Online Worship Service (April 19/Growing Tree Preschool Sunday) Athens First UMC

Welcome to our (April 19/Growing Tree Preschool Sunday) online worship @ Athens First UMC!

2 S. College St., Athens, OH 45701

Greeting From Kathy Mangen, Director of Growing Tree Preschool

Growing Tree Preschool Highlights

Call to Worship

L: Bartholomew, Simon, James the Lesser, Thaddeus, Andrew, Phillip, James the Greater, Judas, Peter, John, Matthew, and Thomas, these are the first disciples of Jesus.

P: Lord, we want to be your disciples, too!

L: Like those first disciples, we struggle with doubts and questions about our faith.

P: Lord, we want to be your disciples, too!

L: Take heart! The Risen Christ is with us!

P: The Risen Christ is with us, indeed! 

Hymn          Easter People Raise Your Voices

Welcome & Passing the Peace

[On this Growing Tree Preschool Sunday, Rooney who belongs to Mrs. Strycker and Daisy, Roxy, & Sassy who belong to Mrs. Drake offer a special welcome to our preschool families who are joining our online worship service today. They invite you to greet one another in your homes, not by rubbing noses, but by simply barking out, “The peace of Christ be with you!”]

 

                           Rooney                Daisy, Roxy, Lucy, & Sassy

Prayer of Confession & Words of Assurance

Our Lord and our God, like the disciple Thomas so long ago, it is sometimes difficult for us to believe in new life and resurrection. Even though we were not present at the empty tomb on that first Easter morning, help us to believe. Turn our doubts into vibrant faith and empower us to be your faithful disciples. In the name of the Risen Christ, we pray. 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 - Acts 2:14a, 22-32

Kaitlyn Drake, Growing Tree Pre-school Teacher

[After Jesus’ resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples, the disciples wasted no time in proclaiming the good news of Christ’s resurrection.]

Gospel Lesson - John 20:19-31

 Angela Stryker, Growing Tree Preschool Teacher

[This scripture is usually read on this 2nd Sunday of Easter because it was on this day that the disciple, Thomas was able to see Jesus’ in his resurrected body for the first time. Upon seeing Jesus, Thomas offers one of the most profound statements of faith in all of the Bible by exclaiming, “My Lord and my God!”]

Skit   Easter Surprises   Holy Hands Puppeteers 

Special Music       O SONS AND DAUGHTERS, LET US SING

 Arranged by Robert Shaw & Alice Parker

O sons and daughters, let us sing!

The King of Heav’n, the glorious King

O’er death today rose triumphing.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

When Thomas first the tidings heard,

How they had seen the risen Lord,

He doubted the disciples’ word.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

“My pierced side, O Thomas, see:

My hands, my feet, I show to Thee;

Not faithless, but believing be.”

Alleluia! Alleluia!

No longer Thomas then denied,

He saw the feet, the hands, the side:

“Thou art my Lord and God,” he cried.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Sermon  The Twelve Disciples: Thomas

                Rev. Robert McDowell

Sermon Discussion Questions

When has a time of doubt led you to a deeper faith? What are some doubts that you have about your faith now?

Share where you have seen God’s kingdom being built in our community and world?

We concluded our series on the twelve disciples of Jesus by focusing on four things that the disciples teach us about being followers of Jesus today: These include 1) Jesus calls each of us by name. 2) We need each other as we live out our discipleship. 3) We are never done growing in our faith. 4) We are each called to share the good news of Jesus in our own unique ways.

Which of these four aspects of being a disciple of Jesus stands out for you? 

Hymn                Spirit Song

Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer

Church News

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                     I Sing a Song of the Saints of God

Benediction

[We appreciate the Lee family for serving as puppeteers for our puppet skit today! They also wrote the script. Alex and MacKenzie are Growing Tree Preschool alum. Thank you, Lee family!]

Join us back here next week (April 26/Music Sunday) for our online worship!

[For previous online worship services, click here]

Sunday Pastoral Prayer (April 12/Easter) Athens First UMC

[Even though our church building is not accessible during the pandemic, our church’s toys still manage to find their way to our sanctuary every time we record our children’s moments. They have been learning about the twelve disciples of Jesus just like we have over these past several weeks. Based on the feedback we’ve been receiving, they have been a big hit for our online viewers. For our Easter Sunday online service, click here.]

God of new life, it is so weird that our sanctuaries are empty on this Easter Sunday morning. I can even hear the emptiness of my own voice as I speak this prayer. This sanctuary seats six hundred people and yet nobody is here. No greeters. No ushers. No organist. No smell of coffee. 

Just these Easter lilies and this note that says, “He is not here. He is risen!” You have somehow turned this empty sanctuary into an occasion for rejoicing. Only you could pull something like this off. You took that shameful instrument of death, the cross and turned it into a symbol of victory, a symbol of Nikos! What at first seemed empty, like this sanctuary has become the occasion for rejoicing and singing, Alleluia! 

On this Easter morning, take the emptiness of our hearts and fill them with your praises! Take the emptiness of our souls and replace them with new life and hope. Take the emptiness of our bodies so vulnerable to sickness and disease and fill them with a renewed trust in your goodness. Take the emptiness of our hands and fill them with a willingness to serve you and others. And take the emptiness of our lips and fill them with a message of salvation for the world.

O God who rose Jesus from the dead, just as you were able to take an empty tomb and change the world, take this empty sanctuary and any emptiness that we may be feeling today and fill us with the joy of Easter. Fill every house, every living room, every assisted living facility, every hospital, every food pantry, every health department, every homeless shelter, every AA group, every rehab center, every jail, every prison, every overcrowded ER, and every single person watching this online service with the good news of your resurrection. 

For we pray this in the name of Jesus who died for our sins, who rose for our sake, and who taught us to pray together saying…

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.

Online Worship (April 12/Easter) Athens First UMC

Welcome to our April 12 (Easter Sunday) online worship @ Athens First UMC!

2 S. College St., Athens, OH 45701

Greeting From Pastor Robert

Choral Introit   Joy in the Morning, Natalie Sleeth

by First UMC Chancel Choir, Richardson, Texas

Call to Worship

L: Christ is risen!

P: Christ is risen, indeed!

L: Like the disciples, Matthew and John, we are called to proclaim the good news of Easter!

All: He is not here. He is risen! Thanks be to God!

Hymn                Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

1. Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!
   Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
   Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
   Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
2. Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
   Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
   Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
   Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
3. Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
   Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
   Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
   Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
4. Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
   Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
   Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
   Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Welcome & Passing the Peace

[David and Bonita Maze’s dog, Taffy celebrates with us on this Easter Sunday. Taffy invites you to greet one another, not by rubbing noses, but by simply barking out, “Alleluia! Christ is risen!”]

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for calling the twelve disciples to follow you. On this Easter Sunday, you also call each one of us to follow you and share the good news of your resurrection. Teach us what it means to be your Easter people. May all that we do and say point people to the hope and promise that we have in you. We offer this prayer to you, our risen Lord and Savior, to whom be glory, majesty, power and authority before all time and now and forevermore. Amen.

Children’s Moments        Martha Sloan

Scripture Lessons - I Corinthians 15:19-26 & John 20:1-10

                                                       Dave Bayless

[Our I Corinthians lesson is the Apostle Paul’s famous chapter on the meaning of Christ’s resurrection and the future hope of resurrection for all of God’s people. In this portion of the chapter, Paul shares the good news that Christ’s resurrection will lead to a final victory over death itself. For our next scripture lesson, John, who is one of the two disciples we are focusing on today in the sermon offers this account of that first Easter Sunday. Each gospel account tells the story a little differently. One of John’s distinctions is that there was a lot of running happening on that glorious morning. Mary runs to tell the disciples and the disciples then run to the tomb to see for themselves. Celebrating Easter can be very tiring!]

Special Music   “Hallelujah” (from Messiah) – G. F. Handel

Performed by the Chicago-based ensemble, Music of the Baroque

Sermon        The Twelve Disciples of Jesus: Matthew & John          
                                                           Rev. Robert McDowell

Sermon Discussion Questions

Why do you think that we have four gospels instead of just one account? What does this say about our unique faith perspectives?

If you could choose a symbol that would best represent your faith, what would it be and why?

Why do you think this message of loving one another was something that John encouraged people to remember again and again? What helps you to remember to love others?

What are some ways that we can share the good news of Easter with the people we encounter?

Hymn                       Christ Is Alive

Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer

Church News

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                Up from the Grave He Arose

1. Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior,

waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Refrain:

Up from the grave he arose;

with a mighty triumph o’er his foes;

he arose a victor from the dark domain,

and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.

He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

2. Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior,

vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!

(Refrain)

3. Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;

he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!

(Refrain)

Benediction

FUN OUT-TAKE EASTER SERVICE VIDEO 

[Sometimes, online worship service recordings don’t go as planned. Evidently, Storm Trooper either stayed up too late on Saturday night or ate too much Easter candy because he kept falling down during the children’s moments. LOL!]

Join us back here next Sunday (April 19) for our online worship featuring our Growing Tree Preschool!

[For previous online worship services, click here]

Online Worship Service (April 10/Good Friday) Athens First UMC

Welcome to our April 10 (Good Friday) online worship @ Athens First UMC!

2 S. College St., Athens, OH 45701

Call to Worship

L: Blessed be the name of the Lord our God,

P: Who redeems us from sin and death.

L: For us and for our salvation, Christ became obedient unto death, even death on the cross.

P: Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Hymn                          In the Cross of Christ I Glory

Prayer of Confession & Words of Assurance

We confess to you, our Lord and Savior, that we have betrayed and denied you, forgotten and doubted you. When our faith is tested, we wonder where you are. When we see injustice in the world, we often stand by, we turn our backs, we ignore the cries of others. We confess that we deny you and betray you with our silence when we fail to proclaim your good news, when we fail to live out your teachings and love our neighbor as ourselves. Help us to remember your sacrifice, your love, and to know your forgiveness. In the name of the one who lived, who was crucified, and who lives again, Jesus the Messiah, we pray. 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 - Psalm 22:1-22

[This is the psalm that Jesus quoted when he hung on the cross. Even though this psalm begins with a statement of feeling forsaken by God, notice that it also concludes with a statement of praise and trust in God.]

Gospel Lesson - John 19:16b-37

[In John’s telling of Jesus’ crucifixion, we are given many details of this gruesome scene. Notice that Jesus’ last words before he died were, “It is finished.” Where have we heard those words before? Way back in the Genesis creation story where after all that God had created, we are told that it was finished. It’s a little hint that John gives us that even after Jesus breathed his last, new life for God’s creation is about to begin.]

A Reading       Sunflower   A Short Story by Trevor Dennis 

Rev. Robert McDowell

Special Music   O, my Father, why has Thou forsaken me? -- Theodore Dubois

    (from The Seven Last Words of Christ) Tyler Thress, baritone

                                                           

Benediction

L:  May Jesus Christ, who for our sake became obedient unto death, even death on a cross, keep you and strengthen you, now and forever. 

P:  Amen.

Join us here this Sunday (April 12/Easter Sunday) for our online worship!

For previous online worship services, click here.

Online Maundy Thursday Service (April 9) Athens First UMC

Welcome to our April 9 (Maundy Thursday) online worship @ Athens First UMC!

2 S. College St., Athens, OH 45701

Greeting From Pastor Robert

Call to Worship

L:  Return to the Lord, God of all mercies, for a feast of love has been prepared for his own.

P:  I will bless the Lord at all times.  His praise shall be continually in my mouth.

L:  O taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

P:  Happy are they who take refuge in God.

L:  O magnify the Lord with me,

P:  And let us exalt God’s name together.

Hymn                      Because Thou Hast Said

[This Charles Wesley hymn might not be as familiar as some of his other hymns but the melody is simple and easy to sing. His lyrics describe the mystical meaning of the Sacrament of Holy Communion which is our focus on this Maundy Thursday as we remember when Jesus was gathered with his disciples for the Last Supper.]

Welcome & Passing the Peace

[We are invited to share the words, “the peace of Christ be with you” to those who may be worshiping with us for this online service. If you are worshiping alone, know that the peace of Christ is with you on this Maundy Thursday.]

Prayer of Confession & Words of Assurance

L:  My sisters and brothers, Christ shows us his love by becoming a humble servant.  

Let us draw near to God and confess our sin in the truth of God's Spirit.  

 

[A brief silence for individual confession.]

 

All:  Most merciful God, 

we your Church confess 

that often our spirit has not been that of Christ.  

Where we have failed to love one another as he loves us, 

where we have pledged loyalty to him with our lips

and then betrayed, deserted, or denied him, forgive us, we pray;

and by your Spirit make us faithful in every time of trial;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

L:  Who is in a position to condemn?  Only Christ.

But Christ suffered and died for us,

was raised from the dead and ascended on high for us,

and continues to intercede for us.

Believe the good news:

In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

 

All:  In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

Glory to God.  Amen.

New Testament Lesson - I Corinthians 11:23-26

[The Apostle Paul is informing the Corinthians Christian of why the Lord’s Supper is such an important meal.]

Gospel Lesson - John 13:1-17, 31b-35

[During the Last Supper, it is revealed that Judas Iscariot is the one who was about to betray Jesus.]

Special Music     Is it I, Lord? (from Shadows) -- Douglas E. Wagner

     Duet: Cathy & Jack Bigger

        

                                                         

Sermon    A Very Unique Meal   Rev. Robert McDowell  

                                                                

Hymn                Let Us Break Bread Together   

     

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

[Toward the end of the video, Pastor Robert will invite us to partake of the bread and the juice.]

Prayer of Thanksgiving

We thank you, holy God, for giving us this meal, shared in the Spirit, which sustains us with the food and drink of your life.  Grace our lives that we may at the last come to share in the heavenly banquet of your kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.                  

Benediction

L: May God’s peace be with us this holy night and remain with us until we meet again.

All: Amen.

Join us back here for our online Good Friday service (April 10) and for our Easter Sunday worship celebration (April 12.)

[For previous online worship services, click here]

Sunday Pastoral Prayer (April 5/Palm Sunday) Athens First UMC

[We are seeing a lot of creative ways for our church to continue to be the church during this time of social distancing and online worship. Some of our neighbors who live near each other organized this neighborhood Palm Sunday processional down their street. The stores were out of palm branches so they used these forsythia branches instead. For the Palm Sunday online worship service, click here. Join us for our online Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services this week as well!]

Like the disciple Peter, we want to trust you during this time of uncertainty and fear, Lord Jesus. You called Peter to trust you by getting out of the boat, but for us, you are telling us to stay in our boat to help stop the spread of this virus.

 

It doesn’t feel very heroic to just stay in our boats until the storm passes but if we do this together, we can help save lives. And so, help us to use this time to pray for those who are ill; those who who caring for them; those who are mourning loved ones who have died; those who are now without work; those who are disconnected from their sources of support, those who are missing out on graduation ceremonies or who have to reschedule other special events like weddings. If anything, Lord, this is a time for us to deepen our prayers lives during this much slower pace of life.

 

Help us to love those in our homes, in our neighborhoods and through our correspondences of phone calls, cards, emails, FaceTime, and Zoom meetings. When we become impatient and irritable during this long time of seclusion, as Dr. Amy Acton has been reminding us each day, remind us to always be kind to ourselves and to one another.

 

Thank you for so many stories of kindness that are happening all around us even though the waves are crashing against our boats. Stories like neighbors stepping outside their front doors to sing happy birthday to another neighbor. College students volunteering to clean around our church. A church member taking Holy Communion wafers and juice cups to church members who are alone or in assisted living. Lord Jesus, help us to not miss these moments of kindness that brighten our day like the cherry blossoms that are in full bloom along the bike path.

 

And so Lord Jesus, during this Holy Week, we will continue to stay in our boats and trust you through this storm even as we pray together…

 

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.

Online Sunday Worship (April 5/Palm Sunday) Athens First UMC

Welcome to our April 5 (Palm Sunday) online worship @ Athens First UMC!

2 S. College St., Athens, OH 45701

Greeting From Pastor Robert

Call to Worship

L: Our King has come, riding on a donkey.

P: The King is here. Shout for joy!

L: Our Savior has come amid waving palms and cheers of praise.

P: The Savior is here. Shout alleluia!

L: Jesus has come, riding on a donkey.

P: Jesus is here. Shout hosanna!

L: Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!

Hymn                          All Glory, Laud, & Honor   

Welcome & Passing the Peace

[The Lee’s family dog, Bailey is joining us for our online Palm Sunday worship today. Bailey’s mommy and daddy are also participating in our service today by reading scripture lessons. Bailey invites you to greet one another, not by rubbing noses, but by simply barking out, “Hosanna!”]

Prayer of Confession & Words of Assurance

Lord Jesus, we celebrate your entry into Jerusalem on this Palm Sunday. We wave our palm branches because you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. This is a wonderful day but we also know that we are nearing Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. People might ask if we are one of your disciples. Give us the courage to say, “Yes.” Help us to get out of our boats of security and follow you wherever you may lead us. In your name, we pray. 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!

Children’s Special Music                             

[This is a recorded video of our children singing for last year’s Palm Sunday worship service. Thank you, Laura Brown for directing this song with our children!]

New Testament Lesson - Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

                         Cathy Lee

[This Psalm is read on Palm Sunday because it refers to the Lord’s summons to “open the gates of righteousness so that he may enter” and the call for the people to “bind the festal procession with branches.” When Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem riding on a donkey with the crowds waving palm branches hailing him as King, we join the psalmist in shouting, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”]

Gospel Lesson - Matthew 14:22-33

                        Giles Lee

[This scripture recounts the story of when Jesus invited the disciple, Peter, who is the disciple we are focusing on today to get out of the boat and walk toward him. Even though Peter became fearful and began to sink because of the strong wind, Jesus reached out and saved him. This is a story that teaches us about faith.]

Special Music     Hosanna to the Son of David   Orlando Gibbons

                         Voices of Ascension, Dennis Kean, Conductor

[This YouTube performance is sung by the Voices of Ascension, a professional choir based in New York City. Our Athens neighbor and Director of Music at Richland Avenue UMC, Richard Crist, sang and recorded with this fine choir. Wait ‘till you see the unusual and engaging visual component in this video.]

Sermon        The Twelve Disciples of Jesus: Peter          
                                                                     Rev. Robert McDowell

Sermon Discussion Questions

When Jesus looked at Peter, he saw someone who would lead in the building of his church. What does Jesus see in us that he would trust us in building his church here on earth?

If Jesus would ask you who you think he is, how would you respond? Has your answer to that question changed over time? Be open to opportunities to invite people to offer their responses to that important question, “Who do ‘you’ say that I am.”

When has God prompted you to start anew in your faith? What is that like to know that God does not give up on us? 

When has Jesus invited you to step out of the boat to follow him? How can we encourage each other to step out of our boats and be followers of Jesus? 

Hymn             Only Trust Him           

Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer

Church News

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

[Toward the end of the video, Pastor Robert will invite us to partake of the bread and the juice.]

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Closing Hymn                     Jesus Calls Us   

Benediction

Closing Anthem  When I Survey the Wondrous Cross   arr. Gilbert Martin

                             Furman University, Hugh Floyd, conductor

Join us back here for online worship services on Maundy Thursday (April 9), Good Friday (April 10) & Easter Sunday (April 12)!

[For previous Sunday sermons, click here]