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 WORSHIPThe Third Sunday in Lent – March 4, 2018 – 11:00 a.m.

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRAISE AND PRAYER

PRELUDE "We Pray Now to the Holy Spirit" Buxtehude

*CALL TO WORSHIP Kristen Surratt Come, let us bow before the holy One. Come, let us confess God's might. Come, let us feel God's mercy. Come, let us live in God's light. As God's people, we li� our voices in praise. Glory to you, gracious and loving God!

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN No. 616 "Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast”

*OPENING PRAYER Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Gra� in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON (Pg. 197) Philippians 2: 5-11 Debbie Lorance *GOSPEL LESSON (NT Pg. 93) John 2: 13-11 This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

SERMON Rev. George Ragsdale

RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD

HYMN OF REFLECTION No. 430 "O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee"

INVITATION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Almighty God, in Jesus Christ we glimpse the fullness of your divine love lived through humble service. We confess that we seek the power, wealth and status our society values and rewards. We rush for places of honor, scorn the lowly, and support systems that survive on greed and abuse. Forgive us, we pray. Free us from the temptation to exalt ourselves at the expense of those in need. Teach us your generosity. Teach us your world-changing humility. Teach us your expansive love. Help us to share your hospitality and extravagant welcome as we gather around your table of grace, joined together as one body in Christ our Lord. 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.

GIVING OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS Offertory Anthem "For the Bread" by V. Earle Copes For the bread, which you have broken; for the wine which you have poured; for the words, which you have spoken; now we give you thanks, O Lord.

By this pledge that you do love us, by your gi� of peace restored, by your call to heaven above us, hallow all our lives, O Lord.

With our sainted ones in glory seated at the heavenly board, may the Church that's waiting for you keep love's tie unbroken, Lord.

In your service, Lord, defend us; in our hearts keep watch and ward; in the world where you have sent us let your Kingdom come, O Lord!

*Act of Praise “Doxology” 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.

THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION

TAKING THE BREAD AND CUP *THE GREAT THANKSGIVING (Hymnal Pg. 17-18)

*THE LORD’S PRAYER (Hymnal Pg. 895)

*BREAKING THE BREAD

SHARING THE BREAD AND CUP Music During Communion "At the Name of Jesus" Chancel Choir Hymn No. 189 "Fairest Lord Jesus" Hymn No. 613 "O Thou Who This Mysterious Bread" Hymn No. 617 "I Come With Joy"

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

EXTENDING THE TABLE This morning, lay communion servers come forward to receive consecrated bread and wine from this morning’s worship to share with homebound members who cannot be present today. We pray for them, remembering God’s grace that unites us as one within Christ’s holy church. GOING FORTH AS WITNESSES TO THE WORLD

*BENEDICTION

*HYMN OF COMMITMENT No. 634 “Now Let Us from This Table Rise”

*POSTLUDE “Toccata in A Minor” by Sweelinck

*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.

VISITORS: Stop by our welcome table in the narthex as you leave today to receive a small gi� and more information about our church. We would love to know more about you, so please sign the attendance pad as it is passed down your pew and share your contact information so that we can be in touch with you.

Next Sunday, March 11, 35 pilgrims from FUMC Belmont will travel with Pastor George to the Holy Land. Part of our journey will include a visit to the Western Wall in Jerusa-lem. A truly holy site, our Jewish brothers and sisters believe God’s divine presence has never le� the wall, part of the Temple complex that stood during Jesus’ own lifetime. There is a long tradition, dating to the 1800s, of placing written prayers in the cracks of the wall. Our group would like to take prayers on behalf of the entire congre-gation. You can write your own prayer on the slip of paper enclosed. We will carry these with us and leave them in the wall as a prayer and offering to God.

HOLY LAND PRAYERS

Join Pastor George and Kristen Surratt on Wednesday, March 7 at 7:00 p.m. in Carpenter Hall for our next “Experience Grace” workshop on Holy Communion. John Wesley called Holy Communion the “grand channel of God’s grace.” What makes communion so impor-tant? What really “happens” at communion? How can we prepare to receive communion so that it’s the most meaningful? Join us Wednes-day as we discuss these and other questions together.

EXPERIENCE GRACE WORKSHOPWEDNESDAY

M eet in the MiddleMEET IN THE MIDDLE CONTINUES Our weekly Wednesday fellowship meals continue on Wednesday through March 28. These casual meals offer delicious food, conversation and fellowship. Drop in for as little or as long as you can! The cost for dinner is $5/person, and no reservations are required. This week’s menu is chicken and dumplings.

THANKS TO ALL who contributed egg cartons for the Walk with Jesus cra�. We have met our goal!

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 from the South Point High School website or Guidance Counselor Office (Wanda Rauch). The applications will be available on Monday, March 12th. All applications for our senior high school church members should be completed (printed hard copies) 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.

2018 LESTER CARPENTER SCHOLARSHIPS

Youth HappeningsJoin us

for a special study during lent

THERE WILL NOT BE YOUTH CHOIR OR YOUTH GROUP TONIGHT.

OUR REGULAR SCHEDULE WILL RESUME NEXT SUNDAY.

USHERS:Mike Harrison, Dennis Lorance,

Mike Giana, Hugh Henkel

GREETERS:Richard Armstrong, Julia Armstrong,

Joe Maynard

ALTAR:Worship Committee

CRUCIFER:Josh Millspaw

BIBLE BEARER:Adam Lowrance

ACOLYTE: Aedan Corcoran

TELLERS:Bill Layne, Boo Layne,

Melanie Andrews

LITURGY BOXES FOR CHILDREN: Liturgy Boxes are intended to help young children engage in our worship services with intention-ally chosen items to use at different times throughout worship. If your child would like to use one of the boxes, they are located in the Narthex. Please return them following the worship service for others to use next week.

WEEKLY CALENDARSunday, March 4 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 4:00 p.m. Knitting Group Monday, March 5 1:30 p.m. Circle IV 6:30 p.m. Disciple Bible Study

Tuesday, March 6 2:45 p.m. Take Two A�er School Program Wednesday, March 7 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

Thursday, March 8 1:00 p.m. Small-Group Study Sunday, March 11 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 12:00 p.m. Youth Leader Training 4:00 p.m. Knitting Group 5:30 p.m. Youth Choir Rehearsal 6:00 p.m. Youth Group

REMINDER: Our youth continue to host a canned food drive until March 25. While grocery shopping, be mindful of our neighbors in Belmont who are in need and pick up canned goods to be donated to the BCO. Place donations at the base of the cross in the sanctuary.

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 • Tim - (brother-in-law if Linda England) • Ed Piltch and family as he begins treatment for cancer (Linda Piltch’s husband) • Greg Stanford, DW and family upon the death of Treasure McKinney, Greg’s aunt • Lindsay Bondurant • Tomson family on the death of Kathleen Tomson (friends of David Bashant) • Beulah Mullinax upon the death of her sister Carolyn Hux • Shirley Brown and family (Amanda Beaty) • Tommy Seagle - recovering from pneumonia and flu • Carolyn Bailey (Kara Deal) • Gina Hannah - lung cancer (Mary Haines’ sister-in-law) • Cruz Ferrer (the Shrauder’s) • Amanda Beaty and family upon the death of her uncle, Kenn Brown • Janice Pennington and family on the death of her mother, Carolyn Harris • Dean Floyd having surgery (father of Gale Collins) • Debra Pettus and family on the death of her mother, Mildred Wolfington • 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) • Margaret Burnette - in hospice care (mother of Bob Burnette)