Lent, and Discovering Your Own I AM.

Transcription

1 February 22, 2015 FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT Lent, and Discovering Your Own I AM. Lent is a season of penitence which has a long history in the Christian church. The first mention of the observance of Lent is in the Canons of Nicaea, the great meeting of Christian leaders called together by Emperor Constantine in the year 325. In the beginning, Lent was a season of fasting. In early observance, only one meal was allowed per day. The Western church developed liturgical customs to reflect this sense of fasting and introspection, such as the omission of any Alleluias in worship and the removal of the Gloria in excelsis, or the Gloria Patri. Words spoken in worship were to reflect the contemplative nature of the season, reminding us of our sinfulness and the need for salvation as well as calling us to be more committed to our personal and corporate spiritual practices. As we move forward through history, talk of penitence and sinfulness has become less prominent and less popular. While there are some who long to hear more about the sinful nature of humanity and the need for divine salvation, the prominence of that message in worship and preaching has driven generations away from the church. I have heard people I know say, I don t want to go to church and be told how bad I am every Sunday. While I agree with the sentiment, I believe that occasional reminders of our need for God s grace are important. As we finish the All In series, we start our new Lenten series titled, The God We Can Know. This is a helpful follow-up because it encourages us, once we have committed ourselves fully to being in relationship with God, to explore that relationship fully. The I AM sayings of Jesus make God s word to Moses complete when Moses asks for God s name and God replies, I AM that I AM. In the story of the exodus, we learn that I AM gives life to the Hebrew people by saving them from the harsh life of slavery to the Egyptian government. When they believe that there is no hope, there is I AM. When they believe there is no rescue, there is I AM. When they fear that there is no one who hears their cry, there is I AM. And the One who is, who is there to hear and rescue them from their hopelessness, is One they can know intimately and love deeply. These are the things we will explore in this season. We need God: to hear us, to rescue us, and to be our hope. God satisfies those needs, guides our every step, cares for us, shows God s power in our times of need, offers us the way to life, and puts before us limitless possibilities for new life. Join us along this Lenten journey with The God We Can Know. This year during the Sundays of Lent we are lighting a candle each week in celebration of one of Jesus I Am sayings. On Good Friday, the candles will be extinguished as we observe the crucifixion of Jesus.

2 8:30 and 11 a.m. ORDER OF WORSHIP February 22, 2015 (In preparation for worship, please silence all cell phones.) First Sunday in Lent Gathering Music A Lenten Prelude Giovanni Pergolesi arr. John Troutman Welcome (Please complete and pass the red friendship pad at this time.) Dr. Glenn Ethridge *Hymn of Praise O God, Our Help in Ages Past UMH 117 *Litany Ms. Caroline Paris Just as God spoke to Moses, God wants to speak to us. Let us open our hearts to God who wants to be known and who says, I Am Who I Am. When life pressures us to care more for things than for God, remember that Jesus said, I am the Bread of Life. Come to me and never be hungry. When we feel puzzled about which choices are right, we can ask for guidance from the one who said, I am the Light of the World. When we feel vulnerable and lost, we can find comfort in knowing that we are continuously being sought by the one who said, I am the Good Shepherd. Come to me. When we feel powerless and weary, we can find power offered to us by the one who said, I am the True Vine. Abide in me. When we wonder who s in and who s out with God, we can find reassurance in the grace embodied in Jesus who welcomed all, saying, I am the Way. Follow me. When we face loss and pain, we can find hope in the one who promised us renewed and abundant life, saying, I am the Resurrection and the Life. Live in me. We light this candle as a reminder that the Great I Am is always with us. A Morning Prayer and The Lord s Prayer Ms. Paris 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. Our Tithes & Offerings O Love of God Most Full Ralph Manuel Thomas McKean, Baritone & Sam Wiley, Tenor O love of God most full, O love of God most free, Come warm my heart, come fill my soul, come lead me unto Thee. Warm as the glowing sun so shines Thy love on me; it wraps me round with kindly care, it draws me unto Thee! The wildest sea is calm, the tempest brings no fear, the darkest night is full of light because Thy love is near. O love of God most full, O love of God most free, Thou warm st my heart, Thou fill st my soul, with might Thou strength nest me.

3 *Doxology UMH 95 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. *Hymn of Preparation UMH 142 If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee (At 11:00 children are invited to come forward during the singing of the hymn.) Children s Time (11:00) Rev. Susan Allen Grady (Following the Children s Time, Pre-K, Kindergarten and First Graders may leave for Children s Church. Pick up in room 206.) Anthem Exsultate, Jubilate Deo Ruth Morris Gray Youth Choir Exsultate Deo, adjutori nostro (To God our strength, sing Praise!) Jubilate Deo Jacob (Shout to the God of Jacob!) Sing alleluia. Take the psalm and bring the timbral. Play the merry harp with the lute. Sing alleluia! Prayer for Illumination Ms. Ruth Primm Penland Dear God, help us to open our eyes, our ears, our minds and our spirits to understand who you are and to know you. Be with us as we draw near to you and closer to each other. In your Son s holy name, we pray. Amen. Scripture Exodus 3:1-14 Ms. Primm Penland The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. Sermon Knowing the Great I Am Dr. Ethridge *Sending Hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness UMH 140 (Those who wish to join the church are invited to come forward.) *Benediction Dr. Ethridge *Postlude Toccata in A Minor Jan Pieter Sweelinck *Congregation stand as able. UMH: United Methodist Hymnal / FWS: The Faith We Sing Large print hymnals and bulletins and hearing assistance devices are available from an usher. sun mon tue wed thu fri sat DINNER RESERVATION Dinner is 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Program is 6:15 7 p.m. Praying for Life with Rev. Susan Allen Grady This short-term study will take place at Midweek during Lent On Wednesday nights from February 25 to April 1, Rev. Susan Allen Grady will lead Praying for Life, a 6-week program on prayer in the Fellowship Hall immediately following dinner. Menu for February 25, 2015 Beef Tips with Buttered Noodles, Mixed Vegetables, Rolls, Salad Bar, Peach Cobbler Name: Phone: Amount: Reservation is for one week only. Date: Standing reservation every week through April 29, 2015: Place a number in the space(s) below of the type of meal you wish to reserve: Adult Meal ($8) Youth Meal, ages ($7) Child Meal, ages 3-11 ($6) Children under 3 (free) How many? Nursery How many children? FAMILY BUNDLE RATE: Two adults and two or more children 11 years of age and under - $ FAMILY BUNDLE RATE: One adult and two or more children 11 years of age and under - $16.00.

4 OAK GROVE NEWS February 22, 2015 Lenten Offering This Sunday, February 22, is the first Sunday of Lent, a season when we prepare ourselves spiritually for the celebration of Christ s resurrection at Easter. Each year our Lenten Offering funds mission ministries that meet the real needs of people. From feeding children at Montclair Elementary School to caring for low income senior adults at Mountain View Personal Care Home, your Lenten offering makes a difference! To give, please make checks payable to Oak Grove UMC marked Lenten Offering. You can also give online at Thank you for your generosity. Blood Drive: Feb. 22 The Blood Mobile will be in our front parking lot on February 22 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please stop by and give the gift of life. (Bring your photo ID.) Thursday, Feb. 26 & Friday, Feb.27 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb p.m. Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French Lenten Study to Accompany the Sermon Series During the season of Lent, which began with Ash Wednesday on February 18, we have a sermon series inspired by The God We Can Know: Exploring The I Am Sayings of Jesus, by the Rev. Rob Fuquay. The series builds upon the recent All In series by urging us to continue to go all in with your faith by seeking to know God more fully and more personally than you have before. We invite you to order your own copy ( or and to read it during Lent as a supplement to the sermon series. If you have any trouble ordering the book, please contact the church office for assistance. Share Communion and Care Our musical, George M. Cohan, promises to be a fun-filled evening, suitable for the entire family. Filled with patriotic songs, colorful characters and snazzy dancing by fellow church members, this is an evening you won t want to miss! For those with little ones, a nursery will be provided. Just let us know when you purchase your tickets that you require childcare, and come enjoy an evening out with your honey. Tickets are on sale Wednesday evenings, Sunday mornings and in the church office during the week. Feb. 26 & 27 at 7:30, Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. In March our church will be taking communion out to people in our congregation who are homebound. Training is available and servers will be sent out in pairs. If you would be interested in participating in this important ministry, please contact Amy Morgan at amorgan@ogumc.org or Thank you for helping us extend the table of grace to those who can no longer come to worship! Francine Reed Benefit Concert for Imagine No Malaria Tuesday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. Dunwoody UMC You are invited to an evening of music and entertainment with Francine Reed, recently inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, and the Jez Graham Trio. All proceeds go to end death and suffering through the Imagine No Malaria Campaign. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at and will also be sold at the door. Free CD of Francine's music to the first 100 persons in attendance. Women s Lenten Study on Thursday Evenings Ladies, You are invited to join a Thursday evening Lenten Study in the church parlor from 7-8 p.m. for the next six weeks. Discussions and study will be taken from James W, Moore's book Give up Something Bad for Lent. For more information, contact Faye Traynelis ( , or fayetraynelis@att.net).

5 Lunch Bunch Oak Grove s Tuesday, March 3 11:30 a.m. Our distinguished panel of appraisers. Read more about them online ( Join your Oak Grove friends on a trip to GIBBS GARDENS Wednesday, March 11, 2015 Transportation by Charter Bus 8:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Senior Adult Ministry Everyone is invited to Lunch Bunch for the Oak Grove version of Antiques Roadshow. Reservations required for lunch ($8.00) by Monday, March 2, If you wish to bring an antique to show, you must first complete a form that will be available when you make your lunch reservation. Professional antique dealers will choose a limited number of items from the applications, for displaying and appraising during the program. Please do not bring an item unless you have received official confirmation from the church in advance. You are welcome to bring your friends, but please make reservations for them and for yourself. Richard Burgess Louis Craig Susanne Quarles Antiques Professional Accredited Appraiser (ISA,USPAP) Fine Things Antiques Award-winning Gibbs Gardens, located near Ball Ground, GA, will feature early-blooming daffodils. The walk throughout the gardens can be as leisurely or brisk as you desire and you can tour small areas or the entire 220 acres. Comfortable walking shoes and casual clothing appropriate for the weather are advised. Charter bus transportation and entry fee to the gardens will be $40.00 per person. Lunch will be $12.00 in the Gibbs Garden restaurant. An optional tram ride ($5.30) is available for those who cannot easily walk around the gardens. Required at the time of registration: completed insurance/medical forms; $40 entry and transportation fee, name, phone number, and address. (No refunds after Tuesday, Feb. 24.) Lunch and tram fee (tram optional) mentioned above will be collected on the bus en route to Gibbs Gardens. Register with Rachel Fullerton in the Church Office. Please contact Barbara Adams ( ) with any questions. 5K Walk/Run Sunday, March to 4 p.m. Turner Field Oak Grove will have a team participating in the Hunger Walk/Run on Sunday, March 15 at Turner Field. The community unites around an afternoon of live music, food vendors, children s play zone, inflatables, games and a 5K walk or fun run through downtown Atlanta. Proceeds from this event will go to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, with a majority of Oak Grove s team donation benefitting Toco Hills Community Alliance. Join our team to run, walk or just cheer with the whole family. (Strollers welcome.) Visit and search for the Oak Grove United Methodist Church team or Megan Stambaugh (megancstambaugh@yahoo.com) for more information. Oak Grove Memorials IN MEMORY TO THE BUILDING FUND IN MEMORY OF Carolyn Armistead by Hodgson & Dawn Thomas John Brown by Gordon & Becky Vining Tom Bruce by Gordon & Becky Vining Dr. Edward W. Kallal, Sr. by Edward Kallal Rowena Renn-Hicks by Lou Brown Jewell Eva Marie Watson by Dan & Nell Loveless Betty Wilkins by Hodgson & Dawn Thomas TO THE MEMORIAL FUND IN MEMORY OF Rowena Renn-Hicks by Max & Blackie Scott Neese Jamalyn Cannon Eva Marie Watson by Jamalyn Cannon TO THE SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY IN MEMORY OF Tom Bruce by Bob & Louise McCreary TO THE TRADITIONAL MUSIC PROGRAM IN MEMORY OF Rowena Renn-Hicks by Gordon & Becky Vining Marshall & Jayme Cartmill Michael & Margaret Caldwell Dan & Nell Loveless Pat Moulton Bob & Louise McCreary Hodgson & Dawn Thomas Dinner Time at Hagar s House: March 8-14 Looking for a way to serve others? How about providing a meal at Hagar's House shelter? The Serving Ministry invites classes, groups and individual volunteers to provide dinner to the residents of Hagar's House shelter during the week of March Hurry! Slots will fill up quickly. For more information, or to reserve a night, please contact Jay Huffines ( or Canned Meat Collection Thanks! Thanks to everyone who contributed to our emergency food drive for the Metropolitan Food Pantry. We collected 480 cans and 13 can openers. Together we are feeding hungry people in our community!

6 PLEASE PRAY FOR In the Hospital VA Burke Linder New to Care Facilities Cobblestone Charles Kitchen Continued Prayers... Bill Barfield, Beth Benefield, Helen Bruce, Tad Day, Virginia Eisenhardt, Andrew Ethridge, Betty Gates, John Glaze, Chuck Green, Louise Guy, Lee Holloway, Sam Howard, Betty Hudson, Matt Hudson, Cindy Kallal, Sally Knott, Betty Lester, Bill Mann, Cindy Mynatt, Bill Peacock, Mary Dell Robert, Sue Bess Robinson, Ferg Rood, Nancy Rood, Ray Roper, Jack Sims, B.J. Sumner, Clarice Thompson, Carolyn Tomlinson (hospice), Rob White, Nancy Woodall Our Homebound Members... For a complete listing of homebound members, please contact the church office. Serving in Our Armed Forces... Captain George Parks Bunch, LTJG Alexander Cody, Petty Officer Steven Jones, Sgt. Joshua Portwood, Col. Janet Seufert sun mon tue wed thu fri sat Wednesday, February 22 5 to 5:45 p.m. 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Dinner Reservations and cancellations must be made by noon Monday before the meal ( or click reservations ). Standing reservations (through April 29, 2015) are encouraged. Menu for February 25, 2015 Beef Tips with Buttered Noodles, Mixed Vegetables, Rolls, Salad Bar, Peach Cobbler 6:15 to 7 p.m. Program Praying for Life with Rev. Susan Allen Grady THIS WEEK S ACTIVITIES Oak Grove Office Hours 9 a.m. 5 p.m. M F Sunday, February 22, :00am Blood Drive Front Circle Driveway 8:15pm Spring SS Teacher Mtg. Kid's Clubhouse 9:20am Confirmation Class Heritage Hall Gym 12:00pm Costa Rica Meeting S-108 2:00pm Drama Rehearsal Fellowship Hall 5:00pm Youth Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary 6:00pm Youth RENEW Youth Building 6:30pm Wesley Ringers Rehearsal Sanctuary Monday, February 23, :30am Disciple III Rm :00am Bridge and Canasta Group Rm :00am Akin Circle UMW Rm 218 7:00pm Church Council Meeting Parlor 7:00pm Drama Dress Rehearsal Fellowship Hall 7:30pm Adult Volleyball Heritage Hall Gym Tuesday, February 24, :30pm Disciple II Rm 217 6:30pm Grief Sharing Group Rm 219 6:30pm Aerobic Exercise Class Heritage Hall Gym 7:00pm Drama Dress Rehearsal Fellowship Hall 7:00pm Troop 77 Venture Crew Scout Hall Wednesday, February 25, :15am Morning WOW Rm 216 9:30am Disciple II Rm 117 5:00pm Covenant Kids Rm 202 5:30pm Midweek Meal Fellowship Hall 5:45pm Children s Choirs Rehearsal Parlor 6:30pm Midweek Program Fellowship Hall 6:15pm Disciple Bible III Rm 212 6:15pm Disciple x2 Rm 219 6:15pm Midweek Book Club Rm 217 6:30pm Disciple 1 Fast Track Rm 216 7:15pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal Choir Rm-201 7:45pm Boy Scout Troop 77 Court of Honor Sanctuary Thursday, February 26, :00pm Mobile Soup Kitchen Prep Fellowship Hall 3:30pm Montclair Blessing Bags Fellowship Hall 6:30pm Aerobic Exercise Class Heritage Hall Gym 7:00pm Evening WOW Parlor 7:30pm George M. Cohan performance Fellowship Hall Friday, February 27, :00am Zumba Class Fellowship Hall 11:30am Mobile Soup Kitchen Delivery Away 7:30pm George M. Cohan performance Fellowship Hall Saturday, February 28, :00pm George M. Cohan performance Fellowship Hall This short-term study will take place at New Baby... Midweek during Lent On Wednesday Congratulations to Zach and Shelli Wojohn nights from February 25 to April 1, Rev. Susan on the birth of their daughter, Holly Grace Allen Grady will lead Praying for Life, a Valentine Wojohn born on January 15, week program on prayer in the Fellowship Hall immediately following dinner. Topics will Baptism... include listening to God, finding the right words to pray, praying for your work, and February 8, Harrison Lee McKie praying for others. Prayer triplets will be offered to accompany this study. Call the church office, or sign up online to be in a Welcome New Members! prayer triplet. Registration ends on February 15. For more information, contact Rev. Allen ************************************* Chris and Samantha Barber Record of Our Faithfulness Grady (sallengrady@ogumc.org or Our Presence February 11, 2015 Mark and Leslie Thompson 7558, ext. 212). Chapel Communion Service 35 Children: Jack and Emerson Our Presence February 15, 2015 Upper Room Devotionals The March-April Upper Room devotional books are now available. Pick up one today to use in your daily devotional time. Chapel Communion 5 to 5:30 p.m. C4C Babies (Caring for Clarkston) is in need of some large storage bins with lids to store baby clothing and other donations. New or gently used bins are welcomed. Please contact Brooke Peck ( or brookecpeck@gmail.com) if you can make a donation. Church School 409 8:30 Service 139 9:35 Service :00 Service 395 Total Worship this Week 738 2/15/15 Our Offerings Received to date Needed to date $291, $348, Over/Under ($56,853.44) DEEP ROOTS BUILDING CAMPAIGN RESULTS Pledged to date: $6,339, Given to date: $1,644,187.87

7 OAK GROVE NEWS Vacation Bible School: June 8-12 G Force Adventure Park: God s Love in Action! In God we live, move, and exist. Acts 17:28a Two great sessions One fun theme MORNING SESSION: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Fee: $20 per child. Registration will close April 30 or when our 200 camper maximum is reached. AFTERNOON SESSION: 2 to 5 p.m. Fee: $20 per child. Registration will close April 30 or when our 200 camper maximum is reached. EARLY REGISTRATION: If you would like to volunteer at our morning or afternoon sessions, you may register early. As a volunteer, you and your children will be guaranteed your preference of VBS sessions. Please send an to vbscamper@ogumc.org or go to the church website and sign-up to volunteer (starting February 18). OPEN online registration begins March 1 ( AGES: Children 4 years old by September 1, 2014 through 5th grade Get ready to move! Kids will discover that they can use their talents, skills and momentum to put God s love into action! Stations include: Bible storytelling, science, crafts, games, music, missions and more! Morning and afternoon sessions contain the same content and activities. Youth and adult volunteers are needed, please join the fun! Nursery care will be provided the week of VBS to children of adult volunteers. Care and times will coincide with the session that the volunteer is registered. If you have questions, contact Johnna Feild (JohnnaFeild@gmail.com) or Michelle Hardy (wmchardy@gmail.com). Weekly Oxygen for Women Meets Wednesday Mornings The weekday morning Weekly Oxygen for Women small group is reforming. WOW meets Wednesdays from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. at the church in room 216. We will begin with a study of the book, The Power of a Positive Mom by Karol Ladd. Karen Kenney is the group facilitator. Enjoy fellowship from 9:15 to 9:30 a.m. with nursery care available starting at 9:30 a.m. upon request to Tricia (tfazio@ogumc.org). Contact Karen (karen.kenney@gmail.com) for more information. Triplets Arriving Soon! A New American Pathways family is expecting triplets very soon. They need our help getting serviceable used cribs, strollers, and pack n plays. They also need new items, such as bottles, pacifiers, teething toys, crib mattresses/sheets/ blankets. The family will also need baby toiletries and TONS of diapers and wipes. You can place smaller items in our New American Pathways cabinet, or contact Hank Woolard ( h, c or woolardh@bellsouth.net). EXTRA YOUNG CHILD EN S SCHOOL Registering for The Young Children s School is scheduling tours for prospective families. We are a half-day program for ages 12 months to 4 years old by September 1, Contact Heather Howard (hhoward@ogumc.org or ), our Enrollment Coordinator, with any questions. Our hours have increased, so school will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. for all ages. For over 50 years, YCS has provided nurturing care while serving the social, emotional, cognitive and spiritual needs of young children. We have an Occupational Therapist on staff, speech and language screenings, weekly chapel time, music and movement classes, a newly renovated gym, two well-maintained playgrounds and so much more. The majority of our experienced, nurturing teaching staff has been with us for over 7 years. For more information, please visit our website ( Oak Grove s Financial Assistance Policy Oak Grove is a caring church that provides assistance to people in need through a variety of missions and community partners. We contribute heavily to the Toco Hills Community Alliance (THCA) and other helping organizations, and refer people who come to us to those agencies. We do not have the proper screening systems or the available funds to handle the volume of requests we will get if we begin distributing funds at church. THCA and others have the systems in place to screen clients and administer aid in the most helpful ways. If someone approaches you for financial assistance, please refer them to the Toco Hills Community Alliance ( this number is printed on a sign on the Portico door). You can also suggest they call the United Way Helpline by dialing 211. If someone needs non-financial assistance, please have them call the church office during office hours. Please refrain from handing out money to people in our church parking lot or entrances and refer them instead to THCA.

8 Today s Worship Servants Offering Counters: Jerry Cooley, John Long, Wallace Moreman, Jim Mynatt Ushers: John Adams, Janet Ballard, John Ballard, Kim Cody, Jerry Culwell, Kelly Ewing, Clint Ginn, John Hancock, David Harte, Jim Harte, Cathy Huffines, Jay Huffines, Tim Lott, Jim Mynatt, John Mynatt, George Nash, Jeannine Nash, Dan Riedford, Tom Schubert, Diane Stubblebine, Alex Thomas, Roger Toebben, Joe Whipple Altar Guild: Ann Benton, Linda Chambliss, Ofelia Gordon, Sally Houghton Children s Church: Hollie Meglio, Vince Meglio OUR WORSHIP TIMES 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship Sanctuary 9:35 a.m. Sunday School Various 9:35 a.m. Contemporary Worship Fellowship Hall 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Sanctuary OUR CHURCH INFORMATION Church Office Office Hours 9 a.m. 5 p.m. M F Emergency Contact After Hours ext. 9 Dr. Glenn Ethridge Senior Pastor ext. 211 Rev. Susan Allen Grady Associate Pastor ext. 212 Director of Administration Dale Smith ext. 225 Children s Ministry Kim Cody ext. 218 Oak Grove Christian School YCS (Young Children s School) Dr. Amy Morgan Pastor of Nurture and Service ext. 210 Rev. Mary Lou Gilbert Pastor to Senior Adults Music Ministry Ed Scruggs ext. 226 Organist Leanne Herrmann Youth Ministry Caroline Paris ext. 203 Dir. of Contemporary Worship Atticus Hicks ext. 208