United in the Spirit, First United Methodist Church of Belmont existsto be more like Jesus Christ for our community and beyond

REV. GEORGE RAGSDALE, PASTOR807 South Point Road // Belmont, NC 28012

P: 704-825-2106 // F: 704-825-2176www.fumcbelmont.org

SERVICE OF WORSHIP The First Sunday in Lent – March 5, 2017 – 8:30 a.m.

Manna in the Wilderness

PRAISE AND PRAYER

*SONG “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing”

1. O for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer's praise The glories of my God and King The triumphs of His grace

2. My gracious Master and my God Assist me to proclaim To spread thru all the earth abroad The honors of Thy name

3. Jesus the name that charms our fears That bids our sorrows cease 'Tis music in the sinner's ears 'Tis life and health and peace

4. He breaks the pow'r of canceled sin He sets the pris'ner free His blood can make the foulest clean His blood availed for me

5. Hear Him ye deaf His praise ye dumb Your loosened tongues employ Ye blind behold your Savior come And leap ye lame for joy

6. Glory to God and praise and love Be ever ever giv'n By saints below and saints above The Church in earth and heav'n © Words: Public Domain Music: 2000 Abingdon Press (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) CCLI License # 2246165

*WELCOME

*SONG “Trust”

1. When it doesn't go my way I know that it is not the end I'm trusting You have better plans I haven't even dreamt of yet

I know that You are for me When ev'rything's against me I put all my hope in You

Chorus Jesus I will trust You I will trust You I know You never fail I will trust You

2. I don't know how the story ends But I know that You finished it I'll close my eyes and just let go And fall into my only hope

There's safety in the falling When I surrender fully I put all my hope in You

Bridge The only thing I know is God You're in control In ev'ry little detail You are close I'll never be alone here in the unknown The power of Your presence fills my soul

Ev'rything I know is God You're in control In ev'ry little detail You are close I'll never be alone here in the unknown The power of Your presence fills my soul

Chorus

© 2015 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) CCLI License # 2246165

*PRAYER

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON (Pg 78) Exodus 31: 12-17

*GOSPEL LESSON (NT Pg 3) Matthew 4: 1-11 This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

SERMON Rev. George Ragsdale

RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD

PRAYER OF INTERCESSION A�er each petition we enter into the prayer together with these words: Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Lord of the Sabbath, hear our prayer. It is hard for us to stop working, and harder still to stop worshipping work. We confess that our busy- ness o�en substitutes for our holiness. Forgive us, Lord, and help us to be still enough to know you. Help us to understand that your sabbath is the seam between the world of work and the work of worship. Help us to know that the sabbath is what keeps us from unraveling, that it knits up the harried and makes them holy, that it even helps to heal creation from the crash. In this quiet, peaceful time, we honor you, we rest in you, we long to know you as maker and mender. Through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, Amen. WORDS OF ASSURANCE In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! Glory to God. Amen. As a forgiven and reconciled child of God, you are invited to give your offerings and gi�s to God by placing them in the offering plate when you come forward to receive communion.

THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION

*TAKING THE BREAD AND CUP

*THE GREAT THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you. And also with you. Li� up your hearts. We li� them to the Lord Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. …we praise your name and join their unending hymn: 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. … as we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. … now and for ever. Amen.

*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, for ever. Amen.

*BREAKING THE BREAD

SHARING THE BREAD AND CUP Music During Communion “Holy Spirit” Torwalt

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

GOING FORTH AS WITNESSES TO THE WORLD

*BENEDICTION

*SONG “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)”

1. You call me out upon the waters The great unknown where feet may fail And there I find You in the mystery In oceans deep my faith will stand

Chorus 1 And I will call upon Your name And keep my eyes above the waves When oceans rise My soul will rest in Your embrace For I am Yours and You are mine

2. Your grace abounds in deepest waters Your sov'reign hand will be my guide Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me You've never failed and You won't start now

Bridge Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders Let me walk upon the waters Wherever You would call me Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander And my faith will be made stronger In the presence of my Saviour

Chorus 2 I will call upon Your name Keep my eyes above the waves My soul will rest in Your embrace I am Yours and You are mine

© 2012 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) CCLI License # 2246165

*POSTLUDE

*Those who are able please stand

WELCOME! We’re glad you chose to worship with us this morning. We invite you to check out the opportunities we have for children, youth and adults of all ages and stages of life. We offer ministries and a community of faith that will help challenge and encourage you as together we seek to grow as faithful followers of Jesus Christ, serving God and our neighbor in all that we do.

VISITORS: Stop by our welcome table in the narthex as you leave today to receive a small gi� and more information about our church. We would love to know more about you, so please sign the atten-dance pad as it is passed down your pew and share your contact information so that we can be in touch with you.

LOOKING FOR CHOIR MEMBERS: Do you love to sing, laugh, worship? We do all these things every Wednesday night and Sunday morning! We are in need of choir members for our 11:00 service! Consider making a short-term commitment and join us for Easter! We will rehearse Easter music 7:00-7:45 each Wednesday night throughout Lent. We need you! Contact Renee Painter for more information.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL will be July 23-27 and registration opens tomorrow! Visit www.fumcbelmont.org/vbs to register your child. T-shirts are guaranteed to anyone who registers to participate or volunteer by April 30. Contact Jennifer Martin with questions.

LENTEN SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES BEGIN TODAY! The Wesley Fellowship class will be using God Loves Us from the Adult Bible Studies UMC Curriculum. They meet in classroom B off of Carpenter Hall.

The Route 66 class will be using Adam Hamilton’s study John during the Lenten season. They meet in room 304.

The B.A.S.I.C.S. (Brothers and Sisters in Christ’s Service) class will be using 24/6 by Matthew Sleeth to guide their conversations about honoring the Sabbath this Lent. On March 5th the class will partake in a service opportunity and begin their study on March 12th. B.A.S.I.C.S. meets in room 400.

The Disciple class will explore a variety of one-off articles and lessons about Sabbath and engage in conversation to think about defining our Sabbath. This class meets in room 503 off of Old Fellowship Hall.

The Wanderers will be using 24/6 by Matthew Sleeth to guide their conversations about honoring the Sabbath this Lent. Their study begins this morning in room 502 off of Old Fellowship Hall.

A short-term study for newcomers and guests begins today on Matthew Sleeth’s book 24/6. Join Kristen Surratt in the library to discuss what living our lives in six days and keeping one for a Sabbath looks like in today’s busy world.

MEET IN THE MIDDLE RETURNS. Our weekly Wednesday fellowship meals continue through April 12. These casual meals offer delicious food, conversation and fellowship. Drop in for as little or as long as you can! The cost for dinner is $5/person, and no reservations are required.

ANY GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR who is a member of First United Methodist Church or a student at South Point High School may apply for the Lester Carpenter Scholarship. You can learn more about the scholarship process and download an application at www.fumcbelmont.org/scholarship, obtain a hard copy from the church, or obtain from the South Point High School Website or Guidance Counselor Office (Wanda Rauch). All applications for our senior high school church members should be completed and returned by Monday, April 10th to First United Methodist Church, Attn: Lester Carpenter Scholarship Committee, 807 South Point Road, Belmont, NC 29012. If you have questions please contact Bill McLean.

CHILDREN IN WORSHIP: Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Luke 18:16For ideas on how to engage your child in worship, pick up a Children’s Worship Experience brochure from the information table in the narthex. Children’s worship bags are also available for use during the service. If you’d like to utilize our nurseries for your infant or toddler/pre-kindergartener, our ushers are happy to direct you.

PASTOR GEORGE’S WEEKLY EMAIL: Pastor George sends a weekly email, delivered to your inbox on Friday that will include brief devotional thought to prepare for Sunday’s worship, congregational news, and other items of interest. If you’d like to receive this email, send your email address to george@fumcbelmont.org. Or, text PASTORMAIL to 22828.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JOINING THE FUMC FAMILY? If you’d like to know more about joining our church, please contact Pastor George at 704-825-2106 or george@fumcbelmont.org to talk with him further. We’d be honored to welcome you officially as part of our family!

Like FUMC? Like Facebook? Then "like" FUMC on Facebook! It's a great way to get updates on events, receive inspirational messages, and share our mission with the community. To like our page, just go to facebook.com/fumcbelmont or search for "First United Methodist Church Belmont" on the site/app.

CHURCH GROUNDS IMPROVEMENT DAY - Your help is needed! Please join the United Methodist Men for a work day at the church.

Saturday, March 117:00am until noon.

There is something for everyone to do.

WEEKLY CALENDAR

Sunday, March 5 8:30 a.m. Worship 8:30 a.m. United Methodist Men Meeting 9:15 a.m. Church Breakfast 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship 4:00 p.m. Knitting Group 5:00 p.m. Youth Bell Choir 5:30 p.m. Youth Choir 6:00 p.m. Youth Group

Monday, March 6 VBS Registation Begins 1:30 p.m. Circle IV 6:30 p.m. Christian Believers Tuesday, March 7 2:45 p.m. Take Two 6:30 p.m. Disciple I

Sunday, April 9 8:30 a.m. Palm/Passion Sunday 11:00 a.m. Palm/Passion Sunday

Tuesday, April 11 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Lenten Prayer Vigil

Thursday, April 13 7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Service of Worship

Friday, April 14 12:00 p.m. Community Cross Walk 7:00 p.m. Good Friday Tenebrae Service

Sunday, April 16 8:30 a.m. Easter Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m. Easter Sunday Worship 9:45 a.m. Easter Adult Sunday School

Wednesday, March 8 5:30 p.m. Meet in the Middle 6:00 p.m. Adult Bell Choir 6:30 p.m. Service of Holy Communion 7:00 p.m. Sabbath Conversation with Rabbi Ezring 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Saturday, March 11 7:00 a.m. Church Work Day 6:00 p.m. Sabbath Experiment Pot-Luck Dinner

Sunday, March 12 8:30 a.m. Worship 9:15 a.m. Church Breakfast 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship 4:00 p.m. Knitting Group 5:00 p.m. Youth Bell Choir 5:30 p.m. Youth Choir 6:00 p.m. Youth Group

First UMC Holy Week Schedule

If you have an emergency or have a confidential prayer request, please contact George at the church office (704-825-2106) or his cell (704-249-0645). The names above will remain on the prayer list for one month unless otherwise notified.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN PRAYER

• Mike Martin and family upon the passing of Pam Martin • Debbie Ballard (mother of Chelsea & Josh Elmore) • Mark & Deb Baxa • Rick Williams and daughters (cousin of Chip Thompson) • Rama Ray (Adrian Lunsford) • Mary Kinard (step sister of Dottie Moore) • Bill Haxton (step brother of Dottie Moore) • Steve Matulis (Nicholas Cochran’s grandfather) • Keith Lowe • Mark Pressley (friend of Reid and Liz McGraw) • Beverly Karr • Michael Greene and family upon the death of his father, William Greene • Beth Woodliff (Amanda Woodliff) • Elizabeth Bunce (Lori Giang’s mother) • Gary Cooper (Renee Painter’s father) • Natalie Stewart • Jon Robert Stewart • James Reis • Dennis Lorance

OUR STAFF Rev. George Ragsdale ~ Pastor Kristen Surratt ~ Director of Discipleship Ministries Renee Painter ~ Director of Music Janice Pennington ~ Business Manager Linda Smith ~ CDC Director Carole Bertino ~ Administrative Assistant