DIRECTORY OF CHESTNUT HILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCHSharma Lewis Richmond Area Resident BishopScott Davis Lynchburg District SuperintendentLiz Ecklund MinisterVernie Barrow Minister EmeritusMonica Campbell Administrative AssistantWill Sperrazza Director of Music MinistryJudy Martin BookkeeperElaine Clarke Lay LeaderJody Underwood Lay Children’s Ministry CoordinatorChris Glass Lay Youth Ministry Coordinator

Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church

Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

You are welcome at Chestnut Hill UMC.

4660 Fort Avenue ~ Lynchburg, Virginia 24502Church: 434-239-8423

Pastor’s Cell: 434-258-2934; Pastor’s Home: 434-319-5646Email Pastor Liz: Pastorliz@aol.com

chestnuthillumc@comcast.net ~ on the web at chestnuthillumc.netFind us on Facebook: Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church

Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church10:30 a.m. ~ January 8, 2017 ~ First Sunday after the Epiphany

Wesleyan Covenant Service

WELCOME! JOIN US IN WORSHIPING GOD!Welcome and Ministry Announcements

Welcome in the name of Christ our Lord. Please register your attendance, printing your name, address, phone, and email, when the pew pad is passed to you.

Thank you for silencing cell phones as we gather to worship God.

Invitation “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.”(Philippians 4:4-5)

Silent Prayer to Prepare Our Hearts for Worship

Prelude The Acolytes enter with the light of Christ.

Call to WorshipO God, our Covenant Friend, the hands of our sisters and brothers.

Let us give thanks for all of God's mercies.

You have filled our hearts with a hunger after you, and have given us your peace. You have redeemed us, and called us to a high calling in Christ Jesus. You have given us a place in the fellowship of your Spirit and the witness of your Church.

Let us give thanks for all of God's mercies.

You have been our light in darkness and a rock of strength in adversity and temptation. You have been the very Spirit of joy in our joys and the all sufficient reward in all our labors.

Let us give thanks for all of God's mercies.

You remembered us when we forgot you. You followed us even when we tried to flee from you. You met us with forgiveness when we returned to you. For all your patience and overflowing grace,

Let us give thanks for all of God's mercies.

*Hymn of Praise # 715 “Rejoice, the Lord Is King”

Choral Anthem

You are advised to make this covenant not only in your heart, but in word; not only in word, but in writing. Therefore, with all reverence, lay the service before the Lord as your act and deed. Take the covenant card from your bulletin now and prayerfully sign and date it. Then keep it somewhere where you can see it as a reminder of the holy agreement between God and you that you may remember it during doubts and temptations.

*Hymn of Commission # 357 “Just As I Am”

*Charge and Benediction

Today’s Worship has ended, the Service begins .

*Postlude

*Please stand, as you are able

W E S C A T T E R T O S E R V E G O D & N E I G H B O R

Children and Their Safety are Important at Chestnut Hill UMC

We rejoice that as a church we are able to offer carefully planned, age appropriate care and activities for our children and youth.

Today, children ages 4 and above will stay in the sanctuary for worship.Nursery is provided for infants and toddlers. The Nursery is located in Classroom 101

(exit through the right side door at the front of the sanctuary, pass through “the Commons,” go through the double doors to the Education Building and follow the

hallway to the Nursery at the end of the hall on the left).

Read Ahead

January 15, 2017: the Scriptures are Isaiah 49:1-7 (NRSV); 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 & Psalm 40. The sermon text is Luke 8:4-15 and the message is “How to Hear God Speak”.

I renounce my own wisdom, and take you for my only guide.

I renounce my own will, and take your will as my law.

Christ has told you that you must suffer with him.

I do here covenant with you, O Christ,

to take my lot with you as it may fall.

Through your grace I promise

that neither life nor death shall part me from you.

God has given holy laws as the rule of your life.

I do here willingly put my neck under your yoke, to carry your burden.

All your laws are holy, just, and good.

I therefore take them as the rule for my words, thoughts, and actions,

promising that I will strive to order my whole life according to your direction,

and not allow myself to neglect anything I know to be my duty.

The almighty God searches and knows your heart.

O God, you know that I make this covenant with you today

without guile or reservation.

If any falsehood should be in it, guide me and help me to set it aright.

And now, glory be to you, O God the Father,

whom I from this day forward shall look upon as my God and Father.

Glory be to you, O God the Son,

who have loved me and washed me from my sins in your own blood,

and now is my Savior and Redeemer.

Glory be to you, O God the Holy Spirit,

who by your almighty power have turned my heart from sin to God.

O mighty God, the Lord Omnipotent, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

you have now become my Covenant Friend.

And I, through your infinite grace, have become your covenant servant.

So be it.

And let the covenant I have made on earth be ratified in heaven.

Amen.

Children’s Message

Prayer for IlluminationLord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that, as the Scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen.

Proclamation

*Hymn of Preparation # 706 “Soon and Very Soon”

Baptismal Reaffirmation and Renewal of Membership Vows

On behalf of the whole Church, I ask you: Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of your sin?

We do.

Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?

We do.

Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as your Lord, in union with the Church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races?

We do.

Let us join together in professing the Christian faith as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.

Do you believe in God the Father?

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ?

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Renewal of Membership Vows

As members of Christ's universal Church, will you be loyal to The United Methodist Church, and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries?

I will.

As members of this congregation, will you faithfully participate in its ministriesby your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service?I will.

Gospel Lesson John 18:33-37 Page 107

Hymn of Dedication # 393 “Spirit of the Living God”

New Testament Lesson 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 Page 172

Message “Being Wesleyan”

Prayers of the People

The Lord’s Prayer # 895Our 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

The Giving of God’s Tithes and Our Gifts*Prayer of DedicationOffertory*Doxology # 95 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all

Creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

Wesley's Covenant PrayerLet me be your servant, under your command.I will no longer be my own.I will give up myself to your will in all things.Be satisfied that Christ shall give you your place and work.Lord, make me what you will.I put myself fully into your hands:put me to doing, put me to suffering,let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you,let me be full, let me be empty,let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and with a willing heart give it all to your pleasure and disposal.Christ will be the Savior of none but his servants.He is the source of all salvation to those who obey.Christ will have no servants except by consent;Christ will not accept anything except full consent to all that he requires.Christ will be all in all, or he will be nothing.

Words of ConfirmationO righteous God, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, see me as I fall down before you.Forgive my unfaithfulness in not having done your will,for you have promised mercy to meif I turn to you with my whole heart.God requires that you shall put away all your idols.I here from the bottom of my heart renounce them all,covenanting with you that no known sin shall be allowed in my life.Against your will, I have turned my love toward the world.In your power I will watch all temptations that will lead me away from you.For my own righteousness is riddled with sin, unable to stand before you.Through Christ, God has offered to be your God again if you would let him.Before all heaven and earth, I here acknowledge you as my Lord and God.I take you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for my portion, and vow to give up myself, body and soul, as your servant, to serve you in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life.God has given the Lord Jesus Christ as the only way and means of coming to God.Jesus, I do here on bended knees accept Christ as the only new and living Way, and sincerely join myself in a covenant with him.O blessed Jesus, I come to you, hungry, sinful, miserable, blind, and naked, unworthy even to wash the feet of your servants.I do here, with all my power, accept you as my Lord and Head. I renounce my own worthiness, and vow that you are the Lord, my righteousness.

**This Week’s Calendar**Sunday, 1/8 4:00 p.m. Kingdom Kids @ Fort Hill UMC

Monday, 1/9 7:00 p.m. Staff-Parish Relations Committee

Tuesday, 1/10 9:00 a.m. Prayer Group

Wednesday, 1/11 10:00 a.m. Merry Martha’sWe will at the home of Frances Unruh. Our program will be the UMW Prayer and Self-Denial for missions, and planning for the rest of 2017. Bring gift basket items.

7:00 p.m. Choir

Saturday, 1/14 11:00 a.m. Un-decorating ChurchEveryone is invited to come and help!

** Looking Ahead on the Calendar **

Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church extends Christian love and sympathy to the family of Mildred Holloren and especially to her sister, Kathleen “Kitten” Boswell. Mrs. Holloren passed away on January 4, 2017.

Mission & Ministry Opportunities

Sunday, 1/15 11:45 a.m. Called Finance Meeting

Saturday, 1/21 10:00 a.m. VITAL PLANNING RETREAT!10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.We will be having a planning retreat to work on strategies to meet our goals, to develop our focus for 2017and to set our calendar for the new year. It is imperative that all officers, committee members and anyone interested in the health and growth of Chestnut Hill plan to attend. Lunch will be provided.

Monday, 1/23 11:00 a.m. Top of the HillLet’s be creative and have a good time! All are welcome to join us!! Bring a sandwich. Drinks and dessert will be provided.

Mitten Tree TrunkDon’t forget we need Mittens. Place them in the trunk that is provided in the Commons. DEADLINE for bringing mittens is after Christmas.

In the Grocery Cart This MonthDonations for JANUARY: “Kraft Mac & Cheese, Pasta and sauce, instant potatoes, dish soap and toilet paper.” This will assist people through Park View Community Mission. Please place donations in the grocery cart, located in the Commons.

Sermon Series Starting! As a commitment to follow God this year, starting on January 15, Pastor Liz will be preaching a new and important sermon series, “Learning to Hear God's Voice”. We will cover such topics as: “How to Hear God Speak,” “How God Talks to You,” “How to Recognize God's Voice,” and finally, “Receiving Guidance from God.” We all have questions we want to ask God, and we especially need to hear His word for us. The question is: how do we know it is God, and how can we clear out all the secular noise and hear Him speak directly to us? This series will help you do that. After the Covenant Service on the 8th it may be the most important thing you do to start 2017 off right.

A CD of our CHUMC Music Program is AvailableA CD featuring the music program of Chestnut Hill UMC is available as a gift to our visitors in worship. Please exit worship through the front of the sanctuary and The Commons and request your CD from a choir member.

*If you know of changes that need to be made to the prayer concerns, please contact Monica in the church office.

**In Our Thoughts and Prayers**Home: Lisa Redford, J. Owen Stinnette, Becky Spangler, Joe Wills, Margaret Hicks, Louise Woody, Gene & Connie Harris, Phyllis Caldwell, Cliff & Betty Taylor, Betty Wilkins, Braelyn Underwood, Arthur Snodgrass, Edith Barley, Thelma Hamilton, Beverly Franklin, Heather Stanzini (420 Stafford St., Lynchburg, VA 24501), Greyson Glass, Al & Pat Wood, Bob & Kitty Boswell, Barbara Dunlop, Hylton & Sylvia Glass, Kyle & Jeanette Cyrus, Chris Balderson, Carl Hardwick, Helen Fleck, Shirley Johnson, Ken Wood, Doris Finch, Judy Johns, Victor Barrow, Susan Tedder, Charles Moore, Milton Sowell, Shayh, Alice Lovelace, Edna Wyatt, William Hicks, Vernelle Roupe, Jeanette Almond, Asa Fredell, Violet Ellis, Tucker Cole, Rhonda Wilkerson, Joseph Johnson, Lloyd Smith, Chestnut Hill UMC, Military & Families

The Summit Health & Rehab: John WilliamsLynchburg Health & Rehab: Johnnie KinzerThe Elms of Lynchburg: Frances CallahamRunk & Pratt at Liberty Ridge: Rose MorrisHeritage Green, Daybreak: Delma ScottRunk & Pratt of Forest: Emily Morris, Shirley WoodOakwood Manor (Bedford): Robert Bennett

Please join the clergy of the Lynchburg Downtown Cluster in a covenant to pray for God’s blessing on the mission and ministry of our United Methodist Churches and local mission and ministry endeavors – Peakland, Centenary, Christ Community Fellowship/Fairview, Court Street/Marsh Memorial, Fort Hill, Chestnut Hill, Forest Road, Jackson Street, Heritage, Boonsboro, Mead Memorial, Cove, Park View Community Mission (PVCM), the Society of St. Andrew, the Henry Fork Service Center, and The Garden of Hope (Washington, D.C.)