United in the Spirit, First United Methodist Church of Belmont existsto be more like Jesus Christ for our community and beyond

REV. GEORGE RAGSDALE, PASTOR807 South Point Road // Belmont, NC 28012

P: 704-825-2106 // F: 704-825-2176www.fumcbelmont.org

SERVICE OF WORSHIP Palm/Passion Sunday – March 25, 2018 – 8:30 a.m.

Christ's Entry into Jerusalem by Jean-Hippolyte Flandrin

PRAISE AND PRAYER

*GOSPEL LESSON Mark 11: 1-11 Rev. George Ragsdale

*SONG “Hosanna (Praise Is Rising)”

Verse 1 Praise is rising Eyes are turning to You We turn to You Hope is stirring Hearts are yearning for You We long for You

Pre-Chorus 'Cause when we see You We find strength to face the day In Your presence All our fears are washed away (Washed away)

Chorus Hosanna hosanna You are the God who saves us Worthy of all our praises Hosanna hosanna Come have Your way among us We welcome You here Lord Jesus

Verse 2 Hear the sound of Hearts returning to You We turn to You In Your Kingdom Broken lives are made new You make us new

Ending Hosanna hosanna CCLI Song # 4662491 Brenton Brown | Paul Baloche © 2005, 2006 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Integrity's Hosanna! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music [DC Cook])) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 2246165

*SONG “Blessed Be Your Name”

Verse 1 Blessed be Your name In the land that is plentiful Where Your streams of abundance flow Blessed be Your name

Verse 2 Blessed be Your name When I'm found in the desert place Though I walk through the wilderness Blessed be Your name

Pre-Chorus Ev’ry blessing You pour out I’ll Turn back to praise When the darkness closes in Lord Still I will say

Chorus Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name

Verse 3 Blessed be Your name When the sun's shining down on me When the world's all as it should be Blessed be Your name

Verse 4 Blessed be Your name On the road marked with suffering Though there's pain in the offering Blessed be Your name

Bridge You give and take away You give and take away My heart will choose to say Lord blessed be Your name CCLI Song # 3798438 Beth Redman | Matt Redman © 2002 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 2246165

PRAYER

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD

SCRIPTURE LESSON NT Pg. 200 Colossians 1:15-20; 25-29

SERMON Bishop Paul Leeland RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD

PRAYER OF INTERCESSION A�er each petition we enter into the prayer together with these words: Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Save us, O God, for we are surrounded by danger and we live in death’s shadow. Forgive us when we fail to stand with the suffering, when fear causes us to close our eyes to wrongdoing, when weakness makes us turn back from following you. Li� us up to the hope and healing of the cross; make us bearers of the love of Jesus, poured our for the world. In his name. Amen. WORDS OF ASSURANCE In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! Glory to God. Amen.

As a forgiven and reconciled child of God, you are invited to give your offerings and gi�s to God by placing them in the offering plate when you come forward to receive communion.

THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION

*TAKING THE BREAD AND CUP

*THE GREAT THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you. And also with you. Li� up your hearts. We li� them to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. …we praise your name and join their unending hymn: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. … as we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. … now and for ever. Amen.

*THE LORD’S PRAYER Our 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, for ever. Amen.

*BREAKING THE BREAD

SHARING THE BREAD AND CUP Music During Communion “Even Unto Death” Assad/Maher

THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

PRAYER Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE PASSION

GOING FORTH AS WITNESSES TO THE WORLD

*BENEDICTION

*SONG “The Wonderful Cross”

Verse 1 When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of Glory died My richest gain I count but loss And pour contempt on all my pride

Verse 2 See from His head His hands His feet Sorrow and love flow mingled down Did e'er such love and sorrow meet Or thorns compose so rich a crown

Chorus O the wonderful cross O the wonderful cross Bids me come and die and find That I may truly live O the wonderful cross O the wonderful cross All who gather here by grace Draw near and bless Your name

Verse 3 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 CCLI Song # 3148435 Chris Tomlin | Isaac Watts | J. D. Walt | Jesse Reeves | Lowell Mason © 2000 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 2246165

*POSTLUDE

*Those who are able please stand

WELCOME! We’re glad you chose to worship with us this morning. We invite you to check out the opportunities we have for children, youth and adults of all ages and stages of life. We offer ministries and a community of faith that will help challenge and encourage you as together we seek to grow as faithful followers of Jesus Christ, serving God and our neighbor in all that we do.

WELCOME, BISHOP AND MRS. LEELAND! This Palm Sunday we are blessed to welcome as our preacher Bishop Paul Leeland, the Resident and Presiding Bishop of Charlotte, and his wife Janet. Bishop Leeland is the Bishop of our Western North Carolina Annual Conference. You are invited to greet Bishop and Mrs. Leeland this morning during the breakfast hour following the 8:30 service and at a special luncheon following the 11:00 service in Carpenter Hall.

OUR THANKS to John Siler, organist, Sean Kelly and Cindy Germaine, trumpet players, for helping provide the music for today's worship service.

FEEDING THE CHILDREN COOKIESAs Feeding the Children planners are making preparations, we are in need of cookies for our spring break session. Each day children are given a cookie or treat with their lunch. Together with Park Street, we will be providing these cookies through donations of members. If you would like to donate cookies, please place them outside Kristen’s office in the bin labeled, Feeding the Children Cookies. We will collect cookies through April 1st.

FLOWERS NEEDED FOR EASTER CROSS: The Worship Committee requests that the congregation bring flowers for the cross on Easter morning. We will begin placing the flowers on the cross during the Sunday school hour. Anything in bloom from your yards will be very welcome and appreciated.

PALM BRANCHES: You are invited to take your palm branch with you this morning, save it as a remembrance of this day, and return it to the church next year on Transfiguration Sunday when we begin the season of Lent anew.

HOLY WEEK AT FUMC BELMONT Prayer Labyrinth Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Returning this year is the labyrinth, available in Carpenter Hall throughout Holy Week. Labyrinths are an ancient method of prayer and meditation, inviting us to experience sacred space and explore our life with God. Also provided will be prayer stations at tables for participants to experience prayer in a variety of ways. This prayer experience is appropriate for children and adults alike. Lenten Prayer Vigil Tuesday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Our Lenten prayer vigil in the Sanctuary will include interactive prayer experiences and a prayer guide. Sign up in the narthex today or online at www.fumcbelmont.org/holyweek. Maundy Thursday Service of Worship Thursday, 7:00 p.m.

We gather on this night to feast with Christ in the celebration of Holy Communion, remembering the last meal he ate with the disciples and his commandment to love one another. Community Cross Walk Friday, Noon, Lutheran Church of the Holy Comforter

Join our brothers and sisters in Christ from around Belmont for a moving walk through downtown Belmont, remembering Christ’s journey to the cross. Good Friday Tenebrae Service Friday, 7:00 p.m.

Our Tenebrae Service, or “Service of Shadows” retells the story of Good Friday through Scripture, music and a gradual dimming of the sanctuary to total darkness. Community Easter Sunrise Service Sunday Greenwood Cemetery

We’ll gather as a community with our brothers and sisters from around Belmont to celebrate the resurrection. Easter Sunday Service of Worship Sunday, April 1 at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Easter Sunday Breakfast Easter Sunday, April 1, 9:15 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt and Butterfly Release Easter Sunday, April 1, 9:45 – 10:30 a.m.

Children fi�h grade and younger are invited to participate in an Easter Egg hunt on our playground, searching for words or pictures to help tell the Easter story. Following our egg hunt, children and adults will hear a story about Easter and then celebrate Christ’s resurrection with a butterfly release. Adult Sunday School classes are encouraged to join in!

Youth Happenings

March 25th 6-8:00Service night at the BCO

and Pelicansafter our work

*Must be pre-registered to attend

see Margie for more details

We will have Youth Choir tonight 5:30-6:00

2018 LESTER CARPENTER SCHOLARSHIPS: Any graduating high school senior who is a member of First United Methodist Church or a student at South Point High School may apply for the Lester Carpenter Scholarship. You may download an application at the Church website (www.fumcbelmont.org/scholarship), obtain a hard copy from the Administrative Office at FUMC-Belmont, or obtain from the South Point High School website or Guidance Counselor Office (Wanda Rauch). All applications for our senior high school church members should be completed on the writable (fill-in) pdf format and returned by Monday, April 9th to First United Methodist Church, Attn: Lester Carpenter Scholarship Committee, 807 South Point Road, Belmont, NC 29012. If you have questions please contact any member of the Endowment Committee.

March 30 11:45-2:15Cross Walk through Belmont

Lunch at Johnny B's

April 15 3:15 We head to the trampoline park

Defy Gravity Cost $14.00

Payment and all forms must be filed out by April 8th

Sunday, March 25 8:30 a.m. Worship 9:15 a.m. Breakfast 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship 12:00 p.m. Lunch Reception 4:00 p.m. Knitting Group 5:30 p.m. Youth Choir Rehearsal 6:00 p.m. Youth Group Monday, March 26 6:30 p.m. Disciple Bible Study

Tuesday, March 27 8:00 a.m. Holy Tuesday Prayer Vigil 2:45 p.m. Take Two A�er School Program Wednesday, March 28 5:30 p.m. Meet In The Middle Dinner 6:00 p.m. Adult Bell Choir 6:30 p.m. Service of Holy Communion 7:00 p.m. Experience Grace Workshop 7:00 p.m. Youth Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal

WEEKLY CALENDAR

Thursday, March 29 1:00 p.m. Small-Group Study 7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Worship

Friday, March 30 8:30 a.m. Feeding the Children 7:00 p.m. Good Friday Tenebrae Service

Sunday, April 1 8:30 a.m. Worship 8:30 a.m. United Methodist Men Meeting 9:15 a.m. Breakfast 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship

Food Truck Friday

April 13th 5:30 – 8:00 pm

Enjoy some of the Tastiest restaurants on 4 wheels

Bring chairs or blankets

If you have an emergency or have a confidential prayer request, please contact George at the church office (704-825-2106) or his cell (704-249-0645). The names above will

remain on the prayer list for one month unless otherwise notified.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN PRAYER

• Cheryl Fleming • Alan Austin and Family (Jessica Durham) • Young Missionary Cohort 2017-2019 (Lily Sloan) • Steve and Susie Matulis • Puerto Rico Hurricane Victims • Lindsay Bondurant • Ethan Gray - serving in the military (grandson of Sarah Gray) • Family and friends of Billy Graham (Murphy Clark) • People affected by the school shooting in Florida (Hayes Andrews) • The homeless people, that they can get a home (Aedan Corcoran) • Danny Atkins (brother-in-law of Connie Atkins) • Bob Burnette and family on the death of his mother, Margaret • Grant Davenport and family (Dawn and Bethan Finn) • Virginia Estes (aunt of Denise Campolieto) • Fred Gargis - brother of Peachie Boyd (Melinda Gibson) • Linda Weatherford • Nicholas, 11yr old - heart stopped (son of Denise Campolieto’s cousin) • Lydia Ferrer (the Shrauder’s) • Ann McKenney and family upon the passing of her father, Dick Burnside • Faye Thomas - congestive heart failure (sister-in-law of Linda England) • Beth Parker Woodlif - bad fall accident (Sue Teeter)