Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,
Today is the first Friday for Prayer and Fasting as requested by our Bishop, Gregory V. Palmer
There are many prayers and ways to be in prayer in the spirit of humility, confession or repentance. The prayers below are a start. Feel free to use other time- honored prayers of the church. Please pray the prayers that spring from your heart and life.
Centering Scripture:
Psalm 51 and 1 John 1:8-9
A Prayer of Confession:
Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for Cleansing and Perfect Love:
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.2
Words of Pardon and Forgiveness:
Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God's love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
This week, on the 10th anniversary of the devastation caused to the Gulf Coast by Hurricane Katrina, the writers of The Wired Word heard the story of a congregation that gathered its flock and fled the storm, and now has a thriving ministry hundreds of miles away in the hill country of Texas. The news gives us an opportunity to think about how God is present in our relocations, even when those moves are not of our own choosing. Adults, please join us for scripture, coffee and discussion at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday morning in Fellowship Hall.
Worship Service for Sunday, September 6:
Children’s Moment -
Hymns - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God; I Surrender All and He Lives
Special Music - Keith Colyer will sing Magnificent by John G. Elliott
Olga’s selections -
Prelude: All Creatures of Our God and King
Offertory: I Stand Amazed in the Presence (My Savior’s Love)
Postlude: Praise the Lord
Scripture - Philippians 4:1-9 (New Living Translation)
Pastor Mike’s sermon title - Receiving the Peace that Only God Can Give
Sacrament of Holy Communion served at the altar
Liturgist - Dave Landis
Please join us for light refreshments in Fellowship Hall following the worship service. Delores Young and Nancy O. Stafford will be your hosts on September 6.
The Upper Room, a daily devotional guide for September and October will be available at both entrances of the sanctuary this Sunday. The cost is $1.00.
September’s Mission Focus will be to support the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s operating budget. None of the funds they collect for other mission projects through this agency (school kits, health kits, disaster response efforts, etc.) covers any of their operational costs, so 100% of the gifts they receive for mission projects goes directly to the projects themselves. And, unlike the rest of Global Ministries in the United Methodist Church, UMCOR does not receive apportionment funds to cover its administrative costs. So, in order to keep this wonderful world-wide blessing going we felt the need to support their behind-the-scene efforts that keep all the “balls rolling” for UMCOR.
During the months of September and October, we will be collecting small clothing items such as socks, underwear, hats, scarves, etc. for our Operation Christmas Child extra Shoeboxes. The collection basket is under the table in the foyer.
The Roche de Bout (or Roche de Boeuf) Parade is fast approaching. Anne Stevens now has two signup sheets on the bulletin board: the first one is to walk in the parade that day with shoeboxes and to pass out information about OCC and our collection center; the second sheet is for volunteers to staff our OOC booth during the day of Saturday, September 26. Anne will arrive at the booth and get it set up that morning, but we have four 2-hour shifts (9-11 a.m., 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., 1-3 p.m. and 3-5 p.m.) that will need to be filled with at least 2-3 people per shift. She will also need someone to clean up and tear down the booth from 5-6 p.m. and return the items to church.
We have 2 large storage unit cabinets in the nursery that need to find a home. If anyone is interested in them, please let the nursery staff or Stephanie Shelton know. We need to have them out of the nursery as soon as possible to make way for some new cabinets that have been ordered.
We were notified two weeks ago that the City of Waterville has contracted with Gerken Paving to resurface North Fifth Street. Work began on Tuesday, August 25 and will continue for three weeks. However, the work will be intermittent with some days with no work occurring on North Fifth Street. Access to our driveways will be maintained with minimal delay. We are requested to not park on North Fifth Street when the “No Parking” signs are placed by the curbs. The schedule is subject to good weather or any unforeseen delay. For those using walkers to get around, please be careful as there will be about a 2” lip from the street to the sidewalk until the second layer of asphalt is installed.
Have a safe holiday weekend!
Be a Blessing,
Church Cathy