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Pittsfield United Methodist Church

7 days ago

Please join us for worship this Sunday, November 29 at 9a.m. on WBBA Radio (97.5) or live stream from wbbaradio.com We have included the bulletin so you may join us from home.

Welcome

Announcements:

Per the directives of Bishop Frank Beard, all churches in our Annual Conference will not be meeting for indoor public worship through December 13th. This directive will be re-evaluated on December 9th. However, our church will be broadcasting a 9 am service live over WBBA-FM radio every Sunday through December 13th, since a maximum of 10 people may gather in the church to conduct such a broadcast. Furthermore, Bishop Beard, along with the Illinois Department of Public Health, has also directed that churches conduct essential and minimum operations only. This means that only essential groups may meet at the church in numbers of ten or less, wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. It also means that the church office will remain closed to the public until further notice. Please check your emails and the church’s website for further information.

Our church has sponsored the “Book Nook” at King Park. If you would be interested in helping to keep it clean and books rotated please contact Karen Laflin.

Next Sunday, December 6th, the Searchers Sunday School will be meeting over ZOOM from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Login information will be available from the church for anyone who would like to join us. Quarterly lesson books are also available from the church office, so please contact the office if you would like one.
The church will be broadcasting a live Christmas Eve service at 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 24th, over WBBA-FM radio.

Song: “Shout To The North”
Verse 1
Men of faith rise up and sing, Of the great and glorious King, You are strong when you feel weak, In your brokenness complete

Chorus
Shout to the north and the south, Sing to the east and the west, Jesus is Savior to all Lord of heaven and earth

Verse 2
Rise up women of the truth, Stand and sing to broken hearts, Who can know the healing pow'r, Of our awesome King of love

Chorus
Shout to the north and the south, Sing to the east and the west, Jesus is Savior to all Lord of heaven and earth

Bridge
We've been through fire, We've been through rain, We've been refined, By the pow'r of His name, We've fallen deeper, In love with You, You've burned, The truth on our lips

Chorus
Shout to the north and the south, Sing to the east and the west, Jesus is Savior to all Lord of heaven and earth

Verse 3
Rise up church with broken wings, Fill this place with songs again, Of our God who reigns on high, By His grace again we'll fly

Chorus
Shout to the north and the south, Sing to the east and the west, Jesus is Savior to all Lord of heaven and earth

Ending
Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth

Call to Worship/Opening Prayer (AWA)
It is a joy to enter the house of the Lord!
Here we lay aside our differences and pray for one another.
Here we catch a glimpse of light, a promise of hope and new life.
Here we wait for the birth of the one who will teach us how to love and serve.
It is a joy to enter the house of the Lord! Come and praise God!
Let us pray . . .
You call us to prepare, gracious Savior -- to prepare to entertain angels, to be alert to wait and watch, to be awake for the coming of glory, to receive your presence in our lives. Send your Spirit upon us, we pray, that we might be made ready to open our hearts and lives with gladness. Fill us with the joy of anticipation and make our waiting a sweet time of communion with you. Amen.

Song: “What A Beautiful Name”
Verse 1
You were the Word at the beginning, One with God the Lord Most High, Your hidden glory in creation, Now revealed in You our Christ
Chorus 1
What a beautiful Name it is, What a beautiful Name it is, The Name of Jesus Christ my King, What a beautiful Name it is, Nothing compares to this, What a beautiful Name it is The Name of Jesus
Verse 2
You didn't want heaven without us, So Jesus You brought heaven down, My sin was great Your love was greater, What could separate us now
Chorus 2
What a wonderful Name it is, What a wonderful Name it is, The Name of Jesus Christ my King, What a wonderful Name it is, Nothing compares to this, What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus, What a wonderful Name it is, The Name of Jesus
Bridge
Death could not hold You, The veil tore before You, You silence the boast of sin and grave, The heavens are roaring, The praise of Your glory, For You are raised to life again
Bridge
You have no rival, You have no equal, Yours is the kingdom, Yours is the glory, Yours is the Name above all names
Chorus 3
What a powerful Name it is, What a powerful Name it is, The Name of Jesus Christ my King, What a powerful Name it is, Nothing can stand against, What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
Ending
What a powerful Name it is, The Name of Jesus, What a powerful Name it is, The Name of Jesus

Lighting of the Advent Wreath: Jennifer Fray

Prayers of The People:

Scripture Lesson: Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV)
1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Matthew 12:15-23 ( NIV)
15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. 16 He warned them not to tell others about him. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. 19 He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. 21 In his name the nations will put their hope.” 22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”

The Word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God, Amen

Sermon: “Jesus Christ, The Promised Messiah”

Sacrament of Holy Communion Page 7 (Apostles’ Creed)
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Pages 12 – 15 Word and Service Table II
Prayer of Confession:
We are reluctant, O Author of Love, to set aside our hurt, our anger, our disappointment. Heal us with your tender touch, that we might be cleansed of all unclean thoughts, all schemes of revenge, all hope of vindictive retribution. Open our eyes to the power of love, shown to us in the unselfish sacrifice of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Song: “Lord, I Lift Your Name On High”

Lord I lift Your name on high, Lord I love to sing Your praises, I'm so glad You're in my life, I'm so glad You came to save us
You came from heaven to earth, To show the way, From the earth to the cross, My debt to pay, From the cross to the grave, From the grave to the sky, Lord I lift Your name on high
Lord I lift Your name on high, Lord I love to sing Your praises, I'm so glad You're in my life, I'm so glad You came to save us
You came from heaven to earth, To show the way, From the earth to the cross, My debt to pay, From the cross to the grave, From the grave to the sky, Lord I lift Your name on high

*Postlude:

Liturgist: Jennifer Fray ...

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Pittsfield United Methodist Church

2 weeks ago

Please join us for worship this Sunday, November 22 at 9 a.m. on WBBA Radio (97.5) or live stream from wbbaradio.com. We have included the bulletin so you may join us from home.

Today
No Youth Group until further notice

Today we welcome Ellis Paige Cook into the Pittsfield United Methodist Church as a baptized member in Christ. She is the daughter of Cody and Kate Cook of Dallas, TX. She is also the great-granddaughter of Mary Lea Prentice, and the great-niece of Rod & Cindy Prentice.

Per the directives of Bishop Frank Beard, all churches in our Annual Conference will not be meeting for indoor public worship from today through December 13th. (Today, and the next three Sundays.) This directive will be re-evaluated on December 9th . However, our church will be broadcasting a 9 a.m. service live over WBBA-FM radio or live steam from WBBAradio.com on each of these Sundays, since a maximum of 10 people may gather in the church to conduct such a broadcast. Furthermore, Bishop Beard has also directed that churches conduct only essential and minimum operations only. This means that no non-essential groups may meet at the church; and it also means that the church office will be closed to the public starting tomorrow until further notice. Please check your emails and the church’s website for further information.

Our church has sponsored the “Book Nook” at King Park. If you would be interested in helping to keep it clean and books rotated please contact Karen Laflin.

Prelude:

Hymn: 694 “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”

1. Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home; all is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin. God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
come to God's own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.
2. All the world is God's own field, fruit as praise to God we yield; wheat and tares together sown are to joy or sorrow grown; first the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear; Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.
3. For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take the harvest home; from the field shall in that day all offenses purge away, giving angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast;
but the fruitful ears to store in the garner evermore.
4. Even so, Lord, quickly come, bring thy final harvest home; gather thou thy people in,
free from sorrow, free from sin, there, forever purified, in thy presence to abide; come, with all thine angels, come, raise the glorious harvest home.

Call to Worship/Opening Prayer (AWA)
By the tender mercy of God, dawn is breaking, light has come.
Blessed be the Lord.
By the gracious care of our Shepherd, the scattered are gathered, the lost are found.
Holy is our God.
By the loving reign of the Prince of Peace, the weak are strengthened, the destroyer flees.
Gentle is our King.
Let us pray . . .
King of glory, as you shine your light into the darkness of our lives, guide our feet in the way of peace; as you shepherd your people, gather the lost and the scattered into the safety of your flock. Reign in our hearts, as you do in the heavens, that we may endure the struggles of this world with patience and fortitude. In the light of your radiant love, we pray. Amen.

Hymn: 2036 “Give Thanks” (sing twice)
Give thanks with a grateful heart, Give thanks to the Holy One, Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.
Give thanks with a grateful heart, Give thanks to the Holy One, Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.
And now let the weak say, "I am strong," Let the poor say, ""I am rich""
Because of what the Lord has done for us.
And now let the weak say, "I am strong," Let the poor say, ""I am rich""
Because of what the Lord has done for us. Give thanks!

Baptism of Ellis Paige Cook

Prayers of The People:

Scripture Lesson: Psalm 121 (NIV)
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; 8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Romans 5:1-5 ( NIV)
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

The Word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God, Amen

Sermon: “Trusting God’s Control Of The World”

Sacrament of Holy Communion Page 7 (Apostles’ Creed)
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Pages 12 – 15 Word and Service Table II
Prayer of Confession:
We are reluctant, O Author of Love, to set aside our hurt, our anger, our disappointment. Heal us with your tender touch, that we might be cleansed of all unclean thoughts, all schemes of revenge, all hope of vindictive retribution. Open our eyes to the power of love, shown to us in the unselfish sacrifice of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hymn: 98 “To God Be The Glory”

1. To God be the glory, great things he hath done! So loved he the world that he gave us his Son, who yielded his life an atonement for sin, and opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Refrain:
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear his voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice! O come to the Father thru Jesus the Son, and give him the glory, great things he hath done!
2. O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood, to every believer the promise of God;
the vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
Refrain:
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear his voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice! O come to the Father thru Jesus the Son, and give him the glory, great things he hath done!
3. Great things he hath taught us, great things he hath done, and great our rejoicing thru Jesus the Son; but purer, and higher, and greater will be our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.
Refrain:
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear his voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice! O come to the Father thru Jesus the Son, and give him the glory, great things he hath done!

*Postlude:

Liturgist: Tara Bradshaw ...

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Pittsfield United Methodist Church

3 weeks ago

Please join us for worship this Sunday, November 15 at 9 a.m. on WBBA Radio (97.5) or live stream from wbbaradio.com. We have included the bulletin so you may join us from home.

Welcome

Announcements:

Today
5:00p Spark Youth Group
6:00p Flame Youth Group
7:00p Fire Youth Group

Tuesday
7:00a Men’s Prayer Group

Altar flowers are in loving memory of my grandson, Jacob Dunham, from Grandma.

Next Sunday, at 9 a.m. service, Ellis Paige Cook will be baptized into Christ. She is the daughter of Cody and Kate Cook of Dallas, TX. She is also the great-granddaughter of Mary Lea Prentice, and the great-niece of Rod & Cindy Prentice.

Also, we are planning to have a Hanging of the Greens next Sunday around 4 p.m. This is in preparation for the Season of Advent, which begins in two weeks on November 29th. (These plans may change if our area is placed on Tier 2 mitigations.)

Our church has sponsored the “Book Nook” at King Park. If you would be interested in helping to keep it clean and books rotated please contact Karen Laflin.

Prelude:

Hymn: 553 “And Are We Yet Alive” (vs. 1, 2, 3 & 6)

1. And are we yet alive, and see each other's face? Glory and thanks to Jesus give
for his almighty grace!
2. Preserved by power divine to full salvation here, again in Jesus' praise we join,
and in his sight appear.
3. What troubles have we seen, what mighty conflicts past, fightings without, and fears within, since we assembled last!
6. Let us take up the cross till we the crown obtain, and gladly reckon all things loss
so we may Jesus gain.

Call to Worship/Opening Prayer (AWA)
God calls out: “Come and enter my joy!”
We gather in thankfulness this day, as servants of God’s blessings.
God calls out: “Come, stay awake and be alert!”
We gather in expectation this day, as children of God’s light and love.
God calls out: “Come and share in my happiness!”
We gather in faith this day to worship our God.
Let us pray . . .
Our Lord and our God, our Greatest Good and our Living Source— whether in safety or in risk, whether the path is well lit or in shadow, whether we encounter approval or face insult— we look to you for guidance. Some of us seek to understand death, loss, and the suffering of our world. Some of us seek mercy and rescue from the misery we face. Some of us seek to know what to do with the many gifts you have given us. Help us turn our eyes to you, trusting that you will answer us with your mercy, your salvation, and your joy. Amen.

Hymn: 2041 “Thou Art Worthy” (sing twice)
Thou art worthy, thou art worthy, thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, glory and honor, glory and honor and power. For thou hast created, hast all things created; thou hast created all things. And for thy pleasure they are created; thou art worthy, O Lord.
Thou art worthy, thou art worthy, thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, glory and honor, glory and honor and power. For thou hast created, hast all things created; thou hast created all things. And for thy pleasure they are created; thou art worthy, O Lord.
Prayers of The People:

Scripture Lesson: Ephesians 4:25-32 (NIV)
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Philippians 2:12-16 ( NIV)
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

The Word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God, Amen

Special Music:

Sermon: “The Real Basis Of Genuine Christian Unity”

Sacrament of Holy Communion Page 7 (Apostles’ Creed)
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Pages 12 – 15 Word and Service Table II
Prayer of Confession:
We are reluctant, O Author of Love, to set aside our hurt, our anger, our disappointment. Heal us with your tender touch, that we might be cleansed of all unclean thoughts, all schemes of revenge, all hope of vindictive retribution. Open our eyes to the power of love, shown to us in the unselfish sacrifice of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hymn: 580 “Lead On, O King Eternal”

1. Lead on, O King eternal, the day of march has come; henceforth in fields of conquest
thy tents shall be our home. Through days of preparation thy grace has made us strong;
and now, O King eternal, we lift our battle song.
2. Lead on, O King eternal, till sin's fierce war shall cease, and holiness shall whisper
the sweet amen of peace. For not with swords loud clashing, nor roll of stirring drums;
with deeds of love and mercy the heavenly kingdom comes.
3. Lead on, O King eternal, we follow, not with fears, for gladness breaks like morning
where'er thy face appears. Thy cross is lifted o'er us, we journey in its light; the crown waits the conquest; lead on, O God of might.
*Postlude:

Greeter: Harley Whitlock
Liturgist: Tara Bradshaw ...

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