8:30 and 11:00 February 19, 2012

Transcription

1 First United Methodist Church A vital church connecting with God and with each other...driven to serve 516 Kellogg Ave. Ames, Iowa :30 and 11:00 February 19, 2012 THE GATHERING This week in our prayers for the world let us remember especially the people of Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Malta OPENING VOLUNTARIES How Beautiful One Bread, One Body arr: Lloyd Larson arr: Lloyd Larson As this music is offered as prayer, let us be sensitive to the Holy Spirit who prepares and opens us to connect with God in Christ today. GREETING, SHARING NEWS OF THE CHURCH ALIVE Welcome, members, friends & visitors please fill in the ritual of friendship pad, pass it to your neighbor, and then return it to its starting place. If you are new and would like more information, please indicate on the friendship pad and also stop at the hospitality desk in the narthex to pick up a Welcome packet. PASSING OF THE PEACE OF CHRIST CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 30) We have come to worship amongst all creation. It is good that we are here. We have come to worship in this nation of the United States of America. It is good that we are here. We have come to worship in this city of Ames. It is good that we are here. We have come to worship in this house of prayer. It is good that we are here. And God calls to us, a voice in a cloud: Jesus is my Beloved; listen. It is good that we are here to listen together for the Word of God. Amen. HYMN No We Have Come at Christ s Own Bidding

2 OPENING PRAYER We climb mountains seeking you, God, but not knowing quite what we are looking for. Your presence appears as a voice from the clouds, bright as dazzling light, as incomprehensible mystery, the extraordinary breaking through into the ordinary, and we are touched by the holy. In these high places, in the thin places, we see, we hear, we know you, God--- closer, deeper, beyond imagining, beyond expressing. Take us to the thing places. Lead us to moments of epiphany, revelation. Guide us to thin places where holiness touches ordinariness, and where we long to see you face to face. Amen. A TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN (8:30) ANTHEM 1st service (8:30): Holy Ground Christopher Beatty/Geron Davis Solo: Henreitta Klarenbeek 2nd service (11:00) (words on page 11) Songs from our Children OLD TESTAMENT LESSON 2 Kings 2:1-12 HYMN No. 703 Swing Low, Sweet Chariot vs. 1 NEW TESTAMENT LESSON 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 HYMN No Open Our Eyes, Lord THE GOSPEL Mark 9: 2-9 WITNESS TO THE WORD Pastor Bethany Johnson THE INVITATION 2

3 CONFESSION, ASSURANCE AND PARDON It is good that we are here, on this earth, in this country, this town, this sanctuary. Sometimes we are afraid and don t know what to say. Sometimes we are afraid and say too much. Sometimes we are afraid and don t know what to do. Sometimes our fear leads us to unhelpful actions. ---Silence for prayer--- Friends, know that God empowers us to rid ourselves of any sense of failure or wrong, and invites us to celebrate that we are nothing less than God s beloved. Amen. OFFERING OF OUR TITHES AND GIFTS OFFERTORY Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us arr: Eleanor Whittsett PRAYER OF GREAT THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. The pastor gives thanks, remembering God s acts of salvation, and concludes: And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, We praise your name and join their unending hymn: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. The pastor continues and the institution of the Lord s Supper is recalled. The pastor concludes: And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, We offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. The pastor invokes the present work of the Holy Spirit and concludes: All honor and glory is yours, Almighty God, now and forever. Amen! THE LORD S PRAYER 3

4 BREAKING THE BREAD GIVING THE BREAD AND CUP The UMC observes an open communion table. All, of every age, are welcomed here. Serving today is by kneeling at the communion rail. Come forward, kneel (or stand) at the rail, you will receive the bread, eat it, drink from the cup, return to your seat whenever you wish after you have offered prayers. No need to feel rushed. Ushers will guide you forward beginning in the center back of the sanctuary. If anyone wishes to be served in the pew, for any reason, please inform an usher who will wait upon you. On the third Sunday of every month, you may wish to bring a special gift for the Good Samaritan Fund and place it in the wooden offering plates at the entrances to the sanctuary. Let our prayers be lifted to God: prayers of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication and intercession. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING HYMN No. 157 Jesus Shall Reign CLOSING VOLUNTARY Postlude Douglas Wagner Let us be aware this musical offering is a statement of faith to send us from worship into service. Please be respectful of those who choose to remain to listen. LEAVING FOR SERVICE CHILDREN S WORSHIP BULLETINS Did you know that you can find special bulletins for children each week? Check the middle door to the Sanctuary for the colored bulletins, for ages 3-6 and The bulletins have puzzles and mazes that deal with the gospel lesson (the Bible reading about Jesus) this weekend. If you are looking for colored pencils to complete the puzzles, look in the worship bag centers around the Sanctuary. WE WELCOME YOU! Nursery care is available in Room # 204, in the Christian Education Unit, on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings for children under the age of 5. All of our workers are trained and screened. Children s bulletins are available at the center Sanctuary door, and children s worship bag centers are located by each entrance. Restrooms are located in the East hallway leading into the Christian Education Unit. Ushers are available at the entrance of the sanctuary to assist you with hearing devices or large print bulletins. An emergency phone and defibrillator are located on the wall near the chapel in the west entry. COFFEE TIME HOSTS WORSHIP COMMITTEE 4

5 ASH WEDNESDAY BEGINS THE SEASON OF LENT --- February 22th--- Come and Worship alongside your friends from the UCC and the First Christian/Disciple of Christ Congregations First UMC will observe the beginning of the Lenten season by sharing in a solemn service of worship at 6:00 p.m. on February 22nd in the church s candlelit sanctuary. The form and content of this day s worship will focus on the dual themes of sin and death in the light of God s redeeming love and grace in Jesus Christ. The imposition of ashes will be offered to worship attendees and the Sacrament of Holy Communion will be shared. Scriptures to be read on this day are Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51: 1-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-1:10; and Matthew 6:1-6, United Church of Christ Pastor Jonathon Page, new to Ames since August, will be preaching at this year s service. First Christian /Disciples of Christ, Rev. Mary Jane Button-Harrison, will be presiding over communion. Purple, gray, dark earth colors and any somber hues are the colors to be worn on Ash Wednesday to suggest the character and tone of the Lenten season that we begin. Because of the Ash Wednesday services, there will be no regular children and youth activities on February 22. The nursery will be open during the worship service for young children. NEEDING HELPERS FOR ASH WEDNESDAY The season of Lent begins on February 22 with an Ash Wednesday worship service at 6:00 p.m. Prior to the evening s worship at 5:10, we will be hosting a soup supper along with our friends from First Christian Disciples of Christ and UCC. We need 4 volunteers to bring a crock pot of soup each (by 5 p.m.) and to stay to help serve it, as well as appearing as our church hosts. One of those soups needs to be a real vegetarian option. We need 4 other volunteers to bring a loaf of fresh bread plus a relish dish. Additionally, we need 4 more volunteers to prepare beverages and to be here to oversee/help with the clean-up. A sign-up for these tasks will be placed on the bulletin board in fellowship hall by the flower chart and utility calendar. If you have questions, contact Pastor Fred. $10, was collected last weekend for the various ministries and missions of our church. Approximately $56,500 each month will meet our primary monthly ministry budget. This week s offering will go towards that monthly total and will help us to continue to transform and change lives. You may further stay informed about our financial stewardship as a church by reading the monthly newsletter. Thank you for your loyal and steadfast contributions to our church s ministries and missions. 5

6 The Return of the Prodigal Son a Lenten Study at FUMC In The Return of the Prodigal Son, author Henri Nouwen takes Rembrandt's famous painting of the same name and brings it (and the parable) to life, enabling readers to enter the story and find hope in the love that IS the parable. Beginning Wednesday, March 7 and continuing through Wednesday, April 4 (with no meeting March 21), we'll meet in the Parlor at 10:30 to bring this parable into our hearts. We will plan our time so that you may also attend the Lenten Lunches if you wish. Please register by calling the church office at by March 1. Books are available in the church office for $ Questions?? Contact Mary Dreier at or mary@souloftheprairie.com. Lenten Luncheons! Theme: Seeing God through the Eyes of the Disciples This year s lunches will feature a time of worship in which two of the twelve disciples will make an appearance through a special reading. Here is the schedule-- February 29: Nathanael and Simon the Zealot March 7: James the Younger and Thaddeus March 14: Andrew and Matthew March 21: Judas Iscariot and Philip March 28: Simon Peter and James April 4: John and Thomas At these lunches, we will have time to reflect upon how Christ invites us to: 1) Make disciples of Jesus Christ as we witness by word and deed --Acts 1:8 2) Develop and renew Christian congregations and communities --Luke 10:1-2 3) Alleviate human suffering --Matthew 25:40 4) Seek justice, freedom, and peace --Micah 6:8 Bring a sack lunch with you to the church s fellowship hall every Wednesday at noon in Lent, from February 29 through April 4. We ll provide coffee and water. Be sure to invite a friend to join you. CARE ZONE UPDATE Have you wondered what has happened to the Care Zone effort that was started a few years ago? It was an attempt to divide the church membership into neighborhood groups with designated Care Zone Leaders. Because of the nature of those areas, we have found that it was not always a viable program, so we have discontinued that Care Zone program. However, we are still wanting to work with the whole concept and idea of having neighborhoods defined, so that if a new member wants to get acquainted with someone close by, we can still refer to a map of the neighborhood zones. Our sincere thanks to those who acted and served as Care Zone Leaders. Considerable effort was made to promote and sustain this program, but we hope to now learn from it and grow forward into something else, something new. 6

7 Vacation Bible School A few years ago, Collegiate United Methodist Church was under construction and we invited their children to attend Vacation Bible School here at First UMC. We had such a wonderful time working together that they offered to host our children when we were under construction. This summer, we re taking them up on the offer! Since we don t know what our building will look like this summer, we re heading across town for VBS. As good guests, we ll be having our summer program at the time they usually hold VBS in June. We ll be meeting in the mornings of June Just like always, we ll need lots of adults and youth from this church to lead the program. See you there! WORLD DAY OF PRAYER SERVICE The public is invited to observe the 2012 World Day of Prayer at a special service hosted by Northminster Presbyterian Church in Ames on Friday, March 2, at 7:00 p.m. Women in Malaysia prepared the service around the theme Let Justice Prevail. Participants from Malaysia, Korea and Northminster will lead worship with prayer, music, stories and reflection. An offering will help fund grants for nonprofits addressing human suffering and injustice throughout the world. Fellowship and refreshments will follow the service. Childcare will be available. Northminster Presbyterian Church is located at th Street in Ames. YOU can play an important role in our Stephen Ministry Because you may know of a friend, neighbor, co-worker, or relative who is going through a difficult time and who could benefit from the focused care, encouragement, and support of a Stephen Minister. If you know of someone who is hurting, talk with one of our Stephen Leaders: Pastor Deanna Pullen, Carrie Copley, or Cami McColley. They can talk with you about how we can connect the person you know with one of our Stephen Ministers. It's a great way for you to show how much you care! Hospital Visitation Ministry The pastoral team strives to stay in touch with local hospitals and serve the congregation by visiting those seriously ill and/or having surgery. The health information privacy act (HIPPA Law) makes it difficult to obtain an accurate accounting of our hospitalized. As patients opt to be, or not to be, listed in the clergy directory at the hospital, your church/ pastors might not have current information. It can be helpful if families/persons notify the church/pastor directly if there is a desire for some pastoral care and visitation while hospitalized. On the weekends, or at other times of the day, when no one is in the office to take emergency phone calls, you may call Fred, Bethany or Deanna at home in the case of a serious need. Fred: ; Bethany: ; Deanna (cell). Leave a message in the event no one is home. Deanna has recruited and trained a group of volunteers to assist in offering spiritual care and being a contact from our congregation with those who may be ill and/or hospitalized. If you are interested in assisting in this ministry please contact Pastor Deanna. 7

8 ROADMAP FOR LIFELONG WELL-BEING These learning events will be held at the Public Library. Mark your calendars and join us for this amazing journey! All are on Tuesday evenings, and the time is 6:30-7:30 in the community room at the library. There will be speakers from a variety of areas, all focused on a sense of well-being. In preparation for those presentations, we offer a survey that will help each of us evaluate our own sense of well-being. You may access that online at: For those who do not have internet access, we will have copies of the wellness survey in the narthex and in the office for you to pick up. These surveys will evaluate our physical, social, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual health. February 28 Vickie Newell, Coordinator of Older Adults and Volunteer Services at Mary Greeley Medical Center, will talk on finding the path to community engagement. March 20 Jenna Van Winkle, a member of the Ames Blue Zone Advisory Board. "Well-Being: What State are you in?" This session focuses on the impact of healthy living and healthy lifestyle choices. The Blue Zone Project of the Iowa Health Initiative will be featured and how Ames can be a model community for Iowa. March Chris Cook, PhD, Associate Professor, ISU, Department of Human Development and Family Science, will talk on the role of community support and psychological well being in older persons who remain in their own homes. April 3 Peter Martin, Director of Gerontology Program, ISU, will speak on connecting the generations. Jesus is NOT looking for fans He s looking for followers. Followers who understand that There is no forgiveness without repentance. There is no salvation without surrender. There is no life without death. There is no believing without following. Twenty times in the New Testament, Jesus Christ issued a compelling and challenging invitation: Follow Me. Jesus is not interested in mere fans. He doesn't want enthusiastic admirers. He wants completely committed followers. NOT A FAN a 6 week DVD Small Group Study will begin on Wednesday, March 21 st at 6:30 p.m. in the Sarah room. Space is limited to 12 participants. Please contact Rich & Cami McColley at or the church office to sign up. 8

9 SUPPORT FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS This is an opportunity to learn how to care for yourselves as the caregiver of an older family member, whether in your own home, in a local facility or residence, or even cross country. This support group is for family members or close friends/neighbors who are the primary caregiver of an elderly loved one. This support group is to offer information, education and support for caregivers. Yes, caregivers need care, too! Meetings are the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month from 10 to 11:30 AM and on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays of the month from 6:30 to 8 PM. RSVP's are required. There is no charge. Location of the meeting is inside Colorado Junction in West Ames. 113 Colorado Avenue, Suite 111. Ames, IA If you have any questions please call Angela at or A Wearin and Sharin of the Green A benefit concert and auction for Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance, Inc. Irish music by the band Holy Ground 2 pm Saturday, February 25 Dublin Bay, 320 South 16 th Street Iowa United Methodist Men Annual Meeting The Iowa UMM will hold their yearly gathering on Saturday, March 10, 2012, from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. at the Altoona UMC(602 5th Avenue SW Altoona, IA 50009Phone ). The keynote speaker will be John Gaulke, Altoona UMC Pastor. Registration is from 9-9:30 am. All men of the United Methodist Church are welcome and invited to attend, whether or not a member of a local unit. There will be presentations on Youth Ministries, Self Help International, Hunger Relief, Upper Room Prayer Ministry, Legacy Program, EMS Program, Heifer International and P.E.T. No Advance Registration. Register at the door with freewill offering for UMM projects 9

10 STORY COUNTY SUMMER STRETCH WHO IS IT? Summer Stretch is about all ages: it invites middle school youth entering grades 6-9 in Fall of 2012 to come together in small groups, to sample a variety of places to serve, to have fun together, and to make a difference in Jesus name. It s also an opportunity for high school youth entering grades 10 thru those graduated to mentor small groups and to lead by example, while getting training and excellent ministry experience. And it welcomes adults to help make it happen by dividing up what is needed to be done into small manageable time periods. WHAT IS IT? We meet on Mondays at 9am for a fun day of challenging and rewarding experiences. After large group activities and devotion, we spend the morning in small groups doing service around the community. Lunch is at that day s host church (everyone brings their own lunch). In the afternoon, the whole group shares in fun activities like the Ames Water Park, Roller Skating in Ogden, or Game Days. The day ends at that day s host church at 4pm. WHEN? Mondays, July 2 nd -30 th. WHERE? Alternating between participating area Churches HOW MUCH? $50 for MS, $20 for HS (Includes all activities, work-site materials, Adventure Land and a Summer Stretch t-shirt) To Sign up! Materials available from Pastor Bethany or in Church office. Registration and payment due by April 27 th. Additionally, because this program relies on volunteers, each family needs to plan on an adult helping at least one morning or afternoon. Sign-up is on the registration form. Kindergarten Round-Up Ames Christian School is hosting for preschool children who will be entering Kindergarten in the fall. There will be an informational meeting (childcare provided) in the Kindergarten room on March 5 at 6:30pm, and an Experience Kindergarten day on March 7 from 8:30am to 11:15am OR 12:00pm to 2:45pm. If interested, please contact ACS at or secretary@ameschristianschool.org. 10

11 Food At First is launching its "Friends of Food At First" campaign, and one thing that we need is... a brochure! We already have the content, and it will be a standard tri-fold, full-color piece. We just need for someone to add a bit of reative flair to it, making it easy to read and fun to look at. Naturally, our budget for this is the same as it is for everything... pretty much zero. Your reward will be the wonderful feeling of knowing that you made a real impact on this important ministry! If you're interested, please send a sample of anything you've done to scott@foodatfirst.com. And as always, if you know someone who might be interested, PLEASE pass this information on to them! Thanks for your continued support. CHILDREN S SONGS 2 and 3 year olds - Jesus Loves Me Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so. Little to ones to him belong. They are weak, but he is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so. Preschool through 5 th grade - Show Loves to Others Show love to others by truly helping them. Like sisters and brothers, it should be no problem. Show love to others in what we say and do Show love to others, like God does for you. Show love for others by truly helping them (HELP OUT!) Like sisters and brothers, it should be no problem. (It's No Problem!) Sho-bee doo-bee doo-bee Show love for others in what we say and do Show love for others like God does for you Sho-bee doo-bee doo-bee Show love for others, like God does for you! 1 John 3:16 11

12 CHURCH STAFF Rev. Fred Lewis, Senior Minister/Lead Pastor Rev. Bethany Johnson, Associate Pastor/Minister of Youth & Young Adults Rev. Deanna Pullen, Associate Pastor/Minister of Visitation & Adult Spiritual Formation Ellen Johnsen, Director of Christian Education/Children & Families Deb Benefield, Director of Office & Communications Jo Durlam, Business Manager Myrna Cakerice, Organist/Director of Choirs Steve Pelz, Custodian Zach Irving, Sunday Custodian Church office hours: Mon-Thurs: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Friday 8:30 to 4:30 Ushers 8:30 11:00: Schrunk family, Weyrich family, Marge and Glenn Schellhammer Acolytes: 8:30 Ella Schmitt & Katie Murray 11:00 Matthew Farrell & Dylan Schaben Gifts to Utilities: Becky Jordan Sunday, Feb 19 8:30 & 11 Worship Service 9:45 Sunday School 10:00 Welcoming & Mktg 11:00 Children Singing 11:00 Children s Church 2:00 Al Anon/L 7:00 NA/L Monday, Feb 20 1:00 Bridge 5:15 Foundation Meeting 5:30 FAF/FH Tuesday, Feb 21 10:00 Quilters/Sarah Sandy 5:30 Member Care 5:30 FAF 5:45 Trustees Meeting Wednesday, Feb 22 10:00 WWW/L 11:15 UMW Executive 5:15 Soup Supper 6:00 Ash Wednesday Service 6:00 Children s Church 7:00 AA Thursday, Feb 23 9:30 Golden K 4:00 Free Clinic 5:30 FAF/FH 6:30 FAF Board Meeting/Sarah 6:00 Band Practice 6:30 Divorce Support Group/P 7:30 Chancel Choir Friday, Feb 24 5:30 FAF/FH Saturday, Feb 25 11:30 FAF/FH 5:30 SAF IN OUR THOUGHTS Known to be Hospitalized: Fred Walker, Don Lesan, out patient Henrietta Klarenbeek Honoring Our Military: Ethan Abbey, Jared Chumley, Greg Wheelock & Chris Benson 12