Bulletin March 23, 2003

United Methodist Church of Cadillac

1020 East Division Street • Cadillac, Michigan

775-5362 • Fax 775-6475

March 23, 2003

Third Sunday in Lent

Celebration Worship at 11:00 a.m.

THE GATHERING TO WORSHIP

PRELUDE

BRINGING IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

WELCOME AND PARISH NOTES

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: God calls us to faith in the Christ nailed to the cross, as wisdom wiser than ours and power stronger than ours.

People: May we hear that call this morning.

*HYMNS OF PRAISE

“My Tribute” - # 99

“To God Be the Glory” - # 98

*SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

THE PEOPLE OF GOD PRAYING

PRAYER HYMN #2108

“Oh How He Loves You and Me”

If you have a prayer joy or concern to be shared

during the Prayer of the People, please fill out a prayer card

and hand it to an usher during the Prayer Hymn.

REFLECTIVE MOMENTS

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Leader: The word of the cross is the wisdom of God to those who are saved. Merciful God, we confess our bewilderment over the presence of any wisdom at all in such a dreadful act as the crucifixion of Jesus, your Son, our Lord. Each year as we hear the story again, we wonder - why did it have to happen?

People: It seems as though evil triumphed in this wretched deed. Yet, when we know the outcome of the crucifixion, we realize that it was an act of powerful and sacrificial love, and that in the end, good did triumph over evil, life defeated death.

Leader: And so, forgive us, O God, when we become so influenced by the wisdom of the world that we demand signs and seek intellectual certainty as proof of your existence. Forgive us when we get caught up in the quest for achievement and power, forgetting that Jesus’ power was made perfect in weakness.

People: Forgive our reluctance, O God, to proclaim with our lips and our lives that the crucified Christ is Lord of our lives and help us to empty ourselves of all that hinders such proclamation of our faith.

Time of Silent Reflection

Leader: Have mercy on us, O God, and strengthen us to do your will. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

WORDS OF PROMISE

PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE

THE LORD’S PRAYER #895

READING AND PROCLAIMING OF THE WORD

CHORAL ANTHEM Chancel Choir

“Look to the Lamb” Arr. Don Wyrtzen

TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN

SCRIPTURE LESSON N.T. pg. 166

I Corinthians 1:18-28

MESSAGE Pastor Dale Ostema

“God’s Fool”

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS TO GOD

OFFERTORY INVITATION

OFFERTORY

*DOXOLOGY Tune: Old 100th

Were the whole realm of nature mine

That were an offering far too small

Love so amazing so divine

Demands my soul, my life, my all. Amen

*PRAYER OF CONSECRATION (In unison)

Gracious and wise God, you give us the freedom to relate to you through the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. You empower us with the wisdom of your Spirit to proclaim our deliverance from evil through the power of the cross. We offer these gifts and our lives as symbols of our thanksgiving, praying that you will bless them and use them to proclaim the wonders of your love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

THE SCATTERING TO SERVE

*HYMN OF DEDICATION #301

“Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross”

*COMMISSION AND BLESSING

*POSTLUDE

*All who are able, please stand.

The Lenten Breakfasts continue. The next one is Wednesday, March 26, at 7:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church. Ed Gilbert, pastor of the Foursquare Lighthouse Church will be the speaker. ALL (men, women and youth) are invited.

March is Red Cross Month. A list of classes being offered this month is posted on the bulletin board across from the office.

March is also Parenting Awareness Month. See the bulletin board across from the office for numbers to call to obtain a packet with tips and resources on raising children.

A Love INC elderly client is looking for a mature reliable woman to help her. Free room and board is offered as part-pay for light housework and local driving. Please call the Love INC office at 779-1888 for more information.

Reminder Next Sunday, March 30

Acolytes: Hailey Amlott and Kara Wilson

Greeters/Ushers 8:30: Dan and Laurie Kinney

Greeters & Ushers 11:00: Junior Disciples

Nursery: Kyle and Lori Smith

Sermontime: Sue Christensen

Coffee Hour: Open

CHURCH STAFF

Pastor Dale Ostema

Parish Assistant Judy Coffey

Coordinator-Children & Youth Ministries Debbie Ostema

Church Secretary Carol Sharp

Assistant Secretary Karen Elenbaas

Treasurer Beverly Campbell

Chancel Choir Director Walt Stump

Bell Choir Director Tonja Hinkston

Organists Virginia Pulford, Ann Hunt

Pianist Darlene Ressler

Choir Accompanist Ann Hunt

Nursery Care Giver Lisa Wilson

Custodial Staff Dee Piltz and NOC Work Crew

Snow Removal & Carpet Maintenance Paul Helton

Opportunities for Ministry This Week . . .

Sunday, March 23, Third Sunday in Lent

8:30 am - Contemporary Worship Service

9:30 am - Church School all ages

11:00 am - Celebration Worship Service

11:00 am - Student Bible Class

Coffee Hour Fellowship follows each service

Monday, March 24

7:00 pm - Boy Scouts

7:00 pm - Lenten Study at the Ostema’s - 114 Barbara Street

Tuesday, March 25

9:30 - 2:30 pm - United Methodist Women Workshop

Wednesday, March 26

7:00 am - Lenten Breakfast - First Christian Church

11:00 am - Friendship Chain

1:30 pm - Lenten Study - Judy Coffey

6:30 pm - Bell Choir Practice

7:30 pm - Chancel Choir Practice

Thursday, March 27

Promise Keepers will not meet until Thursday, April 24

6:00 pm - United Methodist Men

7:00 pm - Lenten Study - Laurie Kinney will not meet this week

Sunday, March 30, Fourth Sunday in Lent

One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday

8:30 am - Contemporary Worship Service

9:30 am - Church School all ages

11:00 am - Celebration Worship Service

Coffee Hour Fellowship follows each service

Our Sanctuary will be opened for prayer each day this week during the Lunch Hour (noon to 1:00 p.m.) to the community for all who would like to come and be in prayer for our world, the situation in Iraq, for those in the military and for peace.

For Changes in Activities for the Week

Info Source 775-4636 - Message # 3152

The Prayer Tree for those serving in the military is available in Fellowship Hall for you to place a heart on with the name and service of a member of the armed forces that you would like remembered in prayer during these precarious days.

Calling all Nurses! Our church is blessed to have a wonderful group of nurses. I urge each of you to participate, in some capacity, in the Parish Nurse Program which began five years ago. Up to that time I had tried to establish a few programs that are of benefit. There is so much more that could be done; as you know, many hands make light work.

I have organized a meeting at my home 1105 Sunset Lane in Cadillac for April 3 at 7:00 p.m. for all nurses. Please mark your calendar now. I need your input and ideas.

This program provides a wonderful opportunity for us to share in the talents that God has given us. The rewards are so heart warming. I love it and I am sure you will too. I promise this will be a great time for us all. See you then and get ready for some fun nurse trivia! If you have any questions please call 775-6804.

Your Parish Nurse, Shirley Petersen

The Chancel Choir could use some additional voices. Some of our regular members will be away for a few weeks during Lent. Practice is Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Come, join us for a season; we would love to have you. Need additional information, call Walt Stump, Director, at 775-1691.

The Flower Calendar for 2003 has some openings for April. You may place flowers in honor or memory of a friend or loved one, in honor of a special occasion or to the Glory of God. The cost is still $15. After use on Sunday, the flowers are available for your enjoyment.

Today’s Worship Ministry . . .

Liturgist: 8:30 - Gary Box

11:00 - Jackie Soltman

Pianist/Organist: Ann Hunt

Acolytes: Kristin and Jennifer McKibben

Greeters/Ushers 8:30: Betty & Karen Klinker-Amanda Anderson

Greeters 11:00: Bonnie and Larry Campbell

Head Usher: Tom Hunt

Ushers: Don and Marie Rennie, Judy Murdoch,

Dale and Ona Greenman

Nursery: 8:30 - Kathy Box

11:00 - Jeff and Laura Marion

Sermontime: Dee Williams

Coffee Hour: Open

The flowers on the Lord’s Table are presented to the glory of God and in honor of the 60^th Wedding Anniversary on March 20 of Harry and Alice Wernert from their children and grandchildren.

The Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit trip has been scheduled for Saturday, April 5. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We will be leaving the church as a group around 8:00 a.m.. We will be visiting the Planetarium as part of the tour; lunch will be on your own in the Museum; then, we will tour the Exhibit. Tickets are $14.50. We still have 4 slots open for your reservation. Please see Judy or call her at 775-5362 to reserve your place.

United Methodist Men will meet at 6 pm on Thursday, March 27 in the Corbin Room. Following our “outstanding” potluck, we will have the good fortune to hear and see a program on a very timely subject. Dr. Ed Stehouwer will present a Christian perspective on the topic of cloning. Tom Dean is the host. All are invited for this very controversial topic.