This week in our prayers for the world let us remember especially the people of Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea.

Transcription

1 First United Methodist Church 516 Kellogg Ave. Ames, Iowa :30 & 11:00 November 19, 2017 THE GATHERING: When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, I used everything you gave me. ---Erma Bombeck This week in our prayers for the world let us remember especially the people of Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea. Historical notes as we come to worship today on customs of the Pilgrims: The first pilgrims set sail from The Netherlands in the summer of In the earliest days worship began with the sound of a conch shell being blown or a by a drummer. Worshippers would usually process into the church out of a need for protection. The meeting houses had no heat for the services that typically last three or four hours. The Pilgrims sang a cappella using the words of the Psalter. Organs were not used until the18 th century. When hymns were first introduced they were led by a music director who lined them out by singing a line at the time with the congregation repeating. For worship, men and boys were seated on the right side, facing front, and women and girls on the left. The Bible was usually processed in and placed at the front or on the pulpit. The sermon was considered the high point of worship by the Pilgrims and the minister would preach often for two or three hours. A man was appointed to keep people awake by using a long pole to rap the sleepers awake. No one was permitted to leave until the service ended. In the earliest days, the congregation stood for all prayers with the opening prayer usually lasting fifteen minutes. Sometimes persons stood with arms raised above the heads. Kneeling was not acceptable by the Pilgrims because it was considered an idolatrous Roman practice. Free prayers were the most common form of prayers. The Lord s Prayer was not used.

2 OPENING VOLUNTARIES Count Your Blessings Medley For the Beauty of the Earth Give Thanks arr: Gail Smith arr: Teresa Wilhelmi arr: Richard Kingsmore 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 Welcome Center in the narthex to pick up a Welcome packet. PASSING OF THE PEACE OF CHRIST CALL TO WORSHIP No. 821 Psalm 100 HYMN No. 694 Come Ye Thankful People, Come (Meredith Farrell on trumpet descants) OPENING PRAYER Most gracious God, you crown the year with your goodness. We praise you that you have ever fulfilled your promise that, while the earth remains, seedtime and harvest shall not cease. We bless you for the order and constancy of nature, for the beauty of the earth, sky, and sea, and for the providence that year by year supplies our need. We thank you for your blessing on the work of those who plowed the soil and sowed the seed, and have now gathered in the fruits of the earth. And with our thanksgiving for these blessings, accept our praise, O God, for the eternal riches of your grace in Christ our Lord; to whom, with you, O Creator, and Holy Spirit, be all glory and honor and worship, for ever and ever. Amen. A TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Deuteronomy 8:7-18 ANTHEM 8:30 a.m. Tapestry of Thanks Anna Laura Pate/Jean Anne Shafferman Chancel Choir Acc: Barb Mittman Narration: Rev. Fred Lewis

3 ANTHEM 11:00 a.m. Thank You, Jesus Kids sing - Accompanied by Meredith Farrell PRAYER OF YEARNING O God, as our heavenly Father and our Mother you have lavished on us gifts of life abundant. But we confess that we have often used your gifts carelessly, and acted as though we were not grateful. When we enjoy the fruits of the harvest, but forget they come from you, Then in your great mercy, Forgive us and help us. When we are full and satisfied, but ignore the cry of the hungry and those in need, When we are thoughtless, and do not treat with respect or care the wonderful world you have made, God our Maker have mercy on us, Forgive us and help us. Grant us thankful hearts and a loving concern for all people Through the love and grace of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. HYMN No. 696 America the Beautiful READING OF EARLY THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS The first Thanksgiving Proclamation was issued by William Bradford, Governor of Plymouth Colony on November 24, The first national proclamation day of Thanksgiving came from Abraham Lincoln in OFFERING OF OUR TITHES AND GIFTS OFFERTORY HYMN No. 131 We Gather Together No. 75 All People That on Earth Do Dwell (Psalm 100) (We will sing as many verses as needed) PRAYER OF DEDICATION Thank you, God, for this community and for the responsibility of being your people. Forgive us for the times when we have tucked away and hidden our gifts and talents from the world. As a community, help us support and encourage each other so that we can share all our gifts for and to your glory. Bless this offering and these gifts, both seen and unseen, that all might be a blessing to others. Amen. THE GOSPEL Matthew 6:25-33

4 WITNESS TO THE WORD Thanksliving Rev. Fred Lewis HYMN No. 102 Now Thank We All Our God verse 1 DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING Go in peace, remembering God s goodness. We will remember. Remember God s healing presence. We will remember. Remember how God provided for your need. We will remember. Remember that God will be with you to sustain you And care for you, this day and always. We will remember and give thanks. Amen. HYMN No. 102 Now Thank We All Our God verses 2 and 3 CLOSING VOLUNTARY Thanksgiving Charles Callahan 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 WELCOME VISITORS The Welcoming and Marketing Committee at First United Methodist Church would like to thank you for visiting our church. We take pride in our beautiful church and hope you had a pleasant and welcoming experience. To thank you for visiting our church, we would like to give you a small gift to show our appreciation for attending one of our services. Please stop by the Welcome Center located behind the sanctuary and to the left of the open stairway before or after service on Sunday morning. We hope you will join us again! Gene and Gerry Lewis, parents of Pastor Fred, will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on November 23rd, Thanksgiving Day. Our United Methodist Women invite you to help them celebrate with a card shower. Their address is: 812 Cedar St. Apt 326 Story City, IA Thank you. Jane

5 THE BEST EGG OMELET IN AMES SERVED HERE ON DECEMBER 2 Our United Methodist Men will be serving fresh, homemade egg omelets made to your liking on the first Saturday of December! Bring your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to this delicious breakfast served in our Fellowship Hall from 8-10 a.m. This is one of our UMM fundraisers for their projects; which support our ASP team as well as several of our building projects and other local church ministries. You can come to eat and stay to help decorate the church for the holidays, starting at 9 a.m. up in the sanctuary! ANNUAL HANGING OF THE GREENS ON SATURDAY DECEMBER 2 Gather at 9 a.m. in our church sanctuary to help decorate this house of worship for the Advent-Christmas seasons. Members of our Worship Arts Team will be here with a plan and with good enthusiasm, to help get this fun task accomplished. We really do need ALL ages of persons and men and women. In the recent past, our Confirmation class and our Boy Scout Troop have been of great assistance. Many hands do make light the work and often we are able finish our work from 9-noon. Hope to see you here on Saturday, December 2! Oh, and, come for the annual omelet breakfast that starts at 8 a.m. and runs until 10 a.m. An INVITATION for YOU: Because I want to say thank you for our work together in ministry through the Ames First United Methodist Church and since this will be my last Christmas with you as your Senior Minister, I cordially invite YOU to a Holiday Open House at my church parsonage located at 1321 Burnett Avenue on Sunday, December 3, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. I hope you will be able to attend. --- Rev. Fred Lewis

6 Dean & Judy Sampson Kent & Linda Woodworth Steve & Mary Hanlin Roy Cakerice Donald & LaVone Newell Becky Jordan Martha Clifford THANK YOU FOR STAYING CURRENT WITH YOUR FINANCIAL GIFTS Income January - October $571, Expenses for January - October $574, Balance --- -$2, Our 2017 expense budget was set at $697, with a hoped-for anticipated income of $700,000. Your help is needed to reach our income budget goal. Thank you for your financial offerings. Consider making a special end-of-the year tax-deductible gift to our congregation. The Twelve Days of Fitness Join the Isaiah 40 Wellness Ministry at Ames First United Methodist Church this Advent for special workouts, devotions and giving opportunities. The program starts Monday, November 27th and meets each Monday Wednesday and Friday until December 22nd. Classes are 9:00-9:50 a.m. A suggested donation of $40 for all 12 classes is appreciated on the first day of class. Everyone from around the Ames community is welcome to attend regardless of your connection to this or any church at all. All ages and skill levels are encouraged. No special equipment or ability is needed. Each workout can be modified for specific needs. The workouts will follow the Twelve Days of Christmas song with some especially fun and interesting workouts along the way. As part of our Advent celebration we will be having special devotions with each class that follow our theme. Our ministry is also collecting donations for the food pantry at Food at First. If you are able, on the first day of class please bring one food item, on the second day of class bring two, and so on and so forth. Prior registration is appreciated but not required. Contact our wellness ministry coordinator Nanette Heginger at or at nrheg@hotmail.com for questions or more information.

7 The Week at a Glance November 19 November 25 Sunday, November 19 8:30 & 11:00 Services 9:45 Sunday School for all ages 11:00 Service Kids sing All Church Thanksgiving Dinner Monday, November 20 5:30 Foundation Meeting/CR Tuesday, November 21 Quilters 9:30 Staff/SCR 2-7 Farm to Folk/FH Aktion Club 5:30 Trustees Wednesday, November 22 No Wed Activities No Choir No Bells Thursday, November 23 Happy Thanksgiving Friday, November 24 Office Closed Saturday November 25 5:30 SAF/Chapel CR-Conference Room FH-Fellowship Hall LIB - Library MPR-Multipurpose Room MSR-Middle School Room HSR-High School Room SCR-Staff Conference Room Par - Parlor ACOLYTES 8:30 Aurelia Kruger Evan Nelson 11:00 Savanna Smith Miranda Ross SOUND Doug Hill Pete Peterson Dean Swyter Fredrick Killian Mike Evans Calvin Evans GREETERS 8:30 & 11:00 Del & Georgia Bluhm NURSERY Meredith Clove VIDEO Marty Sankey Larry Vallery Mike Evans Coffee Hour is in the MPR today due to preparations for our Thanksgiving Dinner in Fellowship Hall. Serving begins around 11:30. USHERS 8:30 Sally and Pete Peterson Gayle and Lee Huey Beth and Norm Cheville 11:00 Glendora Clark Steve Hanlin Jane and William Edwards The altar flowers this week are in memory of Larry LaVelle from the LaVelle family.

8 WE WELCOME YOU! Our Welcome Center is located in the gathering space near the elevator. Please stop by if you have questions or would like to get more information about the church. Be sure to mention if you are a first time visitor. Nursery care is available in Room E203, 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. Items for children s worship bags are available in the gathering area. Restrooms are located in the east hallways and by the elevator. Ushers are available at the entrances of the sanctuary to assist you with hearing devices, large print bulletins or any questions you may have. An emergency phone and defibrillator are located on the wall near the west entry. 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 of alienation and brokenness. Christ calls us to reconciliation and wholeness, as 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 Jew 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 any and all differences in the human condition including, but not limited to: race, gender, ethnicity, age, culture, physical and mental ability, educational level, economic status, personality, marital status, sexual orientation and gender identity 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 sacred 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; and that as members of this congregation, all persons are invited and encouraged to share in the sacramental and general life of this congregation. CHURCH STAFF Rev. Fred Lewis, Senior Minister/Lead Pastor Rev. Cephas Davis, Associate Pastor Nicole Smith, Director of Christian Education Brooke Kruger, Youth Director Deb Benefield, Director of Office & Communications Reid Cummer, Business Manager Myrna Cakerice, Organist/Director of Choirs Steve Pelz, Facility Director Matt Woodworth, Part-time/Sunday Custodian Go to our website: for the latest church information. Follow us on facebook. Church office hours: Mon-Thurs: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Friday 8:30 to 4:30 To view go to live or go to youtube.com and search for Ames First United Methodist Church channel. You can also find archived services at the church's channel.