La Plata United Methodist Church
Consecration Sunday
November 16, 2014
Café Worship (8:30)
Gathering Music
Andrew McCormick
(Get your coffee, food and mingle)
Welcome (Finding our places)
Mike Blakeley
Thoughts for Centering on Today’s Worship Theme
Please stand, if able
Opening Prayer (Together)
Our dear heavenly Father, we come before you this day,
grateful for all our blessings. You have provided us with all
that we need and all that we have. You have given us skills
and abilities, and places to use them. You have helped us find
jobs and careers, and you have given us partners and families
to help us create a household economy. Lord, we desire to
express our gratitude to you for all these blessings. Enable us
to trust you for the future, so we can be faithful in the
present; through Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Greeting Each Other in the Name of Christ
Please be seated
Announcements & Invitations
Sharing Our Week: Blessings & Trials
Time of Prayer:
Silent Prayers
Pastoral Prayer
Lord’s Prayer (Together)
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.
“Reload” - 2 Minute Coffee Break
Please be seated
Scriptures for the Day
See pages 6 & 7
Old Testament Lesson:
Judges 4:1-7
The Gospel Lesson:
Matthew 25:14-30
The Message
Rev. Bruce A. Jones
“Hasn’t the Lord Issued You a Command?”
Please stand, if able
Consecration of Our Promises
Prayer of Dedication (Together)
Generous and Loving God, we present these gifts
and commitments upon your altar. We know that
you are the source of all goodness, all blessing, and
all that we need. We intend to be faithful in the
giving of these resources trusting in your
dependable mercy and care. Help us to bless each
other, and serve our neighbors with these gifts. We
ask all this in the name of Jesus who gave his
everything to us and for us. Amen.
Departure Music
Andrew McCormick
Today's 8:30 Service Prayer Partner is Jeanette Tull.
Traditional Worship (11:00)
*You may leave your cell phones ON, but set to vibrate or silent, please*
Prayer Before Worship
Gracious God; you have given us all that we have, and we
dedicate everything we have to you. We give you our lives, our
hearts, our goods, our material possessions for everything is
yours to give or to take. Help us to always remember from
whence everything comes. Amen.
Prelude, Lighting the Altar Candles,
& A Time of Quiet Meditation
Linda Dent Mitchell
When the Prayer Before Worship has finished and the Prelude
begins, please quiet yourselves in preparation for worship.
Introit:
“Resounding Joy”
Carillon Choir
Please stand, if able
Call to Worship (together)
from Psalm 123
I raise my eyes to you – you who rule heaven.
Just as they eyes of servants attend to their masters’ hand,
just as the eyes of female servants attend to her mistress’
hand – that’s how our eyes attend to the Lord our God until
he has mercy on us.
He mercy on us, Lord! Have mercy because we’ve had more than
enough shame.
We’ve had more than enough mockery from the selfconfident, more than enough shame from the proud.
Opening Hymn
UM Hymnal, 413
“A Charge to Keep I Have”
Invocation (Together)
Almighty and everlasting God; we fall on our faces before you
in worship and in awe. You have called us by name. You have
summoned us to be your representatives, your advocates so that
we may accomplish your will. As you called Abraham and
Moses, as you called David and Esther, you are calling us to
respond to your assignment, and to move forward with faith
and courage. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, Lord, so that we may
do all that you have called us to do; in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Passing the Peace
The Peace of the Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us greet our neighbors and extend God’s peace to each other.
Please be seated
Children’s Moment
Jennifer Long
Welcome, News & Opportunities
Anthem:
Carillon Choir
“Bell Peal on Ellacomb”
The Old Testament Lesson
Judges 4:1-7
Hasn’t the Lord issued a command
See page 6
The Offertory:
Carillon Choir
“Let All Things Now Living”
Please stand
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
The Faith We Sing, 2172
“We Are Called”
The Gospel Lesson
Matthew 25:14-30
This is the word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
Parable of the Talents
See page 7
Please be seated
The Message
Rev. Bruce A. Jones
“Hasn’t the Lord Issued You a Command?”
Please stand
Hymns of Consecration
“What Gift Can We Bring”
“Take My Life, and Let it Be”
UM Hymnal, 87
UM Hymnal, 399
Prayer of Dedication (Together)
Generous and Loving God, we present these gifts and
commitments upon your altar. We know that you are the source
of all goodness, all blessing, and all that we need. We intend to
be faithful in the giving of these resources trusting in your
dependable mercy and care. Help us to bless each other, and
serve our neighbors with these gifts. We ask all this in the name
of Jesus who gave his everything to us and for us. Amen.
Congregational Response
The Faith We Sing, 2080
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
† Among the top 50 Favorite Hymns of 2014
The Flowers on the Altar are given to the glory of God
and in honor of their 45th Wedding Anniversary
by Al & Nancy Turner.
Acolyte: Allison & Kaitlyn Sayers; Liturgist: Ed Chance
Organist: Linda Dent Mitchell
Carillon Choir Director - Cheryl Reckeweg
Service Prayer Partner - Marilynne Landweer
The Scripture Lessons
Judges 4:1-7 (CEB)
After Ehud had died, the Israelites again did things that the
Lord saw as evil. So the Lord gave them over to King Jabin of
Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was
Sisera, and he was stationed in Harosheth-ha-goiim. The
Israelites cried out to the Lord because Sisera had nine hundred
iron chariots and had oppressed the Israelites cruelly for twenty
years.
Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was a leader
of Israel at that time. She would sit under Deborah’s palm tree
between Ramah and Bethel in the Ephraim highlands, and the
Israelites would come to her to settle disputes. She sent word to
Barak, Abinoam’s son, from Kedesh in Naphtali and she said to
him, “Hasn’t the Lord, Israel’s God, issued you a command? ‘Go
and assemble at Mt. Tabor, taking ten thousand men from the
people of Naphtali and Zebulun with you. I’ll lure Sisera, the
commander of Jabin’s army, to assemble with his chariots and
troops against you at the Kishon River, and then I’ll help you
overpower him.’”
Matthew 25:14-30 (NIV)
“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his
servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of
gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to
his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five
bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five
bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But
the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground
and hid his master's money.
“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled
accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold
brought the other five. ‘Master,' he said, ‘you entrusted me with five
bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.'
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have
been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.
Come and share your master's happiness!'
“The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,' he said, ‘you
entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.'
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have
been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.
Come and share your master's happiness!'
“Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,' he
said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not
sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid
and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what
belongs to you.'
“His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I
harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered
seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the
bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with
interest.
“ ‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has
ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an
abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken
from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness,
where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
Sermon Notes
“Hasn’t the Lord Issued You a Command?”
CALENDAR
Sunday, November 16 - PRAY FOR OUR ARMED FORCES
8:30a
Café Worship (FH)
9:45a
Sunday School for all ages
11:00a
Traditional Worship Service(Sanctuary)
11:15a
Kid’s Church (YR)
12:30p
Angel Wings Liturgical Dance Practice (Sanctuary)
12:30p
Gourmet Dinner Club Bunch at Port Tobacco Restaurant
1:00p
Encore Kids Rehearsal (YR)
1:00p
Fairy Godmother Meal Making (FH)
Monday, November 17 - PRAY FOR OUR ARMED FORCES
4:00p
Sunday School Meeting (FH)
6:00p
Beatitudes (YR)
7:30p
Pastor’s Monday Night Study - Promises of God (FH)
8:30p
AA Meeting - Warner Group (YR)
Tuesday, November 18 - PRAY FOR OUR ARMED FORCES
7:30a
Community Round Table - at Panera Bread
6:00p
Knit Together (CR2)
6:00p
Women’s Emmaus Reunion Group (Parlor)
6:00p
Men’s Emmaus Reunion Group (CR1)
7:00p
AA Meeting - Sunset Group (YR)
7:00p
UMW General Meeting (FH)
7:30p
Trustees Meeting (CR1)
Wednesday, November 19 - PRAY FOR OUR ARMED FORCES
9:30a
Wednesday Morning Bible Study (CR2)
12:00p
AA Meeting - Serenity Seekers (YR)
2:00p
Food Pantry open till 4:00 (Back of Church Office)
5:30p
Girl Scout Troop #3411 (CR2)
6:45p
WOW - Worship on Wednesday
7:00p
Cherub Choir Practice (YR)
7:30p
Chancel Choir Practice (Choir Room)
Thursday, November 20 - PRAY FOR OUR ARMED FORCES
6:00p
Carillon Choir Practice (Sanctuary)
6:30p
Webelos Den Meeting (CR2)
7:00p
Christian Believers (FH)
7:00p
Disciple I (YR)
7:30p
SPRC Meeting (Parlor)
Friday, November 21 - PRAY FOR OUR ARMED FORCES
10:00a
Mom’s Club of La Plata Meeting (YR)
5:00p
Children’s Minstry Fellowship (Preschool Classroom B)
6:00p
Set up for Holiday Shoppe & Bake Sale (Entire Church)
Saturday, November 22 - PRAY FOR OUR ARMED FORCES
9:00a
UMW Holiday Shoppe & Bake Sale (Entire Church)
KEY: FH = Fellowship Hall, YR = Youth Room, CR1 - Conf. Rm #1, CR2 = Conf. Rm. #2
BLP = Blessed Lambs Preschool
WORSHIP
WORSHIP SCHEDULE - Our Café Worship is held in our fellowship hall
at 8:30 AM, then Sunday School is at 9:45, and our traditional worship
is held in the sanctuary at 11:00 AM. Our contemporary mid-week
service, called “WOW”, is year-round on Wednesdays at 6:45 PM in the
sanctuary.
THANKSGIVING PRAYER VIGIL - As we have done in past years, on the
Tuesday (November 25) before Thanksgiving, our sanctuary will be
open for a time of silent prayers and expressions of thanksgiving to God
for all the blessings and gifts that God has given us. As we gather
family and friends around us, or as we travel to go see our families, it is
appropriate to turn to God and to express our heartfelt gratitude for all
that God has done for us, as individuals, as families, and as a church.
The church will be open from 2 to 3 PM for afternoon prayers and from
6:30 to 7:30 PM for evening prayers, prior to the Administrative Council
meeting.
ADVENT WREATH CANDLES - Rev. Jones is looking for a few more
families, or groups who might volunteer to help us light the candles on
the Advent Wreath during the four weeks of Advent, and on Christmas
Eve. Slots are being filled. You may indicate a preference for 8:30 or
WOW. Plus, we have one Christmas Eve service (8:00).
NURSERY IS AVAILABLE - Nursery care for little ones (ages 0-5 yrs) is
available during both Sunday morning services. Please be considerate
of the other worshipers. If your little one becomes unsettled and
distracting, please step out of the service. An usher can direct you to the
nursery or to the rocking chairs in the back. The Nursery is located on
the upper floor of the education wing. We are grateful to the staff and
volunteers that help us provide a nursery each week.
HEARING ASSISTANCE - devices are available, please see an usher to
get one.
FELLOWSHIP
YOUTH - The pies are ready! If you placed an order with the youth for
a pumpkin or lemon meringue pie, be sure to pick it up after the
service. We had a very positive response with the pie sales, thank you
to all who ordered. The youth would also like to give a huge thank you
to Terry Stancliff for all her help baking the pies. We truly could not
have done it without her!
CHOIR CHRISTMAS DINNER - Mark your calendars for the Christmas
Candlelight Dinner sponsored by the Chancel Choir. Bring your family
and friends and join the Chancel Choir for the annual Christmas
Candlelight Dinner on Sunday, December 7. The potluck dinner will
begin with appetizers at 5:30 PM and dinner being served at 6 PM. A
very special evening is planned with the singing of Christmas carols, the
trimming of the Christmas tree by the children and ending with a
special surprise for the youngsters. Please bring a main dish, salad
and/or dessert and look forward to a relaxing and fun-filled evening
during the Christmas season.
SIGN UPS
C
The next Pastor’s Monday Night Study (PMNS) is an Advent Study,
“Travel the Highways of Advent.” This is a four-week study
beginning on November 24 from 7:30 to 9 PM in the fellowship hall.
Write “Advent Study” to sign up.
DISCIPLESHIP
CLASSES - There are many classes being offered at our church, if you
have any questions about how to get involved in one of them, please
call our Program Director, Susan Matteson, in the church office for
more information. Classes you may join at anytime include: Sunday
School (3 Adult Classes), Pastor’s Monday Night Studies, Wednesday
Morning Bible Study, and the Women’s Tuesday Book Study.
SERVICE & CARING
FOOD PANTRY NEEDS YOUR HELP - During November our church's
food pantry is requesting that we bring in the following food items:
canned vegetables, fruit and soup, macaroni and cheese, shell pasta,
cereal, peanut butter, grape jelly, and children’s pouches or boxes of
juice. Please call Joyce Dean at 301-934-8095, if you have any
questions. Also, please remember that pets need food and our food
pantry also accepts donations of pet food.
RELAY FOR LIFE CROSSES - The Relay for life crosses are available in
the Church office. Stop in and get yours today.
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN - The Holiday Shoppe and Bake Sale
will be held on Saturday, November 22 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Please stop by the table in the front entrance to see how you can get
involved with this wonderful time of fellowship and mission.
FAITH SHARING
HAS GOD BLESSED YOU? - When God answers our prayers, or provides
healing, or helps us find a job or get a promotion; when God has
touched our lives – we have a responsibility to tell others what God has
done. This is a great way to start a conversation about our faith with
those who know us. Tell them how you feel about being touched by
God, or how God has answered your prayers. LOOK AROUND YOU - Do
you see anyone that you do not know? No need to embarrass them, or
embarrass yourself by asking "Are you new?" Instead, just stick out
your hand and introduce yourself. Then enjoy a pleasant conversation
of getting to know each other. 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.
PLEASE INVITE YOUR FRIENDS - It is the simplest and most effective
way to share Christ with others: just invite your friends to church with
you. Most people who grew up as Christians and who aren't in a church
say they just haven't found a church they like, and because no one has
invited them. Most people if you ask, will say yes to an invitation. Just
ask them to come to church for a special event, or special Sunday, or to
hear a sermon you think will help them.
ADMINISTRATION
NOTARY PUBLIC - Require the services of a Notary Public? Stop in the
church office and see the secretary, Karen Hamner, she is now a
commissioned notary.
PRAYER LIST - Please take a moment and look at the bulletin prayer
list, if you have information regarding anyone on the list, please call
Karen in the church office so that she can update the list. Thanks!
WE RECYCLE - Please recycle your unwanted bulletin in the “Shred-it”
box in the front entrance, and your inserts in the square wicker basket
in the Narthex, so that they can be reused.
Our Prayer List
Jack Constantini - Nicole Gannon Thomas’s step-father had quadruple
bypass surgery on Monday.
Mike Rainwater - recovering from shoulder surgery.
Barbara Cass - in St. Mary’s hospital.
Sharon Plater - Sarah Leonard’s aunt, found a massive tumor on her ovary, she had
surgery on Tuesday.
Bob Mudd - is now home from Johns Hopkins’ Bayview Hospital, He is still battling
cancer
Pat Spenser - recovering at home from knee replacement surgery.
Randy Hill - is recovering after surgery to set a broken femur in his right leg.
Sharon Ferguson - fractured leg bone, may have other complications.
Katherine Denise Nicol - Robin Boswell’s daughter, is being treated with
experimental drugs and chemotherapy for the next 6 months.
Karen Ruane - Bill & Jean Sigmon’s daughter and Sherri Hasting’s sister, has
finished chemotherapy treatments. She is now preparing for surgery.
John Carney - father of Joel Carney, has kidney cancer that spread to his lungs.
Joan Ewing - recovering from surgery at Mt. Vernon Hospital Rehab. Ctr.
LaRocca “Rocky” Jones - fell last week and bruised her forehead, nose and face.
Continue praying for these friends &
loved ones:
Jay Lane
Raymond Rowe
Laura Schacter
Jennifer Carpenter
Julie Burch
Nancy Dick
John McPherson
James Kingsbury
Billy DeHart
Jane Tribbitt
Ellen Bowie
Charles Snyder
Elizabeth & Wayne Deboe
Samuel Allen
Paul Carnes
Charles Karsten
Jimmy Donofrio
Norma Hancock
Carl Steinhauser
John Cook
Jimmie Rollins
Cindy Yeager
Pam Gorham
Brian Wathen
Brenda Rollins-Newman
Bette Laborde
Luna Garner
Pat Carnes
Helen Sullivan
Beverly Long
Ken Karsten
Bill Fallin
Dot Golden
Jamie Berry
Elaine Hillard
Debbie Schoenbauer
Ernie Jumalon
Jay Brown
Clark Boswell
Margaret Bowie
Our Staff
Rev. Dr. Bruce A. Jones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Senior Pastor
Rev. Ed Chance.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Retired Pastor / Visitation
Mike Blakeley.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pastoral Intern
Susan Matteson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Program Director
Corrie Roberts.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Youth Leader
Karen Hamner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Church Secretary
Patricia Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Choir Director
Linda Dent Mitchell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Organist
Cheryl Reckeweg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hand Bell Choir Director
Kevin Bennear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WOW Worship Leader
Laurie Smith.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Church Treasurer
Ed McKenzie .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Building Superintendent
Jim & Dina Harris.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Church Sextons
Bill Riley.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Groundskeeper
Julie Robbins .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preschool Director
Trish Carruth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Asst. Preschool Director
Our Church Motto for 2014
“Sharing God's Love Through Service and Caring,
and Growing Our Faith Through Study and Fellowship.”
‘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. Jones’s Residence: 301-934-6655