We are a Stephen Ministries caring congregation. If you are in need of personal prayer, we have Stephen Ministers available to listen and pray with you. A Stephen Minister will be at the altar by the left door at the end of each service.

Our Heritage in Stained Glass

Senior Pastor: Dr. R. Pat Day • Executive Pastor: Rev. Derek Joyce Associate Pastor: Dr. Ashley Goad • Associate Pastor: Rev. Erik Rasmussen • Pastor of Senior Adult Ministry: Dr. Carl E. Rhoads

Director of Music: Dr. David Hobson • Director of Fine Arts: Dr. Will K. Andress • Principal Organist: E. Ray PeeblesBishop-in-Residence: William W. HutchinsonTraditional Worship Services: 8:30am & 11:00am, live telecast on KTBS/ABC at 11:00am

FaithLink Contemporary Service: 11:00am • Sunday school: 9:45amWesleyan Communion Service: 9:45 – 10:30am, first Sunday of each month in Couch Chapel318.424.7771 office • 318.429.6888 fax • prayer line: 318.429.6898 toll free: 1.888.393.PRAY

www.firstshreveport.org • fumc@fumcshreveport.org

Welcome

We’re so glad you are joining us for Worship today! If you have any questions about Sunday morning activities & Worship or you would like more information about how you can be involved in the life of First United Methodist Church, Shreveport:

• Ask one of our wonderful ushers or volunteers in the Welcome Center. They’d be glad to help! • Call the church office at 318.424.7771. We’re open 8:30am - 5:00pm Monday - Thursday and 8:30am - 4:00pm on Friday. • Visit www.firstshreveport.org/getconnected

Want a tour of the campus?Starting Point tours happen the second Sunday of each month at 9:45am beginning in the Welcome Center located in the Education & Administration Building. Whether you’re joining us for the first time or have been considering making this your church home, join us as we explore our church campus.

Ready to Join our First Shreveport Family?If you’re curious about what membership means and want to meet with one of our pastors before deciding, please contact our front desk at 424-7771 for more information.

You may join the church today by profession of faith, transfer of membership or reaffirmation of your baptismal vows. Our church receives persons from other traditions by transfer. If you have been baptized in another denomination, re-baptism is not necessary. To join, simply come to the front of the church and meet the pastors during the singing of the last hymn.

Next Steps: • Join a small group or study! Contact Erik Rasmussen at erasmussen@fumcshreveport.org or call the church office for more info. • Serve with us! For Local and Global service opportunities, email Ashley Goad (Global) at agoad@fumcshreveport.org or Michelle Osborn (Local) at mosborn@fumcshreveport.org.

For Announcements and other Upcoming ActivitiesGrab a copy of the First Weekly or The Columns located at any of the entryways or visit firstshreveport.org.

We are glad you’re here. Please sign our register to let us know that you’re visiting, so our members can make you feel at home.

April 5, 2020 • Palm Sunday

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, SHREVEPORT

Connect. Grow. Serve. Lead.

Vital Signs

Hospitalized: Cara Smith, Jeannie Echterhoff, Margie BurnsSympathy is extended to Larry Phillips & family in the death of his brother, Don Phillips and to Brenda Kinnebrew & family in the death of her father, Eugene Love. The Red Rose near the altar honors those serving in the armed forces at home and abroad.

Joys & Concerns

Contributions

Week Ending 03.29.20 Month-to-Date Year-to-Date

Goal $72,153 $360,765 $965,568

Received $87,841 $398,417 $953,046

Over/(Under) $15,688 $37,652 ($12,522)

Barbara D. Hobbsfrom Anne WilsonMai L. DolesRenee WebbAnne WilsonJimmie Overdykefrom Carol and Jere OverdykeSteve Schoonoverfrom Mr. and Mrs. Richard H. WrightRashaan Williamsfrom Eleanor Irvin

~Honorariums~Dr. Carl Rhoadsfrom The Epperson FamilyAshley Goad and Chris Harbuckfrom Mary Anna Adams

Memorials & Honorariums

The Welcoming Christ—”I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” John 14:6The fourth window on the left is a memorial to the Fullilove family. This is one of two windows reserved for families whose members have long records of service to First Methodist dating from the 1800’s. The stained glass window’s center panel depicts Christ with outstretched arms proclaiming, “I am the Way,

the Truth, and the Life,” words taken from his discourse with his disciples following the Last Supper. So, through the 40 days of Lent He welcomes and encourages us to follow.

Celebration of Worship Sermon NotesPrayer Response................."What a Friend We Have in Jesus"..................Text Below

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

† Offertory Prayer ..........................................................................................Dr. Goad

Musical Offering............................The Palms........................Rebecca Vacha, soprano Jean-Baptiste Faure

† Doxology .............................................................................................................No. 95 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 Reading...................................Matthew 6:13..................................Dr. Day New Testament, Page 7 in your Pew Bible

Message...........................Standing Strong When Tempted.............................Dr. Day

† *Hymn of Invitation.....................“Soldiers of Christ, Arise”......................No. 513(During the singing of this hymn, those who wish to join the First Methodist family are invited to come to the front of the church for reception and recognition.)

Benediction .......................................................................................................Rev. Joyce

Sending Forth.......................The Lord’s Prayer.......................Rebecca Vacha, soprano

John Weaver Dr. David Hobson, bass

Postlude.............Fantasia Super: Valet Will ich dir geben.............E. Ray Peebles, organ Johann Sebastian Bach [All Glory, Laud and Honor]

Prelude..................“Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Gates”..................E. Ray Peebles, organ from March on a Theme of Handel Alexandre Guilmant

Words of Welcome & Greeting .....................................................Rev. Rasmussen

Call to Worship & Invocation.......................................................Rev. Rasmussen

† Hymn of Praise........................“Hosanna, Loud Hosanna"........................No. 278

† Affirmation of Faith................................No. 881............................Rev. Rasmussen

Musical Offering...............Ride On, King Jesus.................Dr. David Hobson, bass

arr. Williams Cutter

† Scripture Reading.......................1 Corinthians 10:11-13.....................Dr. Goad New Testament, Page 209 in your Pew Bible ‡

† 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.‡

Joys & Concerns................................................................................................Dr. Day

Morning Prayer & The Lord's Prayer .................................................. Rev. Joyce

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.

Standing Strong When Tempted

Matthew 6:13

I. First, this petition in the Lord's prayer reminds us of the

reality of temptation.

II. Second, this petition in the Lord's prayer reminds us of our

weakness in facing temptation.

III. Finally, this petition in the Lord's prayer reminds us God is

in the deliverance business.

A. Fight - stand up to temptation.

B. Follow - walk closely with the Lord.

C. Flight - run for your life!

D. Focus on the consequences.

Traditional Worship Services: 8:30 am & 11:00 am, live telecast on ktbs/abc at 11:00 am

Palm Sunday - April 5, 2020

Hymns and SongsMarch 29, 2020Opening Hymn:

Hymn of Praise UMH #278 “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”

Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang;

Through pillared court and temple the lovely anthem rang.

To Jesus, who had blessed them close folded to his breast,

The children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.

From Olivet they followed mid an exultant crowd,

The victor palm branch waving, and chanting clear and loud.

The Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state,

Nor scorned that little children should on his bidding wait.

"Hosanna in the highest!" that ancient song we sing,

For Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heaven our King.

O may we ever praise him with heart and life and voice,

And in his blissful presence eternally rejoice!

Prayer Response UMH #526, Stanza 2: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged;

take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful

who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness;

take it to the Lord in prayer.

Hymn of Invitation #513 “Soldiers of Christ, Arise”

Soldiers of Christ, arise, and put your armor on,

Strong in the strength which God supplies thru his eternal Son;

Strong in the Lord of Hosts, and in his mighty power,

Who in the strength of Jesus trusts is more than conqueror.

Stand then in his great might, with all his strength endued,

But take to arm you for the fight the panoply of God;

That having all things done, and all your conflicts passed,

Ye may o'er come thru Christ alone and stand entire at last.

Pray without ceasing, pray, (your Captain gives the word)

His summons cheerfully obey and call upon the Lord;

To God your every want in instant prayer display,

Pray always, pray and never faint, pray, without ceasing pray.

From strength to strength go on, wrestle and fight and pray,

Tread all the powers of darkness down and win the well-fought day.

Still let the Spirit cry in all his soldiers, "Come!"

Till Christ the Lord descends from high and takes the conquerors home.