Monthly Archives: May 2025

June 1st Worship

Posted on May 30, 2025 | Leave a comment

Claybanks United Methodist Church
 Sunday, June 1, 2025
 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.                                      
Ascension Sunday

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
”Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling”………UMH 348

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: Clap your hands, people of God.
All: Shout to God with cries of joy.
Leader: Look to the heavens, sisters, and brothers in Christ.
All: Witness the power of our God.
Leader: Clap your hands, people of God.
All: Shout to God with cries of joy.

*Gloria Patri……………………………..UMH 70

*Opening Prayer

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

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves

*Doxology………………………..…UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn
”He Touched Me”………………………..UMH 367

Sharing of the Word

Old Testament Reading
Psalm 40……………………………Page 446
*Gospel Reading
Matthew 7:1-5………………….….…Page 788
                   
Message by Nancy Frye
”The Surprise Symphony”

Prayer

*Hymn
”Freely, Freely”……….….……UMH 389

Benediction

Postlude – Please be seated

Pianist – Shar Boerema

Liturgist – David Naghtin

Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

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Posted in Weekly Service

Pastor’s Ponderings

Posted on May 30, 2025 | Leave a comment

I write this following Memorial Day when we as a country pause in observance and honor those that have served and given their lives to our country for us the people of the United States of America. In just a few weeks we will honor the anniversary of the forming of our country on July 4th with celebrations in our community and throughout the United States. While these holidays are secular and are not religious holidays, they are important parts of our lives, and I have traditionally recognized these holidays during the early portion of our worship services in appropriateness.

Every time we enter a church and worship there, we are putting ourselves in touch with the saints and the heroes and prophets and the Martyrs of the church and by extension our families, communities, and nation. We can say to ourselves, “I belong to the fellowship to which those who loved and died for their faith in every age and generation belonged.” When we sit in the seats of our churches, we can say to ourselves, “I am doing exactly what Jesus did with his disciples in the upper room so long ago.”

For the Christian, this contact with greatness is even more universal. We live in a world which is the work of God. The people surrounding us in our church, and all those we live with throughout our communities are all children of God.

The world in which we live is the great handiwork of God. Everywhere we go we can say, “Here is God.”

May God continue to bless and protect our places of worship, those who enter in and all of this nation and the world in which we live.

Live In Peace, Pastor Gary

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Announcements and Stuff

Posted on May 30, 2025 | Leave a comment

Old Time Worship Sunday
First Baptist had instituted a summer special “Old Time Worship Service.” The day of the Old Time Worship service came. Farmer John Calver rode into the church parking lot with his horse and carriage and a hand lettered sign on it: “Energy efficient vehicle. Runs on oats and grass. Caution: do not step in the exhaust.”

Claybanks United Methodist Church is once again scheduled to have our Old Time Worship Service and church picnic on Sunday, August 17, 2025, outdoors weather permitting.

2025 Mission Statement:
The mission of the United Methodist Church is to form disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.

This new Mission Statement was developed by the United Methodist Council of Bishops. It will be part of the Michigan Annual Conference being held in Traverse City from May 29 – June 1, 2025. Pastor Gary will be preaching on how our new Mission Statement can be “Lived into” by the Claybanks United Methodist Church on Sunday, July 6th.

Bonhoeffer
Pastor, Spy, Seminary Professor, Assassin
As the world teetered on the brink of annihilation, Diedrich Bonhoeffer is swept into the epicenter of a deadly plot to assassinate Hitler. With his faith and his fate at stake, Bonhoeffer must choose between upholding his moral convictions or risking it all to save millions of Jews from genocide. Will his shift from preaching peace to plotting murder alter the course of history or cost him everything?

Find out on Sunday, June 8th when Claybanks United Methodist Church gathers for a meal after worship. We will have prepared for us: hot dogs, baked beans, chips, strawberry shortcake with ice cream and popcorn. Plan to be there and what a great time to invite family, friends, and neighbors to join you and our church family in viewing a very important movie about the life of one of the prominent theologians in the 20th century.

Women of Faith
The date of our June meeting is unknown at this time.

It will be determined by when the strawberries are ripe and available.  It’s during this meeting time that we wash, hull, and prepare the berries for the freezer in anticipation of our annual August Strawberry Social.

The women will communicate by phone when a date has been determined.

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Posted in Announcements and Stuff

Upcoming Worship Schedule

Posted on May 30, 2025 | Leave a comment

JUNE SCRIPTURE AND MESSAGE

Sunday, June 1
Guest Worship Leader – Nancy Frye
Psalm 40
Matthew 7:1-5
The Surprise Symphony

Sunday, June 8
Pentecost Sunday
Acts 2:1-21
John 14:8-17, 25-27
The Advocate Wants You!
Hotdogs, Chips, Ice Cream, and a Movie “Bonhoffer” with Popcorn

Sunday, June 15
Psalm 8
What Does Cursillo Mean To Us
Witnessing by those who have experienced a Cursillo.
Fellowship Time – Richard Lindell Mission Trip to Peru Presentation

Sunday, June 22
Psalm 42
Luke 8:26-39
I Am Glad I Was Not There!

Sunday, June 29
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
Luke 9:51-62
Misuse of Spiritual Powers

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Posted in Upcoming Worship Schedule

May 25th Worship Service

Posted on May 23, 2025 | Leave a comment

Claybanks United Methodist Church
 Sunday, May 25, 2025
 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.                                      
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Memorial Weekend

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
”We, Thy People, Praise Thee”……………UMH  67

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: May God be gracious to us and bless us.
All: May God’s face shine upon us and bring us peace!
Leader: Let all people praise you, O Lord.
All: Let all people shout their joy to your holy name.
Leader: God blesses us continually throughout all our lives.
All: Thanks be to God, for God’s eternal love and blessing. Amen.

*Gloria Patri……………………………..UMH 70

*Opening Prayer

*Hymn
”For the Healing of the Nations”……………..UMH 428

Recognizing Memorial Day

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

Shalom Offering

The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves

*Doxology……………………..…UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn
”Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”……….UMH 127

Sharing of the Word

Old Testament Reading
Psalm 67……………………………………………….…..Page  460
Epistle Readings
Revelation 21:1-10……….……………………….………Page 1007
Revelation 22:1-5…………………………………….…..Page 1008
                   
Message by Pastor Gary Peterson
”What Does This Mean”

Prayer

*Hymn
”I’ll Fly Away”……….………TFWS 2282

Benediction

Postlude – Please be seated

Pianist – Julie Ash

Liturgist – Reba Peterson

Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

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Posted in Pastor's Ponderings

May 18th Worship Service

Posted on May 16, 2025 | Leave a comment

Claybanks United Methodist Church
Sunday, May 18, 2025
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.                                      
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Heritage Sunday

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
”Spirit of the Living God”……………..UMH 393

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: From the highest heavens to the deepest seas,
All: Let all creation praise the Lord.
Leader: From the rising sun to the waning moon,
All: Let all creation praise the Lord.
Leader: From the new heaven and new earth,
All: Let everything that draws breath praise the Lord.
Leader: Come! Let us worship.

*Gloria Patri………………………………..UMH 70

*A Modern Affirmation………………..…..UMH 885

*Hymn
”This Is a Day of New Beginnings”…………….UMH 383

Celebrating Heritage Sunday……………….…..Art Grumm

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves

*Doxology………………………………………………UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn
”Love, Devine, All Loves Excelling”……….UMH 384

Sharing of the Word

Epistle Reading
Acts 11:1-18………………………………….……………Page 895
*Gospel Reading
John 13:31-35……………………….……………….…..…Page 877
                   
Message by Pastor Gary Peterson
”God is Love”

Prayer

*Hymn
”They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love”……TFWS 2223

Benediction

Postlude – Please be seated

Pianist – Julie Ash
Liturgist – Janice Anderson and Richard Lindell
Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

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Posted in Weekly Service

May 11th Worship Servic

Posted on May 11, 2025 | Leave a comment

Claybanks United Methodist Church
 Sunday, May 11, 2025
 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.                                      
Mother’s Day

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
”Marching to Zion”………………….UMH 733

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: Today we celebrate our mothers, grandmothers, aunties, and all the women who have loved us.
All: Thank you, God, for giving us mothers.
Leader: We remember with deep gratitude all the ways they have demonstrated their love for us.
All: Sometimes we did not understand them, but we know that God understood.
Leader: We take time to remember our mothers because a mother’s love is most like God’s love.
All: For their tears, for their hugs, for their wisdom, for their unfailing trust in our abilities, we give thanks today.

*Gloria Patri………………………………..UMH 70

*Opening Prayer

*Hymn
”Great Is Thy Faithfulness”………….……UMH 140

Honoring Mother’s Day

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves

*Doxology………………………………………….…UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn
”Precious Lord, Take My Hand”…………….UMH 474

Sharing of the Word

Old Testament Reading
Exodus 2:1-11…………………………………………………………….Page  43
Epistle Reading
7:9-17……………………………………………..………Page 999
*Gospel Reading
John 10:22-30……………………….……………….….…Page 873
                   
Message by Pastor Gary Peterson
”Mother’s Day”

Prayer

*Hymn
”Near to the Heart of God”……………….UMH 472

Benediction

Postlude – Please be seated

Pianist – Cheryl Loman
Liturgist – Edie Bogart
Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

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Posted in Pastor's Ponderings