Friday, October 31, 2008

Prayer of the Day for Sunday

Almighty God, our Father: you are our refuge and you deliver us; in Jesus Christ you have called us to be your children. Lead us by the Spirit throughout our lives so that we, like all the saints, may cross over into the promised land of your eternal blessing. All honor and glory is yours, Almighty God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayer Concerns for this week

Our worship services today
New members in 2008
Welcoming our visitors
South Knoxville Elementary School
Fellowship @ Two Rivers Pavilion: Nov 2
Ministry Council Planning: Nov 16
Thanksgiving Meal & Planning
Sanctuary update plans: Worship for the 21st century
All troops in Iraq and other places of danger
The Church in Burundi, Congo, Rwanda
Weekly Mission focus: Knoxville District missions
Weekly Ministry focus: Congregational Care Area
Our stewardship and care of God’s Creation

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

From the Council of Bishops, UMC

A Statement issued by Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, President of the Council:

Public discourse, especially in this season of presidential elections, has often deteriorated into acrimonious, disrespectful and divisive rhetoric. Such speech, in the interest of short-term political gain, will make it more difficult for the nation to unite to work together on the great challenges that face the United States and the world today.

As bishops, we can call on people of faith to raise their voices to challenge all political parties and leaders to embrace a public discourse that is free of divisive and demeaning rhetoric. Respectful, principled, and vigorous debate on the issues which demand attention is the only way to move into a future that offers hope and solutions to our common problems.

Let us urge all the presidential candidates, vice presidential candidates and campaigns to focus on the critical challenges that threaten the future of our nation and the world: poverty, war, racism, inequality of opportunity, the current financial crises, and terrorism in all its forms.

It is my fervent prayer that whoever is elected the next President of the United States will receive respect and loyalty from all and will, through positive words and deeds that transcend party and perspective, help lead our nation and world into a more hopeful future.

Finally, I urge you to invite United Methodists and all people of faith to:

· Daily intercessory prayer for all candidates, voters and leaders in the U.S.

· Urge local religious leaders and groups to develop and circulate similar calls similar to this in their communities,

· Circulate this message as widely as possible to local, state and national leaders and candidates in the U.S.,

· Urge the presidential and vice presidential candidates and their campaigns to commit themselves to conduct their debates, their advertisements and all their public speech in ways that honor the principles of fairness and accuracy.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Worship for the 24th Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude: Victory In Jesus
Hymn: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Prayer of the Day

Children’s Time: Rejoice in the Lord Always

Special Music: Highway to Heaven
Giving our Offering to God
Offertory: Gift of Love
Presentation Praise God from whom All Blessings Flow

Scripture: Words of Praise from Psalm 90
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had
formed the earth and the world,
From everlasting to everlasting you are God.
For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past,
or like a watch in the night.
They are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning;
In the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.
So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may
rejoice and be glad all our days.
Let your work be manifest to your servants, and your glorious
power to their children.
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper the work of
our hands.

Response O God our Help in Ages Past

Sermon: Scott Montgomery, Jeremy Rochet
Prayer Hymn: There Will Be a Day (Jeremy Camp video)
Our Prayers and The Lord’s Prayer

Hymn: Here I Am Lord
Benediction
The Eternity Bell dismissing worship

Prayer of the Day for Sunday

Almighty God, our Father: from everlasting to everlasting you are our God and dwelling place. Teach us by the work of the Spirit to know the measure of our days, and to rejoice in our salvation through Christ, so that your work of grace would be made known to all people. All honor and glory is yours, Almighty God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayer Concerns for this week

Our worship services today
New members in 2008
Welcoming our visitors
South Knoxville Elementary School
Fellowship @ Two Rivers Pavilion: Nov 2
Scout Eagle ceremony for Mark Gilliam: Nov 2
Ministry Council Planning: Nov 16
Thanksgiving Meal & Planning
Sanctuary update plans: Worship for the 21st century
All troops in Iraq and other places of danger
The Church in the Indian Ocean island nations
Weekly Mission focus: Thanksgiving meal @ CHUMC
Weekly Ministry focus: Lay Speakers
Our stewardship and care of God’s Creation
The ministry of the laity: Laity Sunday
Work on sanctuary: chancel, sound, electricity
Those affected by economy, job loss
Sick, shut-in and hospitalized

Friday, October 17, 2008

Prayer of the Day for Sunday

Almighty God, you call us to give to you what is yours; you call for justice and equity, and the worship of you above all things. Empowered by the Spirit, may we render to you all things, knowing the nearness of Christ our Lord; to the honor and glory of your name, Almighty God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Some prayer concerns for this Sunday

Our worship services today
New members in 2008
Welcoming our visitors
South Knoxville Elementary School
Schools on fall break
Laity Sunday: Oct 26
Ministry Council Planning: Nov 16
Thanksgiving Meal Planning
Sanctuary update plans: Worship for the 21st century
All troops in Iraq and other places of danger
The Church in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Weekly Mission focus: UMC general administration
Weekly Ministry focus: Soul Patrol
Our stewardship and care of God’s Creation
Commitments of giving for 2009
Transient food bag items
Food items for Vestal food bank
Support for Conference Askings
Bear Buck items

The Worship for the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost

Welcome, Announcements and Greeting each other
Hand Bell Call to Worship
Prayer Joys and Concerns
Prelude: I Know Whom I Have Believed
Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy
Prayer of the Day

Children’s Time

Special Music
Giving our Offering to God
Offertory: Rock of Ages
Presentation: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

Scripture
Philippians 4.4-9
Matthew 22.15-22
Words of Praise from Psalm 99
The Lord is king; let people tremble; let the earth quake!
The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all.
Let them praise your great and awesome name. Holy is he!
Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity.
Extol the Lord our God; worship at his footstool. Holy is he!
O Lord our God, you are a forgiving God, but an avenger of wrongdoings.
Extol the Lord our God,
For the Lord our God is holy.

Response: More Precious than Silver
Sermon: Give to God the Things That Are God’s

Prayer of Confession and Assurance
Lord, have mercy.
Mercy, Lord; for we have not given to you the things that are yours; Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Mercy, Christ; for we know you teach the way of God with truth. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Merciful Lord: forgive our sins and keep our hearts and minds in Christ. Lord, have mercy. Amen.

Hymn of Invitation to Communion: Take Our Bread
The Lord’s Supper
The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord’s Prayer
Giving the Bread and Cup

Hymn: Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus
Benediction
The Eternity Bell dismissing worship

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Visit to Duke University


As part of required continuing education I took in the annual Pastor's Convocation at Duke University, where I went to seminary 25 years ago. The center of Duke's campus really isn't the basketball stadium, but the chapel. The chapel was the first building planned and the last completed of the original buildings in the 1930s and is a magnificent, soaring Gothic church, towering 210 feet in the air over the campus. Duke is one of the 13 official United Methodist seminaries and over the years since I was there has grown in students, programs and resources. I noticed only a few teachers were still there from my time those years ago, but I was pleased to note that one of the professors now is Bishop (retired) Ken Carder, who served Church Street UMC, here in Knoxville, another soaring Gothic style church.

Visit from a friend


Last Sunday we, celebrated as Consecration Sunday and our guest was an old friend, the Rev. Harry Howe, Director of Project Crossroads in Smyth County, Virginia. We've had several work teams go to Project Crossroads over the years and many of our folks have gotten to know Harry and his fine work in that rural county. For Harry, this ministry grew out of his work at the East Marion Circuit and his own interest and ability in house rehabilitation. I was so pleased that Harry came to be with us. By the way, Harry is best known as appearing in blue jeans so I was glad to get him a bit gussied up in a robe and all!

Friday, October 10, 2008

Some prayer concerns for this Sunday

Our worship services today
New members in 2008
Welcoming our visitors
South Knoxville Elementary School
WW: Music and sharing, led by Patricia Lawhorn
Consecration Sunday and Celebration lunch today
UMM Chili Supper: Oct. 18
Sanctuary update plans: Worship for the 21st century
All troops in Iraq and other places of danger
The Church in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal
Weekly Mission focus: Project Crossroads
Weekly Ministry focus: Outreach Opportunities
Our stewardship and care of God’s Creation
Guest speaker: Harry Howe
12 taking basic or advanced Lay Speaker training
Project Crossroads trips over the years
Bell named Eternity
Work on sanctuary: chancel, sound, electricity
Those affected by economy, job loss
The sick and recovering; shut-ins

Worship for the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost

Welcome, Announcements and Greeting each other
Hand Bell Call to Worship: How Great Thou Art
Prayer Joys and Concerns
Prelude: When We All Get to Heaven
Hymn: Rejoice the Lord is King
Prayer of the Day
Almighty God, our Judge and King: you call us to your righteous Kingdom, established by Jesus Christ, the Son of Man. Open our eyes and hearts to see the needs of the world around us and to care for those who are the least, even as we receive the benefits of salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord. All honor and glory are yours, Almighty God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Children’s Time: Rejoice in the Lord Always

Special Music: A Mighty Rushing Wind
Giving our Offering to God
Offertory: I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
Presentation: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

Scripture
Matthew 25.31-40: The Great Judgement
Psalm 106: Praise the Lord for his steadfast love
Response: We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise
Sermon: When? The Rev. Harry Howe: Director, Project Crossroads
Response: Presenting our 2009 Estimates of Giving
Hymn: Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service
Prayer of Dedication
Prayers of Intercession and the Lord's Prayer

Hymn: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
Benediction and Blessing of the meal
The Eternity Bell dismissing worship
Postlude

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Today, actually beginning at 6 pm yesterday, is the Jewish Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. Here is a note about the day from the web site, Religion and Ethics Newsweekly
(http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/index_flash.html)

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is the year's holiest day and a day of fasting. To re-establish oneness with God, Jews ask forgiveness and forgive others. Then they can confess their sins and ask God's forgiveness. Yom Kippur begins at sundown the previous day.

A friend of mine, a retired minister who served most of his ministry in the metro New York area, has a Jewish friend who shared this prayer:
Please, oh Lord, hear my prayer. Give us the grace and clarity to remember who we are. Help us to bear in mind that a handful of the most courageous and practical men of their generation designed this republic not just to survive but to get stronger in times like these...Lord, in this time of trepidation, help us to stay true to the wisdom of Jefferson, Adams and all the others who gave u s this gift of republic on this blessed soil. Only by keeping her strong, free and aware will we continue to offer a sanctuary in which the needy may, by their efforts rise to prosperity and an arsenal and protector for other democracies around the world.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Some Choir folks


Several members of our choir attended the annual Choir Weekend at Lake Junaluska, the retreat center for the Southeast Jurisdiction of the UMC. Mike reported that about 350 folks from the south east were there and they learned some good 'Jewish style' music. We can look forward to getting in touch with our Old Testament roots.

The bell named Eternity


After three days of work by Eachus & Associates of Gatlinburg, our bell was installed last week and then we consecrated it Sunday. Jean Reynolds, donor, chose the name for the bell: Eternity.

Here you see a view of the bell looking from the back of the belfry--the back parking lot is closer to eye level. Also pictured is our reactions on the first official ring on Sunday morning.





We'll be ringing the Eternity Bell on Sunday mornings to call us to worship (about 10 minutes before the start of worship) and at noon when worship is concluded.











Friday, October 3, 2008

Some prayer concerns for this Sunday

Our worship services
New members in 2008
Welcoming our visitors
South Knoxville Elementary School
Knoxville Dist Lay Speaker training: Oct 10-11
Stroke screening by UT Hosp.: Oct 10, 8.30-12
WW: Living for Giving V
Consecration Sunday: Oct 12
Sanctuary update plans: Worship for the 21st century
All troops in Iraq and other places of danger
The Church in Afghanistan, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan
Weekly Mission focus: missionaries
Weekly Ministry focus: Chancel Choir
Our stewardship and care of God’s Creation

Prayer of the Day for Sunday:
Almighty God, you are our rock and redeemer and in you we rejoice. Through Jesus Christ you have shown us the way to live and the hope of our calling. Grant us, by the power of the Spirit, the ability to press onward, straining forward to the upward call of Christ. All honor and glory are yours, Almighty God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

Worship for the Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

Welcome, Announcements and Greeting each other
Hand Bell Call to Worship
Prayer Joys and Concerns
Prelude
Dedication of Church Bell
Prayer and Scripture Matthew 7.7
Presentation and naming of the bell Jean Reynolds
Response by congregation
We accept this bell as a gift to this congregation and we dedicate it to the service of God Almighty. May the voice of this bell direct our hearts toward God and call us joyfully to this church, that we may experience the presence of Christ, hear the Word, offer our prayers and enter into service to the world.
Ringing of the Church Bell
Hymn When They Ring The Golden Bells

Prayer of the Day

Children’s Time
Special Music
Giving our Offering to God
Offertory
Presentation Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
Scripture
Philippians 3.10-14
Matthew 21.42-43
Words of Praise from Psalm 19
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
The decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple;
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever;
The ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether
By them is your servant warned.
Who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Response: Lead Me Lord

Sermon: Straining Forward to What Lies Ahead

Prayer of Confession and Assurance
Lord, have mercy, and forgive us our sins.
Gracious God, there are times when we do not produce the fruit of the Kingdom
Christ, have mercy: let us know the power of your resurrection.
Clear our faults so that we may be acceptable to you.
Lord, have mercy and show us the goal of the Kingdom.
Give us grace to press on to the heavenly call of God in Christ. Amen.


Hymn of Invitation to Communion: Come Sinners to the Gospel Feast
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord’s Prayer
Giving of the Bread and Cup

Hymn The Church's One Foundation
Benediction
Bell dismissing worship
Postlude

Church Bell






Up, up and away, goes our beautiful, our beautiful...bell. If you get that little allusion, you're older than you want to admit. But our bell went up yesterday in the belfry. We can look for a great time celebrating its placement Sunday. The bell's consecration will come early in the service and we will hear its first official belfry ring, and Jean will reveal the name she has chosen for it.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

We are having a busy day! The upgrades of the sanctuary continue with electrical work in the balcony, sound/visual work over the chancel, and the work has begun on readying the belfry for the bell. Just a few short days ago we began it all by removing a few pews. That was accomplished for us by YAM, our young adult group.


Here they are moving a pew--takes a bunch because they are heavy! We decided to take the pews out of the transept, which were constantly cluttered, and make a permanent place for the handbells to practice. If we need the seating, we can use the extra choir chairs in the front of that. In the mean time, in addition to the handbells, the SpiritLed band will also use this space for the 9 am service.



Other pews moved were the first two rows on each side of the nave. This gave us the room to extend out the chancel and also makes a bit more room between the rail and the first row of pews. We also preserved the handicap/wheelchair space up front, too.



We stored the pews in the gray house at the back of the church. We had been letting Bridge Refugee service use it as storage, but they graciously understood our situation and moved the few items they still had there. It was a bit like a puzzle getting the pews in there, though! We had wanted to store all 8 in the garage, but it would only hold 7, and that on two rows.


A suggestion has been made that perhaps some of our Sunday School classes might like to have a pew for their room. It may take a bit of doing, but it is possible. And we always have spare pews, too, in case one of the ones we have 'falls down on the job.' By the way, we did debate putting some of these padded pews in the balcony, replacing the unpadded ones. Sorry, balcony dwellers--they wouldn't fit, too long. No naps upstairs for now.