First United Methodist Church Lancaster, SC

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Facebook Live Stream Morning Worship

First United Methodist Church

Lancaster, South Carolina

Sunday, August 9, 2020

Tenth Sunday After Pentecost

11:00 a.m. Livestream on Facebook Live

 

Gathering to Worship

WORDS OF WELCOME

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

God who lifts us from death to life,

and preserves us to live life with a purpose

with the compassion of Jesus Christ our Lord.

We are guided by the Holy Spirit,

held in the arms of Jesus, nurtured in the presence of God,

and raised through the waters of fear and frustration;

putting our feet on the solid ground of faith.

As we give thanks to God,

May our heart swell with thanksgiving. Amen.

 

OPENING VOLUNTARY

Reflection of Organ Gilbert Martin

 

OPENING PRAYER

 

Hearing God’s Word

 

SONG OF PREPARATION UMH 277 (v. 1)

Tell Me the Stories of Jesus STORIES OF JESUS

 

Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear;

things I would ask him to tell me if he were here:

scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,

stories of Jesus, tell them to me.

 

THE GOSPEL Matthew 14:22-33

 

The Message “Out In the Deep” Pastor Charles

 

Responding to God’s Word

 

THE OFFERING

 

OFFERTORY

I Walk by Faith and Not be Sight Samuel McFarland

Elaine Reese, Soloist MeKaila Cox, Violin

 

PASTORAL PRAYER AND 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.

 

 

Into the World

 

HYMN OF COMMITMENT UMH 593

Here I Am, Lord HERE I AM, LORD

 

1. I, the Lord of sea and sky

I have heard my people cry

All who dwell in dark and sin

My hand will save

 

I, who made the stars of night

I will make their darkness bright

Who will bear my light to them?

Whom shall I send?

 

[Refrain]

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night

I will go, Lord, if you lead me

I will hold your people in my heart

 

1. I, the Lord of snow and rain

I have borne my people's pain

I have wept for love of them

They turn away

 

I will break their hearts of stone

Give them hearts for love alone

Who will speak my word to them

Whom shall I send?

 

[Refrain]

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night

I will go, Lord, if you lead me

I will hold your people in my heart

 

1. I, the Lord of wind and flame

I will tend the poor and lame

I will set a feast for them

My hand will save

 

Finest bread I will provide

'Til their hearts be satisfied

I will give my life to them

Whom shall I send?

 

[Refrain]

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night

I will go, Lord, if you lead me

I will hold your people in my heart

 

BENEDICTION

 

CHORAL RESPONSE

Amen Persichetti

 

CHIMING OF THE HOLY TRINITY

 

CLOSING VOLUNTARY

Chaconne in G minor Louis Couperin

 

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Worship 8-9-20

Click Below to view worship service​

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The Daily Word 8-13-20

Click below to view​

 

 

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON IN-PERSON WORSHIP

 

Dear Friends in Christ,

 

Likely you have heard that our United Methodist Resident Bishop, Bishop Jonathan Holston, announced on May 15, 2020 that United Methodist churches may restart in-person worship June 14, 2020. However, considering the current guidance from reliable federal and state officials, the leadership of First UMC began immediately to consider the path toward restarting in-person worship. Our primary goal in this endeavor is the health, safety and welfare of each member and affiliate of First United Methodist Church. The leadership team is working diligently to chart a path ahead toward restarting in-person worship that is deliberate, comprehensive and sustainable.

During our lengthy online and telephonic meetings over the past few weeks, therefore, we determined that together we would balance excitement with prudence in our plan to reengage in-person worship. Further, we consulted other churches, leaders and Conference officials in charting our unique way forward to ensuring the vitality of the worship life of our church.

With that, First United Methodist Church will not reengage in-person worship until September 13, 2020. I realize that may seem like a long way off, but this plan will allow us further time to discern a sustainable plan for social distancing, sanitizing the worship space, limiting attendee exposure, training volunteer teams, and communicating with every member of FUMC.

An important part of this plan is that, within the next two weeks, you will receive a Congregational Survey by either email, postal mail, online survey service or personal phone call. Your input is on this survey is vital to the future of the plan of in-person worship. The leadership team will review all responses to the survey and will tabulate and assess the results. We hope to complete a composite report of the survey results and have that available for your review by the end of the month of June.

Meantime, please let me know if have any questions or concerns, and text or call me at: 843-708-5696 or my email at: caphillips@umcsc.org. Otherwise you can reach me at the church office.

Thank you for your faithfulness to the gospel of Christ and to the people of First UMC. The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

 

Grace and peace,

Pastor Charles

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