Mark 3:7-35
“Jesus went up on a mountain and called those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve and called them apostles. He appointed them to be with him, to be sent out to preach, and to have authority.” Mark 3:13-15
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Dear Bethel,
Join us in worship this week as we continue our year-long journey through the Gospel of Mark! You may find today’s worship service on YouTube and posted to our Bethel UMC Facebook page. Links to our Facebook page, YouTube channel and an order of worship are shared below.
Bethel’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bethelmethodistcolumbia.
Bethel’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOPfIqRQ6Nt6B3-bxNyPJDA.
**Please join us for our next Parking Lot Mission Drive TODAY, starting at 1:00 p.m. in the back parking lot! We will be collecting non-perishables for Harvest Hope Food Bank. Our favorite local Ice Cream Truck, The Chillin’ Cow will be joining us as well. Yum!**
If you would like to receive a DVD of our worship service please email a request to Sheryl at office@bethelmethodistcolumbia.com. We would be happy to send you one!
If you are in need, please do not hesitate to let us know. Both Sheryl and Pastor Julie are working in the church office Monday through Thursday. The telephone number to the church office is (803) 787-3058, and the church office email is office@bethelmethodistcolumbia.com.
Pastor Julie and Pastor Reggie may be reached directly on their personal cell phones at any time.
Julie Belman: (803) 319-6169
Reggie Rowell: (843) 697-6967
May the Peace of Christ surround you today, and always,
Pastor Julie
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Sunday Worship at Home
Bethel UMC Columbia | Rev. Julie Songer Belman
September 13, 2020
Preparation: Find a spot in your home for yourself/your family to engage in worship. Include your Bible, a candle, and a lighter or matches (or battery operated candle or low wattage table lamp), if possible. You might consider a small cross as well.
Welcome: Thank you for joining us! We pray you will be blessed by your time of worship with us today.
Prelude: “When Morning Gilds the Skies”
While Bill plays the prelude, we invite you to light or turn on the candle/lamp to acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit in your worship. Take a deep breath and give thanks for God’s presence.
Offertory: “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God”
Your continued support of God’s ongoing work at Bethel UMC is sincerely appreciated. Contributions to the mission of Bethel {Knowing, Loving, Serving: so the world may experience Christ’s Love!} may be made by mailing a check to 4600 Daniel Drive, Columbia SC 29206, or giving online at: bethelmethodistcolumbia.com. You may also contact your bank to have them draft a check on your behalf.
Pastoral Prayer: Please join with Pastor Reggie as he prays today. Pray for yourself, your family, your church community, your city, your state, your country, our world. Pray for the global health situation, particularly for those who are sick, those who are lonely, those who are gripped by fear, those who are facing financial hardship, those without safe shelter, those who are hungry, our healthcare workers, our leaders in every realm. Give thanks, once again, for God’s faithfulness and seek God’s guidance for ways to offer love and grace in the world right now.
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.
Blessing of our Bethel Preschool Teachers – Pastor Julie invites the congregation to join her in praying for the wonderful women who serve in our preschool ministry!
Anthem: “Worship the King of Kings” Enjoy this lovely anthem sung by our Bethel Choir.
Scripture: Today is Week 7 of our year long journey through the Gospel of Mark.
Pastor Julie is preaching on Mark 3:7-35.
We invite you to open your Bibles (or the Bible app on your phone!) at home and read along.
Sermon: “Bringing the Kingdom to Earth” Rev. Julie Songer Belman
Hymn Meditation: Just as I Am, Without One Plea
(Thank you to Marian Scullion for providing our weekly Hymn Meditations!)
Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; sight, riches, healing of the mind,
yea, all I need in thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.Just as I am, thy love unknown hath broken every barrier down;
now, to be thine, yea thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Are you ever frustrated that you can’t do more for Jesus? That you don’t have anything special to offer?
Charlotte Elliott, the author of the hymn, “Just As I Am,” certainly felt that way. She had been a brilliant and vivacious woman until an illness left her an invalid. Her situation left her quite depressed. She felt that she no longer had anything to offer — nothing to give.
But a pastor, Dr. Caesar Malan, came to visit her. Noting her despair, he encouraged her to give Christ her life — to come to Christ just as she was. That comment started a turnaround for her. While she remained an invalid, she began to search for ways to make her life meaningful.
And Dr. Malan’s words stayed with her — “Come to Christ just as you are.” Several years later, she wrote this hymn, which has become a favorite around the world. While she wrote more than a hundred hymns, this one in particular has affected more lives than she ever could have imagined.
So if you ever wonder what you can do to make your life meaningful, just put it in Christ’s hands and go where he leads. Christ has a way of using ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
Copyright 2006, Richard Niell Donovan Sermon Writer (https://sermonwriter.com/hymns/hymn-stories/just-as-i-am/)
Benediction: Say these words aloud:
Go now in peace, In the name of the Creator, the Holy One who resides with you always, AMEN.
Go in Peace: Check on someone you love today.