THE GATHERING This week in our prayers for the world let us remember especially the people of Brunei, Malaysia, and Singapore.

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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 April 1, 2012 THE GATHERING This week in our prayers for the world let us remember especially the people of Brunei, Malaysia, and Singapore. OPENING VOLUNTARIES 1st service: How Majestic Is Your Name Hail to the King His Glory 2nd service: The Palms All Glory, Laud and Honor Open the Gates of the Temple arr: Michael W. Smith arr: Garrett Parker arr: Gayden C. Sikes Jean-Baptiste Faure Melchior Teschner Phoebe P. Knapp As this music is offered as prayer, let us be sensitive 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 Rejoicing with the followers of Jesus, we wave palms. Hosanna in the highest! Welcome Jesus, riding in humility, raising our hopes for renewal! Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest, blessed is the one who comes in the name of God. Hosanna in the highest! HYMN No. 278 Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

2 LIGHTING OF THE LENTEN CANDLE Of Promise and Blessing 8:30 JoLynn Kickbush-Farrell and James Farrell Meredith and Matthew Farrell 11:00 Kurt and Suzzanne Strong: Tori, Becca, and Charlie (Lighting red, orange, yellow, green and blue candles) From Mark 11: 9--- Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! What does it mean to come in someone else s name? Let us consider the various responsibilities we have throughout the week; in whose name do we come in each of them? What does it mean to see ourselves as coming in the name of God? As we see the light of these candles today, let us remember what it means to be a Christian disciple at work in the world. SONG No. 277 Tell me the Stories of Jesus ANTHEM 1st service: Hosanna! Sing a Loud Hosanna! Mark Hayes Chancel Choir Acc: Stacy Eustachy 2nd service: Songs from Our Sunday School Children (words to the song are on page 7) OFFERING OF OUR TITHES AND GIFTS OFFERTORY Prayer Clement Loret OFFERTORY RESPONSE No. 298 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross PROCLAMATION OF THE PASSION OF JESUS CHRIST Please note that throughout this meditative reading and hearing of the scripture story we will be singing verses of a song to the hymn tune we know as Were You There and we will be singing the refrain of that hymn after each verse: Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when Entry into Jerusalem At Bethany Woman of the Anointing At the Temple Time of the Passover After reading: Were you there when he gave them bread and wine? Come to the Table by Up With Puppets Prediction of the Betrayal Praying in the Garden After the reading: Were you there when he knelt and prayed to God? 2

3 The Kiss of Betrayal Peter s Denial Woman at the Fire Why? by Kevin Primmer The Trial Woman Witnessing the Trials After the reading: Were you there when they sentenced him to death? On the Way to the Cross Woman in the Street Jesus Crucified After the reading: Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Jesus Dies Woman at Golgotha Joseph of Arimathea Woman at the Burial After reading: Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Looking to Resurrection A time of quiet and meditation DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of God s Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. May the blessing of God almighty, Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, remain with you always. Amen. Go now in peace to love and serve God and neighbor. Thanks be to God. HYMN No. 488 Jesus, Remember Me Keep singing until candles are extinguished and worship leaders have made their exit. CLOSING VOLUNTARY Hosanna Theodore Dubois 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. 3

4 LEAVING FOR SERVICE TODAYS READERS Kathy Van Pelt, Brandon Van Pelt, Harrison Walker, Scott Walker, Joe Van Haecke, Mel Larsen, Barb Van Slyke, Janice Reutter, Kim Abbey, Nanette 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. $ 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. APRIL IS GOOD NEIGHBOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE MONTH! This is the 15 th year anniversary: April 1997 was when Good Neighbor opened its office. A fundraiser on April 1 st will benefit Good neighbor at Lucullan s Italian Grill. A social time will start at 5:30 p.m. and the meal will begin at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $35, with $20 being tax deductible. PROJECT 52 FOR MISSIONS Be a member of our Project 52 group and give $1 each week for the mission ministries of First UMC! You can give this all at one time or divide it out as you need to do so. Be sure to write on the memo line of your check: FOR MISSIONS. Our hope would be that EVERY member is giving at least $1 week for our second-mile mission projects. Every dollar goes directly to the mission itself! 4

5 From our perspective As pastors (and choir members) we see a different scene than most who come to worship on a Sunday morning. We look out on a sea of faces and witness incidents that others probably cannot see. Last Sunday, during the offertory, I observed a little girl in the balcony who waited for the usher to bring the offering plate. When she feared the usher wouldn t see her, she went running across the balcony waving her dollar bill. The usher saw her and accepted the gift, and the little girl ran back to her dad, jumping up and down and clapping her hands. He gave her a high five! Bethany and I were giggling at this, and Bethany said, How great if everyone gave with such enthusiasm! 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. This will be the last session. April 3 Peter Martin, Director of Gerontology Program, ISU, will speak on connecting the generations. First United Methodist Church Affirmation of Welcome As a community of the people of God, we are called to minister to all people of the world, knowing that the world is often an unloving place, a place of alienation and brokenness. Christ calls us to reconciliation and wholeness and we are challenged by the Gospel to be agents of healing within our society. We stand in affirmation with the apostle Paul that in Christ "there is neither few nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female." Christ has made us one. We acknowledge that this reconciliation encompasses all within the community of faith who exhibit differences in race, gender, and ethnicity, as well as age, culture, physical ability, educational level, economic status, personality, marital status and sexual orientation. In response to the often hostile social climate with respect to diversity within our society and the resulting feelings of alienation from the Church, we wish to make known our caring and concern. It is for this purpose that we affirm the following: - all persons share the worth that comes from being unique individuals created by God; - all persons are welcome within the membership of this congregation upon making affirmation of faith; - that as members of this congregation, all persons are expected and encouraged to share in the sacramental and general life of this congregation. 5

6 CELEBRATE HOLY WEEK Saturday/ Sunday, March 31 and April 1: Palm/Passion Saturday and Sunday - Into Jerusalem These worship services will set the stage of contrasts that is Holy Week. On Sunday, Lay Readers will help retell the dramatic story of the Passion and death of Jesus Christ. Our Up with Puppets will offer an inspirational presentation of Michael Card s song, Come to the Table. Our Chancel Choir will sing their Hosannas at the 8:30 a.m. service. The children of our Sunday School will sing during the 11 a.m. hour. The annual Easter Happening will occur at noon for our children and their families. Wednesday, April 4: Lenten noon time lunch Thursday, April 5 : Maundy Thursday worship at 7p.m. will be in the Fellowship hall at the First Christian/Disciples of Christ Church. The UCC congregation will also be joining us for a special worship at which a Ritual of Foot Washing will take place. The Last Supper will be celebrated. Pastor Deanna will be preaching for this service. Children are invited to attend children s church during Maundy Thursday worship. Friday, April 6: Good Friday at 12:15 a.m. - In the Way of the Cross, worship will start at 12:15 p.m. in the beauty of our church sanctuary. We will recall the last words of Christ. Pastor Bethany will offer a meditation. All are invited to participate in a Prayer Vigil at First Christian/Disciples of Christ Church. The vigil will begin at 1:00 p.m. and continue until 6:30 a.m., Easter morning. Persons are asked to take 30 minute time slots if possible. An evening service at 7:00 will be held at the UCC for those who wish to attend. Saturday, April 7: Holy Saturday and First Service of Easter - Church members are encouraged to make this a quiet day of prayer and Bible reading, a day of engaging in acts of mercy and kindness towards others, a day of witness and meditation. The First service of Easter will happen at 5:30 at Saturday at First with Pastor Fred preaching the Easter message. Sunday, April 8: GLAD EASTER DAY! 7 a.m. Our first worship on Easter morning will be across the street at the United Church of Christ. Breakfast will be served by the folks at the UCC in their social hall following this Sunrise Service. 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. We will celebrate EASTER by featuring traditional hymns of the faith like Christ the Lord is Risen Today, a joyful choir anthem, special music by our brass choir, an Easter Day solo by ISU senior, Anne Todey, and an Easter message by Pastor Fred. 6

7 Children s bulletins can be found by the center door to the Sanctuary. Check out these special bulletins with puzzles and games that match the Bible verses we are reading during worship. No Sunday School on Easter Sunday Children and families are invited downstairs following the 11:00 worship on Sunday. We ll have a kid-friendly lunch ready for you (we ll take a free-will offering). Then we ll have crafts, games, and an egg hunt. Come celebrate God s Easter surprise! If you brought your One Great Hour of Sharing offering boxes this week, you can leave them at the back of the Sanctuary, by the center door. Thanks for supporting the work of the Vacation Bible School June at Collegiate UMC/ Wesley Foundation Words to the children s song: Yes indeed, God is my salvation. I trust I won t be afraid. God, yes God, is my strength in song. Best of all my salvation. Praise is rising, eyes are turning to You, we turn to You. Hope is stirring, hearts are yearning for You, we long for You. Cause when we see You, we find strength to face the day. In Your presence, all our fears are washed away, washed away. Hosanna, hosanna. You are the God who save us, worthy of all our praises. Hear the sound of hearts returning to You, we turn to You. In Your kingdom broken lives are made new, You make us new. Cause when we see You, we find strength to face the day. In your Presence all our fears are washed away, washed away. 7 Hosanna, hosanna, You are the God who saves us, worthy of all our praises Hosanna, hosanna. Come make Your way among us. We welcome you here, LORD Jesus.

8 8 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 Ron and Darlys Orth Dean and Vivian Nelson Matt and Rhonda Carney Jerri Adams and Glendora Clark 11:00: Ross and Renee Van Marel William and Jane Edwards Angie and Joe Strotman Acolytes: 8:30 Matthew Farrel & Ethan Johnson 11:00 Thomas DeLay & Sally Schrunk IN OUR THOUGHTS Known to be Hospitalized: Jack Smalling Honoring Our Military: Ethan Abbey, Jared Chumley, Greg Wheelock & Chris Benson Sunday, April 1 8:30 & 11 Worship Service 9:45 Sunday School Up With Puppets Children Sing 12:00 Easter Happening 2:00 Al Anon/L 5:30 FAF 7:00 NA/L Monday, April 2 1:00 Bridge 5:30 FAF 6:00 CEMT&Youth Leaders/A Tuesday, April 3 10:00 Quilters/Sarah Sandy 5:30 FAF 5:30 SPRC-All 6:30 Winter Wondering last one (for real this week:) ) Wednesday, April 4 10:30 Lenten Study 12:00 Lenten Lunch 5:00 Dance 6:00 Wed. Act. 6:30 I Am Not a Fan Thursday, April 5 9:30 Golden K 3:00 Janice Reuter/P 4:00 Free Clinic 5:30 FAF/FH 7:00 Maundy Thursday Service at FC/DOC Friday, April 6 12:00 Good Friday Service at FUMC 6:00p.m. thru 6:30a.m. Easter Morning at FC/DOC 7:00 Good Friday evening service at UCC Saturday, April 7 Holy Saturday 11:30 FAF 5:30 SAF