMC between now and Sunday, November 17 th. Look for the marked boxes in Dodd Hall. Thanks! A FALL PREVENTION WORKSHOP will be held Monday, Nov. 18, 3 p.m. in Dodd Hall by Carol Galloway, MS, PT. This informative workshop will explain the most common behaviors that expose us to the risk of falling and simple changes that will reduce the likelihood of falling. Carol is a member of MTMUMC s Parish Nurse Team and a licensed physical therapist employed at Rehabilitation Associates. To register your attendance, contact the church office ( or mtmumc@sbcglobal.net). FALL CHURCH CONFERENCE will be Thursday, Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m. in Dodd Hall. All are welcome with vote reserved to members of the church. We will review our ministry of the past year, elect officers and Trustees and committees, and set the pastor s 2014 compensation package. OUR NEXT COMMUNITY SUPPER AT GOLDEN HILL CHURCH will be Wed., Nov. 27, 2:30 5 p.m. Please contact Maryanne Meehan Jordan to assist: maryannej@charter.net or (cell) or (home). We prepare the meal for 100+ people. Golden Hill is about 20 minutes away, right off I-95.