July 24, 2016
ONE QUARTER AT A TIME
Our Children’s Ministry has recently adopted the phrase “Love God, Love
Others” as its new mission slogan. When we boil down what we want to teach
the youngest members of our church, this sums things up nicely. The longer
version can be found in Scripture when Jesus teaches us, “You shall love the
Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your
strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”
The wise preacher Fred Craddock reminds us that most of us imagine
giving our lives to God as one brilliant act of surrender, like going into a room
and slamming a one thousand dollar bill on a table in front of God. But then,
Craddock says, God does something we don’t expect. God gives us back the
bill, and asks us to exchange that thousand dollars for quarters. And we
spend the rest of our lives paying God twenty-five cents at a time. A quarter
here listening to the neighbor’s troubles; a quarter there visiting a nursing
home; a quarter here teaching Sunday School. Faithfulness is continuing to
pay out those quarters, one at a time, day after day.
Our profession of faith can be long and detailed. Or we can simply
confess, “I believe.” We can write volumes interpreting the teachings of
Jesus. Or we can simply remember, “Love God, Love Others.” We can offer
God grandiose gestures of commitment and sacrifice. Or we can pay our debt
of faith one quarter at a time.
Where are you putting your quarters? The opportunities for investment are
endless.
The Worship of God
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost (Green)
Welcome and Parish Notices (8:55 a.m. and 11:10 a.m.)
Rev. Elaine Wilder
Invitation to Worship
The Lord is just in all his ways,
And kind in all his doings.
Take courage all you people.
Take courage, says the Lord, for I am with you.
Do not be afraid, for God’s spirit is with us.
The Lord watches over all who come in love.
Let our mouths speak the praise of God.
Let us bless God’s holy name forever.
(from Psalm 145)
Rev. Lori Ethridge
Prelude
*Hymn
Meditation on Amazing Grace
I Love To Tell The Story
Traditional tune, arr. Parks
Hymnal 156
*Affirmation of Faith
The Apostles’ Creed
Hymnal 881
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. Amen.
*Gloria Patri
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, amen.
Solo
Hymnal 70
“Come Unto Him,” from Messiah
Ms. Brenda Rhodes, soprano
G.F. Handel
Take My Life, And Let It Be
Hymnal 399
Children’s Sermon
*Hymn
Pastoral Prayer
Rev. Ethridge
The Lord’s Prayer
Giving of God’s Tithes and Our Offerings
Offertory
Take the World But Give Me Jesus
Brenda Brent, pianist
Victor Labensky
*Doxology
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.
*Scripture Lesson
Sermon
Hymnal 95
Philippians 2: 1-11
VIRTUES FOR FAITHFUL LIVING: HUMILITY
Rev. Wilder
Invitation to Christian Discipleship
*Hymn
Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service
Hymnal 581
*Benediction
*Postlude
Finale, from Symphonie #1
L. Vierne
*Those who are able, please stand.
GIFTS TO MFUMC: In memory of Dean Kates by Roberta Gates & Dick Roberts.
In memory of June Pickering by Martha Arnold, Mary Lou Cagle, and Roberta Gates & Dick Roberts.
In memory of Jenny Lee Henderson by Betty Henderson Beall, Sarah Farrar and Jo K. Grosser.
This week at MFUMC
HOSPITALIZED: Stella Bolen, Lois Pollock, Loyce Dennis, Phillis Rizk, Katie Hume Brown
OUT OF THE HOSPITAL: Marilyn Mintz, Jayne Woodward, Richard Powell, Jim Leskoven,
Donna Heavener
FLOWERS: The flowers in the Sanctuary today are given to the Glory of God and in loving
memory of Nancy Phillips Hubner by her niece, Carol Carithers.
NEW MEMBERS: Bob and Dot Trippeer
Reception for Josh Owens-Sweeney. Join us
in the Family Life Hall today following both
worship services to honor and say farewell to
our Youth Director, Josh Owens-Sweeney.
Josh and his wife Anna will be moving to
Indianapolis next month.
Virtues for Faithful Living, our July sermon
series, concludes next week as we focus on
the virtue of listening.
Congregational Care volunteers needed! Are
you willing to visit a homebound member of
our congregation once a month? We provide
flowers and you provide friendly conversation.
Our list of members needing care keeps
growing. Join us in this important ministry.
(Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)
Confirmation Registration is open for all
rising 6th grade students. We will start our
adventure together with a retreat to Alabama
(September 9-11) where we will begin to take
a deeper look at our Christian Faith. Register
by July 25 and find more information at
www.mariettafumc.org/confirmation. (Jessica
Ferguson, ext. 7822)
Join the Senior Adults’ visit to the Marietta
History Museum on Monday, August 1.
We will meet in the Welcome Center Lobby at
10:15 a.m. and walk over as a group. Those
unable to walk may ride in the church van.
Lunch to follow on the Square at Taqueria
Tsunami. Trip is free for museum members
and $5 for non-members. RSVP to Rev. Lori
Ethridge at ext. 7835.
Worship Leaders
Senior Minister:
Dr. Sam R. Matthews
Associate Ministers:
Rev. Elaine Wilder
Rev. Brian Smith
Youth Sharptop Retreat. Join us August
12-14 as we gather with surrounding Marietta
churches for fellowship, games, and worship.
This year's theme at Sharptop is "Identity.”
For more information and to register, visit
www.mariettafumc.org/sharptop to register.
(Jessica Ferguson, ext. 7822)
Help pack lunches for the MUST Summer
Lunch Program Thursdays at 10 a.m. in the
Lower Room. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)
Join us for the Ecuador Mission Information
Session today at 12:30 p.m. in the Library.
Trip dates are September 24 to October 2.
(Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)
2 Become 1 Workshop: Join us Saturday,
September 10 for a premarital workshop
for engaged couples led by professional
counselors. To learn more and register, visit
www.mariettafumc.org/2become1 or contact
Rev. Brian Smith at ext. 7840.
Mission Mondays. All rising 4 th-6th graders
are invited for a group mission project at
the church and then lunch and dessert on
the Square tomorrow from 10 a.m. to
1 p.m.
Meet in the Welcome Center
lobby.
Bring $10 for lunch and dessert.
(Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)
Blessing of the Backpacks is Sunday, August
7 at both worship services. Children will
receive special pins for their backpacks to
remind them of God’s love as they start a new
school year. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)
Director of Music:
Bryan Black
Organist:
Brian Parks
Pianist:
Brenda Brent
9 a.m. Service
Acolyte: Bradley Kemp
11:15 a.m. Service
Acolyte: Lilly Salter
Minister to Senior Adults:
Rev. Lori Ethridge
56 Whitlock Ave. Marietta, GA 30064 770-429-7800 www.mariettafumc.org