La Plata United Methodist Church
“I will put my Laws
within them and
engrave them
on their hearts.”
Jeremiah 31:33
Fifth Sunday of Lent
March 22, 2015
Café Worship (8:30)
Gathering Music
Mike Rainwater
(Get your coffee, food and mingle)
Welcome (Finding our places)
Thoughts for Centering on Today’s Worship Theme
Please stand, if able
Opening Prayer (Together)
Lord, we come before you today as humble and
available servants. Let us love others as ourselves, but
mostly love you with all of our hearts, minds and
spirits. Let us give ourselves over to your service
joyfully today. Amen.
Greeting Each Other in the Name of Christ
Please be seated
Announcements & Invitations
Sharing Our Week: Blessings & Trials
Tales of Random Kindness
Blessings & Prayer Requests
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
Old Testament Lesson:
Gospel Lesson:
Message
See page 7
Jeremiah 31: 31-34
John 12: 20-33
Mike Blakeley, Pastoral Intern
“For All Are One In Christ Jesus”
Please stand, if able
Benediction
Departure Music
Mike Rainwater
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
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. May I glorify your
name by inviting people to the peace that you offer. May their
hearts and minds be open to you and not hardened against your
words and ways. Amen.
Prelude, Lighting the Altar Candles,
& A Time of Quiet Meditation
Cheryl Reckeweg
When the Prayer Before Worship has finished and the Prelude
begins, please quiet yourselves in preparation for worship.
Introit:
Chancel Choir
“Come, Christians, Join the Sing”
Please stand, if able
Call to Worship (Responsively)
from Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of
your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.
Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.
For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is
evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and
your judgment against me is just.
For I was born a sinner- yes, from the moment my mother conceived.
But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom
even there.
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be
whiter than snow.
Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me- now let
me rejoice.
Don't keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit in me.
Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit
from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to
obey you.
Opening Hymn
UM Hymnal, 267
“O Love, How Deep”
The Invocation (Together)
Lord, we come before you to lift your name on high in praise.
We ask for your mercy and forgiveness as we strive to do our
best to follow you, but fall short. Lord, thank you for the new
and old friends we are among, and may your spirit rest on
each of us as we worship you today. 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
The Children’s Moment
Susan Matteson
Anthem:
Chancel Choir
“My Shepherd Will Supply My Need”
Welcome, News & Opportunities
The Old Testament Lesson
Jeremiah 31: 31-34
The Offertory:
The New Covenant
See page 7
Cheryl Reckeweg
Please stand, if able
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
“Where He Leads Me”
UM Hymnal, 338
The Gospel Lesson
John 12: 20-33
This is the word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
The hour has come
See page 7
Please be seated
Message
Mike Blakeley, Pastoral Intern
“For All Are One In Christ Jesus”
Time of Reflection & Prayer
Closing Hymn
The Faith We Sing, 2129
“I Have Decided To Follow Jesus”
Benediction
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
Cheryl Reckeweg
† Among the top 50 Favorite Hymns of 2014
The Flowers on the Altar are to the glory of God
& in Honor & Memory of organ donors
& organ donation recipients given by
Donna & J.T. Hindle
Acolyte: Allison & Kaitlyn Sayers; Liturgist: Jean Manders
Substitute Organist: Cheryl Reckeweg; Chancel Choir Director: Pat Day
11:00 Service Prayer Partner: Sandy Tull
The Scripture Lessons
Jeremiah 31:31-34 (NIV)
"The days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new
covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will
not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by
the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant,
though I was a husband to them," declares the Lord. "This is the covenant
I will make with the people of Israel after that time," declares the Lord. "I
will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their
God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, Know the Lord, because they will all know me, from
the least of them to the greatest," declares the Lord. "For I will forgive their
wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
John 12:20-33 (NIV)
Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at
the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with
a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." Philip went to tell
Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. Jesus replied, "The hour has
come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a
kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.
But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose
it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal
life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also
will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. "Now my soul is
troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was
for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!" Then
a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."
The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said
an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit,
not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of
this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth,
will draw all people to myself." He said this to show the kind of death he
was going to die.
Sermon Notes
“For All Are One In Christ Jesus”
CALENDAR
Sunday, March 22 - PRAY FOR EACH OTHER
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)
5:00p
Alpha Class (FH)
Monday, March 23 - PRAY FOR EACH OTHER
5:00p
Girl Scout Troop #3411 (CR2)
6:00p
Beatitudes (Entrance)
6:00p
Cub Scouts Bears Meeting (CR2)
7:30p
PMNS - Lenten Study: “The God We Can Know” (FH)
8:30p
AA Meeting - Sunset Group (YR)
Tuesday, March 24 - PRAY FOR EACH OTHER
7:30a
Community Round Table - at Panera Bread
10:00a
UMW Book Club (Parlor)
6:00p
Creative Circle (CR1)
6:00p
Women’s Emmaus Reunion Group (Parlor)
6:00p
Men’s Emmaus Reunion Group (FH)
7:00p
AA Meeting - Sunset Group (YR)
7:30p
Administrative Council (FH)
Wednesday, March 25 - PRAY FOR EACH OTHER
9:30a
Wednesday Morning Bible Study (CR2)
12:00p
AA Meeting - Serenity Seekers (YR)
2:00p
Food Pantry - open till 4:00 (Behind Church Office)
6:45p
WOW - Worship on Wednesday 7:00p
Cherub Choir Practice (YR)
7:30p
Chancel Choir Practice (Choir Room)
Thursday, March 26 - PRAY FOR EACH OTHER
8:30a
Kitchen Clean up
6:00p
Carillon Choir Practice (Sanctuary)
6:30p
Webelos Den Meeting (CR2)
7:00p
Christian Believers (FH)
7:00p
Disciple I (YR)
Friday, March 27 - PRAY FOR EACH OTHER
5:00p
Basket Class (CR1)
7:00p
CAJ Café Acoustic Jam (FH)
Saturday, March 28 -PRAY FOR EACH OTHER
10:00a
Baby Shower (FH)
3:00p
Punch & Paint (FH)
Sunday, March 29 - PALM SUNDAY - PRAY FOR PURITY & PATIENCE
8:30a
Café Worship (FH)
9:45a
Sunday School for all ages
11:00a
Traditional Worship Service - Easter Cantada - (Sanctuary)
11:15a
Kid’s Church (YR)
12:30p
Angel Wings Liturgical Dance Practice (Sanctuary)
5:00p
Alpha Class (FH)
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.
NURSERY IS AVAILABLE - Nursery care for little ones (ages 0-5 yrs) is
available during the 11:00 Sunday morning service. 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.
NURSERY HELP NEEDED - Our Safe Sanctuary Policy requires that there
must be two unrelated adults who are Safe Sanctuary trained present
during nursery. We are unable to open the Nursery during the 8:30 Café
service at this time due to a lack of volunteers, so if you are interested in
helping out with the Nursery, please contact the Church office for more
information.
FLOWER CHART - There are still a few open dates on the Flower Chart, one
of them may be a special date for you. Honor or remember a loved one or
special event in your life by decorating our altar with flowers.
HEARING ASSISTANCE - devices are available, please see an usher for one.
CHILDREN’S MOMENT - The Children’s Moment Ministry is in need of
additional Children’s Moment leaders. Currently we each serve one Sunday
every other month and there is an opening on the 3rd Sunday. If you would
like to participate in Children’s Moment Ministry, please contact Mike
Rainwater at 515-778-6457 or the Church office.
FELLOWSHIP
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN - On March 28th at 3:00 PM the UMW is
once again hosting a Punch and Paint fund-raiser. You must go online to
wineanddesign.com/Leonardtown to register. The fee is $45.00, and you
will leave with a painting of a beautiful lady on a beach entitled, “Amazing
Grace.” We need at least 14 people to register, so be sure to register today.
The UMW earns $10 on each registration.
YARD SALE - The UMW Annual Garage/Yard Sale will be held on April 10 &
11 at the home of Jesse Combs, 9700 Charles Street. You may drop off
donations in the entrance of the church, at Jesse’s home, or call Carol
Sorenson at 301-645-4002 to make arrangements for pick up. You can
volunteer to help with this event at our next meeting.
SILENT AUCTION - The 2015 Silent Auction plans are underway and we
need your support. This year our Silent Auction will be held on Saturday,
April 25. Make plans to come out to enjoy fun and fellowship while you bid
on your favorite treasures. If you have any items, that are of good quality,
that are antiques, collectibles, baked goods, vacations, like new or new
items, or if you wish to donate your services, please fill in the form located
in your bulletin and put it in the offering plate, or send it to the office. We
will be doing something new this year, using eBay to auction off some of
the collectible items. If you are an expert at eBay, please contact Greg
Starkey at [email protected] to see how you can help.
YOUTH GROUP - Registration for summer camp through the BWC is still
open! If you have a child or youth interested in going to West River or
Camp Manidokan this summer go to www.bwccampsandretreat.com There
are several youth and children going this summer. Grab a flyer from the
information table or see Corrie Roberts.
DISCIPLESHIP
CLASSES - Your spiritual growth is important to us, so we offer many
classes to fit your journey and your schedule. Don’t know where to start?
Join a Sunday school class, we have classes for every age group. Looking
for a little more? Start out with Alpha, Pastor’s Monday Night Studies,
Wednesday Morning Bible study or join the women of the ABR or Evening
Circles. Ready to really tackle the Bible? Sign up for a Disciple Bible Study,
we offer two of these every year. No matter where you are in your walk with
Christ, we will meet you there!
SERVICE & CARING
FOOD PANTRY NEEDS YOUR HELP - 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.
LIFE LINE SCREENING - There is an important service that we are bringing
here on Saturday, April 11: Lifeline Screening. Stroke is a leading cause of
death today, affecting over 750,000 people each year. Stroke can change
your life, but it can also take your life. Please consider taking part in these
life-saving screenings. By signing up for this health event, not only will you
be able to take your health into your own hands, but you will also receive
$10 off any package of $139 or more. The Stroke, Vascular & Heart Rhythm
Package includes four screenings: carotid artery, abdominal aortic
aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease and atrial fibrillation. To schedule
your appointment and to receive this special offer, please sign up by calling
our special phone number, which is 1-888-653-6450, or sign up for these
tests by visiting www.lifelinescreening.com/community-partners. Join in
the fight against vascular disease!
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 - The church office provides free Notary Public service to
all church members.
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 old bulletins and inserts in the wicker
basket in the Narthex.
Our Prayer List
The Family of Sheila Hamner - Steve Hamner’s step-mother, as they mourn her passing.
Loretta Haught - Cheryl Smith’s mother, will be having open heart surgery in the near
future.
James Bradford - Eugene Bradford’s father, went to rehab briefly, and is now back
in the hospital.
Leeza Gopienko - Michael Bradford’s fiancee, will begin radioactive iodine treatment for
thyroid cancer in May.
Kate Clough - an elderly neighbor of Kathy Cox, has been hospitalized for a month.
Tish Rollins - Chris Rogers’ sister-in-law is being treated for cancer.
Steve Hardin - Nancy Gasparovic’s brother, has been moved to George Washington
University Hospital.
Barbara Cass - is home and now under Hospice care.
Bob Mudd - is now home but still battling cancer, he has begun chemo.
Sharon Ferguson - fractured leg bone, may have other complications.
Connie Weidler who has recently been in and out of the hospital, is home now.
Continue praying for these friends & loved ones:
Jay Lane
Katherine Denis Nicol
Laura Schacter
Jennifer Carpenter
Julie Burch
Nancy Dick
John McPherson
Samuel Allen
Billy DeHart
Phil Karsten
Marion Craft
Elizabeth & Wayne Deboe
Paul Carnes
Patty Rupprecht
Luna Garner
Charles Karsten
Jimmy Donofrio
Norma Hancock
Millie Head
Clark Boswell
Joan Ewing
Cindy Yeager
Pam Gorham
Brian Wathen
Brenda Rollins-Newman
Karyl Beveridge
Alma Hardin
Helen Douglas
Helen Sullivan
Beverly Long
Randy Hill
Bill Fallin
Dot Golden
Jamie Berry
Elaine Hillard
Debbie Schoenbauer
Ernie Jumalon
Rosalie Snyder
Alyssa Buckler
Joel Carney
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 2015
“Blessed to be a blessing, and seeking to
develop more intentional followers of Jesus”
‘Friend’ us on Facebook: La Plata Umc
3 Port Tobacco Road, P.O. Box 2824
La Plata, Maryland 20646-2824
Office: 301-934-2288 Fax: 301-934-5791
Email: [email protected]
On the web: www.laplataumc.org
Rev. Jones’s Residence: 301-934-6655