The Service of Worship New Milford United Methodist Church 68 Danbury Road, New Milford, CT 06776 www.newmilfordumc.org | 860-354-4596

Rev. Alex da Silva Souto, Pastor Zoe Vandermeer, Interim Music Director Brinna Kolitz, Youth Leader Emily Nixon, Open Door Band Leader

Sunday, September 27, 2015 at 9:30

You are invited to worship with us in the quiet of prayer, in the joy of song, and in the desire to grow in the grace and knowledge of our LORD Jesus

Christ. Part of our mission is to be a place for all people. All are welcome here! Whatever your gender, age, race, religious background, economic status, sexual orientation or condition of ableness, we greet you as a beloved child of God.

* The order of service is subject to change at the leading of the Holy Spirit. Italicized  Bold  print  invites  congregational  response  in  unison.  

U Means you are invited to stand if able and comfortable.

ENTRANCE & PRAISE Prelude Musical selection by Mr. Stephen Negri

Welcome & News Pat Tripp [Please refer to the bulletin insert for “Our Life in Community” news,

and do share it with your family and friends.]  

U Opening Hymn #496 “Sweet Hour of Prayer” [v. 1] SWEET HOUR U Call to Worship [based on Psalm 124 (MSG & NRSV)]

“If the LORD hadn’t been for us” – let God’s people now say – If the LORD hadn’t been for us, when our adversaries

attacked us, then they would have swallowed us whole, when their anger was burning against us;

Then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; Then over us would have gone the raging waters. God is our refuge and our strength. Wisdom in times of trouble! Light in the darkness! Let us worship God with hearts filled with hope, gratitude and joy.

Meetings & Opportunities this week Sun., Sept. 27 …….. at 9:30 am Traditional Worship in Sanctuary at 10:00 am Children’s Sunday School at 11:00 am Adult Sunday School Mon., Sept. 28 ……. at 10:30 am Tai Chi in Fellowship Hall at 7:00 pm Wesley Class in Conference Room at 7:30 pm Choir in Sanctuary Tues., Sept. 29 …… at 7:00 pm Fall Fair Meeting in Fellowship Hall Wed., Sept. 30 …… at 5:30 pm Open Door Band Practice in Sanctuary at 7:00 pm Open Door Worship Service in Sanctuary at 7:00 pm Boy Scout Troop 31 in Fellowship Hall Thurs., Oct. 1 …….. at 3:00 pm “Our Daily Bread” in Food Barn

at 5:45 pm Bells in Sanctuary at 6:00 pm Missions Committee in Fellowship Hall

Fri. Oct. 2 …….. at 7:30 pm Choir in Sanctuary Sun., Oct. 4 …… Blood Pressure Checks by Parish Nurses at 8:30 am Not Just Eggs in Fellowship Hall at 9:30 am Traditional Worship in Sanctuary at 10:00 am Children’s Sunday School at 10:00 am Food Drive at Big Lots at 11:00 am Adult Sunday School at 6:00 pm Girl Scout Troop in Fellowship Hall

AA meetings in Fellowship Hall Monday - Friday at noon

Prayer of Invocation Pastor Alex

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. [Psalm 19:7a] Revive us O God, when we are at home, be present to us. Revive us Jesus, when we are on our journey, accompany us. Revive us Holy Spirit, as we gather now in worship, rejoice with us, Amen! U Hymn #496 “Sweet Hour of Prayer” [v.v. 2, 3] SWEET HOUR Prayers of the People & LORD’s Prayer

Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the LORD. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; [James 5: 13-15a - NRSV]

[prayers of the people are lifted up to God…]

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.

U Hymn of Praise #432 “Jesu, Jesu” [v.v. 1-3] CHEREPONI

PROCLAMATION & RESPONSE

Prayer for Illumination [adapted from Psalm 19:7b-8]  

Your decrees O LORD are sure, making wise the simple; Your precepts are right, rejoicing the heart;

Your commandment Jesus is clear, enlightening the eye of those who choose to see. May the meditations of our minds, the thoughts of our hearts and words of the mouths of

all those who are moved to speak be acceptable to You, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen U Gospel Reading “Mark 9:38-50” [NRSV] Pat Tripp

The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Children’s Message “A Pinch of Salt” Pastor Alex

[Congregation Sings “Jesus Loves Me” as children return to their pews.]

Reflecting on God’s Message “Knock it Off” Pastor Alex U Hymn of Response #432 “Jesu, Jesu” [v.v. 4-5] CHEREPONI Invitation to Offering Offering of Tithes and Gifts U Doxology #95                                “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen. Offering Prayer

GOING FORTH

U Closing Hymn #467 “Trust and Obey” [v.v. 1, 4] TRUST AND OBEY Commission, Benediction & Passing of the Peace

[adapted from ©2000 Nathan Nettleton laughingbird.net]

Go now and celebrate God’s love. When suffering comes, pray in faith. In times of joy, sing songs of praise. Persevere in prayer and action to assist the fallen back to the truth.

And may God save you from all that would harm you; May Christ Jesus heal you and raise you up; and may the Holy Spirit anoint you…

and give you peace with one another. We go in peace to love and serve. Amen.

Postlude Musical selection by Mr. Stephen Negri John Wesley’s Covenant prayer

I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what you will, place me with whom you will.

Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you,

praised for you or criticized for you. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and fully surrender all things to your hope and service.