Monthly Archives: March 2024

March 31st Worship Service

Posted on March 29, 2024 | Leave a comment

Claybanks United Methodist Church
Sunday March 31, 2024
*Indicates to stand as you are able

 Easter Sunday

All Process into Sanctuary together following the Christ Easter Candle

Scripture Reading
Luke 24:1-9……..….……Page 860

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
”Crown Him with Many Crowns”……..UMH 327

Prelude

*Call To Worship 
Leader: We run to the tomb to be forever surprised.
All: Christ is risen!
Leader: Through our tears of sorrow and despair, we do not recognize Him.
All: Christ is risen!
Leader: Then He calls us by name.
All: Christ is risen!
Leader: We run into the world announcing, “We have seen the Lord!”
All: Christ is risen!

*Gloria Patri

*Opening Prayer

*Hymn
”Up from the Grave He Arose”…………..UMH 322

Prayers of The People – Joys and Concerns 

Shalom

The Offering of Our Gifts and Ourselves 

*Doxology

*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn .
”Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross”.…………UMH 301

 Sharing The Word 

Old Testament Reading
Psalm 118 1-2, 14-24………Page 492
*Gospel Reading
John 20:1-18…….………….Page 882

Message by Pastor Gary Peterson
“Let Us Visit the Tomb”

*Prayer 

*Hymn
”He Lives”…………..………UMH 310

Benediction 

Postlude – Please Be Seated

Pianist​​​​:  Suzanne Bellrichard

Liturgist: Edie Bogart

Ministers:  All People As We Live The Good News

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Pastor’s Ponderings

Posted on March 29, 2024 | Leave a comment

What a joy it has been to experience Lent, Holy Week and Easter Celebration. According to the church calendar Easter is not just one Sunday but a number of Sundays that would take us through 40 days of Easter, including Ascension Sunday, and culminating on Pentecost Sunday. When I look at the seasons of Advent, Lent and Easter Time I see where God has been determined to keep us growing using the biblical time reference of forty days. Advent is a time we prepare for Christ’s coming as an infant child. Advent times stress our preparation for a Savior. During the forty days of Lent we take a journey to learn more about Jesus. Following Pentecost for a number of months leading up to Advent, scripture takes us on an extensive journey studying about how Jesus instructs His disciples and continues to teach us through New Testament Scripture. It is my feeling that Jesus knew that not only His twelve disciples and others who followed him, including us today, need direction as to what it means to be a disciple and where discipleship will take us.

We see that Jesus recognized, following Easter and the Forty  Days of the Easter Season when we look at scripture, that with Advent, Lent, Easter and the other parts of the church calendar year, we need even more time to completely understand Jesus’ coming to earth. His death on the cross and His resurrection affects the ways in which we live. Forty additional days were needed to understand the empty tomb and what His continued appearances to His disciples would bring them to understand.

Additional preparation was needed following His resurrection and Forty days, bringing them to accept His resurrection and prepare them for Pentecost. As we continue to prepare for Jesus’ ascension, followed by Pentecost, Jesus believed that we, along with his disciples, are ready to take the gospel to the ends of the earth as he commanded not just his disciples but you and me.

During these forty days, following Easter, the focus of the scriptures that we read and the messages I bring to you on Sunday mornings, will be centered around our preparation as Jesus laid out in scripture for us to continue our spiritual growth and our training as his disciples. So, be ready for the challenge that scripture offers us between now and May 19th when we celebrate Pentecost Sunday when the advocate comes, the spirit of truth that Jesus promises us, because we have been with him from the beginning. And may we remember John 16 :12-15 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason, I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

May the Season of Easter be a blessing as we journey along the path that Jesus takes us on because he loved us so much that he returned to us after his resurrection and stayed with us for forty days so that we would be prepared to receive the Holy Spirit.

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Announcements and Stuff

Posted on March 29, 2024 | Leave a comment

Women of Faith
Joy!  That is the best word to describe the feeling the WOF (Women of Faith) ladies had when we got together to start our new year of service and faith.  We started with a delightful and humorous devotional from the book “Talking with God in Old Age” titled “ Still Kickin’ !“ After which we needed the prayer!

The officers for the new year remain the same as last year.  The treasurer reported that we have $1,299.15 in our account.

We received four lovely thank you’s from organizations we contributed to last Fall.  We shared this along with information about these organizations and what they do to benefit our community.  This info was placed in our fellowship hall on the table with other info of interest.

The Easter Brunch preparations were discussed, and plans finalized.  Reba will be putting together breakfast casseroles this year instead of having bagels.  Those that attend please let the WOF know how you like this change.

The memorial service for Joyce Kinstner will be April 12 at 11:00 at our church.  We will not serve lunch since it will be at the VFW.

Shalom – Edie

Mission News
OH BABY!!  OH BABY!! OH BABY!!
CUMC has chosen the Step-Up Maternity House in Muskegon to sponsor as our Mission focus over the next month. They could use our support by donating baby supplies, as well as household supplies. They have had three babies born to date, but currently have only one Mom with an 8-month-old girl, wearing size 9-months. They are considering new applicants every week, so as new information becomes available, there will be additional announcements. They could always use diapers, wipes, laundry detergent, paper products, cleaning products, and if any clothes are donated, please make sure, if they are not new, that they are in like-new condition. They also are happy to accept monetary donations in lieu of a purchased item. Please drop any items to donate at the designated table in the fellowship hall which will be available until May first. If anyone would like to join Step Up in attending the weekly Sunday dinner at 5:30, Lynn and Dick Kamps will be hosting April 21, and would love to have folks from our church join them.  Just let Pastor Gary or Kelly White know. Thanks for your support of those in need with the Step-Up Family.

Humor Sunday
Sunday, April 7th during our worship service, we will enjoy the smiles that humor brings to our lives. If you have a story, joke or simply a big smile, please join us for worship that day. We encourage you to dress in a way that will bring smiles and laughter to others’ faces.

Adult Bible Study
Our spring Adult Bible Study will begin on Sunday, April 7th at 9:30 a.m. Edie Bogart and Reba Peterson will lead a study of Esther from the Old Testament Scriptures. They would like those participating in the study to read chapters 1 & 2 in preparation for the first class on Sunday, April 7th. All are welcome as Jesus takes our hand and says, “Come walk with me (and Edie and Reba)!”

Movie Night
We will resume our church movie night and potluck on Monday, April 8th at 5:30 p.m. Bring a dish to share. Our movie for that night will be “The Way” which portrays a pilgrim trekking Spain’s “El Camino De Santigo.” We will also meet for a potluck and movie (Yet to be determined) on Monday, May13th. Invite a family member, neighbor, or friend!

Burial Service
There will be a burial service at Otto Cemetery (outside Hesperia) for Juanita Dunn on Tuesday, April 30th at 11:00 a.m. All family and friends are welcome to attend.

Church Outdoor Clean-up
We will gather at 4:00 p.m. for our annual outside and general church spring cleaning. Following our hard work, we will have a hotdog roast and fellowship time. Should the weather not co-operate we will reschedule for Thursday, April 25th or Tuesday, April 30th or…….

Emergency Training
Following worship on Sunday, April 28th during Fellowship time we will share a number of Emergency Procedures to be used when we gather at Claybanks UMC, including training to use our AED equipment. Plan to stay awhile longer that day. Our snack table will be especially nice that day!

Memorial Service
Friday, April 12th at 11:00 a.m. we will gather Joyce Kinster’s family and friends for a Celebration of Life Service at Claybanks United Methodist Church followed by a luncheon at Montague VFW Hall.

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Upcoming Worship Schedule

Posted on March 29, 2024 | Leave a comment

APRIL SCRIPTURE AND MESSAGE

Sunday, April 7
Humor Sunday
Acts 4:32-35
John 20:19-31
Peace

Sunday, April 14
Psalm 4
Luke 24:36-49
Have You Anything Here To Eat?

Sunday, April 21
Acts 4:5-12
John 10:11-18
True or False Prophet

Sunday,  April 28
Acts 8:26-40
Psalm 22:25-31
John 15:1-8
Being Connected Through Baptism

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Good Friday Service

Posted on March 28, 2024 | Leave a comment

Claybanks United Methodist Church
Friday March 29, 2024 – 2:00 p.m.
*Indicates to stand as you are able
Good Friday

Centering Words

Call to Worship

Leader: Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

All: We were the hollow echo of hosannas once spoken in love.

Leader: Were you in the garden when the disciples fell asleep?

All: We were the betrayal in Judas’s kiss.

Leader: Were you in the courtyard when the cock crowed?

All: We were the denial on Peter’s lips.

Leader: Were you among the scoffers when Jesus was flogged?

All: We were the whip in the soldier’s hand.

Leader: Were you in Pilate’s chamber when he washed his hands of Jesus’ fate?

All: We were the hated of the crowd, and the indifference in Pilate’s heart.

Leader: Were you with the powers of this world when the soldiers dressed Jesus as king?

All: We were the mockery in the crown of thorns.

Leader: Were you among the spectators at Golgotha?

All: We were the nails that pierced Jesus’ hands and feet.

Leader: Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

All: We were the silence when no bird sang.

*Opening Hymn
“Were You There” (vs 1-3).………UMH 288

*Opening Prayer

First Reading  – Luke 22:39-53 (The first candle is extinguished)

Second Reading  – John 18:12-14 (The second candle is extinguished)

Hymn………..…“Go to Dark Gethsemane” (vs 1-2)…….…UMH 290

Third Reading – Luke 22:54b-62 (The third candle is extinguished)

Litany

Leader: There is no warmth in the fire.

All: Our blood runs as cold as the night.

Leader: The one we love is in peril.

All: Our courage blows away like the wind.

Leader: Strangers recognize our fellowship in Jesus.

All: Our denial pierces the soul like the cock’s crow pierces the dawn.

Leader: There is no warmth in the fire.

All: Our tears flow as cold as the night.

Fourth Reading – John 18:19-23 (The fourth candle is extinguished)

Fifth Reading – Matthew 27:1-2 (The fifth candle is extinguished)

Prayer

Sixth Reading – Matthew 27:3-10 (The sixth candle is extinguished)

Litany

Leader: Jesus stands condemned.

All: Wait! Stop the madness.

Leader: It is too late.

All: We will repent of our sin.

Leader: You have been well paid.

All: We do not want blood money.

Leader: It is yours all the same.

All: Please, stop this madness.

Leader: It is too late.

Seventh Reading – John 18:33-38 (The seventh candle is extinguished)

Hymn
“What Wondrous Love Is This”….…..UMH 292

Eighth Reading – Matthew 27:15-24 (The eighth candle is extinguished)

Prayer

Ninth Reading – Matthew 27:26-31 (The ninth candle is extinguished)

Hymn
“O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”……….…UMH 286

Tenth Reading – Matthew 27:32-37; John 19:20b-21 (The tenth candle is extinguished)

Special Reading  

Eleventh Reading – Luke 23:35, 39-43 (The eleventh candle is extinguished)

Special Music

Litany

Leader: Come to the cross and feel the weight of the world.

All: We bring the weight of our sins.

Leader: Come to the cross and feel the weight of the world.

All: We bring the weight of our desertions and our betrayals.

Leader: Come to the cross and feel the weight of the world.

All: We bring the weight of our accusations and our scorn.

Leader: Come to the cross and feel the weight of the world.

All: We bring the weight of our lives.

Twelfth Reading – Mark 15:33-34 (The twelfth candle is extinguished)

Thirteenth Reading – Mark 15:35-36 (The thirteenth candle is extinguished)

Fourteenth Reading –  Matthew 27:50-51

Our Funeral Church Bell is rung once (then the fourteenth candle is extinguished)

Draping of the Cross (The Christ candle is extinguished)

*Please depart the Sanctuary in silence until reaching Fellowship Hall*

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March 24th Worship Service

Posted on March 22, 2024 | Leave a comment

Claybanks Methodist Church
Sunday, March 24, 2024
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Palm Sunday

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
”All Glory, Laud, and Honor”….……..UMH 280

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 – Psalm 118 & Matthew 21

Liturgist
All People: Give thanks to the Lord, for God is good. God’s steadfast love endures forever.
Liturgist
1st Reader
2nd Reader
Readers 1&2
Music…Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates (Ver 1-2)…UMH 213
3rd Reader
All Readers
4th Reader/ Pause/ 4th Reader
All People: Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest heaven!
5th Reader/ Pause/ 5th Reader
All People: Give thanks to the Lord, for God is good. God’s steadfast love endures forever.
All Readers
Waving and Celebration with Palms

*Gloria Patri………………………………………………..UMH  70

*Opening Prayer

*Hymn
”Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”……………..UMH 278

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves

*Doxology………………………………………..…UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn
“Tell Me the Stories of Jesus”…………UMH  277

Sharing of the Word

Old Testament Readings
Psalm 118:1-2 & 19-29……………..….Pages 492 & 493

*Gospel Reading
Mark 14:1-50 (Please remain seated)………………Page 826

Message by Pastor Gary Peterson
“We At Times Ourselves Have Fled and Deserted Jesus”

Prayer

*Hymn
“In the Garden”…………..……UMH 314

*Benediction.

Postlude – Please be seated

Clearing of the Altar and Sanctuary

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard

Liturgist  – David Grossman

Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

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March 17th Worship Service

Posted on March 14, 2024 | Leave a comment

Claybanks Methodist Church
Sunday, March 17, 2024
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Fifth Sunday of Lent

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
”Blessed Assurance”..……..……UMH 369

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: This is the fifth step on our Lenten journey, the step of sacrifice.
All: Be with us, Lord, as we take this step.
Leader: This requires the willingness to give all of your life to the Lord.
All: Be with us, Lord, as we commit our lives to you.
Leader: Come, let us worship and offer our voices of praise to God.
All: Let us open our hearts and spirits to God this day. AMEN.

*Gloria Patri…………………………………UMH  70

*Statement of Faith…………………………..UMH 883

*Hymn
”Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me”………………….UMH 361

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves

*Doxology………………….………………………..…UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn
“Have Thine Own Way, Lord”…………UMH  382

Sharing of the Word

Old Testament Readings
Jeremiah 31:31-34……………………………………..….Page 642
Psalm 51:1-12…………….……………………….…..…..Page 452

*Gospel Reading
John 12:20-33…………..……………………………………….…Page 875

Message by Pastor Gary Peterson
“We Want to See Jesus”

Prayer

*Hymn
“Blest Be the Tie That Binds”…..……UMH 557

*Benediction.

Postlude – Please be seated

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard

Liturgist  – Reba Peterson

Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

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