Hello my friends. I hope this email finds you all doing well, staying safe, and enjoying time outside this spring.
This coming Friday (May 22) we will provide a meal for the veterans housed at the VRQ. Joyce and Kenneth Wilson have graciously agreed to deliver our prepared food, desserts, and drinks. We will not serve the veterans that evening. Please contact Joyce Wilson, (828) 645-9589, to let her know what you would like to contribute. We need all food items to be delivered to the church fellowship hall by Friday (5/22) at noon.
The VRQ is feeding the vets in small shifts of people and will benefit greatly from our gracious contribution. Thank you in advanced for ensuring this caring and compassion ministry continues this month in response to all we are enduring as community and nation. Your act of kindness and generosity will help fuel God’s healing and restoration.
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We celebrate the wonderful ways God’s healing and watch-care have been evident in several of us this week.
- For Carol Harwood’s recovery from a very mild heart attack,
- For Gracie Edmonds’ positive check up regarding her back,
- For Judy Rickman’s and Bob Young’s successful knee surgeries
And continued recovery, we all say, “Thanks be to God!”
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Please remember the time change for Bible Study this morning. We will discuss Romans 11:1-36 at 9:00am today.
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Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as we have chosen to meet virtually this week. Remember that the blue links below will redirect you to YouTube. You may have to watch a brief advertisement before the hymns will start.
May the Holy Spirit united us today in our worship.
Blessings,
-Pastor Kent
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Order of Worship for Sunday, May 17
Call to Worship: Psalm 4
But know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.
There are many who say, “O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O LORD!”
Answer me when I call, O God of my right! Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.
You have put gladness in my heart; I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety.
Opening Hymn: Tis, So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
Opening Prayer:
Almighty, Everlasting God, you continue to call us to yourself so that we may live in the wholeness of your love. Unchain each of us from the worry, fear, and distractions that turn our attention away from you. Set us free to worship you in spirit and truth today. Let your word illumine our hearts. May your light break through our delusions so that we may faithfully follow you. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Lesson: Titus 3:1-8
Pastoral Prayer:
Loving God, we humbly approach your throne of grace, thankful for your love and mindful of our great needs. Thank you for your abiding presence in the midst of our lives. Your grace is evident all around us and your mercies renew us each day, for you alone are our source of hope and joy.
We bring before you now our concerns, confident your grace is sufficient to meet every one of our needs. Heal the sick. Bless the work of the doctors and nurses charged with our care.
Comfort the lonely and all who mourn.
Break through the despair with your everlasting hope.
Flood our hearts will your promises so that our faith may carry us into your peace.
Direct those who govern your people. Extend to them your wisdom and foresight so that they may lead us with compassion and integrity.
Continue to cover us with your love that we might emerge as agents of your goodness and grace, turning the hearts of neighbors towards your love.
Hear our prayer today, for we ask all these things in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray, saying . . . Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today 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 glory, forever. Amen.
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Message: The Other Side
Hymn: Come, Thou Font of Every Blessing
Benediction:
May the peace of Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May he guide you through the wilderness and protect you through the storm
May he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you.
May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors. God bless each of you. Amen.
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Kent Smith, Pastor
Salem United Methodist Church
Weaverville, NC
(828) 645-6014