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La Plata United Methodist Church 6 th Sunday after the Epiphany February 16, 2020
La Plata United Methodist Church
6th Sunday after the Epiphany
February 16, 2020
Café Worship (8:30)*You may leave your cell phones ON, but set to vibrate or silent, please*
Feel free to share on social media that you are here at La Plata Church, ready toworship the Lord in joy!
Welcome & Centering*Opening Prayer (Together)
Heavenly Father, wherever we are in life, somehow wealways find ourselves seeking. We seek guidance; weseek answers; we seek refuge and stability. Lord, todaywe ask that you give us patience - the willingness tostop, wait, and listen for You. As we hear Your voicein our hearts and feel Your presence in our lives, wewill find that it is You we have been searching for allthis time. In your Son's precious name, Amen.
Greeting Each Other in the Name of Christ
Musical Moment As the DeerAs the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs afterYou.
You alone are my heart's desire and I long to worshipYou!
You alone are my strength, my shield; to You alone maymy spirit yield.
You alone are my heart's desire and I long to worshipYou.
Announcements & Invitations
Mission Moment Ellen Lewis
Time of Prayer:Sharing Our Week’s Blessings, Trials, and Requests,Silent Prayers, Pastoral PrayerThe Lord’s Prayer (Together)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thyname. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth asit is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Andforgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those whotrespass against us. And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, andthe power, and the glory forever. Amen.
ReloadScriptures for the Day
The Old Testament Lesson Ecclesiastes 2: 4-11 The Epistle Lesson 2 Corinthians 5: 16-21
The Message David Branstetter“The Last Piece of the Puzzle”
Benediction*Please rise in body or in spirit
Liturgist: Carol Sorenson; Service Prayer Partner: Joyce Hancock
Traditional Worship (11:00)*You may leave your cell phones ON, but set to vibrate or silent, please*
Feel free to share on social media that you are here at La Plata Church to
celebrate and worship the risen Lord!
Prayer Before WorshipHeavenly Father, wherever we are in life, somehow we always
find ourselves seeking. We seek guidance; we seek answers; we
seek refuge and stability. Lord, today we ask that you give us
patience - the willingness to stop, wait, and listen for You. As
we hear Your voice in our hearts and feel Your presence in our
lives, we will find that it is You we have been searching for all
this time. In your Son's precious name, Amen.
Prelude Linda Dent Mitchell
Lighting the Altar Candles,
& A Time of Quiet MeditationWhen the Prayer Before Worship has finished and the Prelude
begins, please quiet yourselves in preparation for worship.
Introit: Chancel Choir
“He Is Lord”
Welcome, News & Opportunities
Mission Moment Ellen Lewis
Call to WorshipAs pilgrims traveling on a journey we come. We come seeking stability,
Seeking a refuge from the storms raging in the world around us.
We come seeking direction,
Seeking God's hand to guide us to where He wants us to be.
We come seeking meaning,
Seeking answers from the Lord of all creation in hopes of learning
our purpose and place in His grand design.
*Opening Hymn UM Hymnal, 368
“My Hope is Built”
Passing the Peace of ChristThe Peace of the Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us greet our neighbors and extend God’s peace to each other.
Children’s Message Cindy Gordon
Anthem: Chancel Choir
“Be Still and Know”
The Old Testament Lesson Ecclesiastes 2: 4-11
The Offertory Steve Hancock
“Give Me Jesus”
*The Doxology UM Hymnal, 95
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all
creatures here below. Praise him above ye heavenly hosts.
Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication (Pastor)
Hymn of Preparation UM Hymnal, 408
“The Gift of Love”
The Epistle Lesson 2 Corinthians 5: 16-21
This is the word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
The Message David Branstetter
“The Last Piece of the Puzzle”
*Closing Hymn UM Hymnal, 398
“Jesus Calls Us”(vs 1, 3 & 5)
*Benediction
*Congregational Response The Faith We Sing, 2080
“All I Need Is You”
All I need is you, Jesus, all I need is you.
You are the source of all I need. All I need is you.
Postlude Linda Dent Mitchell
*Please rise in body or in spirit
Acolyte: Samantha Stancliff; Liturgist: Randi McWilliams
Organist: Linda Dent Mitchell; Chancel Choir Director: Pat Day
Soloist: Steve Hancock; Service Prayer Partner: Sylvia Mudd
The flowers on the Altar are given to theglory of God.
The Scripture Lessons
Ecclesiastes 2: 4-11 (NIV)I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and plantedvineyards. I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruittrees in them. I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. Ibought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were bornin my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone inJerusalem before me. I amassed silver and gold for myself, and thetreasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers,and a harem as well—the delights of a man’s heart. I became greaterby far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdomstayed with me.I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil.Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve,everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.
2 Corinthians 5: 16-21 (NIV)
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] Theold has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciledus to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry ofreconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself inChrist, not counting people’s sins against them. And he hascommitted to us the message of reconciliation. We are thereforeChrist’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appealthrough us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him wemight become the righteousness of God.
Church CalendarSunday, February 16
8:30a Café Worship (FH2)
9:45a Sunday School for All Ages (Entire church)
11:00a Traditional Service - Carillon Choir (Sanctuary)
12:00p Youth Safe Night Lunches (FH1 & Kitchen)
7:00p Safe Nights (FH1 & 2)
Monday, February 17 - Presidents’ Day / BLP & Church office closed
5:30p 12 Step Home Group - AA Mtg. (Rm. 104)
7:00p Safe Nights (FH1 & 2)
8:00p AA Meeting - Warner Group (Rm. 104)
Tuesday, February 18
11:00a Church Staff Mtg. (Rm. 412/Board Room)
6:00p Women’s Emmaus Reunion Group (Parlor)
6:00p Men’s Emmaus Reunion Group
7:00p Safe Nights (FH1 & 2)
7:30p Trustees Mtg. (Rm. 412/Board Room)
Wednesday, February 19
9:30a Wednesday Morning Bible Study (Rm. 110)
12:00p AA Meeting - Serenity Seekers (Rm. 104)
2:30p Food Pantry (Bowie Annex)
6:00p Drama Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
7:00p Safe Nights (FH1 & 2)
7:00p Cherub Choir & Crimson Angels Practice (Rms. 104 & 110)
7;30p Chancel Choir (Adult Choir Room)
Thursday, February 20
6:00p Carillon Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
7:00p Safe Nights (FH1 & 2
7:00p Preachers Pop Up Prayer
7:30p SPRC (Rm. 412/Board Room)
Friday, February 21
7:00p Safe Nights (FH1 & 2)
Saturday, February 22
7:00p Safe Nights (FH1 & 2)
Sunday, February 23
8:30a Café Worship (Sanctuary)
9:45a Sunday School for All Ages (Entire church)
11:00a Traditional Service - Carillon Choir (Sanctuary)
12:00p Ash Wednesday practice (Sanctuary)
12:30p Alpha Celebration (FH1)
6:00p ASP Mtg./Training (FH1)
Monday, February 24
1:30p Red Cross Blood Drive (FH1)
5:30p 12 Step Home Group - AA Mtg. (Rm. 104)
6:00p Girl Scout Troop 1438 (Rm. 110)
8:00p AA Meeting - Warner Group (Rm. 104)KEY: FH1=Old Fellowship Hall, FH2=New Fellowship Hall, Rm. 104=Old Youth Room, Rm. 106=Old Conf. Rm #1,
Rm. 110=Old Conf. Rm. #2, Rm. 102=Old Parlor BLP=Blessed Lambs Preschool
The La Plata UMC Worship
Committee
Cordially invites you to
Our humble
Soup and Bread Supper
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
From 5:30-6:45 p.m.
(Before our 7:00 p.m. Ash
Wednesday Service)
In Fellowship Hall #1
HERE’S THE SCOOPFOOD PANTRY NEEDS YOUR HELP - The Food Pantry is requesting your donations of the
following items: mandarin oranges, pasta sauces, egg noodles, pastas, rice, instant
potatoes, Dinty Moore beef stew, cream of mushroom soup, peas, pancake mix, syrup,
oatmeal, muffin mix, brownie mix, cake mix & frosting, packaged cookies, crackers, hot
chocolate. baked beans, soups, children's juice boxes, snack items for kids (individual
wrapped cookies, cheese crackers etc.) and empty egg cartons. Pick up your shopping
list located on the information table. You may place your donated items in the Food
Donation Box in the front entrance. Pet food donations are always appreciated. You can
also make monetary donations, just write "Food Pantry" in the memo line of your check, or
give online.
BLESSED LAMBS PRESCHOOL - Blessed Lambs is now taking registrations for the
2020/2021 school year. Registration information can be found at www.blessedlambs.org
or by stopping by the preschool office.
NEW MEMBER RECEPTION - Have you been attending La Plata Church but have not yet
made the decision to publically commit to Christ at La Plata Church as a member? Now
might just be the time! If you are interested in joining, or discussing it more in detail,
please place the word “membership” beside your name in the attendance record pad.
Those of you who have already expressed your interest do not need to submit a request
again. Please prayerfully consider entering into the adventure called Church Membership!
ALPHA CELEBRATION - The Alpha Celebration is set for next Sunday, February 23, 2020
at 12:30 PM. The Alpha Celebration is the introduction of the Alpha Course, a 10 week
video-based course that addresses such issues as, who is Jesus, why did he die, faith,
prayer, the Bible, and many others. In the videos, Nicky Gumbel tells us about his amazing
journey from atheism to a life of faith in Christ. If you are interested in learning more about
Alpha or about deepening your understanding of faith, the Alpha Course is the first step of
discipleship and is highly recommended for you. This is the best class to take to begin your
spiritual journey. Please sign up on the attendance pad, the sign-up sheet at worship, or
call the church office. We will be serving lunch, so you will need to sign up to attend. If you
have questions, give me a call in the church office at 301-934-2288, I hope that all of you
who have taken Alpha will consider coming and bringing a friend or family member that
you want to introduce to Alpha.
FAIR TRADE COFFEE - Fair Trade Coffee Sunday is coming up next week, Feb. 23! The
coffee cart is stocked and we will have a sale! Purchase two coffee items (bags or k-cups)
and get them for $19 instead of $20, all chocolate will be $3 and boxes of tea will be $4.
Stop by after both services and make a purchase to support the Edelen family.
SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER - The Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper is coming
up on Feb. 25. Youth and parents are hosting this event and invite everyone to come enjoy
pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage and tater tots between 5 - 7 pm. It is always fun and it's
free!! Invite friends, neighbors and family to come fellowship over a meal as we kick off
Lent. Baskets will be on the tables if you wish to make a contribution to the youth ministry.
YOUTH DROP N DATE - Calling all adults and youth (grades 6th thru 12th). We need you.
The youth group will be conducting a Drop N Date event on Friday, March 13, 2020. If you
are interested in helping please contact Polly Boggs at [email protected].
PARENTS - Drop N Date is back and scheduled for March 13, 2020 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
If interested, please contact Polly Boggs at [email protected]. You can find the
applications out in the back of the Fellowship 2 for Café service and in the narthex for the
11:00 service. Completed applications can be dropped off in the envelopes located in the
education wing.
LEADERSHIP SUMMIT - Are you looking to breathe new life into your congregation or
perhaps are you dreaming of launching a brand new church? Both begin with the same
question: what is shaping your church? Is your church shaped by worship or programs,
children or youth ministries or by the preferences of your current members? What if your
church was shaped by the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation
of the world? What if your church was shaped by the mission of reaching people who
currently don't attend any church? If these questions make your heart sing, then join New
Faith Expressions Track at the Connect Leadership Summit. On Saturday, March 14 from
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM at Waters UMC or Brooks UMC in Saint Leonard, MD. The cost is $40
and you can register on the Baltimore Washington website.
SOUP AND BREAD SUPPER - We are seeking 10-12 cooks to provide a crockpot of their
favorite comfort soup for our humble soup and bread meal on Wed, Feb 26 at 5:30pm. We
are also seeking bread makers to provide bread, but not just ordinary bread! Remember,
Wonder Bread is not on the menu. So if you have a favorite loaf and/or a favorite soup you
would like to donate, please contact Karen Grace at [email protected]. This is
the time that we begin our Lenten journey to the Cross, so no desserts please.
FOOD BOOTH FUNDRAISER - My name is Joey Hastings and I am a member of this church
and a Boy Scout with Troop 1321. For my Eagle Scout project, I am remodeling the food
booth, that our church uses, at the Charles County Fair. The food booth is one of our
church's largest fundraisers. I am hoping to increase the efficiency and work environment
of the food booth by redesigning the layout of the workspace. Also, I will paint the ceiling
and walls, replace the lighting and ceiling fans, replace the screens in the windows,
resurface the countertops, and clean, repair and paint the floors.
I will be launching an on-line GoFundMe page in the very near future. If you wish to
donate via check (made out to BSA Troop 1321) or cash, you can give that to my parents,
John & Sherri Hastings, or myself or email me at [email protected]. All donations are
tax deductible and a tax receipt will be provided. Any businesses wishing to donate
materials, would be greatly appreciated. I will also need volunteers to help with the actual
remodeling on future work days starting in late spring/early summer. More details to
come. Stay tuned!
ASP MILES OF PENNIES FUND RAISER - ASP & Mile of Pennies Update - You still have
time to join the ASP teams (high school and middle school) this summer. If interested,
please contact John Carns at [email protected] or at 301.848.0060. The next team
meeting is Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. The pennies/coins continue to roll in . . . $211 so far. That
puts us at 1/4 mile or 12.5% of our goal of two miles of pennies! Thank you.
ALTAR FLOWERS - There are still some spots left to sign up to provide flowers for our
ATTENDANCE PAD - Please be sure to sign in on the attendance pads in the pews. If you
have changed your address, email, last name or phone number, please include that so that
we can correct the information in our data base. Once you have signed in, simply place the
sign in sheet in the offering plate.
BLESSING BUDDIES - The Prayer Shawl ministries Blessing Buddies were a big hit, which
means we need more. Please donate a new Teddy Bear for our Blessing Buddies ministry.
These bears will spend time in worship and prayer with our congregation, and then be
taken to bless those who need some comfort from their church family. There will be a box
in the front entrance for your donations, or you can bring them to the church office any
time during the week.
WORSHIPWORSHIP SCHEDULE - The Sunday morning worship schedule is: Café Worship at 8:30 AM
in Fellowship Hall 2, and Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary at 11:00 AM.
NURSERY IS AVAILABLE - Nursery care for little ones (ages 0-4 yrs) is available during the
11:00 Sunday morning service. If your little one becomes unsettled and is in need of more
care, please contact an usher who can direct you to the nursery or to the rocking chairs in
the back. We are grateful to the staff and volunteers that help us provide a nursery each
week. If you would like to volunteer in the nursery, please contact Alyssa Wheeler.
If you are a parent or a grandparent of young children, or you just want to spend some
time with the youngest in our congregation, consider signing up to volunteer in the
Nursery. To volunteer, or for information, contact Alyssa Wheeler at
SUNDAY SCHOOL - Sunday School is available for everyone from 9:45 - 10:45 each week!
Children ages 2 - 5th grade begin in Fellowship Hall 1
Middle School meets in room 422
High School meets in room 217
Three adult classes include: "Current Events" led by Jim Risley in the parlor; "Life
Application" meets in Fellowship Hall 2 and is led by Julie Robbins, "History Of" meets
downstairs in room 110 and is led by Randi McWilliams and Adam Todd.
HEARING ASSIST DEVICES - are available, please see an usher to get one.
SERVICE & CARINGCANDY BARS FOR SALE - There are still candy bars available for purchase in the
church office to benefit our Cub Scout Pack 423. World's Finest Chocolate for $1.00.
Please contact Mark Stancliff at [email protected] or stop by the church office to get
your candy bars.
CUB SCOUT PACK 423 - La Plata United Methodist Church is the Charter Organization for
Cub Scout Pack 423. Cub Scouting is fun for the whole family. In Scouting, boys and girls
start with their best right now selves, and grow into their very best future selves. It's fun,
hands-on learning, and achievement that puts kids in the middle of the action and
prepares them for today - and for life. The leadership of Pack 423 is grateful for the
opportunity to be a part of La Plata United Methodist Church, bringing families from the
community together to experience a place to belong. The cost of Scouting is a true
investment in a child's education and future. Please consider supporting the efforts of the
Pack with a donation to fund the pack programming. You can donate electronically on
laplataumc.org, click Online Giving, and choose the line item Cub Scouts Pack 423.
FAITH SHARING
MAKE A NEW FRIEND TODAY - As you enter Church today to worship, look around and
see if you can find someone you don't know. During Passing of the Peace, make a point
to introduce yourself to them and invite them to join you in an activity of the Church. If you
can't get to them during the Passing of the Peace, hang around for a bit after worship and
strike up a conversation with them. In time you'll discover if they are long lost members,
or here for the first time. Either way, you get to make a new friend. Thank you for being
one of the friendliest and most caring congregations around.
Our Prayer ListPlease pray:
For our friends and family who have medical issuesTom Berry
Karyl Beverage
Margaret Bowie
Frank Brinson
Patricia Buckler
Sue Carns
Jennifer Carpenter
Jerome Church
Cathy Compton
Harolly Coombs
Julie Davis
Joyce Dean
Sandra Fykes
Remy Zachary
Gordon
Carl Greene
Peggy Hamilton
Randy Hill
Christina Kingsbury
Francis Lewis
Donna McKenzie
Ed McKenzie
Johnny McPherson
Renee Nash
Carl Occhipinti
Kitley Rainwater
Melissa Faith Rollins
Crystal Rupprecht
Sunny Rupprecht
Kinsley Sandvik
Donna Sarnacki
Tabitha Schneider
Charley Shaw
Carol Sorenson
Don Stapleson
Michael Stewart
Brian Thomason
Jeanette Tull
Sandy Tull
Linda Valente
Mike Williams
Please pray:
For our friends and family who are living in Nursing Homes,
Assisted Living or home bound:Lennis Bridgett Mike Merritt
Iris Dickerson Sharon Ferguson
Helen Sullivan Ann Bergerstock
Continue to pray for:Pastor Susan, our church leadership teams and congregation as we seek our way
forward into ministry in the new year.
The homeless during these cold winter months. That they might find adequate
shelter from the cold.
Our delegates to General Conference 2020 and the future of the United Methodist
Church.
Our Church Staff & Church Leadership Rev. Dr. Susan E. Boehl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Senior Pastor
Rev. Ed Chance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Retired Pastor / Visitation
Corrie Roberts . . . Director of Christian Ed & Youth Ministry
Karen Hamner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Church Administrator
Patricia Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Choir Director
Linda Dent Mitchell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Organist
Cheryl Reckeweg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coordinator of Ministries
Laurie Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Church Treasurer
Archie Verdiglione, Sr. . . . . . . . . . Building Superintendent
Jim Harris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Church Sextons
Bill Riley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Groundskeeper
Julie Robbins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preschool Director
Trish Carruth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Asst. Preschool Director
Mark Stancliff . . . . . . . . . . . . . Administrative Council Chair
Archie Verdiglione, Sr.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lay Leader
Kevin Robbins . . . . . . . . . . . . . Board of Trustees President
Tom Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Staff-Parish Relations Chair
Kathryn Greene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Finance Committee Chair
Our Church Motto for 2020
"Making disciples, building community, living by faith…together"
‘Friend’ us on Facebook:
La Plata Umc
3 Port Tobacco Road
La Plata, Maryland 20646-2824
Office: 301-934-2288
Email: [email protected]
On the web: www.laplataumc.org
Rev. Dr. Susan E. Boehl cell: 240-217-6369
CCLI License # 2524825
