Announcements and Stuff

Posted on June 27, 2025 | Leave a comment

United Women of Faith
Our last meeting occurred on June 16 with eight women present to wash, hull, chop, and freeze the strawberries for our annual Strawberry Social, which will be held on August 8.  Please mark your calendars for that day and invite friends and family to join us for this traditional event.

We need volunteers to help on August 8th.  Please consider helping for a fun and active couple of hours.

Our next meeting will be on July 17th at 1:00 p.m. at the church.  All women are welcome.

Teen Challenge Coming to CUMC
Please plan to show a CLAYBANKS WELCOME TO TEEN CHALLENGE, July 13th, for our morning worship service followed by a barbecue luncheon.  A sign-up sheet is on the back table in the fellowship hall.

As we show our support for this invaluable service changing lives for Christ,  please keep the Leaders, Men, and Women of the program in your prayers. Thank you for supporting God’s mission work in our community.

Muskegon Methodist Ministry at Claybanks UMC
On Thursday, July 31, Claybanks UMC will be hosting the Muskegon Methodist Ministry at our church. This will be the first time in recent memory for the ministry to be with us. We will be providing dinner for all. Following our meal, we will then move into the Sanctuary to sing hymns, and a short update from all seven churches that are a part of the Ministry. Following prayers we will provide our own Strawberry Shortcake for dessert. Please plan to attend and extend a great welcome to all.

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Posted in Announcements and Stuff

Upcoming Worship Schedule

Posted on June 27, 2025 | Leave a comment

SCRIPTURE AND MESSAGE
June 29 – July 27

Sunday, June 29
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
Luke 9:51-62
Misuse Of Spiritual Powers
4th Of July Recognition

Sunday, July 6
Psalm 30
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
New Mission Statement For UMC

Sunday, July 13
Adult and Teen Challenge
Potluck Dinner following worship with our guests.

Sunday, July 20
Amos 7:7-17
Psalm 82
Do You Have A Plumb Line In Your Life?

Sunday, July 27
Colossians 2:6-19
Luke 11:1-13
The Lord’s Prayer

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Posted in Upcoming Worship Schedule

June 22nd Worship Service

Posted on June 20, 2025 | Leave a comment

Claybanks United Methodist Church
 Sunday, June 22, 2025
 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.                                      
Second Sunday After Pentecost

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
”Dear Lord and Father of Mankind.”………UMH 358

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 as children of God.
All: We come, unsure where to seek God’s presence.
Leader: The wind blows,
All: But God is not in the wind.
Leader: The earth quakes,
All: But God is not in the earthquake.
Leader: The fire burns,
All: But God is not in the flame.
Leader: There is nothing but utter stillness.
All: God is there in the silence.
Leader: In silence we will wait for God.
All: God is with us now.

We will now remain in silence for a few minutes before moving to the Gloria Patri

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

*Hymn
”How Like a Gentle Spirit”…………………..UMH 115

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

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

Sharing of the Word

Old Testament Reading
1 Kings 19:1-15a……………………………Page 284
*Gospel Reading
Luke 8:26-39……………..…….….…Page 841
                   
Message by Pastor Gary Peterson
”I Am Glad I Was Not There!”

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

Benediction
Postlude – Please be seated

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

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Posted in Weekly Service

June 15th Worship Service

Posted on June 13, 2025 | Leave a comment

Claybanks United Methodist Church
 Sunday, June 15, 2025
 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.                                      
Trinity Sunday
Father’s Day

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
”This Is My Father’s World”……………..UMH 144

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: The name of the Lord is Majestic!
All: The mountains tower and the seas roar in the praise of God!
Leader: When we look at the heavens, we rejoice in God!
All: The moon, stars, planets, and solar systems are a delight     to us!
Leader: Come, let us shout our praise to God!
All: Lord, thank you for this awesome creation! AMEN

*Gloria Patri…………………………..UMH 70
*Affirmation of Faith -Insert

Honoring Father’s Day
*Hymn……..…”In the Midst of New Dimensions”…………….TFWS 2238
Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves
*Doxology………………………………………………………………..…UMH 95
*Prayer of Dedication
*Hymn………………………..”The Summons”………………………..TFWS 2130

Sharing of the Word

Old Testament Reading
Psalm 8………………………………………………….…Page 427
*Gospel Reading
Luke 24:13-21,28-32………………….……………….Page 860-861
                   
Message by Pastor Gary Peterson
”What Does Cursillo Mean to Us?”

Prayer

*Hymn
”Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”.……UMH 400

Benediction
Postlude – Please be seated

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

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Posted in Weekly Service

June 8th Worship Service

Posted on June 6, 2025 | Leave a comment

Claybanks United Methodist Church
 Sunday, June 8, 2025
 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.                                      
Pentecost Sunday

Welcome and Announcements
*Praise Song
”Holy Ground”(Twice)………………..TFWS 2272

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: In rushing wind and cleansing fire…
All: God’s Spirit leads us here.
Leader: In courage found and faith renewed…
All: God’s Spirit fills our hearts with longing.
Leader: In vision seen and dreams made real…
All: God’s Spirit takes away our fear.
Leader: In rushing wind and cleansing fire…
All: God’s Spirit sends us to share Christ’s love.

*Gloria Patri………………………………..UMH 70
*Opening Prayer
*Hymn
”Spirit Song”…………………………….UMH 347

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

*Prayer of Dedication
*Hymn
”Blessed Assurance”………………………UMH 369

Sharing of the Word
Epistle Reading
Acts 2:1-21…………………………………………………Page 885
*Gospel Reading
John 14:8-17 & 25-27………………….…………….….…Page 877
                   
Message by Pastor Gary Peterson
”The Advocate Wants You!”

Special Music…Janice Anderson & Richard Lindell
Communion
Prayer

*Hymn
”The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve”.……TFWS 2241
Benediction
Postlude – Please be seated

Pianist – Julie Ash
Liturgist – Ellen Zimmerman
Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

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Posted in Weekly Service

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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Posted in Pastor's Ponderings