Celebration Service, 29 July @ 10:00

ENTERING WITH PRAISE

PRELUDE

SHARING THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH

*CALL TO WORSHIP
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the people!
We serve the Lord with gladness! We come into God’s presence with singing!!!
Know that the Lord, who made us, is God.
We are the Lord’s; we are the people of God.
Enter God’s gates with thanksgiving, and God’s courts with praise!
We give thanks and will bless God’s name!

*OPENING PRAISE MUSIC
Praise the Name of Jesus #52
As the Deer Panteth for the Water #7

*HYMN OF BLESSING Many Gifts, One Spirit #114

PROCLAMATION AND PRAISE

PSALM 23
God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows; you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk by my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my dropping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.

OFFERING (Loose change: Salvation Army Food Bank)

OFFERTORY Janet Rosenbaum & Whitney Armbruster

DOXOLOGY #95
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow, praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia!

TIME WITH GOD’s CHILDREN

SPECIAL MUSIC Janet Rosenbaum & Whitney Armbruster

GOSPEL LESSON John 10:1-8

MISSION REPORT First UMC Youth Mission Team

RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD

THE PEOPLE AT PRAYER
Lord God – we need You – we need You every hour of every day – we need Your support – Your love – Your helping hand. We need, O God, Your word to guide us – Your Sprit to inspire us – Your Strength to hold us up. Be present with us at this hour of worship. Help us to bless Your most holy name. Make us the people You want us to be. We ask it in the name of the risen one – Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, reveal who you are. Set the world right; do what’s best – as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with You and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge! You can do anything You want! You’re ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes. Amen. -Matthew 6:9b-13

HYMN “Pass It On” #572

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE


John 10:1-15
Let me set this before you as plainly as I can. If a person climbs over or through the fence in a sheep pen instead of through the gate, you know he’s up to no good – a sheep rustler! The shepherd walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice. They won’t follow a stranger’s voice but will scatter because they aren’t used to the sound of it.

Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good – sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep don’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for – will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.


EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THIS WEEK

Today 8:00 Prayer Service, Chapel
10:00 Celebration Worship Service,
Sanctuary
11:00 Church-wide Potluck, Fellowship
Hall
Tuesday 6:30 Son-Rise Bible Study, Lobby
9:00 Women’s Bible Study, Gurley/Dalton
Wednesday 8:00 Quilters, Quilting Room
9:00 Prayer Group, Prayer room
10:00 ASAP @ 10:00, wherever you are!
Sunday 8:00 Worship Service, Chapel
9:00 Fellowship Time
10:00 Family Worship Service, Sanctuary

YOUTH GROUP MISSION TRIP: Our youth have returned from their mission trip to Denver and have much to share. We celebrate their willingness to live their faith in such an open fashion. Please pray that those whom the youth met on their journey will in turn pass on the blessings that were given them.

PRAYER CIRCLE: You are invited to join us in the Prayer Room each Thursday at 9:00 a.m. where we’ll pray for the needs of the congregation, community, and more. Don’t forget to A.S.A.P. @ 10:00!!!

SCRIPTURE LESSONS: All of the scripture lessons this morning are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

FIRST UMC WEB PRESENCE: Our church is on the World Wide Web! Please visit www.sidney-firstumc.org and our blog @ www.sidneyfirstumc.blogspot.com and share the Good News!

E-NEWSLETTER: In August, we’ll launch an E-newsletter here at 1st UMC! In order to get this to you, we need an email address!! Please send your address to newsletter@sidney-firstumc.org and get the good news a whole new way!

Lectionary Readings for August 5th, Tenth Sunday after Pentecost: Hosea 11:1-11, Psalm 107:1-9, 43, Colossians 3:1-11 and Luke 12:13-21.