October 1, 2017 World Communion Sunday 17th Sunday after Pentecost ********************************************************************************************************************* Welcome Prelude and Centering Time
“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”
*Choral Call to Worship
“O Lord, How Wonderful You Are”
*Invocation One: Let us pray. We marvel, O God, at the thought that you care about us. We are amazed that the Creator of the universe would take on human flesh to draw near to us in ways we could begin to understand. As Jesus emptied himself to serve, modeling your love even in the face of death, we seek in these moments to lay aside self-interest that we might take direction from you. Help us to humble ourselves in order to obey you, to listen in order to hear, to care in order to serve. Lead us day and night through the dangers of the wilderness of our times. Lead us in the moments to honest and fervent worship. Amen.
*Passing of the Peace
We invite all who are present with us today to please mark your attendance on the pew registration pad
Offertory Invitation One: As Christ gave up selfish ambition and conceit for human beings like us, may we offer our best for sisters and brothers who need the message we can send and the practical help we can provide through our offerings. Offertory
*Offertory Response “Bless Thou the Gifts” (Tune: “Lord Speak to Me”) Bless Thou the gifts our hands have brought; Bless Thou the work our hearts have planned; Ours is the faith, the will, the thought; The rest, O God, is in Thy hand. Amen. *Prayer of Dedication Scripture Reading
*Call to Worship One: Come, let us remember God’s presence with us. Let us give ear to all that God would teach us. Many: Our ancestors have told us about God’s might. They have celebrated God’s wondrous deeds. One: In the wilderness of Sinai, God provided water. Through the sea, God provided safe passage. Many: Yet the Israelites questioned God’s presence. They needed assurance amid their doubts. One: Our doubts can lead to honest searching. God welcomes questions that seek new truth. Many: We want to see God’s larger picture. We are here to broaden the scope of our concern. *Opening Hymn
# 124 “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”
“Jesus, Name Above All Names”
Anthem
Exodus 17:1-7 (pg. 56) Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 (pg. 468) Philippians 2:1-13 (pg. 954) Matthew 21:23-32 (pg. 802) “And We Remember Him”
Holy Communion Children’s Moments
(all children of the church are invited)
Children’s Church
(all children through 1st grade may attend)
Message
“In Humility”
*Call to Confession *Prayer of Confession (In Unison) We fear to approach you with our confession, holy God, for you may require changes in us that are costly. You ask us to have the mind of Christ, a mind free of pretense and self-interest. You challenge us to lay aside our advantages to go where you send us. We fear loss of security if we are obedient. It is hard to see ourselves as exploiters when we pursue advantages for our families. It is difficult to consider others when we feel like victims. We confess our need for you and our desire to find your purpose for us. Amen. *Assurance of Grace
Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer *Closing Hymn
# 239 “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
*Commissioning One: Go forth to serve in the spirit of Christ. Dare to question false values that hold us captive. Many: We will seek the mind of Christ in all things. We will put aside selfish ambition and conceit.
One: Look to the greatest interests of all people. In humility, view each person as precious to God. Many: We count it a privilege to serve in Christ’s name. We are grateful for the saving power of love. One: Remember always that God is at work in you. With God’s help, amazing good can be accomplished. Many: May we do what we have so boldly declared. May we follow and serve in joyous obedience.
MOUNT TABOR UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 1002 EAST HOLLY GROVE ROAD LEXINGTON, NC 27292
*Benediction *Choral Benediction
“May the Road Rise to Meet You”
*Postlude
“Seek Ye First” The flowers on the altar today are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Bruce Crotts by Mrs. Doris Crotts, Mr. & Mrs. David Thomas, and Pam Tesh.
Our Mission Statement Knowing that Mt. Tabor United Church of Christ belongs to God and that it was created for God’s purpose and God’s glory, we recognize the following statements as our mission for God’s church: We will strive to increase the membership of our church by helping people know the love and power of Jesus Christ. We will reach out to members of our community and offer help and support, and we will make everyone who enters our church feel welcome. We will promote cooperation and participation within our congregation and strive to get all members involved in the mission of Mt. Tabor United Church of Christ. At the same time, we will work to let everyone know that they are important and appreciated. We will offer support, encouragement, comfort and compassion to all people of our church. As Christ has commanded, we will love one another so that all people will know that we are his disciples. We will work to train, educate, and challenge our youth and increase their opportunities to be involved in the mission of Mt. Tabor United Church of Christ. We will be good stewards of the church and worthy of the trust that has been passed to us. We will preserve the church and its traditions, and honor those who have preceded us. Next Week’s Scripture Readings: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20; Psalm 19; Philippians 3:4b-14; Matthew 21:33-46 NRSV Reprinted by permission of United Church Press from Taught by Love by Lavon Bayler. Copyright 1998 by United Church Press.
Rev. Darrell Sluder, Pastor Amy Snyder, Choir Director Nancy Woods, Organist Josh & JoNelle Everhart, Youth Directors Jane Brown, Secretary Sunday School – 9:30 AM Worship Service – 10:30 AM Church / Activity Center: (336) 249-1660 Church Parsonage: (336) 249-2424 Pastor’s Cell Phone: (336) 250-9138 Pastor’s email:
[email protected] Website: www.mttaborucc.org Church e-mail:
[email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/MountTaborUCC
ANNOUNCEMENTS We would like to give a SHOUT OUT to all the ladies who came out this week and did a thorough cleaning of the fellowship hall. It looks great! Today we will take our annual Neighbors In Need special offering. This offering supports the UCC’s ministries of justice and compassion throughout the US, including the Council for American Indian Ministries. Additional envelopes for your donation are on the Ushers Desk. Trunk-or-Treat will be on Tuesday, October 31st from 6:00 – 8:00 pm and will be sponsored by the Senior Youth Group. We would love for you to decorate your trunk and come join us! Candy donations would be very much appreciated. Please see Josh or JoNelle Everhart for more information. Here’s your chance to sing with our choir! Sunday, November 5th we will sing an anthem using “Jesus Loves Me” and “O, How I Love Jesus” and you can help. Just meet in the fellowship hall around 10:20 am that morning to practice. Then come up to join the choir for our anthem during the service. The more voices we have, the better!!!! Make plans to join us in song. Everyone please note that this year we are asking that the 2018 lists for Nursery Workers, Worship Leaders, Acolytes, Ushers, Door Greeters, Children’s Church and the Flower Chart be completed by early November. Thank You! Save the Date – December 17th – Our annual Christmas Cantata will be presented during our morning worship service and our Children’s Christmas Program will be that evening. Please make plans to attend these special holiday events. If you would like to help with our Christmas Cantata please see Amy Snyder for a copy. We would love to have extra voices join us. You can start to learn it on your own and then join the choir for practices as we get closer to the December 17th performance date. Carolina Senior Care has a continuing need for cleaning supplies and personal hygiene items for their clients. Please speak with Teresa Smith if you have any questions. A box for your donations is in the narthex at the mailboxes. You can also make a monetary donation by designation on your offering envelope. The Youth Group’s October food drive to benefit the Pastor’s Pantry is canned meat and chicken. A box for your donations is in the narthex.
Nursery Worker – Teresa Smith, Debbie Newsom October Worship Leader – Lee Comer October Acolyte – Alyssa Warfford, Callie Decker October Ushers – Brian Warfford, Scott Smith, Todd Warfford, Willis Robbins October Door Greeters – Willis and Sue Robbins October Children’s Church – Christmas Play Practice Sound System Operator – Gavin Hailey, Cody Kinney
OUR STEWARDSHIP FOR September 24, 2017 ATTENDANCE: Sunday School: 57 Worship: 106 Regular Offerings $ 3,024.00 Designated Special Offerings $ 1,182.00 Total Offerings $ 4,206.00 Offering Amount Toward Budget (per week) Budget Amount Needed Weekly Offerings Over / (Under) Budget
$ $ $
Capital Project Fund Original Loan (10-2011) Current Loan Balance Monthly Loan Payment Monthly Contributions – August
$ 500,000.00 $ 285,696.95 $ 3,580.00 $ 3,955.00
CHURCH CALENDAR Today Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Sunday October 8
3,024.00 3,566.46 (532.46)
Confirmation – 9:30 am Youth Group – 6:00 pm Youth Group / Open Hands – 6:30 pm Churchmen’s Fellowship – 6:30 pm Choir – 7:00 pm Bible Study – 7:00 pm Confirmation – 9:30 am Youth Group – 6:00 pm Nursery Worker – Tara Whitman Altar Flowers – Pastor Appreciation – Congregation
PRAYER CONCERNS October 1, 2017 For God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven! Thomas Allen – son of co-worker of Katie Decker Micaiah Baker – friend of Taylor Tuttle Kathy Barlow – cousin of Eddie Dorsett Paula Webster Bean – friend of Amy Allred Faye Bosnik – sister of John Burcham Chris Briggs – son of co-worker of Rita Owens Tim Bruff – father of JoNelle Everhart Jane Brown Claybern & Maxine Burkhart Alex Cook – grandson of Loyd & Mary Tysinger Co-worker of Tracey Whitley Jim Edwards – brother of Joanne McMillan Scott Gibson – friend of Marie Whitlock Joshua General – cousin to Marguerita Sandrock Bob Goughnour – husband of co-worker of Tracey Whitley Jason Greene – friend of Lynette Anderson Michael Lambros – uncle of Whitney Curry Dee Lanphear – niece of Glenn & Joanne McMillan Jessica Lawrence – friend of Joanne & Glenn McMillan Cheryl Lee – former Asst. Principal at CDHS *Kerry Lither – mother of friend of Taylor Hensley Jean Moser – son-in-law of Carolyn Grubb Belinda Nifong – friend of Amy Allred Jo Payne – friend of Sue Robbins *John Powell – friend of Taylor Hensley Max Smith Michelle Thompson – co-worker of Lee Comer Dan & Helen Touchstone – brother & sister-in-law of Rita Owens Vernon Tysinger – father of Bradley Tysinger Preslee Walser – infant grandchild of co-worker of Christine Neely Jean Widder – daughter of John & Audrey Bonebreak
Our Homebound Nancy Jarrett Jewell Swing – at Brookdale Loyd & Mary Tysinger – at Brookdale Those Serving in Our Military Adam Horne – grandson of Beckey Weisner Jacob Jarrett – serving in the Marines Timothy Lambros – cousin of Whitney Curry serving in the Air Force Elizabeth (Beth) Phillips – granddaughter of Pat Burcham Matthew Phillips – grandson of Pat Burcham Justin Whitehead – serving in the Navy in Norfolk, VA. David Hall – husband of Rachel Hall Our College Students Jason Abernathy – Lenoir Rhyne University Parker Allred – Appalachian State University Liz Fortner – Pfeiffer University Gavin Hailey – Montgomery Community College Kyle Nanney – NC State Smith Phillips – University of Virginia Ben Rickard – Appalachian State University Lauren Rickard – Appalachian State University Abby Seagle – Randolph Community College Ryan Shull – UNC Charlotte Taylor Tuttle – Catawba College Allysha Walker – Davidson County Community College Alyson Warfford – Clinical Research Fast Track Emily Whitehead – Western Carolina University Andrew Whitley – NC State Emily Woods – UNC Greensboro We offer our Christian prayers and sympathy to Kathleen Smith at the death of her sister, Foy Becknell. (* new to our prayer list this week) Please inform us of anyone who should be on our list by using the “Prayer Concerns” slip in your pew, let the Pastor know, or contact the church office. Our policy is that names are left on the list for 4 weeks. If additional time is needed please let the office know. Thank you!
MOUNT TABOR UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 1002 EAST HOLLY GROVE ROAD LEXINGTON, NC 27292
In conjunction with other area churches, Mt. Tabor contributes yearly to Community Action to assist with financial requests throughout our county. In addition we help local people through our Mission & Social Outreach Fund. Please remember this fund in your weekly offering, honorariums, and memorials as this fund is currently low. Please give generously.
Rev. Darrell Sluder, Pastor Amy Snyder, Choir Director Nancy Woods, Organist Josh & JoNelle Everhart, Youth Directors Jane Brown, Secretary Sunday School – 9:30 AM Worship Service – 10:30 AM Church / Activity Center: (336) 249-1660 Church Parsonage: (336) 249-2424 Pastor’s Cell Phone: (336) 250-9138 Pastor’s email:
[email protected] Website: www.mttaborucc.org Church e-mail:
[email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/MountTaborUCC