Christ United Methodist Church 10:45 A.M. Worship Service First Sunday in Lent February 14, 2016 Valentine Day As we enter the season of Lent, we enter a time of self-examination and repentance, a time of preparation for the transforming power of Easter. PRELUDE The God of Abraham Praise (LEONI) Callahan, Curry WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Pastor Please write your name on the registration pad and pass it to your neighbor. If you have any prayer concerns you would like to have mentioned this morning, use a blue card and hand it to an usher during the first hymn. INTROIT Now to the King Eternal Fred Bock *CALL TO WORSHIP On this first Sunday in Lent, the grace of Christ Jesus be with you all. And also with you. Brothers and Sisters, Jesus began his ministry to the world, led by the Spirit into the wilderness. As we begin our Lenten journey, let us be led by the Spirit, even into the uncomfortable places. In those forty days, and in that place, Jesus was faced with hunger, doubt, and temptation. As we seek to follow Jesus, we would be led, even into the uncomfortable choices. Jesus left the wilderness, faithful and obedient to God, rejoicing in the One in whom he trusted. All: As we continue on our path to faithfulness, we will be led by our Christ, rejoicing in the Lord our God. *HYMN, UMH #116 The God of Abraham Praise Ushers will collect the blue prayer request cards with your prayer concerns. INVOCATION Let us pray. O God most holy, God most loving, we ask for your blessing as we embark on this journey through Lent. Let us see through the triviality and deceptions which accumulate in our daily living, and rediscover our spiritual truth,
that with integrity and vulnerability we may worship you with humble wonder and joy. Through Christ Jesus your true Son, and our Redeemer. Amen. (Moments of silent prayer and reflection) CHILDREN S SERMON -- A brief skit presented by our Youth MUSIC MEDITATION Speak Life Toby McKeehan Asbury Choir EPISTLE LESSON Romans 10:8b-13 (Pew Bible P.160) "The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." INVITATION AND PASTORAL PRAYER LORD S PRAYER MUSIC MEDITATION Remember Me Craig Curry Chancel Vocal Choir, Soloist JoAnn Patterson INVITATION AND OFFERING Moses said to the Lord in Deuteronomy 26, So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O LORD, have given me." He then went on to teach the Israelites concerning their offerings, Set the produce before the LORD your God, bowing down before the LORD your God. Then celebrate all the good things the LORD your God has done for you and your family each one of you Let us now bring our tithes and offering. (Children Pre-K - 5 th grades are welcome to choir practice; rehearsal rooms are on the 3 rd floor.) OFFERTORY I Love to Tell the Story (HANKEY) Diemer *DOXOLOGY No. 95 (UMH) 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.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION We bring these gifts to you, O God, in recognition and gratitude for your loving provision. We offer you our very lives and bow before you in tribute to your many blessings. Take us and use us, that your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven. This we pray in the name of the One who came in holy love, that we might have abundant life. Amen. *GOSPEL LESSON Luke 4:1-13 (Pew Bible P. 61) Pastor Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'" Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'" Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time. This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. SERMON A Life That Echoes Jesus Rev. Stephanie Lee Week 1: Rejecting the Evil Forces of the World PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS We meet you here, God of faithfulness, our hands and lives full of all our foolish ways. Your people, we treat the strangers who walk among us with fear and doubt. We afflict our anger on those who care about us the most. We impose hard words on those who need to hear hope and grace in their lives. So now we bring our hearts to you, Generous God, setting them down
before you in hopes that you will mend them. As you hear our faltering words, we pray you would answer us with your forgiving love. And as you forgive us, may we go forth to be generous with our lives towards others, even as the one who is Lord of all, Jesus Christ, has been so generous to us. (Moments of silent prayer.) PRAYER HYMN, TFWS #2160 (Come) Into My Heart ASSURANCE OF PARDON As you have confessed, do you so believe? The good news is that there is nothing we do that can conquer us, for we are sheltered in God s gracious mercy and hope. This is the truth we believe. The Word is in our hearts, and on our lips, as we give thanks to God who is our shelter and our life. Amen. *APOSTLES CREED UMH #881 *PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING STAFF RECOGNITION Jim Greiner *HYMN, UMH #269 v. 1, 3, 4 Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days *BENEDICTION *CHORAL RESPONSE We Will Glorify Fred Bock *POSTLUDE ST ANNE Young + + + Feel free to remain in your seat and listen to the postlude. * Please stand if you are able. Don t fret if you are not. + + + ASSISTING IN WORSHIP TODAY West and North Door Greeters, Karen and Mark Locke Welcome Center Greeters, Ellen and Bill Sol Sanctuary Greeters, Carolyn Miller, Jim Greiner Acolytes, Emmerson Frank and Ian Sherer
Ushers, Team # 3, Linda Montgomery, Captain Altar Flowers are given today by Thelma Greiner in memory of husband Dr. Joseph C. Greiner ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CALENDAR OF WHAT S HAPPENING IN OUR CHURCH. Lenten Lunches at First Baptist Church, 1659 West State St. from 12 noon to 1 pm. Starts Feb. 15 th and is sponsored by the Council of Churches. These lunches run through the 6 weeks of Lent. Good Samaritan collection to be taken next Sunday, Feb. 21 st. STARTS TONIGHT: Lenten Study will be on FORGIVE US: Confessions of a Compromised Faith. Study will be led by Rev. Stephanie Lee and Susan Haddox. UMW s Basement Sale is coming soon. The basement sale is May 13 th & 14 th so start saving your items. United Methodist Women will be collecting paper products for the Alliance Domestic Violence Center for the month of February. This includes toilet paper, Kleenex and paper towels. There will be a box in the lounge during the month of February. UMW Winter Soup Sale. The soup is available to be picked up today after church in the Fellowship Hall. March Chimes Deadline: The deadline for the March Chimes is February 15 th. Please have your articles into the office by end of the day. Upcoming Events: Feb. 21 st is casual Sunday. Please feel free to dress casual. Fantastic Friday is on March 25 th from 10am 12:30pm. Please sign up in the Lounge. We are also looking for helpers. A BIG THANK YOU for all the wonderful cakes and help with the Church Women United Meeting. Thanks Jean Webster. Blessings Bags: Jean Webster & Carolyn Miller have been busy making up these bags. They have assembled a total of 65 bags. These were distributed to the Alliance of Churches, Salvation Army, Anchor House & Feed My Sheep. Thank you to everyone who donated items for this worthy cause.
John Sarchione is celebrating his 100 th birthday today. Missed in the February Chimes was Bobbie Wright s birthday which is also today. Memorial Service for Dorothy Bailey is Saturday, Feb. 20 th at 11:00 am. It will be held at Copeland Oaks in their chapel. A CALENDAR OF WHAT S HAPPENING IN OUR CHURCH TODAY: February 14 th 1 st Sunday in Lent and Valentine Day 9:30 A.M. Church School Classes 10:45 A.M. Worship Service in the Sanctuary 11:10 A.M. Cherub and Wesley Choir 12:00 P.M. Staff Recognition Luncheon 5:00 P.M. Youth Choirs 5:00 P.M. CRC Visitations 6:00 P.M. UMYF Snack Supper 6:30 P.M. United Methodist Youth Fellowship 6:30 P.M. Lenten Study in Dussel Room Monday 12:15 P.M. Dorcas Circle at Copeland Oaks 7:00 P.M. May Smyth Circle at 13555 Salem Church 7:00 P.M. M & M Circle at 1633 Denwood St. Tuesday 12:00 P.M. Prayer Time in the Chapel 5:30 P.M. Community Dinner 7:00 P.M. Susie Buckel Circle Wednesday 4:00 P.M. Music Staff Meeting 5:30 P.M. Halleluia Bell Choir 6:30 P.M. Chancel Bell Choir 7:30 P.M. Chancel Vocal Choir Thursday 4:00 P.M. Fiddle Fun NEXT SUNDAY: February 21 st 2 nd Sunday in Lent 9:30 A.M. Church School Classes 10:45 A.M. Worship Service in the Sanctuary 11:15 A.M. Cherub and Wesley Choirs 5:00 P.M. Youth Choirs 6:00 P.M. UMYF Snack Supper 6:30 P.M. United Methodist Youth Fellowship 6:30 P.M. Lenten Study in Dussel Room
FOR YOUR PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Visitation Member: Jane Moncrief, 629 Overlook Dr., Alliance, OH 44601 Prayer Requests: Gary Lawrence, Fred Oberer, Craig Coleman, Lucile Smith, Phillip Hilton, Denise Lawson, Marie Brown, David Springer, Carol Topping, Meghan Stahl, Linda Krepps, Nancy Vicars, father of Sadie Maines, Harold Hall, Jane Hirst, Renee Young, Carroll Wheatley Jr, Anne Conrad, Jan Stoll, Kathy Dykshoorn, Dr. Ray Brunner, Russ McCullough, Gary Mikes, Shirley Carberry, Al Dever, Matilda Torres, Kim Morrow, Josh McCulty, Kelvin Childs. Our Sympathy and prayers to the Dan & Lucinda Feess on the death of her brother. Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20) and to serve God by sharing compassion, hope, and love Our Church Staff The Reverend Stephanie Lee, Pastor Rev. L. Chris Martin, Visitation Pastor Dr. Jo Ann Patterson, Minister of Christian Education Dolores Lawrence, Administrative Secretary Lanny Hisey, Minister of Music Laureate Julie Greiner, Financial Secretary Lynn Goldrick, Custodian Carolyn Wallace, Organist Lewis Shields, Director of Music, Chancel Choir, Hand Bell Choirs Christian Shields, Director of Asbury and Wesley Choirs Kim Handy, Director of Cherub Choir Mike and Jamie Greiner, UMYF Co-Leaders FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY Please fill in the appropriate information on the pew pad, pass it to your right, and return to the left. Pass to an usher the blue Prayer Request card from the envelope rack in front of you. Meet Someone New Each Sunday. We re all glad that you are here. Wheelchairs and an elevator are located at the West (side) door for assistance to the disabled. CHRIST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 470 East Broadway Street, Alliance, Ohio 44601-2698 The Reverend Stephanie Lee, Pastor Church 330-823-7136 Prayer Chain 330-821-9744 www.cumcalliance.org church@cumcalliance.org