St. Stephen Christian Methodist Episcopal Church 2301 Union Avenue - Fairfield, CA 94533-707.425.2925 FAX 707.425.6268 www.ststephencmechurch.org / office@ststephencmechurch.org Sunday, May 22, 2016-10:00 AM We are a people inspired by the Holy Spirit to: Worship God, Witness to the world, and Work and Work with one another. Rev. David C. Isom - Senior Pastor The Right Rev. Bobby R. Best Presiding Bishop - Ninth Episcopal District Rev. Travis Morris, Presiding Elder - Oakland District Associate Ministers: Rev. Edward B. Marks Rev. Dr. Joseph Allen Rev. Wanda Shannon Exhorters: Bro. Willis Ferrell Bro. James Leonard Bro. Odell Toliver
Prelude - Praise & Worship ** Call to Worship L: Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. P: Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. L: Sing unto him a new song: play skillfully with a loud noise. P: For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. L: He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.. P: By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. L: He gathereth the waters of the sea together as a heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.. P: Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. L: For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. ALL: Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. The Hymn #248 - Hold to God s Unchanging Hand Time is filled with swift transition, Naught of earth unmoved can stand, Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God s unchanging hand!
Trust in Him who will not leave you, Whatsoever years may bring; If by earthly friends forsaken, Still more closely to Him cling! Covet not this world s vain riches, That so rapidly decay; Seek to gain the heav nly treasures, They will never pass away! When your journey is completed, If to God you have been true, Fair and bright the home in glory, Your enraptured soul will view! REFRAIN: Hold (to His hand) to God s unchanging hand! Hold (to His hand) to God s unchanging hand! Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God s unchanging hand! The Affirmation of Our Faith I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ His only Son, Our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; the third day he rose from the dead, he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Universal Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen. Celebration in Song
The Responsive Reading - #564 - Treasures in Heaven Leader: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: People: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Leader: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. People: The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. Leader: But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. People: If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! Leader: No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; People: Or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Leader: Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink. People: Nor yet for the body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Leader: Behold the birds of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. People: Yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Leader: Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin. People: Yet I say unto you, That even Solomon is all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Leader: Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? People: Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? Leader: For your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. All: Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
The Gloria Patri Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, A-men, A-men. Hospitality / Pastoral Reflections The Altar Call & The Ministry of Generous Giving (Tithes / Offering) The Prayer of Thanksgiving Celebration in Song The Preached Word Reverend David C. Isom, Senior Pastor The Invitation to Christian Discipleship & Church Membership Special Tribute / Salute to Military Families Doxology & Benediction Praise God from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye Heavenly Host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost - AMEN Fellowship As We Depart To Serve To Our Visitors Thank you for taking the time to visit with us on this Sunday. If you are in the area at some future time, we pray that you will consider worshipping with us again. Please be sure to complete a Visitors Card so that we can thank you for Worshipping with us on today! If you do not have a church home, we invite you to become a part of the St. Stephen CME Church family.
Sick & Shut-In Members/Prayer Requests The St. Stephen CME Church Family Reverend David C. & Mrs. Stephanie J. Isom Mrs. Esther L. Isom Bishop & Mrs. Bobby R. Best Elder Travis Morris Mayor Harry T. Price & Family Chief Tony Velasquez & Family Chief Joe Allio & Family District Attorney Krishna Abrams & Family The City of Fairfield Our Known Sick & Shut-In Members Mr. Brad Bolden Mrs, Sara Ford Mrs. Roberta Roberson Mrs. Vivian Cobb Mrs. Edna Franklin Mrs. Minnie Smiley Mrs. Maggie Dove Mrs. Marva Marshall Mr. Albert White Mr. James Grandison Mrs. Rosilyn Ramos Mrs. Elizabeth Young Mr. Arthur Faint Please keep in prayer: Mrs. Sylvia Allen Mrs. Lorri Carlson Mrs. Van Colden Rev. Leroy Johnson Ms. Shalon McCray Mrs. Viola King Mrs. Opal McCoy Rev. Harry Redds Rev. Winfred Warren Please know that I am available to you; feel free to call me when you need me at 707.631.3339 or text me on 253.241.1538. Prayer Requests & Joys to Share (Please detach and place in the prayer box.)
Announcements / Information NOTICE: Additional announcements concerning various Community Events are posted on the bulletin boards in the church foyer and in the Joseph B. Davis Fellowship Hall. TRUSTEE OF THE WEEK: MARSHELL MCGEHEE 707-428-0743 EVANGELISM:. The fact that there is only one name under heaven by which one must be saved (ref. 1 Tim.2:5-6) should encourage Christians in evangelism. This means that every unbeliever, no matter what type of sin or rebellion he/she is in, or religion he/she follows, has the same solution to their need for salvation the man Christ Jesus. --Evangelism Committee. THANK YOU to all who traveled to Lewis Memorial CME Church with our Pastor on last week. We had a joyous time in the Lord! The SSCMEC CYF Orders will back the week of May 22nd. Thank you for supporting your youth. For further information, please contact Karene Thomas at 707-631-9229. Our New Members Class, Relevance Religion Relationship meets every other Thursday from 6PM to 7PM in the Pauline Davis Library. The class discusses the Relevance of our history (The CME Church), how Religion fits into what makes us who we are as Christians and how the Relevance and Religion manifest itself into a Relationship with God and with one another. The next two classes are on June 16th and June 30th. The classes are led by Pastor Isom. The Tau Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will host their Baccalaureate service here at SSCMEC today from 3:00PM 5:00PM. Please see Sister Yvonne Robbins for additional information. GET READY for Vacation Bible School 2016! I ve Got Talent Showcasing My Work For Jesus! June 20th to the 24th and our Church Picnic on June 26th! Please call the Director of VBS 2016, Sister Stephanie J. Isom if you have any questions or need more information.