Claybanks United Methodist Church

Sunday August 1, 2021
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Tenth Sunday After Pentecost
*Indicates to stand as you are able

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
”Where Charity and Love Prevail”……….UMH 549

Prelude

*Processional

In this place, among these people
God is worshipped, God is praised
We have seen the signs and wonders;
The lost are found, the dead are raised.
We are living the Gospel story;
lives are changed, and mountains moved.
Won’t  you come and work among us?
You are welcomed, you are loved.

*Call to Worship
Leader: All who gather here this day are welcome in the sight of the Lord.
All: We come from times of stress and worry, needing God’s healing love.
Leader: Come to this place of healing and feeding.
All: Christ bids us welcome!
Leader: From the worries of our lives
All: Christ bids us welcome!
Leader: From the things that draw us down and away.
All: Christ bids us welcome!
Leader: Let your celebration begin!
All: Let us partake of the banquet of God in Jesus Christ. AMEN.

*Gloria Patri………………………………UMH 70

*Opening Prayer

*Hymn
”Come Sinners, to the Gospel Feast”………….UMH  339

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

Children’s Time
After prayers, sing the children out to “Jesus Loves Me”.At this time, children under five are welcome to remain in worship or go to the nursery.

The Offering of Our Gifts and Ourselves

*Doxology……………………………………….……….UMH 95

Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn
”I Sing a Song of the Saints of God”……..UMH 712

Sharing of the Word

New Testament Reading
Ephesians 4:1-16.….Page 951
*Gospel Reading
John 6:24-35 ……………Page 867

Message by Pastor Gary Peterson
”God Can Be Very Direct”

Words of Assurance

The Great Thanksgiving

Prayer

*Hymn
”Forward Through the Ages”………….UMH 555

*Benediction

Postlude – Please be seated

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard
Liturgist – Reba Peterson
Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

Some of the latest statistics around Covid-19 have made it very obvious and clear that, while we as a country are doing very well in our fight against Covid-19, we are still not out of the woods just yet. Because there are still places where Covid-19 is spreading and taking its toll on the health of those in the community, overrunning their hospitals and putting a severe strain upon health care workers, many people are still dying from this disease.  We need to continue to do our very best to prevent the disease from spreading and we must lift up our health care workers and those who have contracted Covid-19 in our prayers.

I, as a religious leader along with other religious leaders in our Methodist Denomination and religious leaders in all denominations throughout our country, am being encouraged to speak in favor of vaccinations for those in our churches and in our communities as well. Just today I learned that while we are approaching the 70% level of those who are eligible being vaccinated, we still have many people who are not, and the incidence of Covid-19 is on the rise with many getting sick and some succumbing to the disease. Of those who are fully vaccinated about 3% could still test positive and show signs of Covid-19 illness. The most positive aspect of our fight is that fewer than one percent who have been fully vaccinated and contract Covid-19 will die from the disease. This is the most positive outcome that could be expected. The newest statistics reported tell us that 99.5 percent of those who contracted Covid-19, primarily through the more transmissible new Delta Strain, are unvaccinated. This means that those who choose not to be vaccinated continue to spread the disease to others who choose not to be vaccinated, and they spread the disease to both those who because of other illnesses are not able to be vaccinated and our young people under the age of 12 who as of yet cannot be vaccinated. All have a much higher possibility of contracting the disease. The more Covid-19 is allowed to spread the higher the possibility of additional strains more contagious or deadly developing. This brings me to an issue that I have been walking very closely with as not to offend those who choose not to be vaccinated.  I as a shepherd to my flock must make a statement and take a stance that those who are eligible to be vaccinated should be vaccinated against Covid-19. This should be done to protect those who have illnesses that do not allow them to be vaccinated and our young children who at the present time cannot be given the vaccine. We must as Christians, as United Methodists and as society be responsible individuals and be vaccinated for the better good of all our society. Yes, I know that means we may be giving up some of our own independence and freedom for the good of others.  If we truly say and believe that we love our sisters and brothers then we will give a little of our own independence for the better good of those we love by putting our words into action.

The research on our three vaccines have shown very few side effects and the chance of becoming sick or dying from the vaccines is far less than getting Covid-19. So why would you take such a chance and not be vaccinated? We as United Methodists who support our social principles are not to place our monies and lives in the hand of chance and gamble with our health and life. Vaccines work and we should protect not only ourselves but our world as well.

There is so much more that can be said about how Covid-19 has impacted not only how we have lived for the past year and a half, but how it will impact us in the future. Maybe we can look at these things in another newsletter or message(s) on Sunday. I welcome your input. My intent in writing this pondering is not to offend anyone, but to give reason and to encourage vaccination for all who are eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine.

Live in Peace and Love.

Pastor Gary

Claybanks United Methodist Church
Sunday, July 11, 2021
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
*Indicates to stand as you are able

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
”God of Grace and God of Glory”…….UMH 577  

Prelude

*Processional

In this place, among these people
God is worshipped, God is praised
We have seen the signs and wonders;
The lost are found, the dead are raised.
We are living the Gospel story;
lives are changed, and mountains moved.
Won’t  you come and work among us?
You are welcomed, you are loved.

*Call to Worship
Leader: The earth is the Lord’s.  Everything in creation belongs to the Lord.
All: Lift up your eyes.  See the mighty works of the Lord.
Leader: This is the Lord’s House.  All who hope in the Lord will be called children of God.
All: Lift up your hearts! Receive the gracious gifts of the Lord.
Leader: This is the hour for worship and song.
All: Lift up your voice! Praise the Lord with all your might.

*Gloria Patri…………………………UMH 70

*Opening Prayer

*Hymn
”Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”………..UMH 213

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

Children’s Time
After prayers, sing the children out to “Jesus Loves Me”.At this time, children under five are welcome to remain in worship or go to the nursery.

The Offering of Our Gifts and Ourselves

*Doxology………………………………………….….….UMH 95

Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn
”There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy”……..UMH 121

Sharing of the Word
Old Testament Reading
Psalm 78:11-20………Page 468
*New Testament Reading
John 2:1-………….Page 863

Message by Edith Bogart
”Miracles”

Prayer
*Hymn
”Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”…………..UMH 89

Benediction

Postlude – Please be seated

Calendar and Announcements
Sunday, July 11
10:30 a.m. – Worship
Edie Bogart Leading Worship
Tuesday, July 13
4:30 p.m. – Worship Design Team Meeting
6:30 p.m. – Trustee’s Meeting
7:00 p.m. – Administrative Council Meeting
Thursday, July 15
1:00 p.m. – UMW Meeting
Sunday, July 18
10:30 a.m. – Worship
Nominations Committee Meeting during Fellowship
New Member Recognition
Tuesday, July 20
Newsletter deadline
Sunday, July 25
10:30 a.m. – Worship
Shalom Sunday

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard
Liturgist – Konnie Grant
Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

Claybanks United Methodist Church
Sunday, July 4, 2021
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Sixth Sunday After Pentecost
Independence Day
*Indicates to stand as you are able

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
”America the Beautiful”…..……….. UMH  696

Prelude

*Processional

In this place, among these people
God is worshipped, God is praised
We have seen the signs and wonders;
The lost are found, the dead are raised.
We are living the Gospel story;
lives are changed, and mountains moved.
Won’t  you come and work among us?
You are welcomed, you are loved.

*Call to Worship
Leader: The earth is the Lords.
All: And all who dwell in it.
Leader: God is king over all nations:
All: God sits on his holy throne.
Leader: He rules by his might forever.
All: His eyes keep watch on the nations.
Leader: Let all nations be glad and sing for joy.
All: For God judges the people with equity and guides the nations upon the earth.
Leader; O Lord, be gracious to us and bless us,
All: And make your face to shine upon us.
Leader: Lord of the nations, guide our people by your Spirit to go forward in justice and freedom, may our nation bring glory to your name and blessings to all people. AMEN.

*Gloria Patri……………………………UMH 70

*Opening Prayer

*Hymn
”This Is My Song”………………….UMH 437

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

Children’s Time
After prayers, sing the children out to “Jesus Loves Me”.At this time, children under five are welcome to remain in worship or go to the nursery.

The Offering of Our Gifts and Ourselves

*Doxology………………………………………….….….UMH 95

Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn
”Let There Be Peace on Earth”..……….UMH 431

Sharing of the Word

Old Testament Reading
2 Chronicles 7:12-18……Page 342
*Epistle Reading
Galatians 5:13-14.…….…….Page 948

Message by Pastor Gary Peterson
”A Great Nation Is Not Free of Costs”

Words of Assurance

The Great Thanksgiving

Prayer

*Hymn
”America”………………………UMH 697

Benediction

Postlude – Please be seated

Calendar and Announcements
Sunday, July 4
10:30 a.m. – Worship
Communion
Independence Day
Sunday, July 11
10:30 a.m. – Worship
Edie Bogart Leading Worship
Tuesday, July 13
4:30 p.m. – Worship Design Team Meeting
6:30 p.m. – Trustee’s Meeting
7:00 p.m. – Administrative Council Meeting
Thursday, July 15
1:00 p.m. – UMW Meeting
Sunday, July 18
10:30 a.m. – Worship
Nominations Committee Meeting during Fellowship
New Member Recognition

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard
Liturgist – Reba Peterson
Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News