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Lansdale United Methodist Church March 1, 2020 Mindi Oaten Art
Lansdale United Methodist ChurchMarch 1, 2020
Mindi Oaten Art
300 N. Broad Street ●Lansdale, PA ●19446
First Sunday in Lent
9:00 a.m. Worship Service
Greeting and Welcome Pastor Bill Lentz
We're glad you're attending our service of worship. Your presence is a joy. We hope you feel welcome and essential to us. We pray that the Spirit of God will touch your soul as we worship. Large print bulletins and hearing devices are available. An usher will assist you. White Prayer Cards are also available in your pew for sharing your joys and concerns. An usher will collect them during the hymn following the sermon. Please be sure to tell us who you are. Fill out as much information as you like in the Ritual of Friendship booklet in the pew. Please pass it along and meet your pewmates. An asterisk (*) signals an invitation to stand if you are comfortable doing so.
Prelude Jesus Loves Me MaynardSpend time preparing yourself for worship and praise
*Call to Worship
Pastor: Ashes were smeared. And sins were confessed… People: As we follow our faithful Lord.Pastor: These times are troubling. The journey is hard…People: As we follow our faithful Lord.Pastor: God sustains us when the temptations of this world come…People: As we follow our faithful Lord.Pastor: Our trust is in God, our defender against harm…People: As we follow our faithful Lord.Pastor: Come, let us worship the God whom we love and serve…People: As we follow our faithful Lord
*Hymn Marching to Zion UMH 733
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Opening Prayer
O God, Artist of All Souls,you sculpted a people for yourselfout of the dust, clay, and rock of the wilderness and mountains.Help us as we take up your invitation to prayer and simplicity,so that the discipline of these forty daysmay whet our appetites for the feast of your holy friendship,and edge our thirsts for the living water you alone offer,through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So be it. Amen.
Act of Praise Holy Ground TFWS 2272
Prayer for Illumination Michele Dasch, Reader
Psalter Psalm 32:1-5, 7-8, 11 See Screens
Chancel Choir Anthem Let Your Light Shine McDonald
First Reading Hebrews 12:1-3 Pew Bible NT 226
*Act of Praise Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus UMH 349
*Gospel Reading Matthew 26:6-13 Pew Bible NT 29
*Act of Praise Sanctus See Screens
Sermon Senses of Brokenness: Aroma of Forgiveness Pastor Bill Lentz
*Hymn I Come with Joy UMH 617
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Ushers will collect the White Prayer Cards during the hymn.
Invitation to the Lord’s Supper
Prayer of Confession, Silent Prayers, and Pardon
Holy God, your Scriptures teach us that you are gracious, full of mercy, slow to anger, and radiant with unflinching love. The same Scriptures call us to imitate you. We confess we have not always been gracious or merciful. We are sometimes too quick to anger, and our love is lacking. Forgive us, we pray, in the name of Christ our Lord. Free our hearts to imitate you. Free our spirits to be more gracious and merciful. Free us completely to be joyous people, obedient to your call to love, and ablaze with the love of Jesus. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Offering Our Gifts
Generosity is the heartbeat of every Christ-follower. Generous giving nourishes the soul and promotes goodness in the world. Your offering to God through Lansdale Church touches lives, heals brokenness, expresses trust in God to provide for your future, and praises God for all you have in this life. Thank you for giving generously! Send a text contribution to 73256 with the message LansdaleFirstUMC, or use the QR Code to donate electronically.
*Response Be Present at Our Table, Lord UMH 621
Great Thanksgiving for Lent
*The Lord’s Prayer See Screens
Receiving the Bread of Heaven and the Cup of Forgiveness
Prayer after Communion See Screens
*Hymn A Prophet-Woman Broke a Jar See Insert
*Blessing and Going in Peace to Serve
Postlude Jesus The Very Thought of Thee Powell
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Please join us for coffee, light refreshments, and fellowship in Stringer Auditorium immediately after worship this morning. Many thanks to New
Horizons Fellowship for hosting fellowship this morning.
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Interim Pastor's Weekly NotesSchedule: Tues. 12:00-4:00 p.m.; Wed. 3:00-9:00 p.m.; Thurs. 9:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
In worship today, we meet on the First Sunday in Lent. Lent is 46 days with the Sundays included, but oddly, they're not intended to be. The six Sundays in Lent function like oases in the wilderness that is Lent. Spiritual disciplines have the power to convert our hearts and minds to God when they don't become obsessive. The Sundays in Lent gives us six breaks from praying, fasting, studying, and serving to catch our breath. The Sundays are "little Easters" for feasting on the Word of Life and enjoying time at living the Christian life. Gather with family and friends--feast on love and friendship.
The Season in Lent includes the Annual Lenten Series with our friends from First Baptist Church. This week we'll be at FBC at 7:00 p.m. I'll have the privilege of being the speaker. The theme is The Cross that Changes You. I'm planning to use works of art to lead the gathering in considering the meaning of the suffering of Christ and our own experiences with suffering. We'll receive a weekly offering of money and supplies for Manna on Main Street. We also plan to serve a Sunday Brunch at Manna on March 22nd from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We need 6-12 servers! Join us. Kathy and I will be serving.
I met with the Worship Committee last week, and we made some decisions about Holy Week. This year, we'll break away from the norm and have two services during Holy Week: a 7:00 p.m. Last Supper service on Maundy Thursday and a 7:00 p.m. Service of Tenebrae on Good Friday. The Tenebrae Service of Jesus' final "seven words" from the cross will be a meditative hour of worship, culminating with leaving the sanctuary in utter silence. I'd be happy to involve readers that night. Step up and tell me you'd like to participate.
While I was away recently, I spent a fair amount of time thinking and praying about our church. I prayed and thought about its struggles with finances and difficulties maintaining a critical mass of people to provide a dynamic ministry of calling new disciples for Christ for the transformation of our ministry area and the world. To that end, when I last met with Pastor's Cabinet, I suggested we take a portion of a Sunday Service in Lent to present to you some pastoral feedback on my impressions of the place of our church along its lifecycle. I've chosen Sunday, March 29th. More details will follow. I ask you to be in prayer about this time together in discernment. As ever, I encourage you to be in prayer for each other, your new pastor, and me. Prayer is a resource that never runs out. Ask God specifically to grow our church, to help us find our way into the future, and to bless us with the resources we need to serve with joy and commitment. Have a blessed week.
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What’s Going On? March 1 – March 8
Sunday, March 1 9:00 a.m. Worship Service (Nursery Care – infants-age 3)10:00 a.m. Fellowship – Stringer Auditorium10:30 a.m. Sunday School12:00 p.m. Youth Group – Youth Room 6:30 p.m. Girl Scouts – New Horizons Room
Monday, March 212:00 p.m. AA – Hecker Room Tuesday, March 3 6:00 p.m. Daisy Scouts – Sunday School Rooms 7:00 p.m. GA – Hecker Room 7:00 p.m. Trustees – Conference Room
Wednesday, March 4 6:30 a.m. Men’s Bible Study – West Main Diner 9:30 a.m. Women’s Bible Study – Stringer Auditorium 7:00 p.m. Lenten Series Service – First Baptist Church of Lansdale Thursday, March 5 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir 7:00 p.m. NA – Hecker Room 7:00 p.m. Girl Scouts – Stringer Auditorium
Saturday, March 7 8:00 a.m. Tools for Ministry – Lehman Memorial UMC 7:00 p.m. NA – Hecker Room
Sunday, March 8 9:00 a.m. Worship Service (Nursery Care – infants-age 3)10:00 a.m. Fellowship – Stringer Auditorium10:30 a.m. Sunday School12:00 p.m. Youth Group – Youth Room 6:30 p.m. Girl Scouts – New Horizons Room
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Prayers
JOYS and CONCERNSHealing:
Jim FisherPete NollJane’s son, Shirley’s brother, Chuck, from ongoing medical issuesCarol for healing from a recent fall which also requires knee surgeryBecky’s great-nephew Rowan
Mike and Kendra and their newborn, premature twin daughtersHelen Foelker and her family on the loss of her husband, Harley “Turp”John and Claudia, long-time members of LUMC, for comfort as John deals with health issues and Claudia is his caregiverBecky’s stepdaughter Rachel and grandson ColeComfort for Salam and her family on the death of her sister-in-law in LebanonDylan, a premature infant,that he may grow and thriveVictims of the floods in Mississippi
Happy Birthday to You!
Jamie Bonner (3/5) Warren Shaedle (3/7)Kara Whitman (3/6) Glenn Yard (3/7)Christine Moses (3/7)
Happy Anniversary to You!
Geri & James Hare (3/5)
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We always pray for:Our pastor and his wife, Bill & Kathy LentzUnspoken requestsSafe travels for all those traveling Guidance and wisdom for church leadershipGuidance and wisdom for our government leadershipPeace to worship without fearAll those seeking shelterAll those affected by mental illnessAll affected by natural disastersAll men and women serving in our Armed Forces and their families
PRAYER CHAINContact Janet Harper at (267) 261-1197 if you’d like to add a joy or concern.
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FIRST TIME GUEST?WE’RE GLAD YOU’RE HERE!
Please be sure to introduce yourself to one of our ushers.
Bulletin Deadline isWednesday at 9:00 a.m.
Please have any announcements to Becky ([email protected]) by that time to be included in that week’s bulletin.
ALTAR FLOWERS If you would like to sponsor altar flowers, please contact Joan Johnson or Becky in the church office two weeks in advance.
Praising God . . . Making Disciples . . .
Serving AllOffice Hours:
Mon. – Thurs., 9 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.; Fri. 9 a.m.-11:30 [email protected] www.lansdaleumc.org
Youth Group meets each Sunday from 12:00–1:30 p.m. If you’re in grades 7 through 12, please join us for games, worship, fun lessons, and fellowship. Any questions, talk to Ian Bonner or Mike Richardson
BRING YOUR FRIENDS!!
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MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE! Chancel Choir rehearses on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.If you’re interested in joining the choir, speak to Rays or any choir member.
New singers are always welcome!
GOD’S YOUTH IN MOTION
Mission Emphasis for March – UMCOR Sunday(formerly One Great Hour of Sharing)
This month, we will support UMCOR Sunday. UMCOR lives out signs of Christ’s extravagant grace in the world by prayerfully working with communities that are overwhelmed by natural or man-made disasters. UMCOR builds on the strength of what is already available in a community and actively involves the people affected in recovery efforts. The special offering received on UMCOR Sunday (March 22) helps support the small but impactful UMCOR staff who are specialists in disaster response and recovery. Funds also ensure adequate training for emergency response coordinators, constructions volunteers, and case managers who assist victims of disasters, chain-saw gangs, and sheetrock installers.
To support this emphasis, make checks payable to “LUMC,” memo: “UMCOR Sunday.” Use your blue boxed or a yellow pew envelope. You may also give online through our website (www.lansdaleumc.org) or text LansdaleFirstUMC to 73256 to give your gift electronically.
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Wawa Shorti Hoagie Coupons are available year round. They are $4 each, and the UMW receives $1 from each coupon to help support their local and global missions. Order sheets are on the bulletin board or contact Maryellen Reinmiller at 215-913-1666.
Redner’s ReceiptsThe UMW is still collecting receipts from Redner’s. If you shop there, remember to scan your Redner’s card at checkout, then bring your entire receipt and put it in the container in the phone booth.
FellowshipPlease sign up on the bulletin board outside of Stringer to host fellowship. Thanks!
United Methodist Missionaries embody the presence of Christ in service both near and far away. Together in mission through LUMC's payment of apportionments to the World Service Fund, the General Board of Global Ministries deploys more than 400 missionaries to serve in more than 70 countries. Your generous offerings ensure the vital work of missionaries will continue as they share Christ's love around the world when people need it most!
Save the Date!Lansdale UMC will be hosting a Blood Drive on Thursday, March 12, from 2:00 – 7:00 p.m. Make your appointment by calling 1-800-733-2767 or visit RedCrossBlood.org and
enter Lansdale United Methodist Church. You can also sign up in the narthex with Mary Noll after worship this morning.
Adult Dine-AroundThere will NOT be an Adult Dine-Around in March. Join us as we welcome Spring on Thursday, April 2, at 11:30 a.m. at The Smokehouse Tavern, 155 Pennbrook Parkway, Lansdale (in the Station Square Shopping Center). Please sign up on the bulletin board outside of Stringer. If you have any questions, please call Marlene Ney at 215-822-8067.
UMW Clothing CollectionThe East District of the EPA Conference of the United Methodist Women will have their Ingathering Meeting this spring. The LUMC UMW is collecting new clothing for men, women and children. There is a marked box outside of Stringer for your donations. Questions? Contact Marilyn Snyder at 215-393-5583. Thank you very much for your support.
This Week in Sunday School
After sharing in fellowship, please join us in one of our adult Sunday school classes at 10:30. Bring your coffee with you!
Verge! will resume after Easter.
New Horizons Class will begin a study of The Walk-Five Essential Practices of the Christian Life by Adam Hamilton this morning
Upper Room Class will return to the Adam Hamilton study of John this morning
Wesleyan Class will begin our Lenten study, “The Women Who Knew,” an exploration of the seven prophetesses in Hebrew history. Each session will include a video followed by discussion and reflection. All are welcome.
Children’s Sunday School is continuing our rotation about Moses – “Into the Wilderness.”
March 1 - StorytellingMarch 8 – Cooking
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Combined Sunday School – March 8
We will be having a combined Sunday school on March 8 in Stringer Auditorium. Our speaker is Connie Damon. She will be making a presentation for our Lenten Mission Project. She is a member of Jarrettown UMC and a friend of Becky Conrad’s. She is very involved with Living Hope School in Kenya. We will be raising money to help support this school. This is also a UMC initiative. She has just returned from a trip and will be sharing with us about the school and the mission. Should be a wonderful morning.
Lent
As in years past, we will be participating in a series of Wednesday Evening Lenten Services with First Baptist Church of Lansdale. We are hosting the upcoming services on March 11 and March 25. As in the past, we will provide refreshments for the services that we are hosting. If you would like to serve our community at these services by helping with this hospitality, please contact Luann Ingram or Becky in the church office or simply sign up on the bulletin board outside of Stringer. Thanks in advance for your service!!
Below is the schedule of Lenten services:
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2020 Community Lenten Services ScheduleWednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
“The Cross that Changes You!”
Date Church SpeakerMarch 4 First Baptist Pastor Bill Lentz
March 11 Lansdale UMC Pastor Chris HamiltonMarch 18 First Baptist Pastor Bill LentzMarch 25 Lansdale UMC Diane Wetherill
April 1 First Baptist Pastor Bill Lentz
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Sermon Notes
During a simple fellowship meal, Jesus' death became real. Jesus and his disciples met in a former leper's home in the village of Bethany. Jesus’ presence there, rather than in Jerusalem, is revealing. Jesus separated himself from the corrupt Temple culture and its leaders. Jesus preferred to sit at a table with social outcasts and undesirable people. Leaders of that time prevented people with certain illnesses from community worship. Acting as a worship leader, a woman with ointment performed a ritual gesture of hospitality as well as a prophetic witness of preparation toward Jesus, sparking the disciples’ anger and precipitating a conflict of values. Jesus resolved the dispute by sharing a prediction of his death and extolling the depth of the woman’s virtuous act of love.
Here’s How to Contact Our Interim Pastor and Staff
Interim Pastor – Bill Lentz [email protected] Assistant – Becky Conrad [email protected] of Music Ministry – Rays Koshy [email protected] – Ruth Rineer [email protected]’s Education Director - Liz Bonner [email protected] Beginnings Nursery School Dir. – Liz Bonner [email protected] Director – Donna Fritz [email protected] Directors– Ian Bonner and Mike Richardson [email protected] – Bill Scheetz [email protected]
Emergency Contact – Pastor Bill – 484-767-2352Church Office Contact – 215-855-8364
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