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Sunday Worship Service
Second Sunday after Epiphany
January 17, 2021
Centering Prayer
For you alone, O God, my soul waits in silence. Fill me with your presence that I might desire to know you more fully and gain understanding through your Word. Amen.
ORDER OF WORSHIP
* Congregation please stand as able
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
*Opening Hymn No.529
“How Firm a Foundation”
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
“When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
my grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
“The soul that on Jesus still leans for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.”
*Affirmation of Faith “The Apostles’ Creed” No. 881
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And 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, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick 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.
*The Gloria Patri No. 70
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
Holy Spirit, your people call out for understanding. Bring to our yearning hearts and minds the truth of your Word; in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:18-23
Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written,
“He catches the wise in their craftiness,”
and again,
“The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise,
that they are futile.”
So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
L: The Word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
“Develop”
Silent Prayer/Pastoral Prayer
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. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Offering and Missions Giving
Anthem
“Press On”
Dan Burgess
When the valley is deep, when the mountain is steep, when the body is weary, when we stumble and fall. When the choices are hard, when we’re battered and scarred, when we’ve spent our resources, when we have given our all.
In Jesus’ name we press on. In Jesus’ name we press on. Dear Lord with the prize clear before our eyes. We find the strength to press on. In Jesus’ name we press on. In Jesus’ name we press on. Dear Lord, with the prize clear before our eyes, we find the strength to press on.
To Press On!
*Doxology No. 95
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Closing Hymn No.402
“Lord, I Want to Be a Christian”
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart;
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.
In my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart;
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart.
In my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart.
*Sending Forth with Blessing
Let us go from this place trusting in God’s power, even though it is often found in weakness. Let us trust in God’s wisdom, even though it may seem foolish to others around us. Let us trust in God’s wholeness, even as it comes amid brokenness. Let us trust in God. Go in peace. Amen.
*Choral Benediction
“May The Grace of Christ Our Savior”
Kingsmore
May the Grace of Christ our Savior,
and the Father’s boundless love
with the Holy Spirit’s favor
go with you today, Amen.
SUPPORT THIS MINISTRY
Would you like to make a financial contribution to support the ministry here at Bluff Park United Methodist Church? We have a secure online contribution platform available to make your donation electronically. Just use the form below to start the process.
PRAYER CONCERNS
Will Wells, Jackie Teaford, Becky Blankenship, Wayne and Peggy Williams, The family of Jean Brown, Debra McCallum, Will McCallum and Beth Byrnside, Sara Perry, Gene Smith, Lois Truss, Jennie Alley, Myra Gray, David Williamson and family, the family of Bill Best, Ray Williams, Rosalie Rasco, Pam McIntosh, Bill Fields, Ann Gilliland, Gary White, Jack and Sue Pearson, Matt and Pat Reeder, Joan Cook, Harry Hill, Derilda Joiner, Maya Wright, Buck Sullivan, Jerry Thorn, Linda Small, Barbara Erwin, Frank and Marilyn Williams, Carolin Platt, Carolyn Arthur, Roxie Langham, Medical staff and essential workers, Shirley Andrews, Mike and Marcia Patrick, Dot Watterson, Bob Moore, Wayne Freeman, Jackie Causey, Mary McCullough, Vee Russell, Peggy Best, Joe Thomas, Bob Rogers, Lisa Avant, Sue Crunk, Alex Hendon, Mary Marlow, Charlotte Word, Margaret Loper, Connie Steele.
PRAYERS FOR OUR WORLD
Pray for all UMC missionaries who continue in their service in faraway places despite the threat of Covid-19. Pray that recruitment for the 2021 class of missionaries will not be hindered by the pandemic.
24-Hour Pastoral Care is available if needed. Call (205) 533-9902 and leave a message. A pastor will reply promptly. Or, email us at care@bpumc.org.
TOP ANNOUNCEMENTS
2021 Operating Ministry Budget Pledge Campaign
The Operating Ministry Budget supports the core functions of our church’s ministry and mission—light, heat, air conditioning, supplies, food, and staff. It is part of our promise as members to support all of the ministries and missions of the church. We are holding this campaign in the New Year instead of in October and November like in previous years. Please prayerfully consider making a pledge for this current year!
Preserving Beauty; Preserving Ministry Capital Campaign
Capital campaigns are always for major expenses over and above the Operating Ministry Budget. Our church family has pledged to move forward with a special one-year capital campaign to support four important areas of need during these unprecedented times. This campaign seeks to restore and preserve every stained glass window at our church, to purchase a new chiller for our Sanctuary, to ensure that our Operating Ministry Budget does not have to take over the debt service for the Elevator Tower and to invest in a technology upgrade for 21st-century ministry. A generous family is willing to match pledges in order to help us reach our goals more swiftly which means that your pledge’s impact will be automatically doubled! Contact the office to make a pledge.
Weekly Puzzle Challenge
Feeling bored? Try our puzzle challenge. In each week’s BPUMC Emailed Update, there is a new puzzle that will help you learn more about BPUMC, the United Methodist Church and other fun information! Download at http://BluffParkUMC.org/puzzle23.
Answers to Last Week’s Puzzle Challenge (Week 22) – New Year’s Resolutions
Across
- Who were the first people to make New Year’s Resolutions? Babylonians
- What service did John Wesley create in 1740 to encourage people to think about one’s past mistakes and resolve to do and be better in the future? Covenant Renewal
- How many years ago did the first people begin to make New Year’s resolutions? Four thousand
Down
- In what month was New Year’s originally celebrated? March
- What emperor moved the New Year’s celebration to January? Julius Caesar
- What was the alternate name of the service created by John Wesley in 1740? Watch Night