Online Worship (June 28) Athens First UMC

Welcome to our (June 28) online worship @ Athens First UMC!

2 S. College St., Athens, OH 45701

Greeting From Pastor Robert

Call to Worship 

L: We cry out, “How long, O Lord?”

P: How long must we bear the weight of worry, guilt, and sorrow?

L: The Lord answers, “Trust in my steadfast love.”

P: Let us sing to the Lord and rejoice in his salvation.

Hymn       Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

1. Welcome & Passing the Peace

[Pastor Robert and Penny’s westies, Lulu and Blu are known to attend some of our church events. In this photo taken a couple of years ago, they are welcoming our Kappa Phi college students back to campus. We are invited during this online worship service to welcome each other with the peace of Christ.]

Prayer of Confession & Words of Assurance

Holy One in whom we bear our souls, we take comfort and courage in your presence. We confess those times when we have allowed the past to hold us captive instead of embracing the future you have in mind for us. Help us to lovingly put you before all else as we travel the corridors of uncertainty. Lead us in the way that leads to life. Amen. 

L: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

P: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

All: Thanks be to God!

Old Testament Lesson  Genesis 22:1-14  Rick Seiter            

[God has given Abraham and Sarah a son, Isaac. Through him Abraham’s line will continue. But now God seeks proof that Abraham is totally committed to him.]

Psalter - Psalm 13     Rick Seiter

[Psalm 13 is a psalm of lament in which the psalmist shares how he is feeling distant from God.]

Special Music OU School of Music Concert

Recorded October, 2018 at Athens First UMC

[This song reminds us to “reach out” during tough times. This reflects today’s Psalm focus and one of the main points of the sermon.]

Sermon        A Psummer of Psalms: Psalm 13

            Deb Murray

Hymn                 Rock of Ages

Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer

Church News

[The following announcement slides below are to help us stay connected as a church especially since we are unable to gather in our church building for weekly worship. Please scroll down through the announcements, and our online service will continue with another video.]

SPECIAL REOPENING OF BUILDING PASTORAL LETTER

Offering Our Gifts

Thank you for your gifts!!!

“Riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and it is in Your hand to make great and to give strength to all.” – 1 Chronicles 29:12

Closing Hymn    Here I Am, Lord

Benediction

Join us back here next Sunday (July 5) for our online worship service.

[For previous online worship services, click here.]

Holy Hump Day (June 24) with Pastor Robert Athens First UMC

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Today’s Focus:

When will we reopen our church building?

Online Worship (June 21) Athens First UMC

Welcome to our (June 21) online worship @ Athens First UMC!

2 S. College St., Athens, OH 45701

Greeting From Pastor Robert

Call to Worship 

L: When we feel separated in the desert of our lives,

P: the Lord offers life-giving water that sustains us in our need.

L: When our future seems lost and others have take our place,

P: you restore our hop and promise us an inheritance.

L: We are here to worship you, O Lord.

P: for you alone can save us!

Hymn       Great Is Thy Faithfulness

1. Welcome & Passing the Peace

[One of our church toys, Biscuit who likes to look closely into the video camera during the Children’s Moments invites you to greet one another, not by rubbing noses, but by simply barking even if you are wearing a mask, “The peace of Christ be with you!”]

Prayer of Confession & Words of Assurance

O Lord, why do we try to face challenges with our strength alone? Without your provisions, we are lost. Forgive us for not turning to you in our times of need. Be gracious to us and gladden our souls for you are great and do wondrous things. Thank you for reaching out to us even before we remember to turn toward you. Give ear, O Lord to our prayer. Amen.

L: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

P: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

All: Thanks be to God!

Old Testament Lesson -  Genesis 21:8-21    

Wendy Merb-Brown           

[God has promised a son to Sarah and Abraham in their old age. As a sign that Isaac is a member of God’s people, he has been circumcised. But when Sarah was unable to conceive, Abraham had another son, Ishmael, born of Hagar, a slave.]

Psalter - Psalm 86              

[Psalm 86 is a psalm that calls out to God when facing a difficult challenge.]

Wendy Merb-Brown

Special Music - Melissa Brobeck, Athens First UMC Choir Member

[Recorded at the beginning of the coronavirus stay at home order. Melissa recorded this to lift our spirits in facing this difficult and challenging time. It reflects the spirit of our psalmist for today who longs for a happier day!]

Sermon        A Psummer of Psalms:  Psalm 86

        Dave Bayless

Hymn                 I Need Thee Every Hour

Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer

Church News

[The following announcement slides below are to help us stay connected as a church especially since we are unable to gather in our church building for weekly worship. Please scroll down through the announcements, and our online service will continue with another video.]

Offering Our Gifts

Thank you for your gifts!!!

“Riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and it is in Your hand to make great and to give strength to all.” – 1 Chronicles 29:12

Closing Hymn    Make Me a Captive, Lord

Benediction

Join us back here next Sunday (June 28) for our online worship service.

[For previous online worship services, click here.]

Holy Hump Day (June 17) with Pastor Robert

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Today’s Focus:

Racial Tensions, White Privilege, & Biblical Interpretation/Perspectives

Online Worship (June 14) Athens First UMC

Welcome to our (June 14) online worship @ Athens First UMC!

2 S. College St., Athens, OH 45701

Greeting From Pastor Robert

Call to Worship 

L: Laugh with Sarah, as life grows within the womb of an old woman. Stand in amazement with the crowds as illiterate fishermen perform the miracles of God. Forget what you think you know. Expect miracles for with God, all things are possible. 

All: We come to worship knowing that God is speaking a new word of hope for us today.

Hymn       Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

1. Welcome & Passing the Peace

[This is Michelle Shively’s dog, Teddy. Teddy has attended Kappa Phi meetings at our church and once stopped by to say “hi” to a new member class. Teddy loves people and invites us to greet one another, not by rubbing noses, but by simply barking, “The peace of Christ be with you!”]

Prayer of Confession & Words of Assurance

God of steadfast mercy and grace, thank you for revealing yourself to us again and again. You bless us in more ways than we can even imagine. Your overwhelming goodness seems too good to be true. Forgive us for routinely forgetting just how much you truly love us. Open our ears to hear you speak your word of hope, assurance, guidance, and protection. Teach us what it means to be good listeners of all that you want to say to us this day and this upcoming week. Speak to us, O God for we are ready to hear you. Amen.

L: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

P: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

All: Thanks be to God!

Church Toys Special Music   Directors - Kristin Kerwin & Kathy Mangen

Scripture Lessons - Genesis 18:1-15 & Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19   

Michelle Shively

[In our Genesis reading, God has promised that he will be God of Abraham and of his descendants. The only obligation God has placed on Abraham is that he, and his male descendants, be circumcised. When God promises that Abraham and Sarah will have a son, they both laugh not realizing that with God, all things are possible! In our Psalm reading, Psalm 116 is considered a psalm of praise because the psalmist has recognized that with God, all things are possible.]

Special Music   Good to Me, Audrey Assad

[Like, our psalm for today, this song written and sung by Audrey Assad is a prayer of praise celebrating God’s goodness.]

Sermon   Psummer of Psalms: Psalm 116

 Rev. Robert McDowell

Sermon Discussion Questions

Do you have a favorite Psalm? Why is it meaningful to you? 

Since our hymns from the hymnal have a similar function to the Psalms, share your favorite hymn. Why is it meaningful to you?

Share a time when God helped you through what seemed to be an impossible situation.

Are you a good listener? What can we do to become better listeners in our prayers with God? Do you ever wonder if God is listening to our prayers?

When God helps you through a difficult situation, how do you respond? In what ways might we respond with generosity and praise?

Hymn                 Lord, Speak to Me

Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer

Church News

[The following announcement slides below are to help us stay connected as a church especially since we are unable to gather in our church building for weekly worship. Please scroll down through the announcements, and our online service will continue with another video.]

Offering Our Gifts

Thank you for your gifts!!!

“Riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and it is in Your hand to make great and to give strength to all.” – 1 Chronicles 29:12

Closing Hymn    Precious Name

Benediction

Join us back here next Sunday (June 21) for our online worship service.

[For previous online worship services, click here.]

Holy Hump Day with Pastor Robert (June 10)

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Today’s Focus:

Protests, George Floyd, & Racial Justice

Online Worship (June 7) Athens First UMC

Welcome to our (June 7) online worship @ Athens First UMC!

2 S. College St., Athens, OH 45701

Greeting From Pastor Robert

Call to Worship 

L: Come and worship God the Father.

P: God is our loving parent.

L: Come and worship God the Son.

P: God is our redeeming Savior.

L: Come and worship God the Spirit.

P: God is our guiding presence.

Hymn       Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty

1. Welcome & Passing the Peace

[Pastor Robert and Penny’s daughter and son-in-law who live in Columbus are “passing the peace” of Christ with their dog, Maggie. On this Trinity Sunday, we too are invited to pass the peace of Christ to each other in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.]

Prayer of Confession & Words of Assurance

Triune God, you have given us everything that we need to fulfill your great commission of making disciples of all nations. You have created us in your image. You have redeemed us through the cross and the empty tomb. You have empowered us through your Spirit. We have everything we need but we are still afraid. We forget that you promise to be with us always even to the end of the age. Lead us to take that first step of faith in offering your healing love to our community and world. Amen.

L: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

P: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

All: Thanks be to God!

New Testament Lesson -  II Corinthians 13:11-13 

Dave Bayless          

[The Apostle Paul concludes this 2nd letter to the Christians in Corinth with a closing benediction by referring to  God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is a very appropriate scripture passage for today’s Trinity Sunday.]

Gospel Lesson - Matthew 28:16-20    

Dave Bayless

[Jesus also refers to the Trinity at the end of Matthew’s Gospel. He uses this naming of God in connection with the church’s mission to go and make disciples.]

Special Music Piano Duet, Jeff Daubenmire & Ellen Brown 

(Recorded, April, 2019)

Sermon       Wendy Merby-Brown

Hymn                 A Charge to Keep I Have

Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer

Special Music    I’m a Young BLACK MAN, Keedron Bryant

[This is a song by 12 year old, Keedron Bryant. The lyrics were written by his mother, Johnetta Bryant. She wrote the words because she heard that George Floyd had called out for his mom as he was dying on the street. “So I went into meditation because I needed understanding, I needed strength, because I also looked at how I need to be able to give my son some wisdom that’s gonna help him to be able to live and to be confident in this world and I knew that it could only come from God.” Keedron recorded the song at the family’s home in Jacksonville, Florida during a daily devotional period.]

Church News

[The following announcement slides below are to help us stay connected as a church especially since we are unable to gather in our church building for weekly worship. Please scroll down through the announcements, and our online service will continue with another video.]

Offering Our Gifts

Thank you for your gifts!!!

“Riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and it is in Your hand to make great and to give strength to all.” – 1 Chronicles 29:12

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

[Pastor Robert will invite us to partake of the bread and the juice.]

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Thank you, O God for speaking to us today through Word and Sacrament. Our cups are overflowing with your grace. As we begin a brand new week, may we continue to listen to your Word in all that we say and do. In the name of the Word of life, Jesus Christ our Lord, we pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn    Go Make of All Disciples

Benediction

Join us back here next Sunday (June 14) for our online worship service.

[For previous online worship services, click here.]