Califon United Methodist Church Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 13, 2015 10:00 a.m. Choral Prelude WE GATHER IN GOD S NAME Words of Welcome and Announcements *Passing the Peace of Christ *Call to Worship (L: Leader; P: People) L: This day Jesus is calling to you. P: Lord, help us to hear your call. L: This is a time of decision. P: Lord, help us to be strong and faithful. L: Come, let us celebrate God s love. P: Let us rejoice in the call of our Savior. L: Teach us your ways, O Lord, P: Help us to be closer to you. The Choir *Opening Hymn And Are We Yet Alive? UMH 553 *Unison Prayer L: The Lord be with you. P: And with your spirit. L: Let us pray ALL: Almighty God, we have come this day to hear your words of healing love and hope. Enter our hearts and our spirits and teach us to follow you. Give us courage and strength to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. A Celebration of Our New Pastor WE OFFER OUR PRAYERS see insert Sharing of Joys and Concerns Silent Prayer of Confession and Words of Assurance Prayers of the People (after each petition ends in Lord, in your mercy, all respond with Hear our words of prayer. ) WE HEAR GOD S WORD PROCLAIMED Readings from Scripture James 3:1-10 *Mark 8:27-38 Message for Our Young Disciples *Hymn Take Up Thy Cross UMH 415 Witness to the Word (Sermon) Active Faith: The Words We Say WE RESPOND TO GOD S WORD Rev. Kyle Cuperwich *The Apostle s Creed UMH 882 *Gloria Patri UMH 71 Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts to God Offertory Anthem The Choir *Doxology UMH 95 *Offertory Prayer *The Lord s Prayer WE ARE SENT OUT TO SERVE *Closing Hymn I Have Decided to Follow Jesus TFWS 2219 *Benediction *Postlude *Please stand if able. We welcome you in the name of Jesus Christ to our service of worship. If you are visiting us for the first time, please take a moment to fill out a Welcome Card included with your bulletin and place it in the offering plate during the offering. We would love the opportunity to connect with you. We pray that you will experience God s love and presence with us. If you are interested in partnering with us as a professing member, please speak to our pastor. God bless! Our restrooms are located on the right side of the sanctuary.
Lord, Hear Our Prayer! Please remember the following persons and situations before God in the coming week. In particular need this week: Sandy and Russell Freeborn, as Russell continues to recover from his back injury. Migrants and refugees that are fleeing the Middle East to Europe and the U.S. We lift up the following people in prayer: Adrian Hoppaugh (at Little Brook) Jordan (Helen s grandniece) Bob Bednar Margret Neigh David Coles Ray McCarthy (6 yr. old boy) Daisy Ort Kyla Rose Cavaluzzo Edwin (Irene s brother) Lee Arnold Steve Stanabeck (battling cancer) The Smozanek Bertha Know Kyle (Helen s grandson) We pray for our nation, for God s Peace to reign between all nations, and for those serving in our Armed Forces. To add, remove or update a prayer request, please contact the church office at 908-832-2318 or email califonumc@gmail.com by 4:00 p.m. Wednesday. Pastor: Rev. Kyle Cuperwich Ministers: All God s People Church Council Chair: Deb Vaccarella SPRC Chairperson: Joyce Beck President, Board of Trustees: Ray Brown Lay Leader: Ray Brown Finance Committee Chair: Kelly Smozanek Califon United Methodist Church 15 River Rd., P.O. Box 305 Califon, NJ 07830 908-832-2318/califonumc@gmail.com/califonumc.org
Community News and Announcements: If you would like an announcement or calendar event included in the bulletin, please email califonumc@gmail.com with your information. The deadline for submitting an announcement for the bulletin is Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. Church Council Meeting Our monthly church council meeting will be taking place immediately after worship this morning. Bible Study is Back in Session! Our Bible Study on the book of James will begin on Wednesday, September 9 th at 7:00 p.m. in the parsonage. Join us! Live Nativity Planning Meeting It s time to begin planning for our annual live nativity! Our planning meeting will be held this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Town Hall on Incorporation Califon UMC is currently researching the process for becoming an incorporated entity. On Sunday, September 20 th, we will be have a town hall discussion on incorporation following our 10:00 a.m. worship service. This will be your opportunity to ask questions, discuss, and learn what it incorporation entails and does not entail. All are welcome to this discussion. Spaghetti Dinner Our annual spaghetti dinner will take place Saturday, September 19 th beginning at 4:00 p.m. Invite your family and friends to this time of food and fun! Pastor s Office Hours Monday: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Tuesday: By appointment only. Wednesday: 1:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Thursday: By appointment only Friday: Pastor s day off Pastor Kyle can be contacted in emergencies by calling 732-359-4476 (cell), 908-832-5981 (parsonage), or by email at rev.cuperwich@gmail.com. Please leave a voicemail if he does not pick up when calling. Note: Pastor Kyle responds to email the quickest. Community News and Announcements: If you would like an announcement or calendar event included in the bulletin, please email califonumc@gmail.com with your information. The deadline for submitting an announcement for the bulletin is Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. Church Council Meeting Our monthly church council meeting will be taking place immediately after worship this morning. Bible Study is Back in Session! Our Bible Study on the book of James will begin on Wednesday, September 9 th at 7:00 p.m. in the parsonage. Join us! Live Nativity Planning Meeting It s time to begin planning for our annual live nativity! Our planning meeting will be held this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Town Hall on Incorporation Califon UMC is currently researching the process for becoming an incorporated entity. On Sunday, September 20th, we will be have a town hall discussion on incorporation following our 10:00 a.m. worship service. This will be your opportunity to ask questions, discuss, and learn what it incorporation entails and does not entail. All are welcome to this discussion. Spaghetti Dinner Our annual spaghetti dinner will take place Saturday, September 19 th beginning at 4:00 p.m. Invite your family and friends to this time of food and fun! Pastor s Office Hours Monday: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Tuesday: By appointment only Wednesday: 1:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Thursday: By appointment only Friday: Pastor s day off Pastor Kyle can be contacted in emergencies by calling 732-359-4476 (cell), 908-832-5981 (parsonage), or by email at rev.cuperwich@gmail.com. Please leave a voicemail if he does not pick up when calling. Note: Pastor Kyle responds to email the quickest.
Pastor Kyle Will Be Traveling September 20-September 27 Pastor Kyle will be traveling out of state beginning the afternoon of September 20 until September 26. During his absence, Rev. Lynn Mears (Fairmont/Cokesbury UMCs) will be available in case of an emergency. She can be contacted at 908-236-6151 (office), 908-625-5170 (cell), or via email at lcbmears@yahoo.com. Pastor Kyle will be available mid-week for Bible study and office hours (to be posted in the bulletin). Listen to weekly sermons online at: www.califonumc.org/worship/weekly-services/ The link to the sermon will also be posted weekly to our Facebook page! Sources for today s liturgy: Ministry Matters (www.ministrymatters.com) Pastor Kyle Will Be Traveling September 20-September 27 Pastor Kyle will be traveling out of state beginning the afternoon of September 20 until September 26. During his absence, Rev. Lynn Mears (Fairmont/Cokesbury UMCs) will be available in case of an emergency. She can be contacted at 908-236-6151 (office), 908-625-5170 (cell), or via email at lcbmears@yahoo.com. Pastor Kyle will be available mid-week for Bible study and office hours (to be posted in the bulletin). Listen to weekly sermons online at: www.califonumc.org/worship/weekly-services/ The link to the sermon will also be posted weekly to our Facebook page! Sources for today s liturgy: Ministry Matters (www.ministrymatters.com) Weekly Calendar 9/13 Worship at 10:00 a.m. 9/15 AA 9/16 Bible Study (7:00 p.m. @ the parsonage) 9/17 Live Nativity Planning Meeting 9/19 Spaghetti Dinner 9/20 Worship at 10:00 a.m. Town Hall on Incorporation (immediately following worship). Weekly Calendar 9/13 Worship at 10:00 a.m. 9/15 AA 9/16 Bible Study (7:00 p.m. @ the parsonage) 9/17 Live Nativity Planning Meeting 9/19 Spaghetti Dinner 9/20 Worship at 10:00 a.m. Town Hall on Incorporation (immediately following worship).
Going Deeper Reflecting on God s Word throughout the week James 3:1-10 My brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers, because we know that we teachers will be judged more strictly. 2 We all make mistakes often, but those who don t make mistakes with their words have reached full maturity. Like a bridled horse, they can control themselves entirely. 3 When we bridle horses and put bits in their mouths to lead them wherever we want, we can control their whole bodies. Consider ships: They are so large that strong winds are needed to drive them. But pilots direct their ships wherever they want with a little rudder. 5 In the same way, even though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts wildly. Think about this: A small flame can set a whole forest on fire. 6 The tongue is a small flame of fire, a world of evil at work in us. It contaminates our entire lives. Because of it, the circle of life is set on fire. The tongue itself is set on fire by the flames of hell. 7 People can tame and already have tamed every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish. 8 No one can tame the tongue, though. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we both bless the Lord and Father and curse human beings made in God s likeness. 10 Blessing and cursing come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, it just shouldn t be this way! Discovering the Word James compares the tongue (the words we speak) to a bit and a rudder (vv. 3-4). Why do you think the tongue has such control over our lives? James also compares the tongue to a fire and to a world of evil (vv. 5-6). What is the point of these two comparisons? Verses 7-8 emphasize what a challenge it is to control the tongue. What makes this so difficult? In what ways can the tongue poison people and relationships? Applying the Word What damage has your tongue done recently? What in this text gives you added strength and motivation to be more careful with your words? What can you do to give God more praise? How can you give more affirmation to those you come in contact with each day? Responding in Prayer Ask God to help you be self-controlled about the ways you speak to others. Material taken from InterVarsity Press Quite Time Bible Study. www.ivpress.com/bible/james/ Going Deeper Reflecting on God s Word throughout the week James 3:1-10 My brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers, because we know that we teachers will be judged more strictly. 2 We all make mistakes often, but those who don t make mistakes with their words have reached full maturity. Like a bridled horse, they can control themselves entirely. 3 When we bridle horses and put bits in their mouths to lead them wherever we want, we can control their whole bodies. Consider ships: They are so large that strong winds are needed to drive them. But pilots direct their ships wherever they want with a little rudder. 5 In the same way, even though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts wildly. Think about this: A small flame can set a whole forest on fire. 6 The tongue is a small flame of fire, a world of evil at work in us. It contaminates our entire lives. Because of it, the circle of life is set on fire. The tongue itself is set on fire by the flames of hell. 7 People can tame and already have tamed every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish. 8 No one can tame the tongue, though. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we both bless the Lord and Father and curse human beings made in God s likeness. 10 Blessing and cursing come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, it just shouldn t be this way! Discovering the Word James compares the tongue (the words we speak) to a bit and a rudder (vv. 3-4). Why do you think the tongue has such control over our lives? James also compares the tongue to a fire and to a world of evil (vv. 5-6). What is the point of these two comparisons? Verses 7-8 emphasize what a challenge it is to control the tongue. What makes this so difficult? In what ways can the tongue poison people and relationships? Applying the Word What damage has your tongue done recently? What in this text gives you added strength and motivation to be more careful with your words? What can you do to give God more praise? How can you give more affirmation to those you come in contact with each day? Responding in Prayer Ask God to help you be self-controlled about the ways you speak to others. Material taken from InterVarsity Press Quite Time Bible Study. www.ivpress.com/bible/james/
Celebrating Our New Pastor! Leader: Dear friends, today we welcome Kyle Cuperwich, who has been appointed to serve as our pastor. We believe that he well qualified and has prayerfully appointed by our bishop, John Schol. Leader to pastor: Kyle, you have been sent to live among us as a bearer of the Word of God; a minister of the Sacraments; and a sustainer of the love, order, and discipleship of the people of God. Pastor: Today I reaffirm this commitment in the presence of this congregation. Leader to congregation: Brothers and sisters in Christ, as a people committed to participate in the ministries of the Church by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness; will you celebrate this new beginning and support and uphold Kyle in these ministries? Congregation: We reaffirm our commitment to support you with our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. Leader: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger. Congregation: Who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation. Leader: Let us pray. Eternal God, strengthen and sustain us in our ministries together, with Kyle as our pastor. Give him and us patience, courage, and wisdom so to care for one another and challenge one another that together we may follow Jesus Christ, living together in love, and offering our gifts and talents in your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Leader to pastor: Kyle, accept this Bible, and be among us as one who proclaims the Word. Amen. Kyle, take this water, and baptize new Christians in this place. Amen. Kyle, take this bread and cup, and keep us in communion with Christ and his Church. Amen. Pastor: Let us pray. Celebrating Our New Pastor! Leader: Dear friends, today we welcome Kyle Cuperwich, who has been appointed to serve as our pastor. We believe that he well qualified and has prayerfully appointed by our bishop, John Schol. Leader to pastor: Kyle, you have been sent to live among us as a bearer of the Word of God; a minister of the Sacraments; and a sustainer of the love, order, and discipleship of the people of God. Pastor: Today I reaffirm this commitment in the presence of this congregation. Leader to congregation: Brothers and sisters in Christ, as a people committed to participate in the ministries of the Church by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness; will you celebrate this new beginning and support and uphold Kyle in these ministries? Congregation: We reaffirm our commitment to support you with our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. Leader: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger. Congregation: Who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation. Leader: Let us pray. Eternal God, strengthen and sustain us in our ministries together, with Kyle as our pastor. Give him and us patience, courage, and wisdom so to care for one another and challenge one another that together we may follow Jesus Christ, living together in love, and offering our gifts and talents in your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Leader to pastor: Kyle, accept this Bible, and be among us as one who proclaims the Word. Amen. Kyle, take this water, and baptize new Christians in this place. Amen. Kyle, take this bread and cup, and keep us in communion with Christ and his Church. Amen. Pastor: Let us pray.
ALL: Lord, God, bless the ministries of your Church. We thank you for the variety of gifts you have bestowed upon us. Draw us together in one Spirit, that each of us may use our differing gifts as members of one body. May your Word be proclaimed with faithfulness, and may we be doers of your Word and not hearers only. As we who have died and risen with Christ in baptism gather at his table and then scatter into the world, may we be one in service to others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always. Congregation: And also with you. Hymn of Celebration The Church s One Foundation (Verses 1 & 5) UMH 545 A Note from Our New Pastor! My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I am excited and honored to embark on my pastoral appointment with you! I grew up in East Brunswick, NJ and I am life-long United Methodist. I committed my life to serving Jesus Christ in the 8th grade and heard the call to ministry as an Elder during my college years. I graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary, and in the past I have served on staff at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in East Brunswick as pastoral assistant, as a co-chairperson for the Raritan Valley Ministries with Young People team, as a young adult representative for the Raritan Valley District at the GNJ Annual Conference, and as pastor of Bernardsville and Gladstone United Methodist Churches. I have a passion for reaching out to those who don't know Christ and guiding others into a greater love for God and neighbor. I look forward to partnering with you in ministry, proclaiming the kingdom of God together and learning from you all as I journey into this new and exciting time in my life and in the life of the church. ALL: Lord, God, bless the ministries of your Church. We thank you for the variety of gifts you have bestowed upon us. Draw us together in one Spirit, that each of us may use our differing gifts as members of one body. May your Word be proclaimed with faithfulness, and may we be doers of your Word and not hearers only. As we who have died and risen with Christ in baptism gather at his table and then scatter into the world, may we be one in service to others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always. Congregation: And also with you. Hymn of Celebration The Church s One Foundation (Verses 1 & 5) UMH 545 A Note from Our New Pastor! My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I am excited and honored to embark on my pastoral appointment with you! I grew up in East Brunswick, NJ and I am life-long United Methodist. I committed my life to serving Jesus Christ in the 8th grade and heard the call to ministry as an Elder during my college years. I graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary, and in the past I have served on staff at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in East Brunswick as pastoral assistant, as a co-chairperson for the Raritan Valley Ministries with Young People team, as a young adult representative for the Raritan Valley District at the GNJ Annual Conference, and as pastor of Bernardsville and Gladstone United Methodist Churches. I have a passion for reaching out to those who don't know Christ and guiding others into a greater love for God and neighbor. I look forward to partnering with you in ministry, proclaiming the kingdom of God together and learning from you all as I journey into this new and exciting time in my life and in the life of the church. God bless you all! In Christ, God bless you all! In Christ, Kyle Cuperwich Kyle Cuperwich