Myers Park

United Methodist Church

A Service of Christian Worship

October 9, 2016 8:30, 9:45 and 11:00 a.m.

Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost

WE GATHER

Gathering Music (8:30)

Quietude arr. Sandra Eithun

Trumpet Voluntary arr. Sandra Eithun

Welcome

Please pass the hospitality pads at this time.

Passing of the Peace

Chiming of the Holy Trinity

Opening Voluntary

Shout With Joy (8:30) Mark Patterson

Shout with joy to God all the earth; sing the glory of God’s name.

Shout with joy to God all the earth.

Come join the song, sing loud and strong,

lift up your voice with glorious praise!

Come see the wonders God has made: the beauty of creation.

Such strength and splendor here displayed:

the moon and stars, the sky and sea, the hills that rise in majesty;

how awesome are these things! How marvelous God’s mighty deeds!

Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein (9:45, 11:00)

[When we in deepest distress and grief]

Johann Sebastian Bach

Call to Worship

Come and see what God has done.

God is awesome in God’s deeds.

God turned the sea into dry land.

God’s people passed through the river on foot.

Make a joyful noise to God all the earth.

Sing the glory of God’s name.

Opening Hymn No. 103

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise ST. DENIO

The Creed No. 885 A Modern Affirmation We believe in God the Father,

infinite in wisdom, power and love,

whose mercy is over all his works,

and whose will is ever directed to his children’s good.

We believe in Jesus Christ,

Son of God and Son of man,

the gift of the Father’s unfailing grace,

the ground of our hope,

and the promise of our deliverance from sin and death.

We believe in the Holy Spirit

as the divine presence in our lives,

whereby we are kept in perpetual remembrance

of the truth of Christ,

and find strength and help in time of need.

Prayer of Confession

God of mercy and grace,

We are meant to praise you and give thanks to you always.

We confess that we do not live out of constant gratitude.

We harbor resentment for what we lack.

We blame you; we blame others.

Heal and restore us so that we may return to you with a right spirit.

Help us to live holy and joyful lives.

We pray in Christ’s name. Amen.

Words of Assurance

…In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

Glory to God. Amen.

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism (11:00)

Congregational Response (11:00) Child of Blessing, Child of Promise STUTTGART

Child of blessing, child of promise,

baptized with the Spirit’s sign;

with this water God has sealed you

unto love and grace divine.

Child of God your loving parent,

learn to know whose child you are.

Grow to laugh and sing and worship,

trust and love God more than all.

We believe that this faith should manifest itself

in the service of love

as set forth in the example of our blessed Lord,

to the end

that the kingdom of God may come upon the earth. Amen.

Gloria Patri No. 71 GREATOREX

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.

WE HEAR AND RESPOND TO THE WORD

Hymn of Preparation No. 451

Be Thou My Vision SLANE

Old Testament Reading Jeremiah 29: 1-14

Reader: This is the Word of God for the people of God.

People: Thanks be to God.

Sermon

Prayers of the People

After each petition, we enter into the prayer together with these words:

Pastor: Lord, in your mercy,

People: Hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

Offertory

God, Who Touches Earth with Beauty (8:30) Helen Kemp

God, who touches earth with beauty, make me lovely too.

With thy spirit recreate me, make my heart anew.

Allelu! Gloria! Jubilate Deo! (Rejoice in God!)

Like the springs and running waters, make me crystal pure.

Like thy rocks of towering grandeur, make me strong and sure.

Like the dancing waves in sunlight, make me glad and free.

Like the straightness of the pine trees, let me upright be.

God, who touches earth with beauty, make me lovely too.

Keep me ever, by your spirit, pure and strong and true.

In All Things God Works For Our Good (9:45, 11:00) Lloyd Larson

And this we know, in the journey of life, whether green, rolling hills,

or the deserts bare and dry, in all things God works for our good,

for we who love the Lord.

In the lush verdant valleys where we walk sure and strong, or the rugged terrain

unsafe and long; God has promised His help: “fear not, I will guide you. Take

my hand for my promises are true.”

In the seasons of life, times of joy or despair, victory and defeat;

“I know the plans I have for you,” says your God.

“Plans to prosper you, not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future! Believe in me! Trust in me!

For I am your God!”

Doxology LASST UNS ERFREUEN

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below; Alleluia! Alleluia!

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Prayer of Dedication

WE GO OUT TO SERVE

Closing Hymn No. 581

Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service BEACH SPRING

Benediction

Benediction Response

Lift High the Cross CRUCIFER

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim

till all the world adore His sacred name.

Come, Christians, follow this triumphant sign.

The hosts of God in unity combine.

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim

till all the world adore His sacred name. Closing Voluntary Prelude on ‘Herr Gott, dich loben alle wir’

[Old 100th]

Iain Farrington

________________________________________________________________

Stand as you are able

WORSHIP LEADERS

PREACHER

Dr. James C. Howell, Senior Minister

LITURGISTS

Rev. Parker Haynes, Associate Minister

Rev. Bill Roth, Minister of Congregational Care

LAY READERS

Leslie Lowery (8:30), Elizabeth Edwards (9:45), Tom Eubanks (11:00)

MUSICIANS

Nicolas Haigh, Music Associate and Organist

Brian Childers, Director of Music for Children and Youth

Junior Choir and Bells (8:30)

Chancel Choir (9:45, 11:00)

Nancy Hamff, flute (9:45, 11:00)

CRUCIFERS

Caroline Griffith (8:30), Jackson Willis (9:45), William Gourlay (11:00)

ACOLYTES

Jack Griffith and Oliver Hawes (8:30)

Skylar Neal and Caroline Boulware (9:45)

James Gourlay and Elizabeth Beasley (11:00)

BIBLE CARRIERS

Kate Herring (8:30), Elizabeth Willis (9:45), Andrew O’Brien (11:00) ________________________________________________________________

TODAY AT MYERS PARK

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH… WELCOME! We are thankful you are here, worshiping with us. If you’re just

getting to know us, we are a community that welcomes people from all walks of

life. Any staff member, usher or church member is glad to answer questions, or

share directions. Check out the Guest Information bookcases in the narthex

gathering space outside the Sanctuary or drop by the Welcome Center in the lobby

of the Parish Life Building for resources so you can get to know us better. New

guests are invited to pick up a complimentary drink tumbler at the front desk, in

the Sanctuary narthex and by the Jubilee Hall door.

WELCOME, CHILDREN Bright blue bags with fun activities for your children

are at the Sanctuary entrances. Please return them after worship.

DISCOVER MYERS PARK Want to learn more about our church family, how to

get involved and perhaps join our congregation? Our Discover Myers Park class

shares about the life of the church. Discover Myers Park meets at 10:45 a.m.

Sunday, October 23, in the lobby of Parish Life Building for coffee, fellowship and

conversation. You don’t need to sign up in advance for these gatherings, just come

and join us. Reach Rev. Parker Haynes at parker@mpumc.org to learn more.

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM Receiving the sacrament of baptism

at the 11:00 a.m. service are Mary Charlotte Crisp, daughter of Katie and Andy

Crisp; Addison Caroline Emmerling, daughter of Amanda and Luke Emmerling;

and Brooks Kercher Ness, son of Caroline and Alex Ness.

THE FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR are given to the glory of God and in loving

memory of Sandra Shirley Eubanks by her family.

WANT TO PROVIDE ALTAR FLOWERS? If you would like to provide altar

flowers in memory or honor of a loved one, please contact Peg Broughton at

peg@mpumc.org. Available date: October 23.

HOLY COMMUNION THIS MORNING Holy Communion is celebrated each

Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the memorial chapel behind the Sanctuary except when it is

given in worship services.

YOUTH AND THE POLICE Parents and others are invited to Youth Ministries’

Coffee Talk from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. this morning in Jubilee Hall as Charlotte-

Mecklenburg Police Capt. Norman Garnes helps us explore police interaction with

youth. How should you and your family interact with the police? What are your

rights and responsibilities?

TODAY: BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

Bring your pooch and other pets to the Blessing of the Animals at 2:00 p.m. this

afternoon in the Hopedale parking lot across from the church, weather permitting.

Please make sure Fido and Co. are on a leash, carrier or otherwise under control.

DOWNLOAD OUR APP The Myers Park United Methodist Church mobile app

is available for download. You’ll find the latest sermons from Dr. Howell and our

pastoral staff, live streaming worship services and other resources to help you stay

connected online and in real life. To download, search for Myers Park Methodist in

the Apple App Store, Google Play Store or Windows Marketplace.

CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA Miss a sermon? Want to share a Sunday

message? Watch videos, listen to podcasts, share and connect on social media –

24/7 – plus find exclusive content and photos. Connect

at www.facebook.com/myersparkumc, follow us on Twitter at

www.twitter.com/myersparkumc and on Instagram at

www.instagram.com/myersparkumc. Subscribe to our Podcast, Myers Park UMC

Sermons, available for free on iTunes. Subscribe to our YouTube channel,

www.YouTube.com/MyersParkMethodist.

THE SUNDAY SHUTTLE The popular Sunday shuttle bus service runs

continuously from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. between the church and Myers Park

Traditional at 2132 Radcliffe Avenue off Selwyn Avenue, so you don’t have to

hunt for a parking space.

DONATE FROM YOUR SMARTPHONE You can now make a donation to one of four church funds

using your text messaging. To 73256, text MPUMC Disaster,

MPUMC JubileePlus, MPUMC LiveDifferently or MPUMC

Operating. Standard text messaging rates apply. You can also

make a donation to the church by scanning the image you see

here each week in the Sunday bulletin using your phone’s

Quick Response (QR) code reader.

WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST…

WHO MIGHT BE OUR LEADERS FOR 2017? We are in the process of

nominating and voting on churchwide leaders for 2017. Here are areas where we

have openings: Trustees, Finance, Staff Parish, Administrative Board and

Delegates to Annual Conference in June at Lake Junaluska. To suggest candidates,

or learn more, reach Dr. Howell at james@mpumc.org or his assistant, Peg

Broughton, at 704-295-4812 or peg@mpumc.org.

BE AN AMBASSADOR Ambassadors are being recruited to greet folks on

Sunday morning, help newcomers find their way and generally make our church as

warm and welcoming as possible. All ages are welcome. Training will be provided.

To sign up or learn more, reach Rob Dellibovi or Julie Patrick at

robertandjulieann@gmail.com.

FLU SHOTS Flu shots will be given from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, October

12, in Room 108 of the Parish Life Building to those ages nine and older. The $30

cost of the flu vaccine is covered by some insurance plans. Details: Parish Nurse

Susan Mobley at 704-295-4836 or smobley@mpumc.org.

JOIN THE PLAY GROUP Adults with young children are invited to take a

midweek break each Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. on the Providence Road playground.

Some 25 moms and dads and 35 children under age five have been enjoying the

fellowship and fun, then grabbing dinner at H.O.T. Wednesday.

H.O.T. WEDNESDAY H.O.T. Wednesday offers a delicious meal and fellowship

from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday in Jubilee Hall. This week’s menu:

Barbecue with buns, sauces, vegetarian baked beans, cole slaw, salad, desserts and

ice cream. Make reservations at HotWednesday@mpumc.org or call 704-376-5520

(option six) by noon each Tuesday. The Goodness Gracious! gift shop in the Parish

Life lobby is open until 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays when H.O.T. Wednesday meets.

GIVE BLOOD You can donate blood from 7:30 a.m. to noon Sunday, October 16,

in the Youth Building Gym. Appointments are recommended: Reserve a time from

9:00 to 11:00 a.m. this morning in the Parish Life Building lobby or by calling

704-376-8584. Walk-ins are also welcome the day of the drive.

MEDICARE D COUNSELING Church members Nick Beard, Ron Knape, Jan

Nomina and Bill Spier will offer one-on-one counseling on Medicare prescription

drug plans Mondays through Thursdays in the Church Library (Room 111) in the

Parish Life Building starting Monday, October 17 and running through Tuesday,

December 6. They’ll hold meetings between 9:00 a.m. and noon. Bring your list of

medications and dosages. To make an appointment, contact Carmen Rivera at 704-

295-4818 or crivera@mpumc.org.

EXPLORING LGBTQ ISSUES All are invited to the next Adults Plus! program

at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 19, in Room 103 of the Parish Building: Matt

Comer of Charlotte Pride will explore the history and current state of gay pride in

Charlotte. The nonprofit works to enrich and empower LGBTQ people across the

Carolinas. A barbecue lunch follows at noon in Jubilee Hall. For a lunch

reservation, call 704-376-5520 (option two) or e-mail cmull@mpumc.org.

ADVICE FOR PARENTS Young parents and others are invited to a workshop –

Advice For Parents: Preparing For The Unexpected – at 7:00 p.m. Monday,

October 24, in Room 105 of the Parish Life Building. Estate planning attorney

Sydney Warren and Ashley Gilbert, widowed at a young age with one child, will

talk about the importance of writing a will, guardianship and getting your affairs in

order. For child care, e-mail jwentz@mpumc.org. The workshop is being

organized by a new church committee focused on planned giving. Details:

Executive Director Saribeth Dozier at 704-295-4844 or saribeth@mpumc.org.

PHANTOM OF THE ORGAN Children of all ages, come in your Halloween

costume for the annual Phantom of the Organ concert at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday,

October 26, in the Sanctuary. Music Ministries promises all sorts of surprises,

scary and otherwise.

GROWING IN FAITH… SPIRITUAL WELLNESS Health care providers in all fields are invited to a

series, Spiritual Wellness, meeting Mondays at 7:00 p.m. in Room 108 of the

Parish Life Building. On October 10, Nicole Greer will discuss Receiving Peace

Throughout The Day – Avoiding Caregiver Burnout. On October 17, Dr. Warren

Kinghorn will look at Practicing Christian Ethics In Health Care. On October 24.

Dr. Ray Barfield considers Standing In Hope Amidst Suffering.

WORSHIP READINESS Families with children in Grades K-5 are invited to

Worship Readiness For Families: Helping Parents And Children Worship

Together. The class will follow H.O.T. Wednesday, from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. on

October 12 and 19. Parents will be in Room 237 in the Snyder Building and

children in Room 239. Child care is offered to ages five and under. E-mail

jwentz@mpumc.org and include names and ages of your children.

ACOLYTES, BIBLE CARRIERS, CRUCIFERS Youth in Grades 5-12 are

welcome to serve in this meaningful Sunday morning ministry: Fifth-graders serve

as Bible carriers, processing into Sanctuary worship with the Bible. Youth in

Grades 6-9 serve as Acolytes, processing in with torches and lighting the altar

candles. Youth in Grades 10-12 lead the processional carrying the cross into the

Sanctuary. Training for all three roles is from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, October

16, in the Sanctuary. A parent must attend to learn about scheduling, procedures

and dress requirements. Adults are also invited to train to serve as Sunday morning

coach, a commitment of once every four to six Sundays. Details: Amelia Miller at

cmiller5@carolina.rr.com.

SERVING OTHERS…

HAITI HURRICANE RELIEF

We pray for our brothers and sisters in Haiti who have been affected by the

hurricane, and we pledge our continued support. You can make a donation at

www.myersparkumc.org/give. Click on Give Now, Select A Fund and Disaster

Relief. You can also write a check to the church, put Haiti Relief on the memo line

and put it in the offering plate, drop it off anytime at the front desk in the Parish

Life Building lobby or mail it to 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207. You

can also text MPUMC Disaster to 73256 to give to disaster relief using your text

messaging. Standard text messaging rates apply.

SERVE WITH MISSIONARIES We are hosting a Costa Rican mission team of

four pastors and their wives, along with our Costa Rican missionary Wil Bailey

this week in Charlotte. Serve alongside them as partner with local agencies. Plan to

attend Wil’s presentation at H.O.T. Wednesday on October 12 as he shares his

work in Costa Rica. Details, including news of Costa Rican mission trips next

spring, are at www.myersparkumc.org/serve. Our work in Costa Rica is supported

by Jubilee Plus!, the church’s fund devoted to outreach. Donations are welcome all

year round, visit www.myersparkumc.org/give.

CLEANING SUPPLIES FOR SEDGEFIELD Donations of cleaning products

are welcome through Sunday, October 16, to share with families at Parents Night

at Sedgefield Elementary School. Blue bags with a list of requested supplies are in

the Parish Life Building lobby. Jubilee Plus!, our second-mile fund devoted to

outreach, supports our partnership with Sedgefield. Support the fund at

www.myersparkumc.org/give.

ASHEVILLE MISSION Join us for a mission weekend November 4-6 in

Asheville. Come for all or part of the weekend as we work beside sisters and

brothers at The Haywood Street Congregation. We’ll paint, work in a clothing

closet and clean the property from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, November 5.

Sunday, we’re invited to stay for worship and a meal. All ages are welcome. Visit

www.myersparkumc.org/serve for more.

Myers Park United Methodist Church Mission Statement:

We are the body of Christ, growing in faith and serving others.