February 22nd Worship Service

Posted on February 20, 2026 | Leave a comment

Claybanks United Methodist Church
Sunday, February 22, 2026
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.                                       
First Sunday in Lent
* Indicates to stand as you are able

Welcome and Announcements
*Praise Song
”Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”………..UMH  89

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 here, 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: Open the gates of righteousness, the gate of the Lord.
All: So that we may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
Leader: This is the day that the Lord has made,
All: Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Leader: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
All: The Lord is God and has given us his light.
Leader: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
All: And his steadfast love endures forever.

*Gloria Patri……………………………UMH 70
*Opening Prayer
God of wisdom and groundedness, you have encouraged us to live our lives grounded in faith, patience, and love. Help us to love others without judgment, but with a solid foundation of acceptance, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen

*Hymn
”Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service”…..UMH 581

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

Shalom Offering
The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves
*Doxology…………………………………UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication
*Hymn
”Here I Am, Lord”…………………….UMH 593

Sharing of the Word
Old Testament Reading
Isaiah 58:1-3..………………………………………………Page 600
Epistle Reading
1 Corinthians 2:13-16…………………………….……….Page 927
*Gospel Reading
Matthew 5:13-20, 7:12……………………………Pages 786 & 788

Message by Pastor Terri Cummins
“I Never Said That”           

Prayer
Imposition of Ashes

*Hymn
”I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”…….UMH 206

Benediction
Postlude – Please be seated

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard
Liturgist – Kelly White
Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

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February 15th Worship Service

Posted on February 13, 2026 | Leave a comment

Claybanks United Methodist Church
Sunday, February 15, 2026
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.                                       
Transfiguration Sunday
* Indicates to stand as you are able

Welcome and Announcements
*Praise Song
”Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies”…….UMH 173

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 here, 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: As God called to Moses from the mountain,
All: We are called to be God’s people.
Leader: As Jesus called the disciples to climb with him to the peak of another mountain,
All: We are called to follow wherever Jesus leads.
Leader: As the disciples stood in awe at the sound of God’s voice,
All: We are called to worship in wonder and praise.

*Gloria Patri………………………UMH 70
*A Statement of Faith of the United Church of Canada…..UMH 883

*Hymn
”We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding………TFWS 2103

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns
The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves
*Doxology………………………………UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication
*Hymn
”Take My Life, and Let It Be”……………UMH 399

Sharing of the Word
Old Testament Reading
Exodus 24:12-18..………………………….Page 62
*Gospel Reading
Matthew 17:1-19………………..….Pages 798-799

Message by Pastor Gary Peterson
“What Have You Experienced On A Mountain?”               

Prayer
*Hymn
”Blest Be the Tie that Binds”……………UMH 557

Benediction
Postlude – Please be seated

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard
Liturgist – Ellen Zimmerman
Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

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February 8 Worship

Posted on February 6, 2026 | Leave a comment

Claybanks United Methodist Church
Sunday, February 8, 2026
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.                                       
Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany
* Indicates to stand as you are able

Welcome and Announcements
*Praise Song
”O God Who Shaped Creation”.………..UMH 443

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 here, 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: Praise the Lord! Happy are those who delight in the Lord!
All: We come to this place, where generations before us have gathered.
Leader: Here we remember the light of God that shines in our lives.
All: Here we allow God’s light to shine through us.
Leader: Let us worship our radiant God.
All: Praise the Lord! Happy are all who delight in the Lord!

*Gloria Patri………………………………UMH 70
*Opening Prayer

*Hymn
”Take Time to Be Holy”……………………UMH 395

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns
The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves
*Doxology…………………………………..…UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication
*Hymn
”Freely, Freely”……………………..UMH 389

Sharing of the Word
Old Testament Reading
Genesis 2:15-17 & 3:1-7…………….………..Page 2
*Gospel Reading
Matthew 4:1-11……………….….……Page 785

Message by Pastor Gary Peterson
“What Can We Learn From Temptations?”           

Prayer
*Hymn
”As a Fire Is Meant for Burning”……….TFWS 2237
Benediction
Postlude – Please be seated

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard
Liturgist – Art Grumm
Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

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February 1st Worship Service

Posted on January 30, 2026 | Leave a comment

Claybanks United Methodist Church
Sunday, February 1, 2026
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.                                       
Fourth Sunday After Epiphany
 * Indicates to stand as you are able

Welcome and Announcements
*Praise Song
”O Worship the King”…….………..UMH  73

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 here, 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: What does the Lord require of us?
All: To do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.
Leader: With what shall we come before the Lord?
All: With speech that is gentle, and words that build up.
Leader: How shall we live our faith?
All: With actions that bring peace and works that lift up the lowly.
Leader: Come and worship God in spirit and in truth.

*Gloria Patri………………………………UMH 70
*Opening Prayer

*Hymn
”Open My Eyes, That I May See”…………..UMH 454

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns
Shalom Offering
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
Old Testament Reading
Micah 6:1-8……..…………….………..Page 757
*Gospel Reading
Matthew 5:1-12…………………Pages 785-786

Message by Pastor Gary Peterson
“Can We Live a Blessed Life?”           

Communion
Prayer
*Hymn
”Blessed Assurance”………………….UMH 369

Benediction
Postlude – Please be seated

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard
Liturgist – Ellen Zimmerman
Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

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Pastor’s Ponderings

Posted on January 30, 2026 | Leave a comment

What a cold, cold ending to January! Reba and I have missed being with all of you in worship at Claybanks UMC. I pray that you have stayed safe and warm.

We did OK on that first Sunday that we did not have worship at Claybanks United Methodist Church (January 18th) staying off the snow covered and icy roads. But last Sunday, January 25 when we cancelled worship service for Claybanks, missing worship and knowing that the Methodist Church in Pentwater was only a couple of miles from our home, we crept out onto our slippery Longbridge Road taking us into the village where the roads were much better even though it was still cold. We attended and enjoyed the service at the Pentwater United Methodist Centenary UMC. Pastor Vaughn was on a weeks’ Sabbath time off so the Reverend Dave Kersten (Dave and his wife Sandi were with us at Claybanks UMC a little more than a year ago on World Communion Sunday) brought us a message from Matthew 6: 5-18 on the Lord’s Prayer, noting for us that The Lord’s Prayer may use trespasses, debts and sinners.

The Lord’s Prayer, as translated into English from Greek, can mean different things to us depending on the words chosen. Matthew’s Gospel had been originally written in Aramaic and depending on how those who translated from the original Aramaic, we get three different words: trespasses, sins, and debts each speaking to us in diverse ways. Each of the three translations is very appropriate for the world we live in today. As Dave began his message, the sun began to shine through the stained-glass windows of the church and Dave noted that the day is a APRISATIDY Day (Meaning a warm sun on a frigid day).

Later, Reba and I were talking about how we at Claybanks UMC have an opening welcome song: You Are Welcomed Here

In this place, among these people

God is worship, God is praised.

We have seen the signs and wonders; the lost are found here, 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.

The Pentwater United Methodist Church has a sending out song at the end of worship: As We Go

O Lord, now let your servants depart in peace, according to your gracious word.

Our eyes have seen the glory of salvation prepared for all the people of the world.

Now may the Lord bless you and keep you and make his face shine upon you;

and may God lift his countenance upon you and give you blessed peace for now and evermore.

Our faith, our hearts, and our lives should be as the words of these songs speak to us both “come and be welcome, inviting the world to be with us and to go out and share God’s love with the world.”

So much power in these words for us as followers of Jesus Christ.

One other little thing to add, following worship at Centenary United Methodist Church, we were invited to the coffee hour which is on a lower level from the sanctuary. While sitting around the table that I was seated at, there were a number of discussions not only about the weather, but what it was like for a number of those sitting at the table who had grown up in a rural setting. They talked about what it was like to live on farms with cows and all that goes with caring for the cows. The table talk was not unlike the table talk that we experience at and around Claybanks United Methodist Church and it brought back to me the warm feelings of love, acceptance and how we have so much in common with our brothers, sisters, and the world around us.

Gary and Reba

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Posted in Pastor's Ponderings

Announcements and Stuff

Posted on January 30, 2026 | Leave a comment

Mission For February/March
We are asking for baby Items to donate to Trinity Lutheran Baby Pantry (TLBP) for the months of February and March. Most needed items are diapers, wipes, and formula. Any baby items are welcome. If not new, items should be in good condition. Please place donations on the north table of the fellowship hall. We will have updated needs as we move through our donation time. Thank you for all you do to support our community.

Please find below Facebook information to share with anyone in need of items for the TLBP.

Link: www.tlcnewera.org

Adult Sunday School
Sunday, March 8, 15, 22, and 29, we will gather and join other Methodist Churches in Michigan to learn from the book “Knowing Who We Are – The Wesleyan Way of Grace”. The program will include readings, video presentations, and discussions on what we believe, what we do, and why. The program will offer us a clearer picture of our Wesleyan way of following Jesus, focusing on core values like God’s full grace for everyone, real life transformation, how your faith leads to positive, visual changes in your life, your community, and the world. The materials were developed by Laceye Warner, a professor at Duke University Divinity School. Everyone is invited to participate. We will have the coffee ready each Sunday and occasionally donut holes! See you at 9:30 a.m. beginning Sunday, March 8th.

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Posted in Announcements and Stuff

Upcoming Worship Schedule

Posted on January 30, 2026 | Leave a comment

FEBRUARY SCRIPTURE & MESSAGE

Sunday, February 8
Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7
Matthew 4:1-11
What Can We Learn From Temptations?

Sunday, February 15
Exodus 24:12-18
Matthew 17:1-19
What Have You Experienced On A Mountain?

Wednesday, February 18
Ash Wednesday
Service at 2:00 p.m. CUMC

Sunday, February 22
Terri Cummins Leading Worship
Isaiah 58:1-3
1 Corinthians 2:13-16
Matthew 5:13-20, 7:12“I Never Said That”

Sunday, March 1
Terri Cummins Leading Worship with Communion
Psalm 121
John 3:1-17
Looking For Love? Look For The Helper

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Posted in Upcoming Worship Schedule