AN ORDER OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP
The Fourth Sunday of Easter | April 22, 2018 | Native American Ministries Sunday
First United Methodist Church
601 North Cedar, Abilene, Kansas 67410
785-263-2623 — http://www.abilenefirstumc.org
WELCOME TO THIS WORSHIP SERVICE
If you’re willing to fill one out, attendance inserts are available from the ushers.
Please note that bold type indicates congregational participation. An asterisk (*) indicates that you are invited to stand as you are able.
“H” stands for The United Methodist Hymnal, “F” stands for The Faith We Sing, and “W” stands for Worship and Song.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REMAIN SEATED:
If, for any reason (health, comfort, personal preference, etc.), you need to or would prefer to remain seated during the hymns please do so. Don’t give into peer pressure. You be you!
TO THE PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN
- Relax! God put the wiggle in children; don’t feel you have to suppress those wiggles in God’s house.
- Consider sitting toward the front where it is easier for your little ones to engage.
- Quietly explain the parts of the service and actions of the pastors, musicians, and leaders.
- Sing the hymns, pray and voice the responses. Children learn by mimicking you.
- If you have to leave the sanctuary with your child, feel free to do so, but please come back. As Jesus said, “Let the children come to me.”
TO THE CONGREGATION
- Remember that the presence of children is a gift of hope for the future.
- Remember that the way we welcome children in worship directly affects the way they think about the church, Christianity, and even God.
- Let children know that they are at home in God’s house.
- A smile of encouragement is always welcome to parents with small, active children.
FEEL FREE TO REMAIN SEATED
If, for any reason (health, comfort, personal preference, etc.), you need to or would prefer to remain seated during the hymns please do so. Don’t give into peer pressure. You be you!
Music for Gathering
Greeting One Another
HYMN* — They’ll Know We are Christians — F-2223
Announcements
Prelude and Lighting of Candles
CALL TO WORSHIP
He lays down his life for his sheep.
The Lord Jesus Christ is our shepherd.
He knows us, and we belong to him.
The Lord Jesus Christ is our shepherd.
He speaks, and we listen for his voice.
The Lord Jesus Christ is our shepherd.
(Reprinted by permission of Westminster John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. Copyright 2014.)
Opening Prayer
Scripture Reading Acts 4:5-12 (NRSV)
5 The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.
11 This Jesus is
‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
it has become the cornerstone.’12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”
HYMN* — Love Divine, All Loves Excelling — H-384
Children’s Message
Special Music [10:30] — Jericho
Scripture Reading— John 10:11-18 (NRSV)
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
HYMN* — Bind Us Together — H-2226
Scripture Reading 1 John 3:16-24 (NRSV)
16 We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17 How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?
18 Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 19 And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him 20 whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; 22 and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.
23 And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.
Sermon
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH — Insert
RESPONSE — Glory Be to the Father — H-70
Prayer of Confession
(A time of silent prayers of confession.)
Words of Assurance
A Stewardship Moment
Presentation of our Tithes and Offerings
(If you are a guest this morning, please feel no obligation to give. This is simply one of the ways we worship God.)
RESPONSE* — Praise God … — H-94
Prayer of Thanksgiving*
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.
[Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.]
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
HYMN* — Marching to Zion — H-733
Dismissal with Blessing*
Postlude*
PRAYER CONCERNS
Please note: prayer concerns will be listed in a bulletin for four (4) weeks unless the church office is notified otherwise.
MEMBERS: Bill Sexton and Phyllis Newell
COMMUNITY PRAYER CONCERNS: Kim Goodman, David Zey, Carolyn Gregg (Lynn Peterson’s sister), Paul Fischer (Barb and Keith Emig’s son), and Jim Gerard (Janice Hoffman’s brother-in-law).
THOSE WORSHIPING FROM HOME: Ruth Alt, Velma Becker, Joe Clemence, Steve Crump, Daisy Dester, Ruth Dieter, Wendell Gugler, Walt Hartman, Neva Heck, Helen Kappel, Pam Paul, Marla Rutz, Donna Smith, & Martha Zutavern.
THOSE SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES: Greg Austin, Tim Barns, Kayla Berven, Billy Brockman, Matthew Brinker, Ross Covington, Jessica and James Green, Gavin Hanna, Cameron Hoskins, David Hoskins, Ryan Kriesch, Samuel Miller, Ben Nichols, Arthur Sprouse, and James L. Wise, Jr.
DISTRICT PRAYER CALENDAR: Today we pray for the Green United Methodist Church and their Pastor; Sarah Gill.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
2018 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
Scholarship Applications for the 2018-2019 school year are now available at abilenefirstumc.org/downloads. The due date is May 18, 2018, the Friday after the Abilene High School Graduation Ceremony.
UMW MOTHER-DAUGHTER-FRIEND BANQUET
Don’t miss out! The annual UMW Mother-Daughter-Friend Banquet will be held this Wednesday, April 25 at 6:00 p.m. in Wright Hall. UMW members, please bring a salad and/or dessert for you and your guests. Drinks and sandwiches will be provided. Tickets may be purchased from any UMW member or from the church office for $4.00 each.
BAKE SALE
The Mission and Outreach Ministry Team will be having a bake sale booth at the Spring Reitz and Rust Vintage Market at the Fairgrounds on Saturday April, 28th. They are asking for donations of desserts, breads, candies etc. so let’s get out our mixing bowls and help them out! Proceeds will go to the Mission and Outreach Ministry. Please have donations to the church by Noon on Friday, April 27th.
EMAIL UPDATES
Jenny and John use a service called TinyLetter to send out blog posts by email every day or so. This way you can keep up with the blog simply by checking your email inbox. You can also reply with an email of your own and let us know what you think. You can sign up at tinyletter.com/jcollins11.
CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS
Abilene First UMC will again provide camp scholarships to all children of the church attending a United Methodist Camp in 2018. As has been the practice in the past, the church will pay one-half of the camp registration fees. Simply email office@abilenefirstumc.org or bring proof of camp registration into the church office and the church will reimburse you. You can learn more about the United Methodist Camps from brochures available in the narthex or by visiting http://bit.ly/2uRbte0. Contact the church office at 785-263-2623 or email Wendy Fielder at the email address in the bulletin for more information about the scholarships.
FOOD PANTRY MONTH
May is Food Pantry Month here at Abilene First United Methodist Church. This is the month we traditionally provide food and funds for the operation of the Food Pantry which helps supply food and utility funds for those less fortunate. This year we will be splitting the proceeds between the local Food Pantry and the church’s new “Little Free Pantry.”
Additionally, if you have extra points on your West’s Country Mart cards and want to exchange them for a gift card that the church can share with those who come into the church office seeking assistance that would be very much appreciated.
NURSERY
A nursery is provided for children during each service. It is located in Room 205 near the south entrance to the church. If you need assistance locating the nursery, our ushers and greeters will be happy to direct you.
CHURCH CALENDAR
SUNDAY, APRIL 22
8:15 a.m. Worship Service – Sanctuary
9:20 a.m. Small Groups – Classrooms
10:30 a.m. Worship Service – Sanctuary
7:00 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous – 203
MONDAY, APRIL 23
5:30 p.m. Breastfeeding Support Group – Peatling
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts – Peatling
TUESDAY, APRIL 24
10:00 a.m. Parkinson’s Group Exercise – Narthex
7:00 p.m. EOTT Quilt Guild – Wright Hall
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25
11:00 a.m. Staff Meeting – Pastor’s Office
3:30 p.m. Power & Light – Peatling
5:00 p.m. Ring Praise Practice – Sanctuary
6:00 p.m. Communion – Sanctuary
6:00 p.m. Mother-Daughter-Friend Banquet – Wright Hall
6:15 p.m. Chancel Choir Practice – Sanctuary
7:15 p.m. JW Bell Choir Practice – Sanctuary
THURSDAY, APRIL 26
5:00 a.m. Prayer Vigil – Chapel
9:00 a.m. Card Ministry – 208
10:00 a.m. Caregivers – 200
10:00 a.m. Parkinson’s Exercise Group – Narthex
7:00 p.m. Cub Scouts – Peatling
FRIDAY, APRIL 27
12:00 p.m. Church Office Closes
SATURDAY, APRIL 28
All Day – UMC Bake Sale at Reitz and Rust Vintage Market
SUNDAY, APRIL 29
8:15 a.m. Worship Service – Sanctuary
9:20 a.m. Small Groups – Classrooms
10:30 a.m. Worship Service – Sanctuary
11:30 a.m. Fifth Sunday Potluck – Wright Hall
4:00 p.m. Village Manor Service
7:00 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous – 203
MONDAY, APRIL 30
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts – Peatling
TUESDAY, MAY 1
10:00 a.m. Parkinson’s Group Exercise – Narthex
12:00 p.m. Retired Teachers Luncheon – Wright Hall
6:30 p.m. Outreach Committee Meeting – Room 200
7:00 p.m. Girl Scouts – Peatling
WEDNESDAY, MAY 2
11:00 a.m. Staff Meeting – Pastor’s Office
12:00 p.m. UMW Potluck Luncheon – Wright Hall
3:30 p.m. Power & Light – Peatling
5:00 p.m. Ring Praise Practice – Sanctuary
6:00 p.m. Communion – Sanctuary
6:00 p.m. Youth Group – Peatling
6:15 p.m. Chancel Choir Practice – Wright Hall
7:15 p.m. JW Bell Choir Practice – Sanctuary
THURSDAY, MAY 3
5:00 a.m. Prayer Vigil – Chapel
9:00 a.m. Card Ministry – 208
9:30 a.m. Hospice Quilt Workshop – Peatling
10:00 a.m. Parkinson’s Exercise Group – Narthex
7:00 p.m. Cub Scouts – Peatling
WELCOME TO THIS WORSHIP SERVICE
Please note that bold type indicates congregational participation. An asterisk (*) indicates that you are invited to stand as you are able. “H” stands for The United Methodist Hymnal, “F” stands for The Faith We Sing, and “W” stands for Worship and Song.
THOSE LEADING WORSHIP
Anna Gugler, Accompanist
Cora Vinduska and Ethan Gonzales, Acolytes
Jason Vinduska and Linda Rist, Liturgists
Wendy Robinson and Liz Collins, Sound
Cameron Vinduska and Joy Clemence, Slides
Clark Williamson, Director of Music Ministries
Wendy Robinson, Children’s Message
Jennifer and John Collins, Pastors
SPECIAL MUSIC
Abilene High School Saxophone Quartet: Emily Burt, Hannah Colburn, Ivy Tompkins, and Dawson Whalen
CONTACT INFORMATION
John and Jennifer Collins, Pastors
Phones: 620-252-9822 (Jenny) and 620-252-9622 (John)
Email: john@revcollins.com and jenny@revcollins.com
Wendy Fielder, Office Administrator
Phone: 785-263-2623 — Email: office@abilenefirstumc.org
EMAIL UPDATES
Jenny and John use a service called TinyLetter to send out blog posts by email every day or so. This way you can keep up with the blog simply by checking your email inbox. You can sign up at tinyletter.com/jcollins11.
