United Methodist Church of Cadillac

1020 East Division Street • Cadillac, Michigan

Phone 775-5362 • Fax 775-6475

February 1, 2009

First Sunday in Lent

Sunday Worship at 11:00 a.m.

PRELUDE

BRINGING IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST...............................................by the Acolytes

WELCOME AND PARISH NOTES

CLIP BOARD MINISTRY FOR APRIL

*GATHERING WORDS

One:..We come, so God might open our eyes,

All:.....that we may discover the wonders surrounding us;
…......that we may embrace the joy deep within us.

One:..We gather, so Christ might widen our hearts,

All:.....that we may hear the sounds of brokenness

…......around us; that we may sing the melodies of hope.

One:..We are here, so the Spirit might teach us the ways of humility,

All:......that we may walk that street named Enduring Love;
….......that we may wait at the corner called Faithfulness.

*OPENING HYMN.................................................................................................#269

“Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days”

*SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

PRAYER HYMN......................................................................................Chancel Choir

“This Lonesome Valley” Arr. Price / Besig

UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION

We admit we are hesitant to walk to the lonesome valley to Jerusalem and beyond with you, God of Glory. In a world where we worry about tomorrow before enjoying today, we race by your moments of silence, of learning. In that flood of worries, which can overwhelm us, we may miss that assurance that you have not cut us off from your grace. In the deserts of our desires, we may ignore that feast of hope, of joy, of life you offer to us.
Forgive us and have mercy on us, Gentle Guardian of our souls. In humility, may we offer our lives to others. In love, may we share your grace with everyone we meet. In hope, may we wait for you all our days, as you come to us in the life and joy of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Silence is kept

Assurance of Pardon
Pastor:..In this place we find God's word, God's way, God's love, God's forgiveness.
…..........What more do we need to sustain us as we continue as pilgrims along the …..........Way?

All:.........In every wilderness, on every road;
…..........in every moment, in every life;
…..........in every journey, in every heart,
…..........we receive the daily bread we need - God's hope, God's mercy, God's joy. …..........Thanks be to God, we are forgiven. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE

CHILDREN’S TIME

SCRIPTURE READING................................................................................O.T. pg.78

Exodus 32:1-24

MESSAGE..........................................................................................Pastor Tom Ball

“Written In Stone”

OFFERTORY INVITATION

PRESENTING OUR GIFTS TO GOD

ORGAN OFFERTORY

*DOXOLOGY.........................................................................................Tune: Old 100^th

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

that were a present far too small;

love so amazing so divine

demands my soul, my life, my all. Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION (In Unison)

Living God, as we embark once more on this journey through Lent, we give thanks for the assurance of your presence with us in Jesus Christ, Savior, Redeemer and Friend. We offer these gifts and our lives with the prayer that they will be used to proclaim the story of his sacrificial love in word and deed. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

The Invitation

Jesus invited all to the feast of peace and new life.
Jesus risked everything in compassion.
Jesus promised to make himself known

in the breaking of the bread.

The Great Thanksgiving

One: We give thanks and praise for all that is good in the world.

For the love we name Creativity God, and all that is.
For the person we name Jesus
and his message of peace, justice and inclusiveness

that is the realm of God.
For the renewing strength and freedom of the Spirit
always present on the breath of life.
All: We give thanks for the presentness of God in the midst

of life.

We remember the stories…

How Jesus gathered with friends and foes
to tell them of a re-imagined way of living and being.

A way that did not conform
to the standards of the Roman Empire
or any other system of governance
that suppressed people
until starvation and deprivation resulted in death.

In this way, the issues of life and death,
justice and injustice,
conflict and peace,
goodness and evil
were talked through and made real to ordinary people.

Breaking of the Bread and Pouring of the Wine

So in our time and in this place, with today’s issues before us,
let us continue the tradition: to break bread together.

We remember what that tradition says...

At the end of a journey, among friends, gathered round a table...
Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it:
'This bread is broken, as my body will be.'

And he handed it to his friends, and invited them to eat:
'Remember all that I have been to you.'

We remember...

Jesus poured a cup of wine, offered thanks for it,
and gave it to his friends:
'This wine is poured out as my life will be.
As you drink give thanks for all I have given.'

Bread... the stuff of life.
Wine... the fruit of celebration.

One:..May the Spirit of Life within us

All:....be a source of healing and consolation.

One:..May the Spirit of Love within us

All:....strengthen us when we feel weak,
…......warm us when we are cold-hearted,
…......bend us when we are stubborn,
…......move us when we are uncaring,
…......guide us in the way of love.

One:..May the Spirit of Peace within us

All:....shine in all we do.

Be with us loving God, as we shared in this holy meal and as we pray the prayer Jesus taught his disciples, Our Father . . .

The bread and the cup will be served.

Prayer After Communion

God of love, God of compassion,

may the celebration of the wonder
and the mystery of your presence,
strengthen and enable us
to be your body, the church. Amen.

Holy Communion is opened to all - all are invited and welcomed.

We will be serving by intinction this morning. You will receive

a piece of bread which can be dipped into the cup and received.

The Communion rail is opened for prayer.

Please come by the center aisle and return by the side aisle.

PRAYER OF THANKS FOR CHRIST’S PRESENCE

*CLOSING HYMN...............................................................................................#2158

“Just a Closer Walk with Thee”

*COMMISSION AND BLESSING

*POSTLUDE

*All who are able, please stand.

The 10^th Annual Sportsmen’s Banquet at Temple Hill Baptist Church will be held Saturday, March 7 at 6:00 p.m.. Game display, great food and door prizes, plus “Improving Your Aim” with special guest speaker Nate Hettinga. Tickets are $15 per person. For more information call 775-4942 or email Pastor Jack at jmiller@thbc.org

Sunday Volunteer Ministry, March 8, 2009

Organist/Pianist: Virginia Pulford

Acolyte: 11:00 a.m. - Lucas Marion & Ethan Myers

Nursery: Kevin & Patricia Bruner

Sermontime: Diana VanAntwerp

Coffee Hour: 8:30 - Open

11: 00 - Education

Power Point: Create & 8:30 - Jeff Hinkston 11:00 - Jackie Soltman

Greeters and Ushers 8:30 a.m. - Open

Greeters 11:00 a.m. - Open

Head Usher 11:00 a.m. - Open

Ushers 11:00 am- Open

Opportunities for Ministry This Week . . .

Sunday, March 1 - First Sunday in Lent

Holy Communion Served At Both Services

Coffee Hour Follows Both Worship Services

8:30 a.m. - Sunday Worship

9:30 a.m. - Church School

11:00 a.m. - Sunday Worship

Noon - 1:30 p.m. - JD’s meet

5:00 - 6:30 p.m. - Sr. High meets

6:00 p.m. - First Lenten Study and Soup Supper

Monday, March 2

1:30 p.m. - UMW Executive Board

Tuesday, March 3

7:15 a.m. - Prayer Group

7:15 p.m. - Missions/Church & Society

Wednesday, March 4

7:00 a.m. - Lenten Breakfast at First Christian Church

3:00 - 5:00 p.m. - Mercy Hospice Staff Meeting

6:30 p.m. - Staff Parish Relations

7:30 p.m. - Choir Practice

Thursday, March 5

7:00 a.m. - Promise Keepers

9:00 a.m. - Wesley Fellowship @ Big Boy

11:30 a.m. - Prayer Group

1:00 - 2:30 p.m. - United Way

3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Distribution of memorial bracelets

6:30 p.m. - Grow Group in Wesley Room

Friday, March 6

8:30 - 10:30 a.m. - ICC meets in Corbin Room

Saturday, March 7

9:00 a.m. - Bishop’s Day at Kalkaska UMC

Sunday, March 8 - Second Sunday in Lent

Coffee Hour Follows Both Worship Services

8:30 a.m. - Sunday Worship

9:30 a.m. - Church School

11:00 a.m. - Sunday Worship

2:00 p.m. - Camp SOS Staff meeting

5:00 - 6:30 p.m. - Sr. High meets

6:00 p.m. - Second Lenten Study and Potluck Dinner

Thank you to everyone for your participation in the Chili Cookoff, Bake Sale and Silent Auction! Baskets this year were very unique. And what a wonderful display of goodies to eat. Congratulations to Mr. Greg Green, winner of the Golden Ladle Award for pot of chili #9. The Golden Ladle has spent the last two years hanging in the Solce kitchen; first with Larry then with David. Now it will have a new home for the year to come.

Memory bracelets for Alex Harrison will be distributed on Thursday, March 5 here at our church from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. All friends and supporters are invited to come. Donations will be received to help cover the cost.

Bill Irvine is still in Rehab and doing much better. Discharge is scheduled for March 6. They really appreciate all the prayers. Bill has enjoyed the cards. His address is: Bill Irvine, St. Mary’s Hospital, Inpatient Rehab Unit, Room 3914, 1601 West St. Mary’s Street, Tucson, AZ 85745.

Ann Everett would like to thank everyone very much for all their help in donating furnishings for her new neighbor. She is still in need of a bedroom dresser and chairs for a dinette table. If you are able to help meet some of these needs, please speak with Ann after the late service today or call her. Thank you very much for whatever furnishings you can offer.

The Chancel Choir is seeking some seasonal singers. Would you be able to sing during the Lenten and Easter seasons? Several of our members are in warmer climates; we could use a few extra voices. No auditions - just a desire to praise the Lord. Practice is each Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Come on along!!

Don’t forget to set your clocks AHEAD one hour before going to bed Saturday. Daylight-saving Time begins on Sunday, March 8 at 2:00 a.m.

Today’s Worship Ministry . . .

Liturgist: Judy Coffey

Organist/Pianist: Suzanne Johnson

Acolytes: 11:00 a.m. - Colin Hinkston & Greg Green

Nursery: Carolyn Mitchell

Sermontime: Jeff & Laura Marion

Coffee Hour: 8:30 - Karen Klinker

11:00 - Memorials

Power Point: Create & 8:30 - Dave Darrow 11:00 - Clara Handy

Greeters/Ushers 8:30 a.m - Open

Greeters 11:00 a.m. - Open

Head Usher 11:00 a.m. - Open

Ushers 11:00 a.m. - Open

The Flowers on the Lord’s Table are given in

loving memory of Dale Maxwell

by his Mom, René, and family.

Cadillac Area Lenten Breakfasts

Sponsored by the Cadillac Area Ministerial Association

7:00 a.m. to 7:50 a.m. each Wednesday

You are cordially invited to a breakfast sponsored by the Cadillac Area Ministerial Association each Wednesday during Lent. The time together will include breakfast, singing and a meditation beginning at 7:00 a.m. and ending promptly at 7:50 a.m. so you may be to work on time or on to other business of the day. A freewill offering is received. The week’s breakfast is on March 4 at First Christian Church on Business 131 just north of Meijer. John and Lisa Martek are the hosts and the speaker is our own Parish Assistant, Judy Coffey.

Our March Loose Plate Offering is AIDS Awareness and Children Impacted by HIV/AIDS. This AIDS educational program educates African communities and supports community care programs for orphaned children, health coordinator training, as well as promotional/educational literature. Addressing the issue of HIV/AIDS on the African continent is a high priority for the General Board of Global Ministries through the next decade.