Lunenburg United Methodist Charge
Antioch UMC Williams UMC
On our walk. . . . .
September 18, 2008
Exodus 8: 20
Next the Lord told Moses, “Get up early in the morning and meet Pharaoh as he goes down the river. Say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Let my people go, so they can worship me.”
The theme for this past week has been Passionate Worship. Today I would like to take you on a tour of worship as described in the United Methodist Hymnal and the meaning of each act. So, lets get started!
The worship service is broken down into the following units: Entrance, Proclamation and Response, Thanksgiving, Sending Forth
The following acts of worship make up the Entrance.
The first act of worship is the Gathering. It is the people coming together in the Lord’s name. It is the time when announcements are made, informal greetings and prayer, conversation, fellowship, quiet meditation, private prayer and music take place.
The next act of worship is the Greeting. The leader of worship will greet all in attendance in the name of the Lord. A part of the greeting is the Opening Hymn. It is sung with gusto as to invoke the presence of the Lord at this service.
When the Opening Hymn is complete we move on to Opening Prayers and Praise. A prayer of the day, confession or a litany maybe offered. An act of praise can be used in conjunction with the prayers at this time. An act of praise is singing of the Gloria Patri, and a reading of Scripture such as the Hebrew text. The choir singing an anthem at this time is also an act of praise.
We now move on to the Proclamation and Response.
The first act of worship in the Proclamation and Response section is the Prayer for Illumination. This prayer is used to invoke the Blessing of the Holy Spirit upon the reading, preaching, hearing, and doing of the Word.
Once the Prayer of Illumination is complete we move on to the Reading of the Scripture. The reading should be topical, and teaching.
When the Scripture has been read the Sermon interprets it so that it is a teaching tool, and a message of hope.
The Proclamation of the Word is to invoke a Response to the Word. The response can be several acts including an invitation to discipleship, hymn of invitation, baptism or confirmation, or a creed.
The next act in our prescribed worship service is Joys and Concerns. Joys expressed are for the acts of joy and happiness that took place during the past week and concerns expressed are for those in our communities and congregations that have burdens that are in need of prayer. At this time it is customary to have the worship leader lead a Pastoral Prayer invoking God’s blessing for those that have been brought up.
The act of Confession, Pardon, and Peace takes place. We invoke God to forgive, pardon and bring peace to us as we confess our sins.
As a part of the Proclamation and Response the Offering is supposed to be taken up at this time. It is a time to react to the Word with our gifts. It is followed by a doxology, anthem, or hymn.
The next section of worship is the Thanksgiving.
It is at this time that the table is prepared and Communion is brought to the congregation If Communion is not offered then the Lord’s Prayer and a prayer of thanksgiving is offered.
The final section of worship is the Sending Forth.
The singing of a closing hymn takes place here as part of Hymn and Dismissal with Blessing. We also have our benediction. This is the declaring of God’s blessing on the congregation.
The final act of worship is Going Forth. It is a time of music, fellowship, conversation and informal greeting amongst the worshipers. It is a time to go and start making disciple of Jesus.
This is the Order of Sunday Worship as prescribed by the United Methodist Hymnal copyrighted in 1985. Do you see any differences? Does it make you think about our worship service and is it celebrating the Word and Jesus with Passion?
Have a blessed week Rev. Ed
This Weeks Event:
Monday, Sept 22
Bible Study @ Antioch @ 7:00 PM
Tuesday, Sept 23
Bible Study @ Audrey Smith’s @ 10:00 AM
UMW @ Sarah Stallings @ 8:00 PM
Wednesday, Sept 24
Prayer Meeting @ Williams @ 5:45 PM
Choir Practice @ Williams @ 6:30 PM
Worship Events –Sept 21
This week’s reading will be: Walt Moseley will be bringing the Word this week
Antioch Council Meeting
Antioch Administrative Council met on Tuesday, Sept 16. It was decided to look into a church trip to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Resources to view the Dead Sea Scrolls. The projector screen that Rev Ed is now renting will be bought by the Church. A discussion on what topics would be discussed during the worship service was undertaken. Worship is a time to praise God and as such the conducting of Church business is not appropriate. It is asked that all who wish to bring up a subject not related to the joy of worship please contact Rev. Ed for prior approval to do so. The Mission, Evangelism and Family Ministries committees reported, through Brenda Barnes, their activities for the past two months and their plans for the upcoming months. Rev. Ed reported that this year’s Charge Conference would take place on Nov. 16 at Antioch. He asked that all committees, organizations, and boards meet during the month of September and October to prepare their individual reports required for this event. He requested that the reports and forms be given to him no later than October 31. A report of the financial status of the Church was given by Earl Callis. The Church finances are in good shape and the apportionments are being met.
The Senior Luncheon
Wednesday, September 17 was the inaugural Senior Luncheon. It started at 12 noon and lasted till 2 PM. A lunch of chicken, twice-baked potatoes, green beans and cake and pie was served. Entertainment by John Gentry and Wayne Hendricks followed the meal. It was a time for the seniors of our charge to get together and visit once again with their friends. There were 25 of our senior members in attendance and a great time was had by everybody. It is hoped that we will make this a bi-monthly event. Wayne and Betsey Hendricks, Brenda Barnes, Barbara Reese all pitched in to make this day special. If you know of someone who would like to have lunch with an old friend and reminisce please let Wayne Hendricks know as we begin to plan the next event.
Youth Campout
Saturday, September 13 was the Williams Youth Group 2nd Annual Campout. It started at 5:00PM and lasted till worship on Sunday morning. The ten youngsters had a campfire, marshmallows, hotdogs, movies and little sleep. The Youth Group leaders did a wonderful job with the kids and should be congratulated on a wonderful time for all who took part. For more information on the activities of the Williams Youth Group watch your bulletin and this newsletter.
Heritage Days at Williams - Sept 27&28
Saturday, September 27 will be the start of Williams 3rd Annual Heritage Day weekend. Please plan to join them as they celebrate not only their heritage but God’s love all weekend. It will be a weekend of food, entertainment, worship, reunion. There will be a flea market on Saturday along with live entertainment. Sunday worship will start at 11:00 AM. Williams thanks Antioch for allowing worship to be moved to their time. A homecoming luncheon will take place after worship on Sunday
Sunday School is available each Sunday morning. The importance of Sunday School is that, though you may think hearing the word will suffice for you, you really need to be in attendance at Sunday School to gather all the information that you can in an open discussion classroom. Jesus’ word cannot be totally understood just by listening to a sermon. You have to interact with it and with other Christians to learn what He was saying to us. This is a life long study and you should take part. There is a class for every age so please plan on joining us to learn more about our Lord, Jesus Christ. Sunday School at Williams begins at 10:45 AM and at Antioch at 10:00 AM.
Evening Bible Study Evening Bible study will continue on Sept 22 at 7:00PM at Antioch. We will be reviewing II Kings 1-12. We will discuss the events depicted in the book. If you are looking for a study of God’s word join us not only for the study, but good fellowship.
Morning Bible Study. Morning Bible study will continue on Sept 22 at 10:00AM at Audrey Smith’s house. We will be reviewing II Kings 1-12. We will discuss the events depicted in the book. If you are looking for a study of God’s word join us not only for the study, but good fellowship.
If you cannot reach Rev. Ed at the parsonage, you may call him on his cell phone: 252-532-0952. He can also be reached via e-mail at revedumc@yahoo.com .
Charge PPR committee will meet on Sept 30 @ Williams @ 7:00 PM
UMW Stew will be held on Sat. Oct 4th. If you would like to order please contact a member of the UMW.
The Mission, Evangelism, and Family Ministries Committees will meet @ Antioch on Oct 1 @ 7:00 PM
Prayer List
Please keep the following families in your prayers:
Marjorie Thompson
Christian Sutton
Peggy Thompson
Sarah Agnes Callis
Sheila Cage
Jeff Hendricks
Earl "Chucky” Barnes
Sara Sutton
Nathan Hendricks
Edna A. Bagley
Our Military
Maria Kay
Ellen & John Gentry
Foster Hayes
David Jones
Becky Eades & boys
Edith Parham
Dee Welch
Frances Hawthorne
Tommy Cage
Bernard Bottoms
Tim Loftis & Family
Grace DiStefano
Elizabeth Reese
Margaret Gregory
Vera Elliot
Jerry Banis
CV & Agnes Thompson
Junior McHenry
Betty Roegge
Susan Bagley & Family
Norman Yerby
David King
Margaret J. Conner
Kathy Mc Reynolds
JD Davis
Danny Horne
Virginia Overby
Jesse Edmonds
Elizabeth Biggerstaff
Malcolm Ogburn
Alicia Clary
Pat & Penny Watson
Betty Reese
Mark Mc Henry
Wayne Carter & Family
Harmond King
Alphus Wells
Zeb Mitchell
Bertha Arthur
Layton Powell
Dorothy Ann Irby
Virginia King
Carmon Watson
Ann Survello & Family
John Dolan
Brenda Napier
Alan Green
Brandon Moseley
Prayer Gram.
Please, when putting somebody’s name on our prayer list, PRINT their names and addresses if you have them. This will help us get the prayer grams out sooner and it will also make it easier to read during services.
Thought You Would Like To Know
Who Wrote 'Precious Lord'? THE BIRTH OF THE SONG 'PRECIOUS LORD'
Back in 1932, I was 32 years old and a fairly new husband. My wife, Nettie and I were living in a little apartment on Chicago's south side. One hot August afternoon I had to go to St. Louis where I was to be the featured soloist at a large revival meeting. I didn't want to go. Nettie was in the last month of pregnancy with our first child. But a lot of people were expecting me in St. Louis. I kissed Nettie good-bye, clattered downstairs to our Model A and, in a fresh Lake Michigan breeze, chugged out of Chicago on Route 66. However, outside the city, I discovered that in my anxiety at leaving, I had forgotten my music case. I wheeled around and headed back.
I found Nettie sleeping peacefully. I hesitated by her bed; something was strongly telling me to stay. But eager to get on my way, and not wanting to disturb Nettie, I shrugged off the feeling and quietly slipped out of the room with my music.
The next night, in the steaming St. Louis heat, the crowd called on me to sing again and again. When I finally sat down, a messenger boy ran up with a Western Union telegram. I ripped open the envelope. Pasted on the yellow sheet were the words: YOUR WIFE JUST DIED.
People were happily singing and clapping around me, but I could hardly keep from crying out. I rushed to a phone and called home. All I could hear on the other end was 'Nettie is dead. Nettie is dead.'
When I got back, I learned that Nettie had given birth to a boy. I swung between grief and joy. Yet that same night, the baby died. I buried Nettie and our little boy together, in the same casket. Then I fell apart.
For days I closeted myself. I felt that God had done me an injustice. I didn't want to serve Him anymore or write gospel songs. I just wanted to go back to that jazz world I once knew so well. But then, as I hunched alone in that dark apartment those first sad days, I thought back to the afternoon I went to St. Louis. Something kept telling me to stay with Nettie. Was that something God? Oh, if I had paid more attention to Him that day, I would have stayed and been with Nettie when she died.
From that moment on I vowed to listen more closely to Him. But still I was lost in grief. Everyone was kind to me, especially one friend. The following Saturday evening he took me up to Malone's Poro College, a neighborhood music school. It was quiet; the late evening sun crept through the curtained windows. I sat down at the piano, and my hands began to browse over the keys. Something happened to me then. I felt at peace. I felt as though I could reach out and touch God. I found myself playing a melody, once into my head they just seemed to fall into place: 'Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn, through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light, take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.'
The Lord gave me these words and melody, He also healed my spirit. I learned that when we are in our deepest grief, when we feel farthest from God, this is when He is closest, and when we are most open to His restoring power.
And so I go on living for God willingly and joyfully, until that day comes when He will take me and gently lead me home.
-Tommy Dorsey-
For those too young to know who he is, Tommy Dorsey was a band leader in the Thirties and Forties.
Did you know that Tommy Dorsey wrote this song? I surely didn't. What a wonderful story of how God CAN heal the broken-hearted! Beautiful, isn't it?
Ø Have a blessed week
