Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Today’s Focus:
Psalms for Every Occassion & Church Building Reopening
(Nee'-kos) Biblical Greek Word for "Victory"
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Sunday, June 28, 2020
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
- 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.]
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
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?
Sunday, June 21, 2020
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
- 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.]
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Holy Hump Day (June 17) with Pastor Robert
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Today’s Focus:
Racial Tensions, White Privilege, & Biblical Interpretation/Perspectives
Sunday, June 14, 2020
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
- 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.]
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Holy Hump Day with Pastor Robert (June 10)
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Today’s Focus:
Protests, George Floyd, & Racial Justice
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