Weekly Church Bulletin
March 8, 2020 2nd Sunday in Lent
Prelude – “God’s Love is Forever” Koury
*Opening Hymn –“O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” UMH 57
*Call to Worship
Deep echoes of the soul,
Voices of silence,
Inner nudges,
Persistent longing.
It is the call of God,
The pull of Lent,
The season of reflection,
The yearning for springtime joy,
The thirst for living water,
The desire for new life.
Choral Introit – “You Are My All in All” Jernigan/arr. Moon
Prayer of Confession
Holy God, Lord of history and our lives, we confess that we sometimes doubt your ability to work in the world, sometimes wonder where you are and sometimes doubt that anything good could happen. We are short of hope, tired of doing good and skeptical of miracles. Amazing God, as we travel through Lent, let our trust deepen in your promises and let our eyes be opened to the unexpected signs of your love and grace. God of our lives and all of history, ready our hearts and minds to see your new dawn in all of life. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Silent Prayer
Call to Prayer
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us continue to pray.
Pastoral Prayer/Lord’s Prayer
Anthem – “John 3:16” Hill/arr. Marion
Children’s Time
*Responsive Reading – Psalm 121 (response #3) UMH 844
Offertory – “Meditation” Helman
*Presentation of Gifts with Doxology UMH 95
*Hymn – “O How He Loves You and Me” FWS 2108
(Sunday School Students and Teachers leave)
Old Testament Reading – Genesis 12: 1-4a ** (page 9)
Gospel Reading – John 3: 1-17 ** (page 88)
Sermon – “I Think I See What You Mean”
*Closing Hymn – “Lift High the Cross” UMH 159
Announcements
Benediction
Benediction Response – “El Shaddai” Card/Thompson
Postlude – “God of Majesty and Hope” Miller
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*Those who are able please stand.
**After each scripture reading please respond, “Thanks be to God”
We extend a warm greeting to all who worship here today. We especially greet those persons who are visitors.
The Flowers on the altar this morning are given to the Glory of God by Donna Cooper in memory of Nana Hornbrook and in celebration of the birthday of her brother, Richard Knight.
Today – Celebration Ringers and Singers
Lay Reader – Andi Hoff
Server: - Preston Willett
Ushers: - Elaine McIlvenna, Michael Cerullo
Minister of Music – Karen Leonard
Pastor – Reverend Mack Hagins
UMH refers to The United Methodist Hymnal (blue book)
FWS refers to The Faith We Sing (black book)
WS refers to Worship and Song (green book)
THIS WEEK AT WEST CHELMSFORD UMC
Sunday, March 8th – 2nd Sunday of Lent
9:30am – Worship Service, Nursery Care, Sunday School
10:30am – Coffee Hour 11:00 am – Celebration Ringers
12:00pm – Celebration Singers 1:30pm - MVR
4:30pm – Boy Scout Leadership 6:30pm – Sr. MYF
Monday – 4:00pm – Girl Scout Troop # 85000 7:30pm – AA
7:30pm – Boy Scouts 7:30pm – Trustees
7:30pm – Church Growth and Stewardship Focus Group
Tuesday – 7:00pm – Missions 7:30pm – Finance Committee
7:30pm – Vacation Bible Camp Planning Mtg
Wednesday – 5:30pm – Tiger Cub Den Mtg. 6:00pm – Lenten Dinner
7:30pm – Festival Ringers
Thursday – 6:30pm – Carol Choir 7:30 – Sr. Choir
Friday – 7:00pm – Bear Den #4 Mtg. 7:00pm – Wolf Den Mtg.
Saturday – 1:00pm – Children’s Musical Rehearsal
Sunday, March 15th – 3rd Sunday of Lent
9:30am – Worship Service, Nursery Care
Ongoing Prayer Requests:
Victims of violence of all kinds
Victims of racism, sexism, homophobia, religious intolerance
Items for the church bulletin insert are due in the church office by Wednesday morning. April 2020 Newsletter articles are due on Monday, March 16th
Encounters at the Cross: As we journey through Lent, the altar will reflect the stories and lessons from the Old and New Testaments that will help to augment our personal relationship with Christ. On this second Sunday of Lent, purple, the color of power, is draped on the cross to represent Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a person of power and authority who came to Jesus to ask about the kingdom. He was confused by Jesus' answers but did not give up seeking knowledge. From this lesson comes one of the most familiar scripture passages. John 3: 16-17. The globe, with people around it, represent the descendants of Abram, as God said, “…by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves.” Genesis 12: 3.
The Anti-Racism and Racial Justice Committee is pleased to establish a library section located in the bookcase in the vestry. Included are writings by African-American authors: novels, short stories, autobiographies, poetry,
devotional, etc. Commentaries, analytical books, history, workbooks are included by authors of all backgrounds. When borrowing, please enter it in notebook provided on the shelf.
Celebration of Music Will Be a Community Event This Year - The Celebration of Music program this year will be on Saturday, March 28 at 3:00 p.m. As part of our Church Growth Action Plan we decided to have more events to which we can invite the broader community. With that in mind we are taking the Celebration of Music program and making it an event for the public, as well as for our own congregation. We are advertising it in a variety of media in our area. The music program will be followed by refreshments. During the refreshment time various groups in our church will be prepared to welcome visitors and help them know more about the many ministries and programs of our church. I hope many from our congregation and from our community will be present for this good program. – Rev. Mack
Divine Readers – The next meeting is on Monday, March 30th at 7:00pm. This month we will be reading “Killing Jesus” by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard. There are several copies at the Westford Library. If you would like to share in fellowship and discuss some faith based fiction/non-fiction book, come join us. All are welcome, no long term commitments. Contact Cathy Order at 978-692-8206 or email orderc@verizon.net with any questions.
The Knitting/Crocheting group will meet the fourth Thursday of every month from 6:30-8:30pm. Bring your latest projects and/or questions and share in fellowship. No sign ups, come to one or both sessions. If you have any questions about the groups, contact Cathy Order at 978-692-8206 or email orderc@verizon.net.
Easter is April 12th – Look for the Easter Flower poster in the entryway to the church and sign up. There’s a limited number as the flowers have been pre-ordered. If you have any questions, please contact Diana Bard at 978-692-7668.
White lilies (double stem) - $14 per pot
8” pot of Tulips - $13
6” pot of Mums (yellow or orchid colored) - $11
Make your choice to help beautify our church for Easter. If you want your flowers to go to a shut-in or nursing home, please let Diana know.
Listening Sessions on LGBT Inclusion Planned – As many of you know, our congregation is planning a series of listening and learning sessions in March and April around LGBT inclusion and the United Methodist Church. Everyone is encouraged to participate. Sign-up sheets are posted today for the first week of sessions, which will begin on March 15th (The content of the sessions in a given week will be identical except for the date and time.).
Calendar for Listening Sessions on LGBT Inclusion Issue
Week 1:
Sunday, March 15 – after worship
Tuesday, March 17 – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 19 – 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 22 – 6:30 p.m. (youth and young adults)
Week 2:
Sunday, March 29 – after worship
Tuesday, March 31 – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 2 – 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 5 – 6:30 p.m. (youth and young adults)
Week 3:
Sunday, April 19 – after worship
Sunday, April 19 – 6:30 p.m. (youth and young adults)
Tuesday, April 21 – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 23 – 1:00 p.m.
Week 4
Sunday, April 26 – after worship
Tuesday, April 28 – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 30 – 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 3 – 6:30 p.m. (youth and young adults)
Lost and Found - There are a number of items in the Lost and Found in the Church Office. If you are missing a hat or gloves, stop by the office and take a look.
