United Methodist Church of Cadillac

1020 East Division Street • Cadillac, Michigan

775-5362 • Fax 775-6475

March 21, 2004

Fourth Sunday in Lent

Sunday Worship at 11:00 a.m.

THE GATHERING TO WORSHIP

PRELUDE

BRINGING IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

WELCOME

PARISH NOTES

*CALL TO WORSHIP

One: Lent is a coming home,

All: Home to what really matters,

One: Home to a place of acceptance and love,

All: Home to a table of plenty,

One: Home from many journeys,

All: Home from bitter defeats,

One: Home from tearing losses,

All: Home to find our center,

One: Home to rest in God,

All: Home to sing praise to the One who welcomes us home.

*HYMN OF PRAISE #2001

“We Sing to You, O God”

*SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

THE PEOPLE OF GOD PRAYING

If you have a prayer joy or concern to be shared, please fill out a prayer card and hand it to an usher during the Prayer Hymn.

PRAYER HYMN #367

“He Touched Me”

UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Awesome and disturbing God, hold us close for a moment that we may look deep inside and not be afraid to offer ourselves to you. Only in your tender grasp can we face our struggles:

_ the ease with which we choose comfort and our reluctance to get involved;

_ our readiness to find fault and our path of good intentions buried under busyness;

_ our silence at injustice and our comfort with

privilege.

Hold us close that the weight of your cross and the light of your love might free us from the bonds of shame and fear. For you love us as we are and your blessing sets us free. In this quiet moment, let your warmth surround our wounds and bring us to the hope of a new dawn. Amen ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE

THE LORD’S PRAYER #895

THE READING AND PROCLAIMING OF THE WORD

CHORAL ANTHEM Chancel Choir and Congregation

“Lead Me Back” Arr. Pepper Choplin

TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN

SCRIPTURE LESSON O.T. pg 197

Joshua 5:9-12

MESSAGE Pastor Dale Ostema

“Healing the Past, Hope for Tomorrow”

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

OFFERTORY INVITATION

OFFERING OUR GIFTS TO GOD

OFFERTORY Bell Choir

“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” Arr. Kauffmann

*DOXOLOGY

Were the whole realm of nature mine

That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all. Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION (in unison)

Lord Jesus Christ, you gave yourself to us at such huge cost, to reconcile us to God and to create us into new people. In thanksgiving, we offer these gifts and the service of our lives to you, to be used to further the task of reconciling the world to God. Strengthen us with your Spirit that we may be your faithful ambassadors and eager ministers of reconciliation. Amen THE SCATTERING TO SERVE

*HYMN OF DEDICATION #370

“Victory in Jesus”

*COMMISSION AND BLESSING

*POSTLUDE

*All who are able, please stand.

Camp Brochures for the West Michigan Conference for 2004 are available in the Fellowship Hall. Please feel free to take one so you can begin planning your summer camp experience. If you have any questions about camp, see or call Marian Fuller, our camp coordinator.

Reminder Next Sunday, March 28

Acolytes: Jon Blake and Collin Christensen

Greeters/Ushers 8:30: David and Judy Peterson

Greeters 11:00: Hazel Jarvis and Helen Vivian

Head Usher: Dave Fuller

Ushers: Matt Estes, Tom Maxwell, Judy Murdoch,

Ron and Marilyn Truax

Nursery: Laura George and Alison Ostema

Sermontime: Steve and Lisa Myers

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 Tara McKibben

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 Dee Williams

Custodial Staff Dee Piltz and NOC Work Crew

Snow Removal Paul Helton

Opportunities for Ministry This Week . . .

Sunday, March 21, Fourth Sunday in Lent

One Great Hour of Sharing

8:30 am - Worship Service

9:30 am - Church School all ages

9:30 am - Bell Choir Practice

11:00 am - Worship Service

Coffee Hour Fellowship follows each worship service

Chili Cook-off and Silent Auction follow 11:00 am Worship

Monday, March 22

7:00 pm - Boy Scouts

Wednesday, March 24

7:00 am - Lenten Breakfast - First Presbyterian Church

11:00 am - Friendship Chain

7:30 pm - Chancel Choir Practice

Thursday, March 25

6:00 pm - FIA Parent and Children Group

6:00 pm - United Methodist Men

Sunday, March 28, Fifth Sunday in Lent

8:30 am - Worship Service

9:30 am - Church School all ages

9:30 am - Bell Choir Practice will not practice today

11:00 am - Worship Service

Coffee Hour Fellowship follows each worship service

For Changes in Activities for the Week

Info Source 775-4636 - Message #3152

Your grocery receipts from Carter’s Food Stores in Cadillac or Lake City may still be turned in at the church to obtain funds used for projects by the United Methodist Women. A box for them is located in Fellowship Hall.

Cadillac Area Lenten Breakfasts

Sponsored by the Cadillac Area Ministerial Association

7:00 a.m. to 7:50 a.m. each Wednesday

The time together will include breakfast, special music, singing and a meditation. Breakfast begins at 7:00 a.m. and ends promptly at 7:50 a.m. A freewill offering is received. The ENTIRE community is invited to attend. This week’s Lenten Breakfast will be held at the First Presbyterian Church with Ken Pastotnik as the speaker. Invite a friend.

Methodist Men will meet at the Church on Thursday, March 25at 6:00 p.m. for their regular meeting. Following their usually “Splendid” potluck and a short business meeting, they will be viewing a video presentation by Christian Humorist and Writer, Ken Davis, titled, “A Wimpy Prophet, A Butane Bush and No Excuses”. Bring a friend and be prepared to laugh a lot!! See you there!!

The First Covenant Church at Park and Pine Streets in Cadillac is having a Dedication Recital for their new organ this evening, at 7:00 p.m. Organists Bobbie Lange and Dr. Glenn Verbrugge will present a wide variety of organ music. Admission is free and everyone is invited.

Volunteers will hold three Yard Sales again this spring/summer to benefit the work of Love In the Name of Christ. Although the snow is still flying, many of you are eager to start cleaning closets, basements and garages at the first sign of spring. Please remember Love INC, as your donations are needed to make this a success. Call the Love INC office at 779-1888 for drop off or pick up information.

Today’s Worship Ministry . . .

Liturgist: 8:30 - Gary Box

11:00 - Jeff Hinkston

Pianist/Organist: Ann Hunt

Acolytes: Jenny McKibben and Jessica Weaver

Greeters/Ushers 8:30: Don and Katie Larkins

Greeters 11:00: Jane, Paul, and Sarah Wightman

Ushers: Lepha Engler, Vince Engler, Matt Estes,

Tom Maxwell, Bill and Carol George

Nursery: Doug and Amy Gullekson

Sermontime: Jerri Hubbell

Coffee Hour: Staff/Parish Relations Committee

Our Chancel Flowers are presented this morning in loving memory of our parents from Pete and Mary Buehler and from Peggy Kirvan in memory of her daughter, Ronda Swanberg.

Chili Cook-Off and Silent Auction

Hosted by the Junior Disciples

Today following the 11:00 Worship Service

Come and share in the Chili Cook-Off and Silent Auction. Chili, crackers & beverages will be provided. Vote for your favorite chili while you help the JD’s raise funds for their Mission Trip to Missouri this July. Wonderful gifts baskets will be available by Silent Auction. All money raised will help send them on their Mission Trip where they will put God's love in action!

One Great Hour of Sharing is celebrated today. Your offering combined with many others does wonderful things. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is able to feed people with food and hope, wrap babies in warmth and love, and empower communities with skills and support. Gifts renew the giver, too, in spirit and strength. An envelope was included with your recent Newsletter or you may use a pew envelope.