PRAYERS OF PETITION AND INTERCESSION

Transcription

1 MARY TAYLOR MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 168 South Broad Street Phone: Milford, Connecticut FAX: First Methodist Church in Milford: 1836 Current building dedicated: 1893 Merged with Myrtle Beach Community Church: 1969 Nesting Ghana Emmanuel UM Church: 2016 Whoever you are, wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here. THANKSGIVING SUNDAY PENTECOST XXIV November 19, 2017 Order of Worship 10:00 a.m. (* Those who are able may stand. Late arrivals will be seated.) INFORMAL HYMN SINGING (9:45 a.m.) THE BELL TOLLS Welcoming us to worship God PRELUDE We Gather Together G. Sewell WELCOME TO THE CHURCH INTROIT Let All Things Now Living *CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: Come in to this place: the house of our Lord. People: Come! The door is open; the table is set. Leader: Come! You are welcome; all are welcome. People: Come! Join us in glad thanksgiving. ALL: Come! Rejoice and sing! *HYMN #694 Come, Ye Thankful People, Come St. George s Windsor THE THANKSGIVING COLLECT (unison) Glorious Lord, who has formed the earth and determined its seasons and has made provision for all our needs; grant that we may more often recognize and acknowledge your creation, than in all we do we may give you praise and thanksgiving for the blessings which you have bestowed upon us. In the name of your son, Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen. UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION Forgiving Lord, in this season of Thanksgiving, we humbly approach your throne of glory. We confess to you that we have failed to do your will, both by our action and inaction. Forgive us this day; free us from our sin. This we ask in Jesus name. Amen. SILENT CONFESSION AND WORDS OF PARDON ooo PRESENTATION OF BIBLES Cathy Cono, Supt. and Dr. Bodt Third graders: Stephen Marshall Firmender, Mary Colleen Repetsky 2017 Confirmands: Dean Cruz, Daniel Gloates, Christopher Leum, Bryan Thompson Response: We rejoice in this step in your journey with God. We pray God will guide you, your family, and us as you use this Holy Bible in your home, in your church school classes and in our worship. We will learn together and grow in our love for God s word. THE EPISTLE 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Bible p Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. *HYMN #2130 The Summons insert *THE GOSPEL Matthew 25:14-30 Bible p. 904 Reader: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Christ. THE SERMON 9/10 of the Law Pastor Levine HYMN #660 vs. 1 & 2 (seated) God Is Here Abbot s Leigh (Let the new members and their sponsors come forward.) RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS Hymnal p. 33 New members joining today and their (sponsors) are: Letter of transfer: Jennie Littrell (Leigh Bak) and Lee Littrell (Don Hastings) Confession of faith: Mark McAvoy (Chris Carveth), Sue Reynolds (Joan Zauner), and Sandra Short (Flo Berrien) HYMN #660 vs. 3 & 4 (seated) God Is Here Abbot s Leigh (Let the new members and their sponsors return to their pews.) 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.) STEWARDSHIP SPOTLIGHT Phoebe Repetsky

2 PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS, including food offerings for Milford neighbors, Christian Community Action (New Haven) and AIDS Project New Haven Offertory Anthem: Chorale on Now Thank We All Our God J.S. Bach (Adult Choir) *Presentation: Lord God, Almighty TFWS #2006, vs. 3 Father, we praise you. Jesus, we love you. Spirit, we thank you for the gifts of new life. How can we tell you how much we love you? Take now our lives, Lord, and teach us to love. *UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION Providing God, we thank you, especially this day, for your generous nature and provision. From what you have given us, we now turn back to you. Use these gifts of our finances, that we may continue to be a beacon of hope and love in this community, leading others to join in our thanksgiving. Use these gifts of food to make your people whole, blessing those who receive it. In their nourishment, may they know your love and goodness. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. *HYMN #504 The Old Rugged Cross The Old Rugged Cross *THE BENEDICTION *THE BENEDICTION RESPONSE Hymnal #84 Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. I just want to thank you, Lord. *THE BELL TOLLS Sending us to walk with and witness for Jesus *POSTLUDE Now Thank We All Our God S. Karg-Elert (During the postlude you may leave following the pastor or remain seated.) THE WORSHIP IS ENDED: THE SERVICE BEGINS.

3 BISHOP BICKERTON INVITES YOU TO DINNER AND CONVERSATION On Tuesday, December 5 at 6:30 p.m., our Bishop, Thomas J. Bickerton, will unveil 2018 and Beyond, a conversation about the mission, vision, values, goals and strategic plan for the New York Annual (regional) Conference of The United Methodist Church. YOU ARE INVITED! The event will be held at Golden Hill United Methodist Church, 210 Elm Street, Bridgeport (GPS address at 345 Golden Hill Street). Some parking is available on the street, and we will coordinate transportation with those desiring to attend. The host church needs to know in advance for meal planning purposes how many will attend. If you desire to attend, please contact Eileen Doyle by voice mail or text at or by at ddoyle51@aol.com NOT LATER THAN THURSDAY, NOV. 30. For the past twelve months, Bishop Bickerton has been listening to the voices, concerns and hope of the New York Annual Conference. He is now ready to share what God has directed him to do as part of his assignment to our conference. It is a rare moment for most of us to have face-to-face time with our Bishop, who presides over 450+ churches spanning two states and hundreds of miles. Please consider taking advantage of this opportunity to join Bishop Bickerton in envisioning the future for the people called Methodist in New York and western Connecticut. MARY TAYLOR MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Telephone: Fax: Website: mtmumc@sbcglobal.net Ministers All the People of God Bishop The Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Bickerton Lay Leaders Shelly Lapadula & Beth O Brien Superintendent The Rev. Dr. Alpher Sylvester 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 Andy Thomas Outreach Pastor Danielle Levine Child Care Coordinator Laura A. Brennan Music Director Dr. Richard L. Riccardi Theologian-in-Residence The Rev. Dr. Judith F. Bennett Grace Notes November 19, 2017 Dear Mary Taylor Memorial Church community, Come, Ye Thankful People, Come trumpets the lyricist of our opening hymn, a perennial favorite at Thanksgiving. I pray you and your family will indeed be thankful at this harvest time of year; and that you will have a blessed holiday. Thank you for your outpouring of care for our New Haven neighbors at AIDS Project New Haven and Christian Community Action. The bags on the altar and elsewhere in the sanctuary are testimony to your thanksgiving as thanks-living for neighbors near and far. The harvest produce in the sanctuary is donated by Jones Family Farms of Shelton and picked up and arranged by many volunteers. We are grateful to all for the inspiring display. Tasha Coleman-Jackson from the American Red Cross fell ill last week which is why she was not with us. She is here today to register you if you are willing and able to participate in tomorrow s Blood Drive in Dodd Hall. Please sign up today for Thanksgiving Day dinner if you (a) intend to eat with us, (b) can bring a dessert, (c) can volunteer or (d) all of the preceding! Speak with Deb Dubien. Thanks to our Men s Club for providing the Thanksgiving feast after worship today. We trust in the Lord to provide enough for those who wish to stay. All are invited. Blood pressure screenings are offered after worship in the sanctuary today by Dianne Carroll, R.N. This faith community is incredibly blessed. May we never, ever take it, or each other, for granted. Sincerely yours in Christ, Rev. Dr. Brian R. Bodt, Pastor

4 Head Usher: Kelly O Hara Cross Bearer: Nate Carr Bible Bearer: Brenda Pineau AT WORSHIP TODAY Liturgist: Beth O Brien Greeters: Tricia and Chris Hetherington Acolyte: Josh Carr A MISSION CROSS HAS BEEN PLACED and a donation made to Mountains of Hope for Haiti in honor of Flo Berrien, given by Sandra Short. THE ALTAR FLOWERS today are in memory of Doris Cipriano on her birthday given by Carole and Pat. 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 WELCOME VISITORS! May you experience God s presence today. Please complete a red visitor s card (in the pew racks) and wear the Visitor peel-and-stick name tag to help us greet you. Our Ambassadors will look for you! CHURCH INFORMATION is in the Narthex. PLEASE OFFER PRAYER CONCERNS using the "Blue Sheets" in the attendance pads in each pew; or obtain one from an usher. Please return them completed to an usher or to the center aisle where the ushers will collect them on the opening hymn. Our Lay Leaders speak them during the Prayer of Intercession and Petition. You are also invited to speak your concerns when we pray. Please obtain others permission to share their concerns. Prayers are included in our on-line prayer chain and Monday night Healing Service. Please also consider joining our Yahoo e-communication group (which was created for prayer concerns) to offer immediate posting of intercessory prayer requests. To sign up, contact the church office. CHILD CARE for children five years old and younger is provided in the Wesley Center, the building to your left. Please note that children over five are expected to remain in the sanctuary since our child care is not staffed to provide for older children. IF YOU NEED TO LEAVE THE SANCTUARY DURING WORSHIP, please exit by either the side aisle to your left or by the rear (Broad Street) doors. RESTROOMS are in Dodd Hall (behind the altar) and can be accessed either way. PARENTS are respectfully urged to accompany their children as required by our Safe Sanctuary policy. PLEASE RE-ENTER the sanctuary by the Broad Street doors if weather and mobility allows. TODAY S LITURGY is based on Holy Scripture, The United Methodist Hymnal (1989), and The Faith We Sing (2000). The Collect, Confession, and Unison Prayer of Dedication were written by Pastor Dani Levine. SERMON COPIES from previous Sundays are in the rear of the church or at Thursday, November 30 1:00 p.m. Bereavement Support Group St. Mary s Church 5:30 p.m. Church Security Task Force Gunn Library 6:30 p.m. United Methodist Women Potluck Dodd Hall 7:00 p.m. Worship Committee meeting Wesley Center Friday, December 1 10:00 a.m. Office Volunteers Gunn Library 10:00 a.m. Cookie Walk prep Dodd Hall Saturday, December 2 AM!GO Youth Group Event Movie Time and Title TBD 9:00 a.m. Men s Tres Dias reunion group-chapel 9:00 a.m. Cookie Walk Dodd Hall VITAL CONGREGATION WEEKLY REPORT FOR November 12: Total worship attendance all services: 185; Nov. 12: 148; GEUMC: 22 Nov. 13 Healing and Wholeness worship: 15; Total Offerings for Nov. 5: $4,678.45; Amount given to Charities and Benevolence $5,128.72; Engaged in Small Groups: 229. Sunday School: 29; Growing Up Together Spiritually (GUTS) Youth Group: 10; Confirmation: 4; Prayer Shawl: 11; Rise Against Hunger: 80; United Methodist Women: 17; Disciple 4: 14; Mark study Tues: 11; Mark study Wed.: 15; Wed. sanctuary decorating: 9; Bell Choir: 7; Adult Choir: 19; Office Volunteers: 3; Total persons received on profession of faith: 0; Total Persons involved in local, national, and international missions: 0. *Small Groups please contact the church office mtmumc@sbcglobal.net or ) with your attendance. ADDRESSING CHURCH SECURITY THE MOST RECENT VIOLENCE to befall a public setting after the November 5 th shooting at First Baptist Church, Sutherland Springs, Texas is the school shooting in Rancho Tehama Reserve, California on Nov. 14. Scripture reminds us perfect love casts out fear (I John 4:18) but also to Keep awake, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. (Matthew 25:13). In consultation with our Church Council and Staff-Parish Relations Chairs, I have invited leaders from our church who have law enforcement, security, education and/or public health experience to convene on November 30 th to review our current crisis management protocols. The membership of this task force will be publicized when finalized. You may offer questions and concerns to me, Dennis Darak, Edie Reichard or any task force member as we seek to take a pro-active approach to the challenging times in which we live. Pastor Brian Bodt

5 ~TWO WEEK CALENDAR AT MARY TAYLOR MEMORIAL~ Sunday, November 19 9:00 a.m. Sunday School Wesley Center 9:45 a.m. Informal hymn singing 10:00 a.m. Worship New Members Sunday - Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Fellowship Time- Dodd Hall Boys & Girls Village tags available today 11:15 a.m. Blood Pressure screenings-sanctuary, Dianne Carroll, RN 11:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Dinner hosted by the Men s Club Dodd Hall 3:30 p.m. GEUMC Emmanuel UMC Worship - Chapel 4:00 p.m. Youth Group leaves for New Haven Dodd Hall Monday, November 20 9:00 a.m. Blood Drive Dodd Hall 6:00 p.m. Historical Society meeting Dodd Hall 7:00 p.m. Healing & Wholeness Worship Chapel Tuesday, November 21 NO Confirmation attend Community Thanksgiving Worship NO Disciple 4 Class tonight 7:00 p.m. Community Thanksgiving Worship St. Mary s Church 7: 00 p.m. Job Search Support Group St. Mary s Church-Convent Rm Wed., November 22 Noon Taize Worship- Sanctuary 6:00 p.m. Alcathon Wesley Center through 7 pm Thursday No Choir rehearsals Thurs., November 23 THANKSGIVING DAY Church office closed 1:00 p.m. Bereavement Support Group St. Mary s Church 5:30 p.m. Community Thanksgiving Dinner Dodd Hall 6:45p.m. Taize Worship Sanctuary Friday, November 24 Church office closed Saturday, November 25 9:00 a.m. Men s Tres Dias reunion group-chapel Sunday, November 26 9:00 a.m. Sunday School Wesley Center 10:00 a.m. Worship Student Day - Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Fellowship Time- Dodd Hall 11:30 a.m. Visitation Ministry- Wesley Center 3:30 p.m. GEUMC Emmanuel UMC Worship - Chapel 4:00 p.m. Youth Group meeting Youth Lounge Monday, November 27 9:00 a.m. Beacon /Bulletin Volunteers - Egan Room (Please note date change) Tuesday, November 28 5:45 p.m. Confirmation Gunn Library 7:00 p.m. Disciple 4 Class Gunn Library Wed., November 29 10:00 a.m. Chrismon Tree set-up - Sanctuary 6:40/7:45 p.m. Bell Choir/Adult Choir rehearsals Dodd Hall TODAY FELLOWSHIP TIME TODAY is hosted by the Men s Club with their traditional Thanksgiving Luncheon. Next week s host is the Education Committee. BOYS AND GIRLS VILLAGE Christmas gift tags are available TODAY. We provide gifts for 20 BGV children. Help make a child feel special! See Deb Dubien for gift tags. LIVING CRECHE SIGN-UPS BEGIN TODAY! This annual tradition presents a Nativity tableau outside our church reminding Milford of the Reason for the Season. Members and friends represent the Holy Family, shepherds and Wise Men in 20 minute shifts on Fri., Dec. 22 and Sat., Dec. 23 between 6 and 8 p.m.; and Christmas Eve between 4:45 and 6:10 p.m. To sign up, please see today Marcia Winter or call/text or mcbwinter@att.net. POINSETTIA ORDER FORMS may be returned to the church office with payment by Dec. 11. G.U.T.S GROWING UP TOGHER SPIRITUALLY IS THE NEW NAME FOR YOUTH GROUP. Today they complete the annual Food Drive Distribution to CCA and APNH (see cover notes). Permission slips are required, available at 4 p.m. drop-off at Dodd Hall. Pick up is 7 p.m. sharp, also in Dodd Hall. All youth grades 6-12 invited. See Pastor Dani this morning if you did not RSVP. We will return in time for dinner and a topic youniqueness led by Pastor Dani. For this event only, young adults are welcome. Drivers must be 21 or older. PLEDGES FOR 2018 are encouraged if you have not yet done so. Commitment Cards are in the back of the Sanctuary or in the church office. Please return them in the offering plate; to Eileen Doyle or Lisa Sobolewski; or to the church office. May God bless all who have responded. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matt. 6:21 NIV. SEE THE WEEKLY CALENDAR for regular meetings and activities. THIS WEEK DEADLINE FOR NOTICES THIS WEEK IS TUESDAY NOON, not Wednesday as usual. The church office will be closed Thursday and Friday in observance of Thanksgiving. A COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE will be held Tuesday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m. at St. Mary s Roman Catholic Church, 70 Gulf Street, Milford, hosted by the Milford Clergy Association. The preacher will be the Rev. Matthew Lindeman, the new (since May) rector at St. Peter s Episcopal Church. Music will be led by the music directors of St. Mary s Church and First U.C.C., Milford, including a community choir which will rehearse at 6 p.m. Com! THANKSGIVING DAY COMMUNITY DINNER - Missions Committee will again serve our annual Thanksgiving Dinner for MTMUMC members, friends and the community on November 23 rd at 5:30. All are welcome to attend and enjoy a meal, the company of others and the joy of giving thanks. It will be a traditional dinner with all the fixings by Jim and Phoebe Repetsky. Please see Debbie Dubien in Dodd Hall during Fellowship Time to sign up to attend the dinner, volunteer for meal prep assistance, serve guests at the dinner and/or contribute desserts.

6 THIS WEEK, continued TAIZE SERVICE: Wednesday, November 22nd at noon and Thursday, November 23rd at 6:45 p.m. following our Community Supper. This 30 minute service of contemplative prayer and music creates a quiet atmosphere for communion with God. Do come! THE THANKSGIVING ALCATHON begins Wednesday at 6 p.m. and continues Thanksgiving Day until 7 p.m. in the Wesley Center. Please keep our brothers and sisters in prayer who are wrestling with addictions, especially at this holiday time. NEXT SUNDAY, November 26 THE REIGN OF CHRIST/UNITED METHODIST STUDENT DAY. The message Be Careful What You Ask For will be based on Psalm 100; Ezekiel 34: and 20-24; and Matthew 25: We will receive a special offering for the Kelsey-Worley Scholarship Fund of our church, providing tuition assistance to qualifying MTMUMC college students; and United Methodist Student Day which supports college and seminary scholarships in The United Methodist Church. World AIDS Day (Dec. 1) will be remembered, including Mr. Ben Bloom, chair of the Board of AIDS Project New Haven, speaking. Prayer and healing anointing will be offered during the closing hymns. WEEK OF NOVEMBER 27 THE CHRISMON TREE will be put up in the sanctuary on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 10 a.m. If you would like to assist, please just join us that morning in the sanctuary. THE UNITED METHODIST WOMEN will have a potluck dinner meeting on Thursday, November 30 th at 6:30 p.m. in Dodd Hall. All women are invited to attend. OTHER MINISTRY MATTERS CHURCH CONFERENCE is now Sunday, Dec. 3, 3-4:30 p.m. in the sanctuary, open to all, with vote reserved to members of MTMUMC. Details will appear again in the Dec. Beacon. ORDERS FOR THE UPPER ROOM DISCIPLINES, 2018 may now be made with Don Hastings ( or nctwash@aol.com). It uses the Revised Common Lectionary scriptures (the same used in worship) for each day s devotional. Cost is $10 for regular or large print (scholarship help available). Please see or contact Don today! 2018 BUDGET REQUESTS from church committees will be due in early December. Please submit to Nancy Bennett at nancy516@aol.com or to 26 High Street, Milford, CT CHRISTMAS MAIL AT MTMUMC: Want to send cards to your MTMUMC friends and support mission work? Lodemia Lopes has brought a new idea that we will use beginning Sunday, December 3 rd and continuing through January 7 th, Those who desire to exchange Christmas cards with MTMUMC members and friends may use an internal mailbox mailbox that will be set up in alphabetical order in Dodd Hall. CHRISTMAS MAIL AT MTMUMC, continued You are invited to leave your Christmas cards there and, with what you would have paid in postage, make a donation to the United Methodist Women for mission work. You can make the donation directly to Joyce Haig ( ), Sue O Shea ( ) or Deb Dubien ( ); or in the offering with checks payable to the United Methodist Women (UMW) with the memo Christmas mail. Donations are strictly voluntary and the mail system may be used by all, whether or not you choose to donate. Want to know more? Contact Lodemia Lopes at or llopes4@optonline.net. THE COOKIE WALK IS COMING: Saturday, Dec. 2 nd, 9:30 a.m in Dodd Hall. Proceeds benefit the mission work of the United Methodist Women. OUR LIFE IN PRAYER, MINISTRY AND MISSION BULLETIN NOTICES are due by noon TUESDAY for the Nov. 26th bulletin. TO DONATE ALTAR FLOWERS OR A MISSION CROSS, contact Beth O Brien at or bgobrien11@optonline.net. Flowers are $20. A donation in lieu of flowers to support missions is honored with a cross and miniature mission scarf on the altar. Checks for either are payable to MTMUMC and mailed to Beth O Brien, 7 Breakneck Court, Beth is now taking orders for FOOD BASKET: Please place non-perishable food items in the basket located in the back of the church and monetary donations in the Beth-El envelope. ANIMAL SHELTER DONATIONS: Wet and dry cat food is needed for seniors with pets and for the canine facility. Towels and blankets are needed. Animal Control will not take peoples' released pets but will spay and neuter feral cats. Please leave your donations in the designated basket in the back of the Sanctuary. The Youth Fellowship brings these items to Animal Control each week. Bless you for caring for God's children with fur." If you and your animals are in need, please help yourself to the available donations. CONTACT THE PASTORS directly or through the church office ( , mtmumc@sbcglobal.net) with pastoral care needs and hospitalizations: Pastor Brian Bodt: brian.bodt@yahoo.com; , ext. 111 or He is typically in office 10 am 1 p.m., Mon. Thurs. Pastor Hal Vink: or vinkhaljane@gmail.com. Pastor Dani Levine: or Danielle.levine@mail.com. 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. PLEASE NOTE: During a medical or other emergency the Head Usher or a designee will call #911. Please do not call on your cell phone as multiple calls may delay response.