March 2, 2025

What wonderful music we have enjoyed over the last year! Thank you, Dominick, Nathan, Bryan, Cynthia, Choir members, Bell Choir Members and musicians! Let us come together on Sunday, March 2nd to recognize our Music Department at a Potluck following church. Hospitality will provide a cake and beverages. Please bring a dish to share that serves 10.


Palm Sunday Pot Luck will be on Sunday, April 13th . Put the date on your calendar now.

For more than 80 years, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has alleviated the suffering of individuals, families and communities affected by both natural and humanmade disaster.

UMCOR journeys with communities throughout a disaster’s cycle. It focuses on disasters that overwhelm a local community’s ability to respond, such as storms and flooding, earthquakes, fires, volcanoes, war and civil unrest.

Through a strong network of worldwide partners, UMCOR quickly assesses needs in the wake of disaster. UMCOR comes alongside communities at their invitation and encourages their involvement in and ownership of their recovery. UMCOR works collaboratively with local partners to connect survivors to the help they need to rebuild their lives.

From initial relief efforts such as distributing food, water, clothing and hygiene items, to long-term recovery projects like home repair, case management, psychosocial support and restoring livelihoods, UMCOR’s partners select beneficiaries based on need and vulnerability as opposed to other categories such as gender, race or religion.

In 2024 and 2025, UMCOR has provided US relief with the Northwest and Los Angeles wild
fires, hurricanes Helene, Ernesto, Debby, and Beryl, as well as flood and tornado recovery in Missouri and North Georgia. UMCOR has additionally provided disaster relief in the Philippians and Africa.

UMCOR’s ministry would not be possible without the support of those who give generously of their time and resources. Donations to UMCOR allow them to respond quickly and effectively to disasters as they arise. Your gifts this month will help underwrite UMCOR’s administrative and operating costs. This offering allows UMCOR to use 100% of all funds given to humanitarian response and recovery efforts directly to communities in need.

Together, we can alleviate the suffering of those affected by disaster, bringing hope and healing to communities worldwide.

*During March, our Mission collection will be going to UMCOR. We are asking you to go the extra mile and give an additional $12.00. This extra giving will be used to purchase the supplies and pay for shipping for an UMCOR Health Kit.  We will be putting the Health Kits together on Sunday, March 30th. You can also donate on-line. Missions Team will purchase the supplies and have them ready for assembling. There is a tremendous need for Health Kits …from North Carolina to California.

Each communion Sunday thereafter we will have a basket for those who feel called to give above and beyond their pledge. This "second-mile" giving will help fund the pastor's discretionary fund, which helps meet community needs as they arise, such as gas, lodging, clothing, etc. Feel free to bring your spare cash and change to help make a change in the lives of those in need.

9:45a Youth Sunday School5:00p Youth Group at St. Paul's UMC
Monday
6:30p Jubilee Bell Rehearsal
7:00p Vocal Fusion Rehearsal
7:30p Peak Experience Barbershop Chorus

March 2, 2025 9:30 am Worship Service

Gathering

Prelude
Cynthia Hibbetts

Welcome
Rev. David Petty

Crossing the Threshold

Threshold Moment
Rev. David Petty

*Opening Hymn
Here I Am, Lord
v. 1, 2 UMH #593
WORDS: Dan Schutte, 1981 (Is. 6:8) © 1981, 1983, 1989 Daniel L. Schutte and NALR

1. I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in
dark and sin
my hand will save.

I who made the
stars of night,
I will make their
darkness bright.
Who will bear my
light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Refrain
Here I am, Lord.
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You
calling in the night.

I will go, Lord,
if You lead me.
I will hold
Your people in my heart.

2. I, the Lord of
snow and rain,
I have borne
my people’s pain.
I have wept for
love of them.
They turn away.

I will break
their hearts of stone,
give them hearts
for love alone.
I will speak my
word to them.
Whom shall I send?

Refrain
Here I am, Lord.
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you
calling in the night.

I will go, Lord,
if you lead me.
I will hold
your people in my heart.

*Worshiping Hymn
The Summons
TFWS #2130
WORDS: John Bell MUSIC: Traditional Scottish
© 1987 WGRG The Iona Community (Scotland), admin. by GIA Publications, Inc.

1. Will you come
and follow me
if I but call your name?
Will you go
where you don’t know
and never be the same?

Will you let
my love be shown,
will you let
my name be known,
will you let
my life be grown in you
and you in me?

2. Will you leave
yourself behind
if I but call your name?
Will you care
for cruel and kind
and never be the same?

Will you risk
the hostile stare
should your life
attract or scare?
Will you let
me answer prayer in you
and you in me?

3. Will you let
the blinded see
if I but call your name?
Will you set
the prisoners free
and never be the same?

Will you kiss
the leper clean,
and do such
as this unseen,
and admit to
what I mean in you
and you in me?

4. Will you love
the “you” you hide
if I but call your name?
Will you quell
the fear inside
and never be the same?

Will you use the
faith you’ve found
to reshape the
world around,
through my sight and
touch and sound in you
and you in me?

5. Lord, your summons
echoes true
when you but
call my name.
Let me turn
and follow you
and never be the same.

In your company I’ll go
where your love
and footsteps show.
Thus I’ll move
and live and grow in you
and you in me.

*Greet Your Neighbor – Passing the Peace of Christ

Mystery Box

Prayer

Special Music
The Goodness of God
Kristina Kafka, Soloist

Prayer, Silent Prayer, The Lord’s Prayer
CLM Twinkle Gordon

The Lord’s Prayer
   
Our Father
who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy Name;

Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done
on earth
as it is in heaven.

Give us this day
our daily bread,
and forgive us
our trespasses,

as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
Lead us not
into temptation
but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the Kingdom,
and the Power
and the Glory forever.
Amen

Giving Back

Invitation to Offering
CLM Twinkle Gordon

Offertory
Sanctuary Choir

Prayer of Thanksgiving
Rev. David Petty

Doxology
Praise God from Who All Blessings Flow
UMH #94

Praise God, from whom
all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures
here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
 
Praise God, the source
of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ,
whose power uplifts!
 
Praise the Spirit,
Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia!

A Word of Inspiration

Scripture Reading
Excerpts from Isaiah 6
CLM Twinkle Gordon

The verses leading up to Isaiah 6:8 show the prophet Isaiah receiving a vision of God's majesty and holiness. In the presence of the Lord, Isaiah is overwhelmed by his own unworthiness, saying, ‘Woe is me! I am a man of unclean lips.’ But instead of rejecting him, God purifies him—an angel touches his lips with a burning coal, declaring that his guilt is removed.

Then, Isaiah hears God's voice asking, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And Isaiah responds with those famous words, ‘Here am I; send me.’

But what happens next? Isaiah receives a message—not an easy one—to tell the people that their hearts have become hardened, their ears dull, and their eyes closed to God's truth. His mission is to preach, even knowing that many will not listen.**

Today's scripture is Isaiah 6:8:
'Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me!"'

Prayer for Illumination

Leader: May the words of my mouth,
People: and the meditations of all of our hearts
All: be acceptable in your sight, O Lord our rock and our redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

Message
Here, I Am, Send Me!
(Music and Mission Sunday)
Rev. David Petty

Communion
Rev. David Petty

Leader: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Leader: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them up to the Lord.

Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Leader: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth. You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life. When we turned away, and our love failed, your love remained steadfast. You delivered us from captivity, made covenant to be our sovereign God, brought us to a land flowing with milk and honey, and set before us the way of life. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

People: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Leader: Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection you gave birth to your Church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit. By your great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of your Son from the dead and to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. Once we were no people, but now we are your people, declaring your wonderful deeds in Christ, who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. When the Lord Jesus ascended, he promised to be with us always, in the power of your Word and Holy Spirit.

On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: "Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." When the supper was over he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: "Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."

On the day you raised him from the dead he was recognized by his disciples in the breaking of the bread, and in the power of your Holy Spirit your Church has continued in the breaking of the bread and the sharing of the cup.

And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.

People: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.

Leader: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes and we feast at his heavenly banquet.

Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church,
all honor and glory is yours, almighty God, now and for ever.

All: Amen.

SENDING FORTH

*Closing Hymn
We Are Called
V. 1, 3 TFWS #2172
WORDS: David Haas (Mic. 6:8) MUSIC: David Haas © 1988 GIA Publications, Inc.

1. Come! Live in the light!
Shine with the joy and
the love of the Lord!
We are called

to be light for
the kingdom,
to live in the freedom
of the city of God!

Refrain
We are called
to act with justice,
we are called
to love tenderly,
we are called
to serve one another,
to walk humbly with God!

3. Sing! Sing a new song!
Sing of that great day
when all will be one!
God will reign,

And we’ll walk
with each other
as sisters and brothers
united in love!

Refrain
We are called
to act with justice,
we are called
to love tenderly,
we are called
to serve one another,
to walk humbly with God!

*Benediction
Rev. David Petty

Postlude
Cynthia Hibbetts