September 2, 2012
14thSunday after Pentecost
Communion Sunday - Baptism Sunday
GATHERING & WELCOME (Please sign the red pad in the pews.)
*MUSIC OF PREPARATION“Brethren, We Have Met to Worship”
*CALL TO WORSHIP
L:The voice of God calls: “Arise, my fair one, and come away.”
P: Love comes to us with joy, beckoning us to leave behind the winter of our lives.
L: The voice of God calls: “Smell the flowers, taste the fruit of the vine.”
P: Oils of gladness fill our senses with peace and contentment. Beautiful instruments sound with your glory.
L: The voice of God calls: “Arise, my fair one, and come away.”
P: Love comes to us this morning.
*HYMN OF PRAISE No. 140“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
*OPENING PRAYER
Bountiful God, your presence stirs the heart like oils of gladness – sweet-smelling frankincense, sandalwood, myrrh, and pungent cassia; your voice delights the mind like the fragrance of wild flowers and the blossoms of spring. As the fruit of the vine gladdens our hearts, so your call gladdens our spirits. Call us to you once more, that we may hearken to the voice of our beloved. Amen
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM (10:45)
BAPTISMAL COVENANT II (page 39)
CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
We give thanks for all that God has already given you and we welcome you in Christian love. As members together with you in the body of Christ and in this congregation of The United Methodist Church, we renew our covenant faithfully to participate in the ministries of the Church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
SCRIPTURE READINGJames 1:17-27
MOMENTS OF INFORMALITY
THE MISSION AND MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH
*PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
L: The Peace of Christ be with you.
P: And also with you
L: Please pass the Peace of Christ to your neighbor.
CHILDREN’S MOMENTS (Hymn No. 2233“Where Children Belong”)
At this time the children may leave for “Kids Own Worship” on the Mezzanine level.
ANTHEM“Blessing”
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYER & 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, for thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. AMEN
PRESENTATION OF GOD’S TITHES AND OUR OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY “The Lord Is My Shepherd”
*DOXOLOGY (tune – “Lord of the Dance”)
“For the gift of creation, for the gift of your love,
And the gift of the Spirit by which we live,
We thank you and give you the fruit of our hands.
May your grace be proclaimed by the gifts that we give.” Amen
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION AND THANKS
Loving God, as we offer these gifts to you this morning, we pray that not only these tokens but our lives in their totality might be seen as generous acts of giving – reflecting you as the source of all good things. May we be doers of your word and not just hearers, and may the lives we live as we leave this place this morning be a testimony and sermon about your love, grace, and compassion for all your children. We pray this in the name of your Son who lived among us as your gift of love; in Christ’s name, we pray. Amen. (James 1:17-27)
*HYMN No. 408“The Gift of Love”
SERMON SCRIPTUREMark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
SERMON
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION II
THE INVITATION
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
SACRAMENT – (All are welcome. Please follow the directions of the ushers.)
*HYMN OF PARTING No. 614“For the Bread Which You Have Broken”
*BENEDICTION
*MUSIC OF PARTING“Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty”
*Those who are able, please stand.
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OUR DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONALS are available on the narthex table in the plastic display case- please take one and/or give one to a friend. We order 30 every 3 months and there are always some to discard. If you are having trouble finding the free devotional, ask an usher they will direct you. Enjoy!
THIS WEEK AT OUR CHURCH
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CHURCH BUILDING AND OFFICE CLOSED: Please note that due to the Labor Day holiday, the church building and office will be closed tomorrow, September 3rd.
Have a safe holiday!
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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CHILDREN’S OFFERING: The children’s offering the next two weeks will benefit the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund (PDF). This fund is used by our pastor to assist members of our church and community who experience financial difficulties. This past month the PDF has been used to assist several children in our community with school clothes and supplies. Any donations you can give to the PDF will be greatly appreciated.
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ROTARY BACKPACK PROGRAM: Total collected in the children’s offering during the month of August was $891.04.
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NEW WOMEN'S BOOK STUDY GROUP STARTING THIS FALL! Starting Wednesday September 5th, we will begin a group for study, fellowship, and compassion as Christian women sharing in a journey of faith.
We will start by studying the book of James through an 8 session DVD series by Beth Moore "James: Mercy Triumphs". Topics in this study include: joy, hardship, faith, reversal of fortunes for rich and poor, wisdom, gifts from above, single-mindedness, the dangers of the tongue, humility, and prayer.
This group will meet every-other Wednesday evening starting Sept 5th, 7-8:30pm, fellowship time followed by ~ 1 hour video sessions. There is an additional workbook, as a supplement for those who want to dive deeper beyond the class.
If you are interested to join or have any questions, please contact the church office.
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SOLES 4 SOULS IS BACK!
Beginning Sunday, September 2, 2012 through Sunday, October 7, 2012, new and gently used shoes of all sizes will be collected. Soles 4 Souls is a USA based organization that provides shoes in disaster relief and for the general need of people without shoes. Any color, style or size of shoe is acceptable.
Shoes can be left in the Narthex under the Soles 4 Souls sign. Financial contributions are also acceptable and can be given to the office with the designation to Soles 4 Souls. Thank you for supporting this worth while mission.
The Outreach Committee.
The children’s offering September 16th, 23rd & 30th will be used to purchase additional shoes for Soles 4 Souls.
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“THE UPPER ROOM”: The September/October issue of the Upper Room is now available. You can read inspiring stories from Christians around the world, scriptures, and prayers that will help guide you through your day. Both small and large print copies are available. Pick one up in the Narthex today.
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DIAPERS: From time to time we get requests from families that they need baby diapers. While we like to keep various sizes in our pantry, there seems to be a special need for sizes 4 and 5. Store brand diapers such as Target, WalMart, Giant Eagle, etc., are good. If you can purchase diapers from time to time and drop them off by the office door, we will make sure they get to the families in need. Thank you.
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United Methodist Women’s
ALL SEASONS BAZAAR
Saturday, November 3rd!
CRAFTERS NEEDED! We’re asking for crafters for the annual United Methodist Women’s All Seasons Bazaar on Saturday, November 3rd! If you know of someone, or are a crafter yourself, please call the office to reserve a table. Donations of crafts for the UM Women's table will be greatly appreciated. You can also help us by planning now what you could make for the Bake Sale table.Then, when you get a call in October, you can say"Yes, I know what I can make." Thanks for all your help. Alice
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BABY CLOTHES: We have recently received a request from a family who is in need of clothing for their child. We are hoping to collect some new or gently used clothing sizes 2T – 3T to help this familythrough the fall and winter seasons. If you can help, or for more information, please contact the church office.
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FISH & CHIPS CADDIE SHAK DAY TRIP
AND KICK-OFF EVENT!
Sunday September 9th, meet at Irwin First UMC 2:00 pm
3 hours of unlimited go-karts, mini-golf, bumper boats etc. With devotional following. Return ~7:30 pm
Cost $20 per youth plus any spending money for snacks/arcade games as needed
both FISH (8-12th grade) & CHIPS(5-7th grade) are invited - bring a friend..or 2.. or 3!
RSVP to Jack ASAP so we make sure to have enough drivers!
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FALL CLEANING! We have started to organize and clean the pantry to have unified and matching products (plates, cups, plastic-ware, etc) available for all church groups to use. In the meantime, we have a lot of odds and ends or just mixed-matched cups, plastic-ware, bowls, plates, food products, etc. that need to find a home. This is a great time to get ready for Sunday school or your group for the fall! Please come check out the tables and take whatever you intend to use. We will no longer be storing all the random odds and ends in the pantry. These tables will be set up again this week for people to look over and then will be redistributed as appropriate - stop by if you want something!
Thanks!
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HEARTS TO GOD; HANDS TO WORK
Our next dedication is scheduled for September 16, 2012 for both services. Please bring your prayer shawls to the Altar rail prior to Sunday service for dedication. See Leanne or Cindi to obtain the prayer card for attachment. After the dedication, anyone who wants, or needs a prayer shawl, please take one to your loved one.
Other ministry items to be dedicated may include: baby blankets, preemie and infant hats and baby sweaters. Please bring these items to the altar rail for dedication also. Nancy will then mail these baby items to her daughter, Kathleen at the hospital where she serves.
Last but not least … Hearts to God; Hands to Work Sunday school class will be resuming for the Fall for the first Sunday in September. We meet in the Little Parlor off the Adult Sunday school Room for Sunday school at 9:30. We are a small, casual and caring group. All are welcomed to come and join. We offer patterns for Prayer Shawls and knitting and crocheting instructions are available too! Our concerns are caring for our Church Family through the ministry the best way we are able with Christ as our Leader. Come and visit and see what we are about.
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FISH & CHIPS Announcements!
Fall and the start of school are fast upon us! There will be some changes for youth group this year. Our first day of youth group will be on Sunday September 9th! We will now be meeting on Sunday evenings and separating the age groups. CHIPS will be for grades 5-7th meeting 6:15-7pm and FISH will be for grades 8-12th meeting 7:30-8:30pm. There will be a hangout/fellowship time from 7-7:30 for all youth.
Greensburg district youth meetings will be held the first Sunday of each month at local churches. During these Sundays the evening FISH & CHIPS groups will be combined. The first district youth meeting will be held August 26th at Westmoreland Mall 2:30 – meeting at the church 2pm for all who wish to attend.
Jack will have a schedule for the youth for the fall in the next week or so for upcoming events! Please contact Jack Tickle if you have any questions @724-448-4934 or .
Keep our youth and leaders in your prayers for this upcoming school year!
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:30-31.
SUNDAY SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS
The Sunday School Department is looking for volunteers who would like to be on our substitute list. We have excellent Sunday School Teachers who are dedicated to the children and are here every Sunday. But, every once and a while, an emergency or an event comes up and we do need a substitute. All the information will be given to you so there is no worries of coming up with a lesson. If you think you would be interested please fill out the following sheet and return it to the office or in the offering plate.
If you have any questions you may call the church office.
Yes I am interested and I marked the following grades I would like to sub teach.
Name: ______
Phone: ______
Email: ______
Sunday School meets 9:30 – 10:30 AM
_____ Toddler Class (ages 2 – 4)
_____ Pre K – Kindergarten
_____ 1st & 2nd Grade
_____ 3rd & 4th Grade
_____ 5th, 6th, & 7th Grade
_____ 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th Grades
_____ 12th Grade
_____ Adult Class