TRADITIONAL WORSHIP

Traditional Worship
Fifteenth Sunday in Kingdomtide
October 1, 2023

Altar Flowers

The Altar flowers are dedicated to the Glory of God, and in memory of Betty Harbor, from Judy, Randy, Laura, and David Smith.

A personal prayer to help you prepare your heart and mind for worship today:

God of Grace: We come to the table you have set. We feast on the richness of your mercy. Help me to experience you anew in bread and cup, reflecting upon just what all the gift of the Holy Sacrament of Communion means. Amen.

Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Choral Introit

“God So Loved The World”
Strainer

*Hymn of Praise No. 620

“One Bread, One Body”

*Affirmation of Faith

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.

*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.

Offering
Offertory
*Doxology – Presentation of our Tithes and Offerings 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.

Concerns of the Church Family
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.

Choral Anthem

“What Does The Lord Require Of You”
Robert Hobby

What does the Lord require of you? What does the Lord require of you?
Bind up the broken hearted, offering God’s peace.
Strengthen the weak, offering God’s hope.
Seek and find, find the face of Christ,
seek and find the face of Christ in each of God’s children.
What does the Lord require of you?
Nurture the young and tend the old, offering God’s love.
Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, offering God’s compassion.
Share the good news in the Name of Christ.
Share the good news with God there is welcome,
with God there is welcome for all! What does the Lord require of you?
What does the Lord require of you?
To do justice, and love kindness, and to walk humbly with God.
To do justice, and love kindness, and to walk humbly with God.
What does the Lord require of you, of you? Require of you?

*Prayer for Illumination

Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that, as the Scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen.     

*Scripture Reading: Exodus 17:1-7

From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” But the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried out to the Lord, “What shall I do for this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” The Lord said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

L: The Word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.

Sermon                          

“Is The Lord Among Us?”

Call to Confession

Christ our Lord invites us to come to him in his grace. Therefore, let us come to our forgiving God to confess our sin.

Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray.   

Declaration of Forgiveness

L: Hear the Good News! Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ you are forgiven!
All: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! Thanks be to God! Amen.     

Celebration of Holy Communion, pp. 12-15

The founder of all Methodist church families, John Wesley, believed and taught that Holy Communion is a vital act of worship and an essential means by which God’s grace penetrates into our lives and our hearts. The hope is that each of us, as we continue to grow in our understanding of God’s great gift of love in Christ Jesus, will respond to God by giving our whole selves to His care and service. Regularly participating in Holy Communion (also known as The Lord’s Supper) reminds us that we have been forgiven of our sins and it educates us and strengthens us for the work of ministry.

L: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
L: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
L: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise
L: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
And so, with  your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
All: 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.
L: Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection you gave birth to your church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit.
On the night in which he gave himself up for us he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
When the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
All: Christ has died: Christ is risen: Christ will come again.
L: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood.
By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet.
Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and for ever.
All: Amen.

During Holy Communion this morning, we all have the opportunity to leave an additional offering on the altar rail. This offering is for the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund where 100% of what is given goes to assist people in need. We often assist individuals or families with such emergency needs as food, water, shelter and utilities. An offering is not required, but any gift you share will make a difference in the life of someone who needs it.

Prayer after Receiving
*Hymn of Commitment No. 568

“Christ for the World We Sing”

Please know that during the hymn you are invited to come and pray in the chancel at the altar as you feel led.

*Sending Forth with Blessing
*Choral Benediction

“Hallelujah Amen”
Lowell Mason

Postlude

BLUFF PARK SANCTUARY CHOIR- GIVE US A TRY!
Bluff Park Sanctuary Choir is always looking for anyone that enjoys singing to come and experience firsthand this community of believers that loves to lift their voices in praise to our Almighty Father! Perhaps you have considered visiting our regular weekly choir rehearsal on Wednesday evening. Now is the perfect time to come and enjoy an evening or Praise as we start to prepare music for the fall and Advent season. It is not required that you know how to read music to be a part of this wonderful choir. All you need to do is come and check us out for yourself. It is not required for you to attend every rehearsal or to be present every Sunday for Worship. Being able to match pitch is important. If you would like to only sing for our Christmas Program that is great. Come, we would love to have you. This year we will be presenting MESSIAH, by Handel with guest orchestra and soloists. Please talk to any choir member or give me a call at church or email or better yet see me after service. I guarantee you that you will receive a blessing by just attending one rehearsal. You won’t know until you try!  Art DeWeese, Director of Traditional Worship—adeweese@bpumc.org

BPUMC Halloween Trunk or Treat
We are having a Halloween Trunk or Treat in the parking lot of our church on Saturday, October 28th from 2-4pm! There will be a trunk-or-treat with lots of candy, a pumpkin patch, carnival games, face painting, a dunk tank to raise money to buy socks, gloves, and hats for the homeless, and more! In order to make this event as great as it can be for the kids of our church and the kids of our community, we need your help! We need as many people/groups as possible to decorate a car and hand out candy, and we also need candy donations! There will be candy donation bins in the narthex and both entrances on the first floor, and if you would like to sign up to help with our trunk-or-treat, please email Melissa Hendon at mhendon@bpumc.org!

BPUMC Marriage Retreat
No matter how long it’s been since you made your vows, the work of maintaining a healthy marriage is an intentional effort that’s always worth the work. BPUMC is excited to offer you a one-day opportunity, hosted on our church campus, to do just that in community with other couples in the church! Our first ever Marriage Retreat will be on November 4th, 2023, where we will be led by Rev. Monica Harbarger at United Counseling through a conversation on “The Seven Principles for Making a Marriage Work,” a practical guide from leading relationship experts that can equip couples to strengthen their marriage in any season or stage of life. The registration fee for this retreat will cover lunch, snacks, a retreat T-shirt and more! Childcare for birth through 5th grade will be offered for an additional $10 per child. Register Online: BluffParkUMC.org/events/ Have questions? Contact Rev. Ross Furio or Billy Rainey!

One Night for the Homeless
This is one of our favorite annual events where 6th-12th graders are invited to spend a night at the church learning more about homelessness and learning how we can care for our homeless neighbors in practical ways. This year’s event will be held on October 8th-9th and students will be collecting socks, hats, and gloves from our congregation that night to be donated to those in need. This event is *free* but space is limited, so sign your student up now at bluffparkumc.org/events/

Red Cross Blood Drive
There will be a Red Cross Blood Drive in the 1st floor  gym on Sunday, October 1st, from 7:30am—12:30pm. Donors will get a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. A Red Cross Donor Card or photo ID is required to make a donation. To schedule an appointment to donate, call 1-800-Red-Cross or visit their website at RedCrossBlood.org and use the keyword BPUMC

Thank you for supporting the ministry and mission of our church family! Click the link below to give online safely and secure through Realm.

We would love to pray you. Submit a prayer request below and our team with be praying for you. You can also pray for other needs posted below.

Prayer List:

Betsy Delionback, Sox Sockler, Butch Styes, Bill Jones, Derilda Joiner, Anna Chatterton, Becky Walker, The Family of Myra Gray, Jared Thomas and Family, Martha Clayton, Kerns Family, Philip Causey, Anne Foote, Kevin Payne and family, Family of Don Miles, Jim and Gaile Ketchersid, Carolyn McCrary, Celeste Cisco, Rick Hardy, Maya Wright, Jean Glaze, Bill Cooch, Lisa Avant, Sara Perry, Pam Phagan, Haley Buchman, Gene Donaldson, Ann Miller, Linda Phillips, Olivia Howard, Pam McDonald, Nathan and Amy Pearman, Sue Pearson, Nathan and Alice Chase, Rosemary Hill, Ann Bice, The people of Ukraine, Pan Cahoon, Mark and Becky Blankenship, Matt and Pat Reeder, Barbara Wilson, Catherine Hallmark, Ann Gilliland, Mildred Stokes, Gayle Pierce, David Walker, Pauline Hendricks, Charlotte Word, Connie Steele.

Prayers for Our World:

Matthew 25:43, 45“ …I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me…Truly, I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” Lord, as we enjoy the daily busyness of our lives with friends and family, may we also remember those who cannot do the same, whether through their illness or incarceration.  May we keep these brothers and sisters in our prayers and reach out with specific actions, using the skills You have given us.  May we be led to take the minutes to make a call, schedule a visit, or voice support for policies that will improve others’ lives.  May we also humbly acknowledge that we, too, may be in need of such outreach, many times without warning.

Fill out the form and let us know how we can help you take your next steps at Bluff Park UMC! We’d love to connect you with a pastor.

Members and guests, please fill out this form to help us keep track of online weekly worship attendance. Include the names of each member of your household who participated in online worship with you.