September 15, 2013
Sunday School Kick-off
WORSHIP HOST: 8:15 – Nellie Brown10:45 –The Halza Family
GATHERING & WELCOME (Please sign the red pad in the pews.)
BRINGING IN THE LIGHT
MUSIC OF PREPARATION“You Are My King”
*CALL TO WORSHIP
L:Fools say in their hearts, “there is no God.”
P: We proclaim that God’s presence is real and alive and thriving!
L:Evildoers declare through their actions, “We go through life alone.”
P: But we see God’s grace, faithfulness, and steadfast love in our lives and in the world around us.
L:Praise be to god!
*HYMN OF PRAISE No. 103“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”
RESPONSIVE READING No. 746Psalm 14
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH No. 886“The World Methodist Social Affirmation”
UNISON PRAYER
O God of heaven and earth, look upon us now with mercy and grace. Enter our hearts and make us holy. Be our Shepherd, and guide us in your ways, that we may no longer wander alone. Hear our cries, and gather us to yourself, that we may be one with each other through the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen
MOMENTS OF INFORMALITY
THE MISSION AND MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH
THE WORK 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
ANTHEM 10:45 “The First Song of Isaiah”– Chancel Choir
Congregation is asked to join in singing the refrain No. 2030 (TFWS)
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“Blessed and Worthy”
*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
God of endless patience and timeless wisdom, as we give our offering this morning, we remember that you seek after us as we would seek after a rare and valuable coin, or as a shepherd would seek after a lost sheep. May our giving reflect our knowledge of how important we are to you, but also how we value our relationship with you. More than sharing our money, may we give our whole selves to help others know of your grace and never-failing love. In the name of Christ, our rock and redeemer. Amen.
*HYMN No. 365“Grace Greater than Our Sin”
SERMON SCRIPTURE 1 Timothy 1:12-17
SERMON
*HYMN OF PARTING “AMAZING GRACE (MY CHAINS ARE GONE)”
1. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.
2. ‘Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear, and Grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear, the hour I first believed
My chains are gone. I’ve been set free.
My God and Savior has ransomed me.
And like a flood His mercy reigns,
Unending love, Amazing Grace.
3. The Lord has promised good to me. His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.
My chains are gone. I’ve been set free.
My God and Savior has ransomed me.
And like a flood His mercy reigns,
Unending love, Amazing Grace.
My chains are gone. I’ve been set free.
My God and Savior has ransomed me.
And like a flood His mercy reigns,
Unending love, Amazing Grace.
4. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine.
But God who called me here below will be forever mine,
Will be forever mine, You are forever mine.
WORDS: John Newton (sts.), refrain by Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio. MUSIC: Traditional American melody: refrain and arr. by Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio Refrain and arr. © 2006 worshiptogether.com Songs/sixsteps Music (ASCAP), Vamos Publishing (ASCAP). Admin. at EMICMGPublishing.com. Used by permission. CCLI license #1584024
*BENEDICTION
MUSIC OF PARTING“Morning Fanfare”
*Those who are able, please stand
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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CHILDREN’S COLLECTIONS: This week our children’s collection will be sent to the “Imagine No Malaria” program set up by the United Methodist Church.
Every 60 seconds, malaria claims a life in Africa. Millions of lives, needlessly lost each year. A continent. Entire nations…slipping away. Slipping through life’s precious net. Unless you hear the buzzing inside you.
Imagine No Malaria is an extraordinary effort of the people of The United Methodist Church, putting our faith into action to end preventable deaths by malaria in Africa, especially the death of a child or a mother.
Achieving this goal requires an integrated strategy against the disease. As a life-saving ministry, Imagine No Malaria aims to empower the people of Africa to overcome malaria’s burden. We fight malaria with a comprehensive model.
To learn more about the Imagine No Malaria program, go to
Project Happy Feet – 9/1/2013 – $170.249/8/2013 - $156.59
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THIS WEEK AT OUR CHURCH
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MEN’S WORK TEAM:Some of the men meet almost every Tuesday morning to do various maintenance jobs around the church. If you have some free time why not stop in and help them? There’s always something to do and when the work is done, they serve a great lunch to the helpers!
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CUSTODIAN POSITION: There is an immediate opening at Irwin First United Methodist Church for a day custodian for approximately 25 hours a week. A full job description, application, and clearance forms are available in the church office. Applications should be addressed to the SPRC of the church.
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Lights! Camera! Action! Murder? The Outreach committee is planningamurder mystery play and dinner for October. The play is entitled Suspect Hollywood and during the auditions for the blockbuster hit, The Perils of the Prodigal Son, someone gets murdered.
Wewantyour help, so we're putting out a casting call for a total of nine actors. We need 4 male, 3 female and 2 either male or female roles. No experience necessary.
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YOUTH NEWS
MORE THAN DODGEBALL!Why do you come to youth group? Is it because your friends do? Or because you like the games we play? Or maybe you don’t know why you do, you just always have.
Today, September 15th we will be starting a series called, More than Dodgeball. In this series we will discuss how youth group can be a place that is more than a place to meet new friends or play games; it is a place where we can truly experience God!
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LEADERS WANTED!
We are looking for a few adults to help lead Fish – N- Chips. If you are interested in serving in our student ministry, please contact Zaq.
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SAFE SANCTUARIESTRAINING:There will be a training event at the Port Vue United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 21st from 9 until 12 noon. This will provide with you the materials and resources to remain compliant with our Annual Conference Safe Sanctuary policy and helps to ensure that you are following guidelines as established by certain insurance companies. Churches are encouraged to write safe sanctuary policies into their own guidelines, as well.
Conference policy states that every pastor should be current and that any church member that has consistent contact with children should be trained as well as to have current Act 33/34 clearances. The clearances must be renewed every five years.
Please register through the District Office in order that we can ensure that we have enough resources. Email address is or 724-863-5673. Registration deadline is Thursday, September 19, 2013. A flyer is attached.
This training is critical if you have not been to a training event within the last two years as well as your staff and volunteers who are new to your children and youth ministries and other staff and volunteers.
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Meals on Wheels: The September 19, 3013 Applebee’s “Dining to Donate” flyers are on the bulletin board by the parking lot entrance. If you are planning to dine at Applebee’s on September 19th please take one of the flyers with you and give it to your server. 15% of your bill will be donated to the Norwin Area Meals on Wheels program.
The Meals on Wheels program helps feed the shut-in in our area. For more information, pick up one of their brochures (located with the “Dining to Donate” flyers), call 724-861-9202, or go to their website at
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Take a step closer to God by joining us for Sunday School! Classes for all ages start Sun. Sept. 15th, 9:30-10:30 am.
(One week later than our normal Sun. school start to allow teachers to attend Women’s retreat on 9/7,8)
Youth Sunday School
Toddler & PreK – Gym balcony level
Our 2-4 year olds have a great time in this class. Includes Bible stories, crafts, & games. Parents are welcome to stay. Potty training not required.
Elementary – PreK5 thru 5th Grade – Gym balcony level
Kids meet in center room for an opening of upbeat songs, prayer, & trip to juice center. Kids move to age group classes featuring Group’s “Hands on Bible Curriculum” (same as our VBS) featuring interactive Bible stories, games, & crafts.
Middle School School – 6th, 7th, & 8th Grades – Church top floor
Cokesbury material going thru the Bible with stories, games, & current topics. Students vote on extra intro material which includes how current song lyrics stack up to the Bible; decision-making; spotting the 10 Commandments in action today; etc.
High School – 9th – 12th Grades – Church top floor
Venture thru the Bible discussing the meaning & how it applies to our life today.
Adult Sunday School Classes
Harvesters – Gym Level, right side Kiwanis room
Class starts with prayer time followed by a lesson using a variety of materials: DVDs, books, etc. Lively discussion, great fellowship, & prayer.
BYKOTA (Be Ye Kind One to Another) – Parlor, Year Round
Join anytime! Studying the series, “Journeying through the Bible” interspersed with special series.
Hearts to God; Hands to Work – Small parlor next to Pastor’s office
All are welcome to this small, casual, caring group! Patterns for prayer shawls & knitting/crocheting instructions available. Caring for our church family with Christ as our leader. Questions, please see
Weekday/Night Bible Studies
Women’s Bible Study – Meets every 2nd Wed. at 10 am Sept. thru May. Studying Women in the Bible and how they relate to us.
Women’s Book Study Group – Starts Wed. Sept. 25th at 7-8:30 pm (every other Wed.)
Disciple III Bible Study – Thurs Evenings starting Sept. 5th, Sept. thru May.
Learn more about the Bible by reading & discussing Genesis thru Revelations a bit at a time! All welcome (even if you have not taken Disciple I, II) Class is taught by our Pastor David Lake. Call Pastor David at 724-863-6858 for more info.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST
JOIN THE OUTREACH COMMITTEE
FOR BREAKFAST !
SEPTEMBER 15, 2013
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
FREE-WILL DONATIONS ACCEPTED TO
SUPPORT OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
Thank you for supporting activities such as Love Gifts, Military Birthdays, Easter Baskets, Thanksgiving Baskets, Angel Tree, Operation Reindeer, Christmas Baskets, Soles 4 Souls, Race For Grace, Charity Donations, Relief Efforts, and Many Outreach Programs!
OUTREACH COMMITTEE PRESENTS…
“SUSPECT HOLLYWOOD”
MYSTERY DINNER!
SAVE THE DATE!
SATURDAY
OCTOBER 5, 2013
CHURCH GYM
CHURCH CHICKEN DINNER!
$15 PER PERSON
$25 PER COUPLE
ACTORS AND ACTRESSES NEEDED!
(MINIMAL LINES TO PREPARE)
PLEASE CONTACT KRISTA BROWN
OR BERNIE JOHNSTON TO ACT!
LOOK FOR UPCOMING DETAILS IN THE NARTHEX!