Smithville United Methodist Church
PO Box 293, 505 N Hwy 169
Smithville, MO 64089
816-532-3200
Celebrating Life through Divine Worship
Forth Sunday of Lent, Communion
10:00 am, April 3, 2011
The time of centering: Now the time of reflection and stillness is upon us. Now is the season for inward searching. Close your eyes. Be still. Listen. We are entering a holy time, the time of Lent. We are journeying to the sacred center of our faith. We are entering the depths of our own hearts. At the center of our faith, in the depth of our hearts, God is waiting for us, reaching out to us, inviting us to leave ordinary time and to follow him along the journey that brought Jesus to the Cross. God is calling you. Listen.
PRELUDE Worship begins as the music is played
ENTRANCE OF THE LIGHT
INVOCATION
O Lord, we journey these roads of Lent and more and more see ourselves in the people Jesus encountered on the roads of his life. We do not always like what we see, and at times on our journey we are in need of spiritual rebirth. God offers to clean the mud from our eyes that we might see Him clearly. When we see God clearly, the divine changes us. When we see our world clearly, God calls us to be. Amen.
WELCOME
*SONGS OF PRAISE Open Our Eyes (2086)
My Life is in You, Lord (2032)
CALL TO WORSHIP
LEADER: Gracious Lord we confess, there are times when we choose to reject the gift of your sight, times when we prefer to close our eyes rather than to see clearly. When selfishness blinds us to the needs of others...
PEOPLE: Jesus, Light of the world, forgive us.
LEADER: When our insensitivity blinds us to the hurt we cause others…
PEOPLE: Jesus, Light of the world, forgive us.
LEADER: When our prejudices blind us to the equal dignity and worth of others…
PEOPLE: Jesus, Light of the world, forgive us.
LEADER: When our pride blinds us to our own faults…
PEOPLE: Jesus, Light of the world, forgive us.
LEADER: When the lure of materialism blinds us to the poverty of others…
PEOPLE: Jesus, Light of the world, forgive us.
ALL: Loving God, Light of the world, help us to walk in your light and see as you desire that we see. Lord, hear our prayer. Amen.
SPECIAL MUSIC "The Unclouded Day"
Olen Chestnut and Andrea Knutter
CHILDREN’S SERMON
TIME OF PRAYER
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
OUR DISCIPLESHIP OF GIVING
Offering
*Doxology
*Prayer of Dedication
*HYMN OF PREPARATION "Open My Eyes That I May See" 454
SCRIPTURE LESSON: Selections from John 9
MEDITATION Blessings along the Journey: Sight
PREPARING FOR THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Unison Prayer
ALL: You are the light that illuminates our vision, O God. In your presence our eyes are opened, and we see our world more clearly. Our own light comes from you: we are able to shine your love and hope because you love us and give us reason to hope. Radiate through us with your holy love and wisdom, healing the hurts of the past and giving courage and holy vision for our journey. Amen.
Invitation to the Table
Receiving Communion
*HYMN FOR GOING FORTH "Holy Spirit, Truth Divine" 465
TAKING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST INTO THE WORLD
BENEDICTION
Go, carrying your doubts with you until the time comes when you can lay them down and walk with a lighter load. Go with the assurance that God walks with you and helps shoulder all your burdens. We pray in the triune name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
POSTLUDE
*Please stand if you are able when indicated by an asterisk
Please pray for: Lou Petersen, Carol White, Barb Kravec, Marilyn Phopheter, Marie Allard and for all the people that are having medical or surgical worries.
The memorial book is opened in loving memory of Larry Moss
Altar flowers to God's Glory by the Viebrock's
Ushers for today, April 3rd are: Mike and Amy Tjelle, David Cline and Tommy Mast.
"JOURNEY BLESSINGS"
Wednesday, 5:45 to 7:00 pm
April 6th - Sight
April 13th - Tears
April 20th - Perseverance
Come enjoy a meal, fellowship and study
Soup providers will be:
April 6th - Youth
April 13th - UMW & Tuesday Study Group
April 20th - UMM
PRESCHOOL FUNDRAISER
Small Steps Preschool still has grocery coupon books for sale. There are 8 Big V Country Mart books. Please see Ron Mast or Roberta Sanderson if you wish to purchase one. The money will go towards new playground equipment.
SUMC YOUTH will be showing "Jesus Christ Super Star" Sunday night April 10th 5:30-7:30 pm. Please join us during this Lenten season and enjoy viewing this timeless musical of Jesus final days before his "Resurrection". Invite your family, friends, and neighbors. Please bring your own snacks. Help us come together as a church family and fellowship. Any questions please contact Debbie Shoaf at debbieshoaf@yahoo.com.
Small Steps Preschool
Open House
Open House for Small Steps Preschool for registration and information will be Thursday, April 14th from 5 pm to 8 pm. You may register before that night in the church office or call 532-3200.
EASTER FLOWERS
There are two sign-up sheets for Easter flowers on the "Opportunities to Serve" bulletin board. You can either choose Easter Lilies or a mix of tulip/daffodils. Sign-up soon because there have only been 12 lilies and 12 mix flowers ordered. The cost is $10.00 for lilies and $13.00 for the mixed. Please make your check out to SUMC, put Easter flowers in the memo and either put your check in the collection or in the office the day you sign-up. Please remember to put who the flowers are in honor of or in memory of.
The United Methodist Men will be serving a continental breakfast on Easter morning at 8:30 am. They would like to know how many of you will be attending. There is a sign-up sheet at the back of the great room for you to sign.
Give to Pacific Emergency, UMCOR Advance 33021317. Please write the Advance # and project name on the memo line of your check.
By Offering: For local church and Annual Conference credit, put your gift in the offering plate on Sunday.
By Check: Make your check to UMCOR and mail to: UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087
