Sparta United Methodist Church ~ 190 N. Main Street ~ PO Box 697 ~ Sparta, NC 28675 Office: 336-372-4441 ~ Fax: 336-372-1534 Church office hours: Mon-Thurs ~ 8:30 am-3:30 pm Office Email: office@umcsparta.com ~ Church Website: www.umcsparta.com Sparta UMC Pastor, Bob Miller: pastor@umcsparta.com ~ Cell Phone: 276-768-9008 Hope Fellowship Pastor, Ben Gatton: bgatton@wnccumc.net NEED TO KNOW Bulletin announcements should be submitted to the office by 3:30 pm on Tuesdays. Newsletter articles should be submitted to the office by the 15th of each month. Updates ~ Please let the church office know of any changes in your personal information. Children s Church is for ages 3 years thru 3rd grade at the following the Children s Message. Cell Phones ~ Please be respectful during times of communal worship and turn off the sound. Channel 98 & Channel 21 for services: Sunday-11:00 am; Monday and Friday-3:00 pm; Tuesday-8:00 pm. Sunday service videos are available at www.actv.me. Choose Sparta UMC and the service date. Inclement weather updates/closings will be announced on TV channels WXII 12 and Fox 8 WGHP, through the Phone Tree, and the church voice mail outgoing message. Prayer request cards can be found in the envelope slots at the ends of the pews or you can get one from an usher or greeter. Return the card to an usher, Pastor Bob, or place in the baskets located on the altar rails. Daily Devotion ~ If you would like to receive the Monday to Friday email devotion written by Ben Gatton, please email the church office and let us know. The Sanctuary Flower Calendar is located across from the church office to sign up to place flowers in the sanctuary in memory of or in honor of a loved one. Arrangements are one for $20 or two for $40 and may be taken following the 11:00 service. ATTENDANCE/GIVING~MARCH 24, 2019 Worship 32 Worship 86 Sunday School 55 Offering 3/24 $2,932 YTD Cong. Offering $58,406 YTD Other Income $13,401 YTD Expense $66,888 SPARTA UMC STAFF Pastor Rev. Bob Miller Hope Fellowship Pastor Ben Gatton Administrative Assistant Donna Myers Children s Ministries Kyla Gatton Music Director Nancy Jones Interim Choir Director Alan Sears Custodian Allan Joyce LOCAL LOVE God s mission in our neighborhood Our Church Mission Statement Loving God ~ Loving Everyone ~ Following Jesus FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT MARCH 31, 2019
THE ORDER OF WORSHIP THE ORDER OF WORSHIP GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD SPECIAL MUSIC I Will Call Upon the Lord I Love You, Lord Voices of Praise PRELUDE When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Nancy Jones *THE APOSTLES CREED Pg. 881 *WELCOME & PASSING OF THE PEACE Welcome others by saying, The Peace of Christ Be With You. GOSPEL LESSON John 1:1-5, 14 (NIRV) *HYMN No. 328 Surely the Presence of the Lord Congregation CENTERING WORDS You are welcome here. No matter where you have been, no matter what you have done, you are welcomed in love and grace. May you find rest and renewal; may you find hope and peace. This is what God offers to us all! OPENING PRAYER *CALL TO WORSHIP L: To those who eagerly came to worship God, P: you are welcome here. L: To those who grumbled about coming, P: you are welcome here. L: To those who are not sure why they are here, P: you are welcome here. L: In the name of the One who loves and forgives us, you are welcome in this place. P: Thanks be to God! Congregation OFFERING/ANTHEM It Is Well With My Soul Choir *DOXOLOGY No. 95 GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 4:13-23 NT Pg. 3 SERMON Local Love Kyla Gatton RESPONSE TO GOD S WORD *HYMN No. 463 Lord, Speak to Me vs. 1,2,3,5 Congregation DEPARTURE TO SERVE *BENEDICTION *HYMN No. 2241 (TFWS) The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve vs. 4 Congregation POSTLUDE (*Standing as you are able. ) Nancy Jones *PRAYER (unison) Almighty, creating God, you have called us to this place. You breathe life into us each day. You welcome us just as we are, with all of our hopes and fears, all of our faults and talents. As we worship, may we rest in your Spirit, and may we remember that you alone renew our lives.
IN SERVICE THIS WEEK Liturgist Vanessa Jones Counters March Communion Servers Ushers Greeter Nursery/ Children s Church/SS Jane Wallace Donald Cobb Theresa March Linda Wishon Johnny Wishon Fran Lewis Ruth Farrington Sarah Nichols Gena Miller UPCOMING IN SERVICE Liturgist 4/7 Larry Prince Counters April Communion Servers April Ushers 4/7 Ushers 4/7 Greeter Debbie Edwards Susan Murphy Barbara Martin Faye Lemmond Donny Lemmond Carol Perdue Faye Lemmond Donny Lemmond Linda Wishon Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Today REGULAR WEEKLY MINISTRIES 9 :00am 11:00 am 3:00 pm 6:00 pm 6:00 pm 4:00 pm 6:00 pm 4:30 pm 7:00 pm 3:00 pm Sunday Worship Sunday School Sunday Worship Open Gym/FUSION Room NA meeting/mr Girl Scouts Prime Time Volleyball Book of Ephesians Study Ladies Bibles Study Grace Kitchen Meal/POB Choir Practice 3 P s Parenting Class ROCK~Elementary IGNITE~Middle School FUSION~High School Open Gym/FUSION Room DANA Women s Support UPCOMING MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES Monday 4/1 Wednesday 4/3 12 noon Called Church Council Sharon Sewing Circle Staff Parish meeting 12 noon Lenten Service/Lunch PRAISES AND PRAYERS Praise/Prayer Requests Today: Frances Huber s son, Andy Huber, Jr.- bypass surgery in Connecticut HAPPY BIRTHDAY... Rick Squires March 31 Greyson Pipes April 1 David Carpenter April 5 ONGOING PRAYER CONCERNS Our World/Country: Our country; our leaders; God s peace and love to prevail Military: Evan Isner and family Church and Community: Pastor Bob; SUMC ministries; Pastor Ben; Hope Fellowship ministries; community homeless; food insecure families Ongoing Health Concerns: Christi Gobble; George Plane; Wayne and Wanda Cleary; Thelma Davis; George & Betty Latham; Kimberly Parsons, Hank & Jo Henry; Jody Tracy; Shirley Hiatt Homebound/Nursing Home/Rehab Center: Ora Brady - Charlotte, NC Paul Church - Grayson Nursing & Rehab, VA Virginia Crouse-home Thomas Myers - Dunmore Plantation, Dobson Tim Myers - Dunmore Plantation, Dobson Mary Wagoner - Genesis Health Care, Sparta Praises/Prayers: Tom & Helen Zak-health Beverly Pruitt-health tests Wayne & Sandy Lovett s daughter, Michelle Stanley-health Nursery/ Children s Church/SS 4/7 Ruth Farrington Sarah Nichols Gena Miller Monday 4/8 Wednesday 4/10 Sunday 4/12 ~ Palm Sunday Empty Bowl event 12 noon Lenten Service/Lunch UMW Bake Sale Thursday 4/18 6:00 pm Maundy Thursday Service Friday 4/19 6:00 pm Good Friday Service
UPCOMING LENT/EASTER DATES The 12 noon Alleghany Ministerium sponsored Wednesday Lenten Service/Lunch Schedule April 3 - Rev. Bryan Hovey, Sparta Presbyterian April 10 - Rev. Jack Tookey, Alleghany/Grayson Charge April 14 - Palm Sunday April 14 - UMW Bake Sale in Meeting Room of the Pugh Outreach Center April 18-6:00 pm - Maundy Thursday service April 19-6:00 pm - Good Friday service April 21 - Easter Sunday Sunrise Service in the Prayer Garden~7:30 am followed by Easter Breakfast in Outreach Center and Worship Services and 10 am Sunday School THE SHARON SEWING CIRCLE Monday, April 1 at in the Fellowship Hall We sew, cut, iron and enjoy fellowship and fun in mission with friends, please join us! UNITED METHODIST WOMEN Wednesday, April 10 at 6:30 pm All women are welcome to join us as we grow in our faith, hope and reach out in love. UMCOR Special Sunday (formerly One Great Hour of Sharing) on Sunday, April 7 Your contributions to this UMCOR Special Sunday offering is what allows UMCOR to act as the arms and legs of Christ s church, moving to help the most vulnerable in their darkest days during a disaster. Through your donations, we can assist those impacted during times of crisis. When you give, the United Methodist Church s compassionate response to human suffering continues today: When tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma, we responded When children in Zimbabwe lost parents to AIDS, we responded When a massive tsunami devastated lives in Japan, we responded And when the next mass crisis occurs, we will be prepared to respond UMCOR will be able to offer aid in Jesus name to those who suffer because United Methodists give on this UMCOR Sunday. In fact, it s your generous giving that allows us to respond when disaster strikes throughout the world. When You Give You Equip Christ s Body to Serve in His Name! Praying from the Pews As we gather together to learn, to grow and to change, Father please help us to move into a deeper understanding of your truth. We lay our lives down before you and ask that you would move among us throughout our day. Through your presence, may we all feel safe with each other, safe to think and question, safe to ask for help, and safe to share our lives with you, our loving heavenly Father. As we enter into worship, open our hearts that your words of truth may fall upon the very fabric of our lives. Holy Spirit, work within us so these ancient scriptures may come alive in us to enable us to inspire, heal, cleanse, teach, and restore. Father, please come and weave your words of life in us. Amen. UMW ANNUAL BAKE SALE SUNDAY, APRIL 14 ~ OUTREACH CENTER There will be many delicious baked goods available but you can request a special baked good, see a United Methodist Woman or call Margaret at 336-657-8811 with questions. Thank you for your continued support of our UMW missions! CAKES ~PIES~COOKIES~CINNAMON BUNS~CUPCAKES~BROWNIES~MUFFINS ASSORTED BREADS~FROZEN CHICKEN PIES~PASTRIES~ROLLS~SCONES Today s Anthem It Is Well With My Soul by John Purifoy It is well with my soul, it is well with my soul. It is well, it is well with my soul. When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say it is well, it is well with my soul. It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought; my sin, not in part, but the whole. Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight. The clouds be rolled back as a scroll. And the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend, even so, it is well with my soul. It is well with my soul. It is well, it is well. When peace like a river attendeth my way. It is well..
Women s Retreat Sparta United Methodist Church Pugh Outreach Center Coming in May! Register now to attend Saturday May 4 th The day begins at 8:30 AM Program Starts at 9:00 AM and runs until 2:30 PM Reverend Nancy Walton will bring a message on Esther entitled, Risky Business: Getting Involved with God. She will focus her messages on the book of Esther and explore how taking risks of faith strengthens us. Rev. Nancy will speak at the opening session and closing session of the day. Special music will be provided by Vanessa Jones, Richard Stutts, and Nancy Jones. When you register, you will choose from six different break-out sessions that you might like to attend: Is it Easy to Just say No with Pam Andrews Chair Yoga with Julie Johnson Marathon Faith with Janet Connor Finding Strength from Within with Talina Pipes Three Strong Words with Maggie Lowe Human Trafficking with Lee Cornett Lunch is provided that day, as well as child care for any who need it. Registration is just $15.00 until April 20. After the 20 th of April, registration is $20.00, so we encourage you to register early! Bring a friend or a neighbor and plan to attend now! Take the day apart to renew your faith, share in the Word, and connect with other women in our community. We invite everyone to come that day! Pick up your registration brochure today! Women s Retreat Sparta United Methodist Church Pugh Outreach Center Coming in May! Register now to attend Saturday May 4 th The day begins at 8:30 AM Program Starts at 9:00 AM and runs until 2:30 PM Reverend Nancy Walton will bring a message on Esther entitled, Risky Business: Getting Involved with God. She will focus her messages on the book of Esther and explore how taking risks of faith strengthens us. Rev. Nancy will speak at the opening session and closing session of the day. Special music will be provided by Vanessa Jones, Richard Stutts, and Nancy Jones. When you register, you will choose from six different break-out sessions that you might like to attend: Is it Easy to Just say No with Pam Andrews Chair Yoga with Julie Johnson Marathon Faith with Janet Connor Finding Strength from Within with Talina Pipes Three Strong Words with Maggie Lowe Human Trafficking with Lee Cornett Lunch is provided that day, as well as child care for any who need it. Registration is just $15.00 until April 20. After the 20 th of April, registration is $20.00, so we encourage you to register early! Bring a friend or a neighbor and plan to attend now! Take the day apart to renew your faith, share in the Word, and connect with other women in our community. We invite everyone to come that day! Pick up your registration brochure today!
Dear Church Family It s time for a new church directory! Our church directory will not be complete without you. Join us to celebrate faith and family with our new church family album. Everyone who is photographed by Universal Church Directories will receive a complimentary 8 x 10 portrait and a directory! Universal Church Directories provides a complete professional portrait studio right here at our church! You will be offered a variety of poses, backgrounds, portrait sizes, finish and framing options and have the opportunity to purchase portraits to give to family and friends. You can schedule your photography appointment today! Directions for Online Scheduling Below! To schedule your photography appointment online, simply go to www.ucdir.com, click on schedule your photography session on the right side, enter nc208 in the Church Code field and enter sparta the Church Password field. Follow the prompts to schedule your family s appointment time. If you have 6 or more in your family please use 2 consecutive time slots. The online scheduling option is available Monday through Friday. There will be someone to help you schedule an appointment here at the church between services on April 7 and April 14 or you can sign up using the online scheduler. Appointments fill up quickly, so schedule as soon as possible to secure your preferred date and time. Photos will be taken on Monday, May 13 and Tuesday, May 14! Dear Church Family It s time for a new church directory! Our church directory will not be complete without you. Join us to celebrate faith and family with our new church family album. Everyone who is photographed by Universal Church Directories will receive a complimentary 8 x 10 portrait and a directory! Universal Church Directories provides a complete professional portrait studio right here at our church! You will be offered a variety of poses, backgrounds, portrait sizes, finish and framing options and have the opportunity to purchase portraits to give to family and friends. You can schedule your photography appointment today! Directions for Online Scheduling Below! To schedule your photography appointment online, simply go to www.ucdir.com, click on schedule your photography session on the right side, enter nc208 in the Church Code field and enter sparta the Church Password field. Follow the prompts to schedule your family s appointment time. If you have 6 or more in your family please use 2 consecutive time slots. The online scheduling option is available Monday through Friday. There will be someone to help you schedule an appointment here at the church between services on April 7 and April 14 or you can sign up using the online scheduler. Appointments fill up quickly, so schedule as soon as possible to secure your preferred date and time. Photos will be taken on Monday, May 13 and Tuesday, May 14!