Saginaw First Free Methodist ChurchFourth Sunday After the Epiphany

February 3, 2019

"If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains,

but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians

13:1-3,13)

Rev. Jason EvansFirst Free Methodist Church

2625 N. Center Rd.Saginaw, Michigan 48603

Phone: (989) 799-2930Email: saginawfmc@gmail.com

www.saginawfirstfmc.org

February 3, 2019Fourth Sunday After the Epiphany

The mission of Saginaw First Free Methodist Church is to be faithful to God and to make known to all people everywhere God’s call to wholeness in Jesus Christ.

Prelude

**Greeting/Announcements

*Call to Worship (spoken responsively)

L:        From the very beginning, God calls usP:        God sets us apart with meaning and purposeL:        We come with excuses, because we are afraidP:        But God reassures us in many and various waysL:        Even when we struggle with life’s difficultiesP:        God is with us and sustains us

Opening Hymn: “For the Beauty of the Earth” #776 (vv. 1-5)

1 For the beauty of the earthFor the glory of the skies,For the love which from our birth Over and around us liesLord of all, to Thee we raise This our hymn of grateful praise

2 For the wonder of each hour Of the day and of the night, Hill and vale and tree and flower, Sun and moon and stars of lightLord of all, to Thee we raise This our hymn of grateful praise

3 For the joy of human love Brother, sister, parent, childFriends on earth, and friends above

For all gentle thoughts and mildLord of all, to Thee we raise This our hymn of grateful praise

4 For thy church that evermoreLifteth holy hands aboveOf f’ring up on every shoreHer pure sacrifice of loveLord of all, to Thee we raise This our hymn of grateful praise

5 For Thyself, best gift divine To the world so freely given For that great, great love of ThinePeace on earth and joy in heav’nLord of all, to Thee we raise This our hymn of grateful praise

*Invocation and Lord’s PrayerL: Perfect Light of revelation, you spoke your word and revealed your good news in Jesus, the Christ.  Fill all creation with that word again, so that by

proclaiming your joyful promises to all nations and singing of your glorious hope to all peoples, we may become one living body, your incarnate

presence on the earth Shine in us and through us, that we may become beacons of truth and compassion, enlightening all creation with deeds of

justice and mercy, as we pray together the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples...

P: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliverus from evil. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

*Gloria PatriGlory be to the FatherAnd to the SonAnd to the Holy GhostAs it was in the beginningIs now and ever shall beWorld without end, Amen, Amen.

First Scripture Lesson: Jeremiah 1:4-10

Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy."

But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a boy'; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you, Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD."

Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the LORD said to me, "Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant."

Prayer of ConfessionL: Trusting in the One who made us and redeemed us with an infinite love, let us boldly confess our sins before Almighty God.

P: God of Life, we admit to you and each other that we have not always lived lives of love. We have lost patience and been rude. We find it easier to pluck up and pull down, to destroy and overthrow, than to build and plant. Forgive us, heal us dear God. Empty us of fear and shame, and fill us with humble and patient love for ourselves and each other. Help us to live in unity, with grace and mercy. In the name of the One who humbled himself, Christ Jesus. Amen.

Affirmation of FaithL: Let’s affirm our faith as we read from Psalm 84 together…

P: They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion. O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed. For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the LORD withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you. Amen.

*Hymn: “Wonderful Words of Life” #692 (vv. 1-3)

1 Sing them over again to meWonderful words of lifeLet me more of their beauty seeWonderful words of lifeWords of life and beautyTeach me faith and dutyBeautiful words, wonderful wordsWonderful words of lifeBeautiful words, wonderful wordsWonderful words of life

2 Christ, the blessed One, gives to allWonderful words of lifeSinner, list to the laving call

Wonderful words of lifeAll so freely givenWooing us to heavenBeautiful words, wonderful wordsWonderful words of lifeBeautiful words, wonderful wordsWonderful words of life

3 Sweetly echo the gospel callWonderful words of lifeOffer pardon and peace to allWonderful words of lifeJesus, only SaviorSanctify foreverBeautiful words, wonderful wordsWonderful words of lifeBeautiful words, wonderful wordsWonderful words of life

Second Scripture Lesson: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  And if I have prophetic powers, and

understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.  Love is patient; love is kind; love is

not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.

It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end.  For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial

will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways.  For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.  And now faith, hope,

and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

Communion

*Passing of the PeaceDuring Passing of the Peace, parents may take their children, ages 4 to 10, to Spark. The Spark room is just off the front of the sanctuary toward the

fellowship hall.

Prayers of the People

L: Lord in Your Mercy…P: Hear Our Prayer.

Gospel Lesson: Luke 4:21-30

Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, "Is not this Joseph's son?"  

He said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Doctor, cure yourself!' And you will say, 'Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.'"

And he said, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet's hometown.  But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the

Syrian."

When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage.  They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff.  But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.

Sermon “Joy of Love”

This week on YouTube, I was watching a video of one of my favorite musicians at  a concert he put on, and after he played his greatest hits and a few other songs of his, I noticed that they continued to show close ups of him as he watched the crowd sing his songs, even after the band finished playing. And as John Mark looked around the crowd, just seemingly taking in the moment, I thought about the feeling one would get knowing people were led to worship Almighty God, by your your art, or other work of yours.

Some of us can only imagine being that doctor or physician who restores life, or health back to a struggling patient, when hope and a bright future seem lost. Some of us can only imagine being that teacher who is capable of helping that student who just can’t seem to figure out that math equation or is struggling with reading, when their work helps that pupil come to the realization of how it works.

This is why we pray for our surgeons, our first responders, it’s why we pray for our leaders, we pray for those who have the power, knowledge, and capability to be that voice of comfort and healing in our communities.

We don’t often enough, but this is why we pray for our parents who, even though we don’t always have the knowledge, we have the opportunity to be this presence of encouragement and guidance with wisdom for our children. I think of our community here, and the availability of grandparents to also join in this effort of raising kind, and loving human beings with their efforts of generosity and hearts of affection.

Of course, our Sunday School and other class teachers, who even though they may be winging it at times, or flying by the seat of our pants, have this heart for understanding and an interest in helping those around them feel this presence of God’s love in their lives.

Quite honestly, the board members I’ve worked with over the past 4 years, as we’ve navigate how to serve the church to maximize our resources for the greatest impact for our body in these walls, and our community outside. With great intent and discernment, they’ve lead this body with a heart for God and God’s people.

At the risk of romanticizing positions of authority, this is how we often look at the world. People often believe that only certain people, because of their position or influence, have to ability to change the world for good. People tend to think, “Well, if I were only (such and such), I could x, y, z.”

We often minimize our own abilities, our works, or our leverage, because others haven’t empowered “The Average Joe” to do great thing.

When I look at our Gospel lesson today, which there is a lot that can be said for, one thing I see is how Jesus, who would’ve been considered an oddball or misfit, is the one that’s coming and bringing the Good News of God to the community.

Just as a reminder, by time young men reached the age of thirteen at that time, men would either be getting married or joining a rabbinic school. So, maybe you could be imagining the conversations that ones might engage in while working or going to get water for the day, “Mary, Jesus is seventeen, why is he getting married?” Because everyone would know that he wasn’t in rabbinic school, but working as a carpenter.

“Joseph, why doesn’t Jesus have any children yet? He’s almost twenty.”

“I wonder what’s wrong with him?”

The implications that a community can put on someone who doesn't’ fit the mold, can be stifling. When a community puts a moniker on others for being different, even if that moniker puts someone in a position that is above the rest, it creates restraints on everyone in that community.

The weaker are weak, and can’t do anything great, and those who are elevated get all the responsibility to make all things happen. The weaker can become complacent and indifferent, while the pressure and expectations mount for those who are elevated. Both of these are dangerous and suffocating to a community.

But as our New Testament Lessons for the past three weeks have show us, is that no community thrives when all are not united together. As much work as the eye does, it can not eat or digest food. It needs the whole body to work at its full potential. No child can

reach their full potential without the aid of parents, grandparents, caring teachers, and Sunday School teachers, and a body of believers who maximize their potential of prayer and generosity towards that little one.

As great of work that our parents, grandparents, teachers, etc. attempt to provide, the prayer and modeling of worship that the whole church body provides to all who see, is invaluable to the maturation of all people, child and adult alike. As young children see this community participate in worship, by singing solos, by serving at the shelter, by giving of gifts in “all the ways”, Children and people will see a body of Christ that inspires them to engage with and a mission to the world to participate in.

But when we buy into the false narrative that “my prayers don’t matter,” “my participation doesn’t do anything,” or “I don’t bring any value to this,” not only do others miss the spiritual value that you provide, you miss the Kingdom value you provide. You are made with purpose and value to God and the body of Christ. What God had purposes for you to do in this world may not get the praise or acclamation that is written in human books, but it will be in the book written in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Every good work done with, and by love for neighbor, is noticed by God. Every time you help that person with their hands full pick up that thing they dropped, every time you pick up that sibling from school and take them for a treat, every time you encourage that person, support that person, give of yourself for that person, you bring the kingdom come.

As the song says, “With every act of love, we bring the kingdom come.”

Our culture seems bent on individualism, as if one person can make all things happen alone. Our board here is great, but it’s can only do so much without the participation of the whole church body. Our church can what our church body can do, but we can’t do the work of The Rescue Mission, or the Underground Railroad. This church body can’t go the the ends of the earth, and our missionaries can’t go without the financial and spiritual support of us back home.

God calls all of us to the work of spreading good news, and peace on earth. No one is too young, old, small, or insignificant, in the eyes of God and in the realm of God’s Kingdom, all are significant, all are loved, all are valuable children of God almighty.

This week, may we come to recognize that we are the body of Christ, and that God invites us to participate as God’s body to in the world. May we see that God uses what is seen as weak and foolish to the world, to bring the Kingdom come to all communities, at all times. To bring comfort and love to those in need. May we not let our low self image hinder us from going to a world in need of the talents and gifts that God has purposes in us. And may we not look down on ourselves or our brothers and sisters who are all born in the image of God. Amen.

*Hymn: “Christ for the World We Sing” #702

1 Christ for the world we sing The world to Christ we bring

With loving zealThe poor and them that mourn, The faint and overborne, Sin-sick and sorrow-worn, For Christ doth heal

2 Christ for the world we sing The world to Christ we bring With fervent prayerThe wayward and the lostBy restless passions tossedRedeemed at countless cost From dark despair

3 Christ for the world we singThe world to Christ we bring With one accordWith us the work to shareWith us reproach to dare With us the cross to bear For Christ our Lord

4 Christ for the world we sing; The world to Christ we bring With joyful song;The newborn souls whose days, Reclaimed from error's ways,Inspired with hope and praise, To Christ belong

Prayer of Response

Offering

L: Beloved of God, let us love not only in our words, but also in our deeds through the tithes and offerings that we give today.

*Doxology

*Prayer

*Hymn: ““Love Lifted Me” #395 (vv.1-3)

1. I was sinking deep in sinFar from the peaceful shoreVery deeply stained withinSinking to rise no moreBut the Master of the seaHeard my despairing cryFrom the waters lifted meNow safe am I

Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help,Love lifted me.Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help,Love lifted me

2. All my heart to Him I giveEver to Him I’ll clingIn His blessed presence liveEver His praises singLove so mighty and so trueMerits my soul’s best songFaithful, loving service tooTo Him belong

Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help,Love lifted me.Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help,Love lifted me

3. Souls in danger, look aboveJesus completely savesHe will lift you by his loveOut of the angry wavesHe’s the Master of the sea

Billows his will obeyHe your Savior wants to beBe saved today

Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help,Love lifted me.Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help,Love lifted me

*BenedictionL: May the love of God help you to bear all things. May the love of Christ enable you to believe all things. May the love of the Spirit inspire you to hope

all things, so that you may abide in faith, hope, and love this day and forever, as you go in peace to love and serve. Amen.

Nursery, Spark and Other Important Things

NurseryNursery is available for children 0 – 3 years of age. Our nursery is in the hallway down from the narthex. Care for your little ones is available during Sunday-School and 11am worship.

Spark Spark is available for children ages 4 to 10. Spark meets midway through the worship service, and parents can sign children into Spark during the “Passing of the Peace.” The Spark class meets in the room off the hall towards the Fellowship Hall, front right of the Sanctuary. Spark’s Curriculum is designed to increase knowledge of the Bible in relation to the seasons of the Christian year, and to connect our little ones with the loving heart of God.

Prayer ChainTo have an item circulated on the prayer chain or to be included in the prayer chain, please contact the church office. Please indicate whether or not you prefer to receive updates via text message.

Accepting DonationsSaginaw Rescue Mission Donations:This month we are collecting canned vegetables, and soups to donate to the rescue mission. Other items from past months are also appreciated.

Community Village Donations:

The community village needs Kleenex, Cough Drops, and Granola Bars. They also appreciate any donation that is of use to the elderly, such as moisturizing lotions, non-slip socks, and diabetic socks. Collection boxes are at the back of the Narthex.

Upcoming Dates/Events

Beth Moore Bible Study: PatriarchsStarting tomorrow, Monday, February 4th at 6:30pm, Beth Moore Bible Study will resume. This Spring we will be studying Beth’s study called, “The Patriarchs”. See Micki Martin for details or questions.

WMI Meeting: Thursday, February 7, 2019 Ladies, please join us in the church fellowship hall at 6:30 P.M. for our monthly business meeting, which also includes missions, a devotional, refreshments and fellowship.

Adult Bible StudyOn Wednesday, February 13th, we’ve rescheduled Brett Heintzmann to come lead the church in study and practice of prayer called “The Word is the Word,” where praying the scriptures will be the basis for understanding one powerful way to prayerfully engage our community. Refreshments will be served following.

Future Events: Generosity Grant; The church body is invited on a 40-day spiritual journey to a more generous life by following a devotional by Brian Kluth. This is associated with the Acts 1:8 Grant with East Michigan Conference

March 6th; Lenten Soup Supper Potluck

Place these dates on your calendars and plan to attend each event. More information will be forthcoming.

Joys and Concerns for Prayer

Church FinancesMonthly budget: $8,700. Last month’s income toward budget: $8723.91. Last week’s offering: $1734.55.

Roof FundraiserWe have replaced the Flat Roof! The estimated cost was $40,000. We still need our partners to give their pledge. After the first year of our 4-year giving plan, we’ve collected 25% of the cost. Please continue to remain faithful to this pledge. If you haven’t, but would like to join us in this effort, please complete a Roof Fundraiser Pledge Card, which you’ll find at the welcome center in the Narthex! Many thanks for your support! (Goal: $40,000; Total Received to Date: $11,687)

East Michigan Conference MissionariesMark, Lena Cross & family; Rebecca Doyle; Impact Middle East;

Seth, Hlawn Hlawn, Noah & Jason Van Tifflin

Healing Touch for Those in Our Church FamilyFor Bev Hall, Don Gingrich, Abbie Hall, Florence Maki, Pearl McGeorge, Zach Newman, Diane Keenan, and Sarah Nehmer.

Healing & Encouragement for Seriously Ill Friends and Family Judy Schomaker’s sister, Joyce, Mitchel Martin (Kevin’s brother)

Happy Birthday!! Happy birthday to those celebrating this week Michael Cruce(Feb. 5th) and Sarah Moore(Feb. 8th). May you feel the love and peace of Christ in this coming year 😊