We worship this Sunday in the North Hero church at 10:30.
Last Sunday we heard the Kingdom proclaimed and Jesus the Healer begin his healing ministry. This Sunday Jesus opens his Sermon On the Mount with the Beatitudes.
The Beatitudes are teachings given directly to disciples, at some distance from the curious, and up a mountain, closer to heaven than earth. I would say the Beatitudes establish the great reversal of Kingdom life, for they proclaim the inverse of reality. The Beatitudes are aspirations, and as much as we might try, the church on earth fails to manifest them in its public life. So what is going on?
The bulletin follows. All are welcome!
Pastor Chico
The UMC Champlain Islands Parish
January 29, 2023
THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
Gathering, Welcome, and Announcements from the Congregation
CALL TO WORSHIP
(the people read the lines in bold):
Let us join our hearts and minds in worship...
PC: Lord, open our lips
All: And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
PC: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
All: As it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever.
Amen. Alleluia.
PC: The Lord has shown forth his Glory:
All: Come let us adore him.
UMH 451: Opening Hymn: "Be Thou My Vision,"
Please stand if you are able
Venite (Ps 95:1-7)
All, in unison
Come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving
and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the caverns of the earth,
and the heights of the hills are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands have molded the dry land.
Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee,
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture
and the sheep of his hand.
Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
Please be seated
PROCLAMATION
JH: A Reading from the Prophet Micah (6:1-8):
Psalm 15 UMH 747 (read responsively)
UMH 504: "The Old Rugged Cross," vs 1,3,4
Please stand and remain standing for the Reading of the Gospel
A Reading from the Gospel According to Matthew (5:1-12)
The people sit.
A Sermon by Pastor Chico Martin
Hymn #131: "We Gather Together"
Please stand or sit
PC: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Your light springs up for the righteous,
And all the people have seen your glory.
Let us pray.
All: Our father...
The Collect
PC: Almighty God,
Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Prayers of the People (JH)
The Passing of the Peace
OFFERING AND THANKSGIVING
Offertory Hymn: "The Old Gospel Ship,"
(LeFevres)
The people stand if able.
Doxology, UMH 95 (Josh Turner)
JH: Prayer of Thanksgiving
SENDING FORTH
May God bless you when you are poor in spirit
or mourning and when hungry or thirsty
for righteousness.
May Christ bless you in mercy, meekness and
purity of heart.
May the Holy Spirit uphold you when persecuted or reviled, that you may be peacemakers and children of God, rejoicing in the promises of the Holy One.
And the blessing of our compassionate God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you and empower you, now and for ever. Amen.
"Shalom" (the church sings to one another)
Shalom to you now, shalom, my friends;
May God's full mercies bless you, my friends.
In all your living, and through your loving,
Christ be your shalom, Christ be your shalom
Next SUNDAY WORSHIP TIME
ILM at 8:30 and North Hero at 10:30
Champlain Islands Food Shelf:
Wednesdays, 1:00 – 4:00 pm,
1st Saturday of the Month 9 – 11a.m.
Pastor Chico Martin, Officiant
Jacqueline Hughes, Lay Leader
Nov 13, 2024, 7 PM
Just Getting By Film ShowingNov 13, 2024, 7 PM
A Concert on Thanksgiving for the Gift MusicNov 17, 2024, 4 to 5 PM