Sunday 2020-01-05

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

---

The Prince of Peace

Isaiah 9:1-6; Mark 4:35-41

1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— 2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 3You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

35That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”36Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!”Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

---

TODAY’S PREACHER

Sylvester Weatherall is Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-12-29

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

---

To Fulfill All Righteousness

Matthew 3:13-17

John. 14But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”Then John consented. 16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®

P __ __ __ __ __ __ is how we organize ourselves as United Methodists.

P __ __ __ __ __ __ __ is how we live out our faith together.

• Baptism is the Sacrament of B __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __.

• Holy Communion is the Sacrament of R __ __ __ __ __ __.

For this reason, we are baptized O __ __ __ O __ __ __ , because once we belong to God, we belong to God.

Whereas we celebrate Holy Communion O __ __ __ __ , because we are constantly in need of renewing our relationship with God.

The P __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Love of God brings us to a point where we accept for ourselves God’s claim upon our lives.

Then the J __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Love of God takes over and makes us “right” with God.

As we continue our faith journey we encounter the S __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Love of God which helps us live each day in a growing relationship with God.

From this brief passage in Matthews’ gospel we can learn three truths about baptism in the life of our Lord that are applicable to our own lives.

The first is that Baptism is about B __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ .

The second truth is that Baptism is about B __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ .

Righteousness means “Right R __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ .”

“You are all (children) of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3:26,27

And the third truth is that Baptism is about B __ __ __ __ __ .

---

TODAY’S PREACHER

Dr. Rev. Ray Owens is Pastor of Visitation at Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-12-22

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

---

Advent Prayers: Salvation Presented

Luke 2:22-35

22When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” 33The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

1. Salvation Presented

   • A Light to the Gentiles.

   • Glory to the Israelites.

2. Destiny of Opposition

   • The Cornerstone

   • The Revelation That Brings Opposition

3. The Sword That Pierces

   • Mary’s Soul

   • A Love That Grieves

   Going Deeper: Isaiah 28:16; Psalm 118:22; 1 Peter 2:6-10, John 18:37, Isaiah 8:14

---

TODAY’S PREACHER

Michael Pitzer is Director of Sr. High Ministries

Sunday 2019-12-15

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

---

Advent Prayers

Luke 1:67-80

67His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

68“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,

because he has come to his people and redeemed them.

69He has raised up a horn of salvation for us

in the house of his servant David

70(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),

71salvation from our enemies

and from the hand of all who hate us—

72to show mercy to our ancestors

and to remember his holy covenant,

73the oath he swore to our father Abraham:

74to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,

and to enable us to serve him without fear

75in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

76And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;

for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,

77to give his people the knowledge of salvation

through the forgiveness of their sins,

78because of the tender mercy of our God,

by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven

79to shine on those living in darkness

and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

80And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

1. Zecharia’s Response 

   • Your prayer has been heard.

   • How will I know?

2. The Grace That Comes Before 

   • John - “God has been gracious”

   • God proceeds his grace with grace.

3. Prepare the Highway 

• No Red Carpet

• Preparation through Repentance

Going Deeper: Malachi 3:1, 4:5-6, Isaiah 40:3

---

TODAY’S PREACHER

Michael Pitzer is Director of Sr. High Ministries

Sunday 2019-12-08

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

---

Wait, what?

Luke 1:26-38

26In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37For no word from God will ever fail.”

38“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Questions to ponder in your heart:

What do you do when you get life-altering news? Are you able to listen to God in the midst of it?

When you are tempted to take control of a chaotic turn of events, how can you slow down and let God lead you through it?

Do you have a grateful heart because you are highly favored by God - that He has revealed Himself to you?

How does the recognition that you are highly favored impact how you treat life circumstances?

How full (or empty) is your faith bank? Have you made regular deposits through prayer, Bible study, regular worship etc.?

What ways can you plant the seed of faith in the next generations of your family? Church? Community?

---

TODAY’S PREACHER

Lori Bultemeier

Sunday 2019-12-01

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

---

Lament in Advent

Isaiah 64:1-12

1Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down,

that the mountains would tremble before you!

2As when fire sets twigs ablaze

and causes water to boil,

come down to make your name known to your enemies

and cause the nations to quake before you!

3For when you did awesome things that we did not expect,

you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.

4Since ancient times no one has heard,

no ear has perceived,

no eye has seen any God besides you,

who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

5You come to the help of those who gladly do right,

who remember your ways.

But when we continued to sin against them,

you were angry.

How then can we be saved?

6All of us have become like one who is unclean,

and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;

we all shrivel up like a leaf,

and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

7No one calls on your name

or strives to lay hold of you;

for you have hidden your face from us

and have given us over to our sins.

8Yet you, Lord, are our Father.

We are the clay, you are the potter;

we are all the work of your hand.

9Do not be angry beyond measure, Lord;

do not remember our sins forever.

Oh, look on us, we pray,

for we are all your people.

10Your sacred cities have become a wasteland;

even Zion is a wasteland, Jerusalem a desolation.

11Our holy and glorious temple, where our ancestors praised you,

has been burned with fire,

and all that we treasured lies in ruins.

12After all this, Lord, will you hold yourself back?

Will you keep silent and punish us beyond measure?

---

TODAY’S PREACHER

Isaac Gaff is Managing Director of Worship & Creative Arts

Sunday 2019-11-24

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

---

Stewardship of Finances

Malachi 3:10-11; Luke 12:48; Galatians 6:7-10; Proverbs 30:7-9

10Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LordAlmighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the LordAlmighty.

48But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

7“Two things I ask of you, Lord;

do not refuse me before I die:

8Keep falsehood and lies far from me;

give me neither poverty nor riches,

but give me only my daily bread.

9Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you

and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’

Or I may become poor and steal,

and so dishonor the name of my God.

Stewardship Recap

“Not, how much of my money will I give to God, but how much of God’s money will I keep for myself?”

— John Wesley

Ephesians 4:1-7

Genesis 14:18-20

What is tithing - what does it mean?

Why?

Do I not pay my bills/ provide for my family?

Where do I start?

What if I don’t tithe or give?

---

TODAY’S PREACHER

Randy Reese is Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-11-17

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

---

Stewardship: Serving

1 Corinthians 12:12-27; John 21:15

12Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

15Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

1. Why Serve?

2. One Body

3. Excuses

   • Those aren’t my strengths.

   • My faith isn’t deep enough.

   • There are others who can do it.

4. Where to Serve?

5. Just Do Something!

Going Deeper

Exodus 3-4; Matthew 25:14-30; 1 Corinthians 12

---

TODAY’S PREACHER

Rev. Michael Pitzer is Director of Sr. High Ministries

Sunday 2019-11-10

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

---

Kingdom of Stewardship

Genesis 1:26-28; Psalm 24:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

26Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

27So God created mankind in his own image,

in the image of God he created them;

male and female he created them.

28God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

1The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it;

2for he founded it on the seas

and established it on the waters.

1This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

Recognition that:

All belongs to God

We have been given stewardship of (or care of) all He has given us.

Stewards of:

Time

---

TODAY’S PREACHER

Randy Reese is Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-11-03

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

---

Thoughts for Spiritual Insight

John 9:1-9

1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,”said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.4As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

6After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7“Go,”he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam”(this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

8His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” 9Some claimed that he was.

Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”

But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”

John Wesley quote, “One piece of advice. Be not so positive; especially with regard to things, which are neither easy nor necessary to be determined. When I was young was sure of everything. In a few years, having been mistaken a thousand times, I was not half sure of most things as I was before. At present, I am hardly sure of anything but what God has revealed to man.   (Letter 1775)

Jesus says, “I am the light of the world.”  He comes to illumine our minds and hearts and reveal Himself to us. He proves He is the Light by opening the eyes of a blind man. In what areas of your life do you need Jesus to shed some light? Are there places in your heart that you are trying to keep in the dark?

Sometimes God places someone in need right in our path, but we choose not to see the opportunity to be Christ to him or her. Who might be in your “blind spot?” How will you adjust your mirror to see them?

John Wesley quote, “But as to all opinions which do not strike at the root of Christianity (the cross) we think and let think. (The Character of a Methodist 1739)

As the holidays approach, maybe we can all find more peace at our family tables, by keeping this in mind….

---

TODAY’S PREACHER

Lori Bultemeier

Sunday 2019-10-27

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

---

Answered Prayers

John 17:1-11

1After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.2For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.3Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.4I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.5And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

Jesus Prays for His Disciples

6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.7Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you.8For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.9I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.10All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.11I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.

What is the earliest prayer you remember?

“How important is prayer in your life?”

1……..2……..3……..4….….5……..6……..7……..8……..9.…….10

Not At All Of Greatest

“How often do you pray?”

1……..2……..3……..4….….5……..6……..7……..8……..9.…….10

Never All the Time

In today’s text we learn that Jesus focused his prayer in two directions.

First, Jesus prayed for ____________________.

What is eternal life? It is _____________ with _________________!

Second, Jesus prayed for ___________ _______________.

There are two things that Jesus asked on our behalf.

He asked for the Father to ______________ us by the power of His __________.

And he asked that we may be ______________ as the Father and Son are

________________.

The first request only God can answer.

The second, only we can answer.

As parts of one body, we share a single purpose,

to ___________________ God through our lives.

As parts of one body, we are assigned unique responsibilities

to be fulfilled on behalf of the __________________.

The mystery of the Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit

is reflected in the mystery of the Church,

One Body with many parts working together in harmony.

To truly answer Jesus’ prayer we must learn to live in Christian

community within a world characterized by dis-unity.

---

TODAY’S PREACHER

Rev. Dr. Ray Owens is the Pastor of Visitation at Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-10-20

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

---

You Cannot Love in Moderation

Ephesians 3:14-21

14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

The problem with knowing

The problem with paradox

The problem with Love

---

TODAY’S PREACHER

Dr. Isaac Gaff is Managing Director of Worship & Creative Arts at Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-10-13

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

---

Prayers of the Bible

Psalm 51

Prayer for Cleansing and Pardon

To the leader. A Psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

1Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your steadfast love;

according to your abundant mercy

blot out my transgressions.

2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin.

3For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is ever before me.

4Against you, you alone, have I sinned,

and done what is evil in your sight,

so that you are justified in your sentence

and blameless when you pass judgment.

5Indeed, I was born guilty,

a sinner when my mother conceived me.

6You desire truth in the inward being;

therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.

7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.

9Hide your face from my sins,

and blot out all my iniquities.

10Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and put a new and right spirit within me.

11Do not cast me away from your presence,

and do not take your holy spirit from me.

12Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and sustain in me a willing spirit.

13Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

and sinners will return to you.

14Deliver me from bloodshed, O God,

O God of my salvation,

and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.

15O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will declare your praise.

16For you have no delight in sacrifice;

if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.

17The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

18Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;

rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,

19then you will delight in right sacrifices,

in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;

then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Vs. 1-2 Request

Vs. 3-6 Repentance

Vs. 7-12 Restoration

Vs. 13-15 Response

Vs. 16-19 Religion

Going Deeper:

2 Samuel 11-12 David, Bathsheba, and Nathan

Luke 15:11-32 The Parable of the Prodigal Son

---

TODAY’S PREACHER

Michael Pitzer is Director of Sr. High Ministries at Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-10-06

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

---

Prayers of the Bible

James 5:13-16

13Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

“James the Just”

“Camel Knees”

Ancient preachers….And the Jewish preaching style

Key Verse: 5:16…”The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

James 5:

• If you’re in trouble

• If you are happy

• Anyone sick? Anointing with oil

• Confess your sins

….pray for each other

---

TODAY’S PREACHER

Randy Reese is Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-09-29

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

---

Prayer: The First Response!

Matthew 9:35-38

35Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

What is your first response to a personal problem?

• _________________ the problem hoping it will resolve itself or simply go away.

• Throw _________________ at the problem.

• ___________________ the problem with your best intellectual problem-solving skills.

• _______________ the problem with all your ________________.

None of these approaches make very good first responses.

The best first response we can make in the face of any problem

is _________ ______________.

“Not only is prayer the best first response available for our problems,

prayer is also the best first response when opportunities come our way.”

When we see others as Jesus sees them we will relate to them in one of two ways.

• Like Jesus we will be filled with a ____________________ of ___________________________.

OR…

• Overwhelmed by their need, we will become _________________ and in time, __________________.

What will determine which of these two reactions we experience?

If prayer is the answer, then what are we to pray?

The purpose of our being sent is to serve as ________________-____________________ of the ______________ ________________.

The primary purpose of prayer is not about _______________ _________________.

The primary purpose of prayer is about our _______________ with __________________.

“MAKE PRAYER YOUR FIRST RESPONSE!”

---

TODAY’S PREACHER

Dr. Ray Owens is the Pastor of Visitation at Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-09-22

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

---

Matthew 25 Challenge & the Big Give

Matthew 25:31-40

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Sunday 2019-09-15

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

---

Matthew 25 & the Big Give

Matthew 25:31-40

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

---

TODAY’S PREACHER

Randy Reese is Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-09-08

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

---

awk·ward Gospel

Luke 7:36-50

36When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

40Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

43Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

48Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

1. Where in life are you awkward?  What awkward situations do you avoid? 

2. The awkward ministry of Jesus. 

3. The woman weeping at Jesus feet. 

   • Setting the awkward scene.

   • Comparison between the woman and simon.

   • Loving God.

4. Leveraging Awkwardness for the sake of the Gospel! 

• Be awkward at home.

• Be awkward at church.

• Be awkward in the world. 

Going Deeper:

Revelation 2:1-7, John 14

TODAY’S PREACHER

Michael Pitzer is Director of Sr. High Ministries at Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-09-01

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

---

Come to the Table

Luke 22:14-23; Acts 2:42-47

14When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

17After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

19And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

20In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 21But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

It is called the Lord’s Supper because it is Christ’s _______________________ at the table which gives it meaning.

It is called Holy Communion because ________________ and ___________________ are invited to share in fellowship around His table.

It is the ______________ of the Lord Jesus Christ which gives meaning to our participation in this meal today.

Is there anything that might prevent us from coming?

Perhaps our ______________________ keeps us from sharing in the bread and the cup?

WE COME BECAUSE WE ARE ALL ___________________.

Is there anything that might prevent us from coming?

Perhaps our _________ of _______________ in a moment of weakness keep us from sharing in the bread and cup?

WE COME BECAUSE WE HAVE ALL ________________ _______________.

Is there anything that might prevent us from coming?

Perhaps our _______________ of Jesus in a moment of confusion keeps us from sharing in the bread and cup?

WE COME BECAUSE WE HAVE ALL ___________________ ______________________.

____________ and ________________ alone prevents us from coming to the Lord’s Table. ‘

There is only _____________ reason why we WOULD NOT come.

There is _____________ reason why we SHOULD!

---

TODAY’S PREACHER

Rev. Dr. Ray Owens is Pastor of Visitation at Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-08-25

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

---

Fruit of the Spirit - Faithfulness, Gentleness, Goodness

Hebrews 11:6, Jeremiah 31:3

6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

3The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:

“I have loved you with an everlasting love;

I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

Questions to ponder:

Is my fruit showing?

How can I focus more on WHO God is and less on what He does? (for me, my loved ones, people I agree with)

Am I kind while I’m doing good? Or resentful, bitter, waiting to see if someone notices?

How can I be more gentle with people who are struggling?

How can I let the Holy Spirit have His way in my life so that I can bear more fruit, becoming more and more like Jesus?

---

TODAY’S PREACHER

Lori Bultemeier