St. Mark United Methodist Church To leave a mark of Christ by staying close , connected, hopeful

with God, one another, and our communities.

8:45 am and 11:00 am Traditional Worship at The Bypass Campus

10:00 am Blended Worship at The Coronaca Campus

www.stmarkgreenwood.com Church Phone: 864.229.5416 Kids’ World Phone: 864.227.2776 Administrative Assistant office hours: Monday - Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Friday - 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Preaching Schedule for next Sunday, May 10th Pastor John will preach for the online worship service.

In these uncertain times, we can be certain that the mission of the church is ongoing. We have placed a locked box for tithes and offerings at our front door. Thank you.

*GLORIA PATRI: “Glory Be to the Father” No. 71

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. ANTHEM: “O Taste and See ” Douglas Wagner

(based on Psalm 34:8, Ephesians 4:4-7, and I John 4:7,9) CHILDREN’S MOMENT: Pastor Steve PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE WITH 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. SCRIPTURE LESSON: New Testament of the Bible Mark 4;21-25 Reader: The Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God. SPECIAL MUSIC: “Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus) Chris Rice Chuck Strawn, soloist Carol Jones, accompanist SERMON: “Pay Attention” Pastor Steve *BENEDICTION: POSTLUDE: “It is Good to Give Thanks to the Lord” Dan Forrest

*Please stand as you are able.

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The altar flowers are to the Glory of God by The Worship Committee. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ST. MARK UMC SERVICE OF WORSHIP Fourth Sunday of Easter May 3, 2020 Liturgical Color: White Service: 8:45 AM and 11:00 AM

WELCOME AND GREETINGS: Pastor Steve PRELUDE: “Here is Love” Dan Forest SILENT PRAYERS AND PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Chuck Strawn (adapted from A Prayer of St. Patrick, Ireland, 5th C, in the UMC Book of Worship, p. 529)

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. May you, Lord of Salvation, be ever with us. SCRIPTURE LESSON: Old Testament of the Bible Psalm 19:1-4, 7-10 Reader: The Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God. *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: The Apostles’ Creed Leaders of St. Mark UMC

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.

*Please stand as you are able.

The Inside Story . . . 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. (Luke 17:15-16) It is amazing how self-focused we are on ourselves and not on God. Good days and bad days are usually defined and categorized by what we are experiencing and our mood at that time. We create our own headlines of importance. No wonder so much “wonder” is missing from our lives as God’s creation and God’s movement in our lives is buried on page seven of our daily thinking. Of course, it goes back to our choices, our priorities. Even in the Garden of Eden, the first humans chose to give their attention to a piece of fruit over against God Himself. Their hearts were locked in by what they saw for themselves and so they lost sight of God and what He wanted for them. The same tendency can be seen in us today as to what holds our interest. We often pay attention to what we want or like (is anyone thinking television?) more than we do to God. For what we pay attention to is what will influence our hearts and minds as well. This “vision problem” can be seen quite easily in the story of the ten lepers (the Scripture portion above is from that story). If you recall the Luke’s account, ten lepers came to Jesus to “have mercy upon them.” Jesus responds by telling them to go show themselves to the priest. The priest in a community was charged with the task of examining persons to determine if they were lepers or not. His inspection was a prerequisite their being determined “unclean” as a leper or a change to “clean” as a healthy person. Apparently, they were not healed immediately when Jesus spoke with them but sometime later. Yet, before they got to where they were going, they were healed. Now, here is the amazing thing to me. All ten noticed they were healed; maybe they even had the priest inspect them already. But only one of them turns around and goes back to say “thank you” to Jesus. Nine guys are more caught up in their healing, in the fact the leprosy is gone and they have their lives back. They can’t wait to get on with their new lives. Only one is willing to turn away from “their miracle” to pay attention to the One who made it possible. Miracles are, indeed, for us but they are meant to draw us to the Lord. In the story the one leper comes back, finds Jesus, and falls at His feet in front of Him to thank Him. This is worship. This is paying attention to God. Gratitude, recognition, giving of time, energy and effort, etc. are all aspects of focusing on God first — and our situation second (or fifth . . . or sixth). To walk toward God and walk with God will take a change of perspective and a change of heart. We need to look for God in the midst of our circumstances. And when we really set our minds, our focus, on God it will change our perspective . . . change our hearts . . . and just might change our lives as well. With Joy, Steve

SCRIPTURES Psalm 19:1-4, 7-10

1 The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; 4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, . . .

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.

Mark 4:21-25 21 Jesus said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. 23 Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” 24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. 25 For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.”