1. family and parenting
2. children

Psalter
*Hymn
Psalm 100 (Response 1)
UMH 821
“Now Thank We All Our God"
UMH 102
Anthem (11 am)
J.N. White
“The First Song of Isaiah”
Chancel Choir, Cherub Choir, and Congregation
Children’s Time (11 am)
(Children 3 years through 3rd grade may leave for children’s
church AFTER this.)
Gospel Lesson
Sermon
The Prodigal Father
Luke 15:11–32
Pastor Keith Ritchie
*Affirmation of Faith
I Corinthians and Colossians
UMH 888
UMH 694
“Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”
The Giving of our Gifts
Offertory Music
Offertory Prayer
*Doxology
THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER:
THOSE WHO ARE SICK: Zora Roberson, Roberta
Marshall, J.B. Heldreth, Tim Nagle (Peg Hollander’s son),
H. Kenneth Martin (Shirley Self’s brother-in-law), Del
Martin (Shirley Self’s nephew), Jennifer Bradshaw, Laura
Parcell (Shirley Self’s mother), Julia Self, Lucille Self,
Lynn Barbour, Debbie Love, Debbie Reed, Mick
Brandon, Twila Showalter (Paula Ritchie’s family),
Katherine Damen, Gabriel Porras (Ruth Chaney’s great
grandson), Promise Hagan (Rhonda Enalls’
granddaughter), Johnny Matthews, Nancy Rood (Cathy
Philips’ mother), John Clark. Please call the church office to
add or remove names on our prayer list. If we have removed
someone you wished to remain on the prayer list, we are sorry.
Please notify the church office to have the person added.
*Passing of the Peace
*Hymn
As Thanksgiving approaches, it is our pleasure to give
the flowers to the glory of God and in gratitude for our
wonderful parents and grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. G. Louis
Jones, and our husband and father, Charles C. Bassett III,
from Ruth Bassett and family.
UMH 94
A Morning Prayer of Thanksgiving
Loving God, Creator of all that has been, all that is,
and all that is to come, you made us human and
gave us hearts to love you and follow you.
We thank you for the many blessings you have given
us over this past year.
God, we thank you for all of the blessings you have
given us throughout our lives: food to eat, clothes to
wear, shelter from the storm and people who love us
unconditionally.
We thank you for their love because we recognize their
love for us is a reflection of your love. We
acknowledge there are times in our lives when we
feel unloved and unlovable. Give us the grace to
love others, even when they are difficult.
We trust in your faithfulness to carry us over the
rough places of life. We trust in your love to walk
with us through the difficulties of our days. We
trust in your promise of life everlasting and put all
of our hope in you.
THOSE WHO ARE SHUT-IN: Meta Roth, Dot Bowen,
George Lavinder, Frances Fishel, Evelyn Barnes, Louise
Grigg, Marlene Lopez, Helen Phipps, John Clark, Evelyn
Holmes, Robbie Woodruff, Tom and Gene Knight, Les
Finney, Helen Alber
THOSE IN THE MILITARY: Sgt. Justin Andes (Marilyn
Dell’s grandson), Army PVC William Scott Barlow, Bernard
Courtland Brooks, Steve Burton, YM2 Seth Buswell (son-inlaw of Lil and Paul Geib), Army Private Michael Frazier
(grandson of Lil and Paul Geib), Matthew Flint (Kelly
Flint’s brother), Jacob T. Hall (Cindy Matherly’s nephew),
Capt. Brad Heath, Michael Lewis (Rosie and Fred Lewis’
son), Evan McNeer, Beau Oakes, S. Sgts. David & Kimberly
Peay, Douglas Blake Spencer, LTC Dana Stowell (greatnephew of Belle Lynskey), Stephen Patton, Private C. J.
Emerson, Patrick Connelly, LCPL, Ozzie LCPL
THOSE IN THE MISSION FIELD: Elma Jocson, Chase
and Audrey Arndt
THOSE WHO LOST LOVED ONES: Duke & Deb
Easley (his father, Duval Easley), Harry & Patti Garrett
(Patti’s sister, JoAnn Tolson)
The Wesley Guild has pecans for sale: pecan halves (1
pound bags) for $12 and chopped pecans (1 pound bags)
for $10. Contact Lewis Riddle (638-8567) or Martha
Clark (638-1038).
Travel the Highways of Advent Bible study will be held
on Mondays at 3:30 pm in the parlor and 7 pm in the
conference room.
Not a Silent Night Advent Bible study will be held on
Tuesdays at noon in the conference room. Bring a lunch
and experience Advent and Christmas from Mary’s point
of view.
Upcoming Events from the Fellowship Committee
 Hanging of the Green reception – Sunday,
November 30, after the service. Volunteers to
provide refreshments are needed. We need
cheeseballs, sandwiches and cookies.
Please let Nancy Bryant know if you can help (cell phone
after 3 pm - 252-7069).
Hanging of the Green is Sunday, November 30, at 5 pm.
A reception in the fellowship hall will follow the service.
Food Bank: For December food bank, we are collecting
canned peaches and pears.
Bags of clothing that need to be washed prior to being
placed in our clothes closet are inside the fellowship hall
at the elevator entrance. Please take a bag, wash it, and
return to the drop box next to the elevator.
For Christmas Clothes Closet/Food Bank – if you have
any gently used toys, children’s books, or household items
we would love to have them to distribute at our December
food bank (December 13).
We have new equipment for the hearing impaired. If you
wish to use, please see an usher.
Nursery (beside the Read Robins class) available for
infants through three-year olds for Sunday School and
11:00 am
We will become more faithful witnesses for
God by providing spiritual guidance, a moral
compass, and a place of welcome and comfort
to all of God’s children.
We will do this by being aware of the needs in
our community, listening for God’s calling,
and responding with our time and talents.

First UMC is an uptown church
Where all are Welcome
Where all Worship
Where all Serve
To the Glory of God

We thank you for Jesus. We thank you that he died so
that we might have eternal life.
Forgive us for our sins: the things you asked us to do
and we failed to do, as well as the things you told
us not to do but we did anyway.
We are sorry and we ask that you will strengthen us so
that we will always follow you. We pray that your
Holy Spirit will be felt by people who are in pain in
mind, body or spirit. Help them to know that you
are with the, and you are able to carry them through
their trials.
Bless our church family.
Lord, in your mercy…Hear our prayer.
Bless our community.
Lord, in your mercy…Hear our prayer.
Bless our nation.
Lord, in your mercy…Hear our prayer.
Bless our world.
Lord, in your mercy…Hear our prayer.
Enable us to live so that your will might be made
manifest in the world around us.
We ask all these things in the name of Jesus, our Lord
and Savior, who taught us to pray as he taught his
disciples:
Lord’s Prayer (using trespasses)
*Hymn
“Let All Things Now Living”
TFWS 2008
*Benediction
*Postlude
*Indicates standing interval if you are able.
Senior Pastor, Keith Ritchie
Director of Programs/Children’s Ministries,
Annette Huckfeldt
Director of Music Ministries, Ken McDonald
Director of Youth, Maegan Mitchell
Organist, Rebecca Smith
146 East Main Street,
Martinsville, Virginia 24112-2814
Office: 276-638-8733
Fax: 276-638-8598
Email Address: [email protected]
WEBSITE: fumcmartinsville.net
A cordial invitation is extended to you to worship with us
regularly. If you would like to become a member of
First Church, please speak to the pastor.
Welcome
to
CHURCH CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK OF
November 23 2014
Early Learning Center Monday – Friday 6:30 am – 6:00 pm
First United Methodist
Church
The church office hours are
9 am – 5 pm Monday –Thursday, 9 am-12 pm Friday
The church office will be closed 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm for lunch.
Sunday Nov. 23
Mon.
Nov. 24
4:00 pm
5:00 pm
Youth Choir
Youth/Jamz
10:30 am
3:30 pm
Wesley Guild
Advent Bible Study
(Parlor)
Advent Bible Study
(Conference Room)
7:00 pm
Tues.
Nov. 25
10:00 am
12:00 pm
Wed.
Nov. 26
12:00 pm
CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY
Lunch Bunch
Not a Silent Night Bible
Study (Conference Room)
7:00 pm
Chancel Choir
Church office closes
Thurs.
Nov. 27
Office closed
Friday
Nov. 28
Office closed
USHERS: Woods Carter, J.C. Compton, Bradford Aron,
Craig Dietrich, Donnie Eanes, Duke Easley, Alfredo
Garcia, Hugh Gerlach, Will Gravely, Puck Kiser, David
McConnell, Carol Stermer
GREETERS: Martha McGhee, Elaine Ryder, Sally
Hopkins, Greg and Sara Surratt
COUNTERS: Joe Philpott, Karen Pratt, Betsy Gravely
ACOLYTE: Camille Underwood
SOUND TECHNICIAN: Paul Huckfeldt & Lynn
Dietrich
VIDEO TECHNICIANS: Matthew Withers
BUS DRIVER: Tripp Smith
CHILDREN’S CHURCH: Tracey Laine
November 23, 2014
8:45 am & 11:00 am
WELCOME to this celebration of worship where we
remember God’s saving grace in Jesus Christ!
Prelude
Fellowship & Ministry Announcements
Please let us know you worshipped with us today by
signing the friendship pad and passing it down the pew.
We welcome our visitors and are grateful for the active
witness of our members.
“Celebrate the Day of the Lord" McMahan & Ramsey
Cherub Choir
*Call to Worship
Blessed be the LORD! For he has heard the voice of
my prayers.
The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my
heart trusts;
so I am helped, and my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
*Hymn
“We Gather Together”
UMH 131
Opening prayer
Almighty God, you raised Christ from the dead
and established him as Lord over every power.
Give us grace to serve him wisely and faithfully.
We pray all may see his glory among the saints
and see the freedom of obedience in Jesus Christ,
in whose name we pray. Amen.