F I R S T U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H WORSHIP 4th Grade Bible Presentation Recognition of Sunday School Teachers September 20, 2015 The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. 1 John 4:21 Artwork by Sister Corita Kent welcome We Gather PRELUDE A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Johann Nicolaus Hanff) *Processional HYMN #598 United Methodist Hymnal O Word of God Incarnate Tricia Lindley Emily Lacina, Guest Organist *Call to Worship Jill Obery Dodd, Lay Lector This is the day the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be glad in it. We gather to worship our God, creator and giver of life. It is by love, with love and for love that all things came into being. By coming together this day we have responded to God's call to be filled with love and poured out for the healing of our world. *Choral Act of PRaise "This is the day the Lord hath made; he calls the hours his own. Let heaven rejoice, let earth be glad, and praise surround the throne." *Sharing the Peace of CHRIST Please greet those worshipping near you. As a courtesy to others, please silence all cell phones/sound-making devices. * Asterisks indicate standing if you are able.
CHILDREN S MESSAGe Tricia Lindley #2233 The Faith We Sing Where Children Belong This, this is where children belong, welcomed as part of the worshiping throng. Water, God s word, bread and cup, prayer and song: This is where children belong. As the congregation sings, all children are invited to come forward. Presentation of 4th Grade Bibles (see insert) Recognition of sunday school teachers (see insert) I Am a Child of God I am a child of God; You are God s child, it s true. Children of God are called to love one another, as Jesus taught to do. As the congregation sings, the children may go to Children's Church in the Chapel. Our Mission & Common Life Rev. Patricia Farris We thank God for these opportunities for fellowship, for worship, and for service. Thanks be to God! We Hear God s Word The lesson 1 John 4:16-21 (Pew Bible page 241, N.T.) Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. Thanks be to God! Jill Obery Dodd The gospel Matthew 22:34-40 (Pew Bible page 25, N.T.) Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. Thanks be to God! sermon "Five Marks of a Methodist: A METHODIST LOVES OTHERS" Rev. Robert English We respond Invitation to Prayer #601 UMH Thy Word Is a Lamp listening for the voice of GOD Rev. Farris SILENt prayer & Pastoral Prayer
presentation of Bibles to 4th Graders Sunday, September 20, 2015 Children respond in bold italics. Congregation responds with words printed in bold type. Bible Recipients Megan Crawford Calvin Dunlap-Harding Amelie Hughes Gina LaPoint to our 4th Graders Will you receive this Bible with your hands, your heart, and your mind? I will. Rev. Patricia Farris let us pray together 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 Sunday School classes, and in worship. We will learn together and grow in our love for God s Word. Amen. (over)
presentation of sunday school teachers Sunday, September 20, 2015 Teachers respond in bold italics. Congregation responds with words printed in bold type. to our Sunday school teachers Tricia Lindley Having responded to God s call and our invitation to teach, will you continue to hold in your tender care the spiritual formation of our children in the Sunday School program? I will. let us pray together Eternal God, you have entrusted us with the message of your power, grace, justice, and love. Provide for us your guidance, that we may be teachers and learners together. Believing that you are in our midst, we set apart those who would serve our children. May they serve you in nurturing the spirtual growth of all who are entrusted in their care. Bless each one gathered before us, enabling them to be channels of your grace. We pray through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Lord s Prayer 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. Choral response We Offer Our Gifts & Ourselves Your generous gifts support the ministries and outreach of the church. You may place gifts of cash or checks made out to First UMC in the offering plates as they are passed. You may also give online at any time at www.santamonicaumc.org or by using the QR code in the insert. Thank you. May God grow in us generous and joyful hearts. THE OFFERTORY The Chancel Choir/Dr. James Smith, Music Director Pilgrims' Hymn - from the opera The Three Hermits (Stephen Paulus) Even before we call on Your name to ask You, O God, when we seek for the words to glorify You, You hear our prayer; Unceasing love, O unceasing love, surpassing all we know. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Even with the darkness sealing us in, we breathe Your name, and through all the days that follow so fast, we trust in You; endless Your grace, O endless Your grace, beyond all mortal dream. Both now and for ever, and unto ages and ages. Amen. *Response #94 UMH The Doxology *Unison Prayer of Dedication Rev. Farris For all who share the gifts of life with us, we give you thanks, O God. For the abundance of your steadfast love, we are most grateful. Receive these expressions of thanksgiving to extend your purposes in the world. May this offering scatter seeds of love in lifechanging ways. In Christ's name we pray, Amen. *hymn #670 UMH Go Forth for God *BENEDICTION *Benediction response We go forth to serve Postlude Prelude and Fugue in F (Vincent Lübeck) Emily Lacina Worship concludes with the Postlude music which prepares us to transition from worship to life in the world. You are invited to remain seated until the Postlude concludes, or to exit quietly.
The Head Usher today is Al Mead. See an usher if you need assistance. We welcome guest organist Emily Lacina. Nursery Care is available at 9 a.m. in Room 204 in the Education Building. Parents with young children are welcome to worship in the sanctuary or in the Kids Zone in the narthex. First UMC takes the care and safety of children seriously. We are a Safe Sanctuary congregation. A changing table is provided in the restroom located in the hallway west of the Fireside Room. Please see an usher for directions. Flowers at the Reredos: Happy Birthday to Debra. From Haylie, Emma and Howard Wollitz. Flowers in the Narthex: In loving memory of Maxine Naylor, from the Naylor family. Please fill in the new Let's Connect card found in the pew racks, and place it in the offering plate. To request prayers, use the Prayer Request section on the back of the card. If there are Prayer Quilts on the north wall of the sanctuary, you are invited to pray over and tie knots on the quilts. Stop by the Hospitality Table in Simkins Hall in The Shelby Center during Coffee Fellowship today to ask about membership. Visit the Fireside Room to see First UMC youth member Haylie Wollitz's display for her second year, Faces of Nepal, photographs taken on her summer service trip to Nepal. Preparing an estate is good Christian stewardship saying thanks to God, expressing your love and concern for family, and showing charity toward others. Join the First UMC Legacy Circle: info@santamonicaumc.org. Next Sunday: Worship at 10 a.m.; Jim Smith Day: We celebrate Dr. James Smith s 50th Anniversary as Director of Music at First UMC, with special music written for the worship, followed by a reception in Simkins Hall. Each time we worship, we collect food for the Westside Food Bank. In September bring macaroni & cheese, and packaged dinners. Resident Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño West District Superintendent Kathey Michelle Wilborn Senior Minister Rev. Patricia Farris p.farris@santamonicaumc.org New & Emerging Ministries Rev. Robert English r.english@santamonicaumc.org Chaplain in Residence Rev. Keri Olsen k.olsen@santamonicaumc.org Director of Children & Youth Ministry Tricia Lindley t.lindley@santamonicaumc.org Business Administrator Christina Eddy c.eddy@santamonicaumc.org Preschool Director Batsheva Spector b.spector@santamonicaumc.org Assistant to the Preschool Director Dane Rold d.rold@santamonicaumc.org Music Director Dr. James Smith Organist Ty Woodward Lead Coordinator Sarah Rold s.rold@santamonicaumc.org Membership and Facilities Coordinator David Penson d.penson@santamonicaumc.org Communications Director Tina Gage t.gage@santamonicaumc.org Communications Coordinator Shalimar Carducci s.carducci@santamonicaumc.org Head Custodian Javier Espinosa God is real. God is love. Every person matters. You matter. Together we can change the world. first united methodist church of santa monica 1008 Eleventh Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403 www.santamonicaumc.org 310-393-8258
F O C U S O N September 20, 2015 Children & Youth at First UMC Tricia Lindley, Director of Children and Youth Ministry Today is a time of giving thanks and celebration in Children and Youth Ministry. We celebrate our 4th graders as they receive their own Bibles, continuing their journey of growing in faith through the support of their family and our church. We give thanks and recognition to our Sunday School teachers: for their spiritual calling to teach children about the Christian faith and for their dedication and hard work each week. In addition, we celebrate a new opportunity in Children s Ministry today. It will be our first Children s Church, which will take place during Sunday School in the Chapel. This is a children-focused form of worship through music and movement, play and laughter. Janet Searfoss, Children s Choir director, will lead the worship. In youth ministry, our United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYF) started last week with 25 youth and their parents sharing a meal together and exploring what the year ahead in Youth Ministry will look like. We celebrate the participation and leadership of children and youth in worship and in our community throughout the year. Today at 5 p.m., our youth will have their yearly acolyte and crucifer training, preparing them for continued leadership in the worship life of our church. New Sunday School Cycle: 1st, 2nd & 4th Sundays: Sunday School Rooms Parents pick their children up in their Sunday School rooms. Preschool (3-4 year olds) - Room 205 Early Elementary (K-1st Grade) - Room 208 Middle Elementary (2nd-3rd Grade) - Room 206 Older Elementary (4th-5th Grade) - Room 203 3rd Sunday: Children s Church Held in Chapel and Room 300. Parents pick their children up in Room 300. 5th Sundays: Faith in Action Held in Room 300. Parents pick their children up in Room 300. first united methodist church of santa monica 1008 Eleventh Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403 www.santamonicaumc.org 310-393-8258 info@santamonicaumc.org
O P P O R T U N I T I E S at F U M C *Westside Food Bank collection for September: Macaroni & cheese, and packaged dinners * Sundays at First UMC 9 a.m. Lectionary Scripture Discussion, FR 9 a.m. Partnership with God, Rm 101 9 a.m. Nursery Care, 204 9:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsals, CHR 10 a.m. Worship Service, S 10:10 a.m. Sunday School, Chapel/Room 300 11 a.m. Fellowship, Courtyard 6:15 p.m. UMYF, Youth Lounge Today - 4th Grade Bible presentation Recognition of Sunday School teachers 11 a.m. September Book Study/Potluck, FR 11 a.m. Free Blood Pressure Screenings, SH 2:30 p.m. Labyrinth Walk, SH 5 p.m. simple church, SH Monday, September 21 - Last day of Church Directory Photo Appointments Tuesday, September 22 7 p.m. Health Ministry Council Meeting, OS 7:30 p.m. Amadeus Handbell Choir Rehearsals, CHR Wednesday, September 23 9 a.m. UMW Workparty & Lunch, WKR Thursday, September 24 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsals, CHR Sunday, September 27 10 a.m. Jim Smith Day, Worship 11 a.m. Jim Smith Day Reception, SH Jim Smith Day - Next Sunday! Next Sunday September 27, we will celebrate Dr. James E. Smith s 50th Anniversary as Director of Music at First UMC. Following the worship service, we will host a luncheon reception in Simkins Hall where you may thank Jim & Barbara for their shared 50 years of music leadership. The theme will be Black & White so all are encouraged to dress in black & white! To RSVP for the luncheon reception, call or email the church office: info@ santamonicaumc.org. Highlights Book Study/Potluck - Today Rev. Patricia Farris leads the first of the new Loving God with Our Minds series. Pope Francis second Encyclical, Laudato Si : On Care For Our Common Home, is written for all Christians to draw us into discussion, reflection, and prayer about our common home, Planet Earth. The Book Study is a lively discussion welcoming many points of view. Today after worship, 11 a.m. in the Fireside Room. simple church/ Walk the Labyrinth - Today Tonight, come for prayer, conversation and communion with Rev. Robert English. Topic: humility, the power in weakness, and finding grace in unexpected places. Walk the Labyrinth: 2:30-4 p.m. Stay for simple church at 5 p.m. Simkins Hall in The Shelby Center. Blessing of the Animals All pets large and small and in-between are welcome to First UMC s 9th annual Blessing of the Animals. Come early at 9:30 a.m. for refreshments and children s activities. Blessings begin at 10 a.m. Please bring new pet food and supplies for the shelter animals. Pick up a pet tag and be sure to visit the photo booth. *Volunteers are needed to help set-up and breakdown. Contact Karen Hopkins for details on volunteering: karsails10@ gmail.com. Sunday October 3, 9:30 a.m. in the Courtyard. Haiti 2016 Next year s Haiti Mission trip is scheduled for February 10-19, 2016. The team will be solely comprised of First UMC members. If you are interested in participating or want to learn more, contact Rev. English: r.english@santamonicaumc. org. Preference given to first-time participants. Fundraising, pre-trip meetings/prep are required. Save the Date: Health Ministry Council s Flu Clinic First UMC has the privilege of hosting one of the first flu vaccination clinics this season to be provided by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. This gives us the opportunity to both keep ourselves healthy and help keep our community healthy. So, mark your calendar, tell your friends and neighbors, and join us in Simkins Hall on Thursday October 22, 9-11:30 a.m., to get your free flu vaccine! Scan this QR code with your smart phone to go directly to First UMC s online giving page. W W W. S A N T A M O N I C A U M C. O R G CHR = Choir Room; CR = Conference Room; CY = Courtyard; FR = Fireside Room; L = Library; MH = Member s Home; OS = Off Site; S = Sanctuary; SH = Simkins Hall; WR = Work Room (UMW)