AN ORDER OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP
October 22, 2017 |20th Sunday After Pentecost
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.
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.
Music for Gathering
Greeting One Another
RE-GATHERING* – O Worship the King, vs. 1, 2, 4, 5 – H-73
Announcements
Prelude and Lighting of Candles
CALL TO WORSHIP
Opening Prayer
Scripture Reading – Exodus 33:12-23 (CEB)
12 Moses said to the LORD, “Look, you’ve been telling me, ‘Lead these people forward.’ But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. Yet you’ve assured me, ‘I know you by name and think highly of you.’ 13 Now if you do think highly of me, show me your ways so that I may know you and so that you may really approve of me. Remember too that this nation is your people.”
14 The LORD replied, “I’ll go myself, and I’ll help you.”
15 Moses replied, “If you won’t go yourself, don’t make us leave here. 16 Because how will anyone know that we have your special approval, both I and your people, unless you go with us? Only that distinguishes us, me and your people, from every other people on the earth.”
17 The LORD said to Moses, “I’ll do exactly what you’ve asked because you have my special approval, and I know you by name.”
18 Moses said, “Please show me your glorious presence.”
19 The LORD said, “I’ll make all my goodness pass in front of you, and I’ll proclaim before you the name, ‘The LORD.’ I will be kind to whomever I wish to be kind, and I will have compassion to whomever I wish to be compassionate. 20 But,” the LORD said, “you can’t see my face because no one can see me and live.” 21 The LORD said, “Here is a place near me where you will stand beside the rock. 22 As my glorious presence passes by, I’ll set you in a gap in the rock, and I’ll cover you with my hand until I’ve passed by. 23 Then I’ll take away my hand, and you will see my back, but my face won’t be visible.”
Short Sermon
HYMN* – Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise – H-103
Children’s Message
Choral Anthem [10:30] – More Love to Thee
Scripture Reading – 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (CEB)
1 From Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy.
To the Thessalonians’ church that is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace and peace to all of you.
2 We always thank God for all of you when we mention you constantly in our prayers. 3 This is because we remember your work that comes from faith, your effort that comes from love, and your perseverance that comes from hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father. 4 Brothers and sisters, you are loved by God, and we know that he has chosen you. 5 We know this because our good news didn’t come to you just in speech but also with power and the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know as well as we do what kind of people we were when we were with you, which was for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord when you accepted the message that came from the Holy Spirit with joy in spite of great suffering. 7 As a result you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The message about the Lord rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia but in every place. The news about your faithfulness to God has spread so that we don’t even need to mention it. 9 People tell us about what sort of welcome we had from you and how you turned to God from idols. As a result, you are serving the living and true God, 10 and you are waiting for his Son from heaven. His Son is Jesus, who is the one he raised from the dead and who is the one who will rescue us from the coming wrath.
Short Sermon
HYMN* – Jesus Calls Us – H-398
Scripture Reading – Matthew 22:15-22 (CEB)
15 Then the Pharisees met together to find a way to trap Jesus in his words. 16 They sent their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are genuine and that you teach God’s way as it really is. We know that you are not swayed by people’s opinions, because you don’t show favoritism. 17 So tell us what you think: Does the Law allow people to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
18 Knowing their evil motives, Jesus replied, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin used to pay the tax.” And they brought him a denarion. 20 “Whose image and inscription is this?” he asked.
21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then he said, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” 22 When they heard this they were astonished, and they departed.
Short Sermon
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – On Screen
RESPONSE – Gloria Patri – 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* – We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise – F-2031
Prayer of Thanksgiving*
THE LORD’S PRAYER*
HYMN* – Step by Step – W-3004
Dismissal with Blessing and 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, Helen Kappel, Barb Stewart, Shirley Reynolds, Jason Vinduska family, Jeremy Vinduska family, and Jadon Vinduska.
COMMUNITY PRAYER CONCERNS: Gerry Barrett, Dale Pyke, Alex Bolte, Beverly Swayze (mother of Chris Hoffman), Dave Stevens, David Zey, Andrew Jarecki (son-in-law of J.M. & Louise Frey), and those grieving the loss of Dorothy Lake (mother of Jodi Walters) and Larry Gridley (father of Brenda Holm).
THOSE WORSHIPING FROM HOME: Ruth Alt, Velma Becker, Steve Crump, Daisy Dester, Ruth Dieter, Mary Fiedler, Walt Hartman, Neva Heck, Helen Kappel, Pam Paul, Marla Rutz, Donna Smith, and Martha Zutavern.
THOSE SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES: Greg Austin, Tim Barns, Kayla Berven, Victor Braden, Billy Brockman, Matthew Brinker, Ross Covington, Jessica and James Green, Gavin Hanna, Cameron Hoskins, David Hoskins, Alex Hunter, Ryan Kriesch, Samuel Miller, and James L. Wise, Jr.
DISTRICT PRAYER CALENDAR:Today we pray for the Alida Methodist Church and their pastor, Hyeayoun Kim.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANNUAL YOUTH WREATH FUNDRAISER
The youth are continuing their annual fundraising event selling Christmas wreaths and greenery this Sunday, October 15 through Sunday, October 29. They will be available to order in the Narthex before and after worship today and next Sunday, October 22, and then will be available for pickup the Sunday after Thanksgiving, November 26. Please contact Wendy with any further questions. Support our youth and decorate for Christmas at the same time!
COLLEGE STUDENTS – FINALS CARE PACKAGES
We will be sending care packages to our college students again this year. We are blessed with 29 college students to whom we can minister this year. The youth will be making cookies and purchasing a few items to include in the boxes we send. We are encouraging you, the congregation, to help us let the college students know we love them, miss them, and encourage them to perform well on their finals. So there will be a basket in the Narthex beginning mid-October for donations of non-perishable items or monetary donations to help aid in the shipping of the boxes to the students. We thank you in advance for your prayers and donations for the college students.
*Parents of college students: Please note, we can’t get these wonderful care packages to the students without a correct address. Please send the complete and correct address of your college student to Wendy as soon as possible; we don’t want to leave anyone out!
VINTAGE YEARS
November 5 is our Vintage Years Sunday, where we honor those turning 90 years old in 2017. According to our records, Walt Hartman and Ray Power join this elite group this year. If you know of any other member of our congregation who is turning 90 in 2017, please contact Julie in the church office and let her know.
UMW BAZAAR
The UMW Annual Bazaar will be held Tuesday, November 7, 2017. The bazaar will be open from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. with cinnamon rolls and coffee available. In addition to the usual tea towels, baked goods, and other items for sale, they will also be having a White Elephant sale this year. So if you have any items you’d like to donate for that sale, please do so. The bazaar and White Elephant sale will then open again from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with tickets for sale for the evening lasagna dinner and the quilt drawing at 6:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $7.50 ages 13 & up, $5.00 ages 6-12, and ages 5 & under are free. Come support our UMW!
YOUTH CORN MAZE TRIP
Just a quick notice to put on your calendars, the Youth will be making their annual Corn Maze trip on Saturday, October 28. They will leave the church parking lot at 5:00 p.m. Keep watching for more information!
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
It’s hard to believe, but it’s almost that time of year already! Practice for the annual Christmas Pageant will begin on Sunday, November 5, during the Sunday school hour on the third floor. Our performances will be on Sunday December 10, during the 8:15 and 10:30 worship services. All children and youth are encouraged to participate!
INTERESTED IN MEMBERSHIP?
Are you interested in joining the Abilene First United Methodist Church as a member and making a formal commitment to God, the church, and yourself? If so, please communicate with one of the pastors in person or using the pastoral contact information found above.
CHURCH CALENDAR
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22
8:15 a.m. Worship Service in the Sanctuary
9:20 a.m. Small Groups for Christian Education
10:30 a.m. Worship Service in the Sanctuary
4:00 p.m. Ladies Fall Bible Study – 200
7:00 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous – 203
MONDAY, OCTOBER 23
5:30 p.m. Breastfeeding Support Group – Peatling
6:30 p.m. Trustees Meeting – 200
7:00 p.m. Type I Diabetes Support Group – Library (203)
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts – Peatling
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24
10:00 a.m. Parkinson’s Group Exercise – Narthex
2:00 p.m. Ladies Fall Bible Study – 200
6:00 p.m. KIC Board Meeting – Youth Room
7:00 p.m. EOTT Quilt Guild Meeting – Wright Hall
7:30 p.m. Contemplative Prayer – B9
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25
1:30 p.m. Staff Meeting – Pastor’s Office
3:30 p.m. Power & Light – Peatling
5:00 p.m. Ring Praise Bell Choir Practice – Sanctuary
6:00 p.m. Youth Group – Peatling
6:00 p.m. Communion – Sanctuary
6:15 p.m. Choir Practice – Wright Hall
7:15 p.m. JW Bell Choir Practice – Sanctuary
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26
5:00 a.m. Prayer Vigil – Chapel
9:00 a.m. Card Ministry – 208
10:00 a.m. Caregivers – Library (203)
10:00 a.m. Parkinson’s Exercise Group – Narthex
7:00 p.m. Cub Scouts “Get Smart About Drugs” – Peatling
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27
12:00 p.m. Church Office Closes
3:30 p.m. Salina Rescue Mission – Church parking lot
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28
8:30 a.m. Breakfast Club – The Hitching Post
5:00 p.m. Youth Pumpkin Patch Trip
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29
8:15 a.m. Worship Service in the Sanctuary
9:20 a.m. Small Groups for Christian Education
10:30 a.m. Worship Service in the Sanctuary
11:30 a.m. 5th Sunday Potluck
4:00 p.m. Ladies Fall Bible Study – 200
7:00 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous – 203
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
Angie Hoerner, Accompanist
Vinduska and Kian Mather, Acolytes
Jason Vinduska and Ann Mickey, Liturgists
Ward Turnbull and Miller Unruh, Sound
Lisa Turnbull and Braden Adams, Slides
Clark Williamson, Director of Music Ministries
Wendy Robinson, Children’s Message
Jennifer and John Collins, Pastors
PASTORAL CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: john@revcollins.com and jenny@revcollins.com
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 hit reply and let us know what you think. You can sign up at tinyletter.com/jcollins11.
