Claybanks United Methodist Church

Claybanks United Methodist Church
 Sunday, July 27, 2025
 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.                                      
Seventh Sunday After Pentecost

Welcome and Announcements
*Praise Song
”Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”………..UMH 133

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: Before we even knock,
All: Christ opens the doors and invites us in.
Leader: Before we even ask,
All: God knows our every need.
Leader: Come to see; Come to pray; Come to worship,
All: For the Spirit has called us here.

*Gloria Patri…………………………..UMH 70
*Opening Prayer
*Hymn.
”Seek Ye First”…………………………..UMH 405

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

*Prayer of Dedication
*Hymn
”Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart”………..UMH 500

Sharing of the Word
Epistle Reading
Colossians 2: 6-19……………..…..…Page 957
Gospel Reading
Luke 11: 1-13………………….…Page 472

Message by Pastor Gary Peterson
“The Lord’s Prayer”
               
Prayer
*Hymn
”Precious Lord, Take My Hand”.………..UMH 474
Benediction
Postlude – Please be seated

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

Claybanks United Methodist Church
 Sunday, July 20, 2025
 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.                                      
Sixth Sunday After Pentecost

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 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: We come into God’s presence,
All: Like green olive trees in the house of God.
Leader: Like young saplings in the courtyard of the Lord.
All: We ripen in the light of God,
Leader: Like the fruit of God’s vineyard
All: Come! Let us worship.

*Gloria Patri…………………………..UMH 70
*The World Methodist Social Affirmation……….UMH 886
*Hymn
”Open My Eyes, That I May See”……………..UMH 454

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

*Prayer of Dedication
*Hymn
”Jesu, Jesu”……………………………..UMH 432

Sharing of the Word

Old Testament Readings
Amos 7:7-17…………..……Page 748
Psalm 82………………………Page 472

Message by Pastor Gary Peterson
“Do You Know Your Plum Line?
               
Prayer
*Hymn
”Take My Life, and Let It Be”..…….UMH 399
Benediction
Postlude – Please be seated

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

Claybanks United Methodist Church
 Sunday, July 13, 2025
 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.                                      
Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
Adult and Teen Challenge

Welcome and Announcements
*Praise Song
”Morning Has Broken”……………..UMH 145

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: Beloved people of God, welcome to worship.
All: We come to worship and to praise.
Leader: With love for one another, we gather as neighbors.
All: With love for God, we gather as God’s community of love.

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

*Prayer of Dedication
*Hymn
”O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee”…………….UMH 430

Sharing of the Word
Witness and Message by Adult and Teen Challenge

Prayer
Benediction
Postlude – Please be seated

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

Report on 2025 Michigan Annual Conference by Reba and Gary Peterson.

This year Reba Peterson expanded her participation as an equalization member to the Annual Conference because of health concerns and availability. Reba substituted for Konnie Grant, the Claybanks United Methodist Church Lay Representative to Annual Conference. This report is a composite of thoughts from Reba and Pastor Gary on the annual conference in Traverse City for 2025. This recently convened conference was again an amazing experience because you could see God working through people for the church. Over fourteen hundred lay and clergy were in attendance. Friday, May 29th was the first day of the conference and it began that morning with over three hundred volunteers assembling 45,000 meals to be distributed during this year by our United Methodist Committee On Relief. Our first session included a worship time together, and as always, what a joyous worship it is when so many United Methodists are able to praise God with music and song. Bishop Bard delivered our opening message, “Unfinished Business Growing Up And Into Christ,” which was the theme of this year’s Annual Conference.

Following a few organizational details, we as a conference took action to affirm four Constitutional Amendments that all Annual Conferences must vote on this year. These amendments come from the 2020/2024 General Conference and must be approved by 2/3 of the Annual Conferences. We as a conference affirmed and approved four pieces of legislation. Reorganization for the Central Conference (Which the United States is part of) was the first piece of legislation. Inclusiveness of the church and Racial Justice Amendments were approved that better clarify the intent of our constitution. The last piece of the Constitutional Amendments detailed the educational requirements for clergy which will allow clergy, while attending seminary, to select from a number of different paths in which to be ordained or licensed in the United Methodist Church.

We then moved on to approved legislation for our Michigan Annual Conference which included a number of authorizations to the budget that will allow our annual conference to meet our financial requirements in the future. We also deliberated and passed a number of other resolutions concerning Holy Land Excursions, encouraging boycotts of large corporations that do not include the right of dignity and human rights for all. We also passed legislation around the Mandatory Protection Policy and Ethics Training for Clergy. Our final important piece of legislation was to establish a budget and an equitable compensation schedule for clergy.

Each day at conference, either in the beginning or at the end of the day, we took time to be in worship together culminating in a worship service of ordination and licensing for clergy. We also recognized those from clergy, We also recognized those from clergy, staff and laity who were retiring after many distinguished years of service to the United Methodist Church and the Michigan Area Conference. During these worship times, we paused to remember clergy and laity who have passed away during the past year.

Our last one was to affirm that we would once again gather as the Michigan Area United Methodist Church in Traverse City in 2026 where we will continue to work as disciples growing up and into Christ.

Reba Peterson – Lay Representative

Gary Peterson – Pastor