Monthly Archives: January 2023

I find it hard to believe that I am now talking to you about Lent which begins in the middle of February and takes us into April when we will celebrate Easter. It seems like just yesterday we completed the Advent season and the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Advent and Lent are times that we, as a church and individuals, commit to enriching our relationship with God the Father, Jesus the Son, and look for  the guidance of the Holy Spirit who following Lent will take us beyond to Pentecost Sunday in May.

The Claybanks United Methodist Church will recognize the beginning of Lent with an Ash Wednesday service on February 22, at 7:00 p.m., with imposition of ashes. The following Sunday, February 26, the Adult Sunday school class will begin a six-week study for Lent using a study series developed by Adam Hamilton entitled “Luke, Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts and Outlaws.” The series focuses on Jesus’s ministry ,to ordinary and imperfect people who struggle to hear the “Good News” in their lives. Our study will include a DVD video session each Sunday with discussion of the video and readings from our study aid. During Lent, we will have our traditional devotional, “The Upper Room”, available and a special devotional developed for Lent, “Redeemed”, by the Society of St. Andrew.                          .

As we continue through Lent and we enter Holy Week which begins on Palm Sunday, April 2, when we will gather and celebrate, with palms, Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. On Holy Thursday, we will be able to attend a number of different worship services at area churches. On Good Friday, April 7, we will gather in our sanctuary at 2:00 p.m. to witness at the cross of Jesus. On Sunday, April 9, we will begin our Easter Sunday celebration at 9:30 a.m. with a visit to the empty tomb followed by a continental breakfast in Fellowship Hall provided by the Worship Design Team. Following our meal, we will gather together as we enter our sanctuary to celebrate Easter and the joy of resurrection.

Following Easter, Reba and I will be gone for three weeks. We will be visiting our family in Colorado and her brother in Missouri with a little sightseeing in-between. Our worship service on April 16 will be led by Jim Tanis and on April 23 by Edie Bogart. On Sunday, April 30, Adult and Teen Challenge will be with us to witness and lead us in worship with their choir.

During these special times on our church calendar, our Worship Design Team will be changing the look of our sanctuary to enhance our worship experience and we will also be using our projection system to assist us and bring to you a very meaningful worship experience.

It is our prayer that during Lent we will have an opportunity to experience a closer walk with our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, as he continues to be the focus of our spiritual enrichment in prayer, thanksgiving, song, and praise at our Claybanks United Methodist Church.

Pastor Gary

Claybanks United Methodist Church
Sunday, January 8, 2023
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Baptism of the Lord
*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: Let the heavens declare the glory of the Lord!
All: Let us give unto the Lord all glory and praise!
Leader: Let our lives declare the glory due to our merciful God!
All: For the voice of God fills our ears with beauty and strength.
Leader: Let us lift our voices in praise for God’s kindness and mercy!
All: Blessed be the name of the Lord!

*Gloria Patri…………………….…….….UMH   70

*Opening Prayer

*Hymn
”When Jesus Came to Jordan”………………UMH  252

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves

*Doxology…………………….…………UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn
”Spirit Song”………………………..UMH 347

Sharing of the Word

Old Testament Reading
Isiah 42:1-9…………….Page 584

Epistle Reading
Acts 10:34-48……..……….Page 895

*Gospel Reading
Matthew 3:13-17……………Page 784

Message by Pastor Gary Peterson
”Witnessing as Disciples”

Prayer

*Hymn
”Wonderful Words of Life”………………UMH 600

*Benediction

Postlude – Please be seated

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard

Liturgist  – Bev Grumm

Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News