Celebrating Life through Divine Worship

Fourth Sunday of Easter

GRADUATION RECOGNITION

10:00 am, May 15, 2011

The time of centering:

Astounding Good News: Christ is alive! Easter is God’s shining light in our darkness. Easter is hope washing over despair. Easter is brimming over, flowing into each day and setting alleluias loose! God is with us! He is the Good Shepherd: He gives abundant life. We are the sheep and he is the shepherd of our souls. In his care we are safe and well. In the name of the living God, we welcome you to this worship service.

PRELUDE Worship begins as the music is played

ENTRANCE OF THE LIGHT

INVOCATION

We come before you, O God, in Easter joy, seeking to be an Easter People of the resurrection. Be known among us; grant us the assurance of your presence, your love, your guidance, and your renewing power. Through your Word and Spirit, reveal to us your purpose in our lives. Amen.

WELCOME

Recognition of Graduates - Ramona Emery and Becky Mast

*SONGS OF PRAISE "Lead Me, Guide Me"

"People Need the Lord"

CALL TO WORSHIP

LEADER:   The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

PEOPLE: And also with you.

LEADER:   Praise be to God, the gatekeeper has opened the door to the fold.

PEOPLE:  Jesus is the gate.  Whoever enters by him will find life.

LEADER:   Praise be to God, the shepherd has come to give us life and that abundantly.

PEOPLE:  Jesus is the Good Shepherd.  He calls us by name. He leads us day by day.   He watches over us.

LEADER:  Listen for his voice.  And rejoice in his care.

PEOPLE:  We know the voice of our Shepherd and we will follow him.

LEADER: God is with us!

ALL:   He is with us!  Hallelujah! Amen.

SPECIAL MUSIC                                         "Risen on High" by Choir

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 "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us"

No. 381

SCRIPTURE LESSON: John 10:1-10

MEDITATION Easter People: Abundant Life

*HYMN FOR GOING FORTH "Easter People, Raise Your Voices"

No. 304

TAKING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST INTO THE WORLD

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE

*Please stand if you are able when indicated by an asterisk

Please pray for: For all the tornado and flood victims, 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 Carolyn Hickman

Altar flowers in honor of family by Fred & Lu Darr

Ushers for today, May 15th are Denny, Nancy and Ryan Lowe and Roberta Sanderson.

PRAY FOR SMITHVILLE, MISSISSIPPI

GRADUATION SUNDAY

Text Box:

We are celebrating with our graduates today. Those that we are honoring from SUMC are Adam Shanks, Melanie Hollingsworth, Paige Plier, Ryan Gregalunas and Ben Louchios. Congratulations!

CELEBRATION SUNDAY

Sunday, May 22nd is Celebration Sunday. Part of the celebration is the potluck dinner after the service. Everyone is invited to come. Bring your favorite dish and enjoy the fellowship.

DINNERS FOR EIGHT

Dinners for Eight: Want to share in a meal and wonderful conversation? Hear more about this fun experience at Celebration Sunday, May 22 from Cindy Hunold and others. Look for the Dinners for Eight table and sign up.

PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION

Small Steps Preschool is now registering for the fall. Classes will be M/W/F for 4 & 5 year olds and T/Th for 3 & 4 year olds. Classes will be 9:00 to 11:45 am. Registration fee is $65 (non-refundable). Registration forms are available in the church office. Call the church office for more information.

SUMC will be doing the concessions for "Larson's Cruise for the Cause" on Sat. May 21st at the High School. This is a Benefit for Children with medical needs. In order to raise as much money as possible for this wonderful cause, we are asking for monetary donations to buy the food. Any extra money collected will be given to the Cause. Please put the money in the collection plates. Make a notation on the donations "Larson's Cause" so they get properly credited.

We could also use volunteers to help with the concessions. If you would like to help please let me know. We could also use some cookies for the concession stand.

Thank You Very Much, Denny Lowe

It is time once again to form our team and participate in the Smithville Inter-Church Softball League. We play for 8 weeks, every Monday night in June and July. Times vary, some weeks games begin at 6:30 pm and some weeks at 8:15 pm.

Please call or send an email to join the team!

Contact Ramona Emery at 816-225-0787 for more information or to sign up.

MINISTRY

OPPORTUNITIES FOR

THIS WEEK

Sunday, May 15

Graduation Sunday

NOON Greeter Deadline

4:00 pm Finance Meeting

5:30 pm Youth Group

Monday, May 16

7:00 pm Scout Meeting

Tuesday, May 17

9:00 am Coffee w/"Walt & Wayne"

9:00 am Study Group

3:30 pm Den #8

6:30 pm Brownies #32

Wednesday, May 18

10:00 am Art Class

7:00 pm Choir Practice

Thursday, May 19

9:00 am Crochet/Knit

7:00 pm Den #10 & #13

Friday, May 20

1:00 pm Quilting

Last Day of Preschool

Saturday, May 21

Larson's Cruise for the Cause

Sunday, May 22

Celebration Sunday

9:00 am Visitors Brunch

11:30 pm Potluck Dinner

3:30 pm Boy Scouts

4:00 pm Ad Council Meeting

5:30 pm Youth Group

General Fund - $2,412.50

Debt Reduction - $475.00

Attendance - 92

EMAIL ADDRESSES, HOME ADRESSES OR PHONE NUMBER CHANGES

If you have an email address or a change of email address, change of home address or phone number change and the office does not have it will you please leave it in the office. We will be doing a lot more communication by email. Thanks for your cooperation.

Office Hours: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm

Office Phone: (816) 532-3200

www.smithvilleumc.com

smithvilleumc@smithvilleumc.com

Pastor Kathy M. Harmon

pastorkathy@smithvilleumc.com

Lay Leader: Sharon Fairlie

Secretary: Ginger Cotter

Accompanist: Andrea Knutter

Choir Director: Angie Viebrock

Nursery: Bonnie Holland

Custodian: Leo Gaffey

Preschool Teachers: Jessica Johnson.

Kim Frick & Amy Simoncic

Altar Flowers: Lu Darr