Disciples United Methodist Church

102 Maple, Mt. Morris, IL 61054 (815) 734-4853 www.disciplesumc.org

Rev. Julie Bunt, Pastor (815) 499-0261 Lori Fagan, Administrative Assistant revjuliebunt@gmail.com secretary@disciplesumc.org

June 7, 2020 Home Worship Guide Trinity Sunday

9:30 am Bell Ringing

Opening Prayer God of creation, we often imagine we must go it alone. Remind us, in these times, of the “we” in your creation, and the Three in our baptism, and the “one another” in our community. Comfort and empower us, as we worship in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sharing The Peace Take a moment to picture your friends in the congregation. Offer them the Peace and receive the Peace they offer to you.

Hymn #64 Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty

1) Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

2) Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

3) Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee, though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see, only Thou art holy; there is none beside thee, perfect in power, in love and purity.

4) Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Scriptures 2 Corinthians 13:11-13

11 Finally, brothers and sisters, good-bye. Put things in order, respond to my encouragement, be in harmony with each other, and live in peace - and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Say hello to each other with a holy kiss. All of God’s people say hello to you. 13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Matthew 28:16-20

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted. 18 Jesus came near and spoke to them, “I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.”

Reflection These two readings have 3 things in common: 1) both refer to God in three persons of the Holy Trinity, 2) they are both “Benedictions,” or words of farewell, and 3) both are meant to encourage and instruct. Holy Trinity - This Sunday in the church calendar, the Sunday that follows Pentecost, is Trinity Sunday. One of the earliest traditions of the church is the “3-in-One” image of God, which in the third century became known as the Doctrine of the Holy Trinity. Today’s two readings are examples of New Testament sources for this complex understanding of God. It speaks to me of the variety of ways God’s people have come to know and experience God; as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer; God of Love, Lord of Grace, and Spirit of Comfort and Fellowship. It reminds me that the God we worship is beyond our human ability to describe and define, who refuses to be pinned down to any single under-standing, and who will, therefore, continue to surprise us. (continued on p. 2) >

Prayers from: Abingdon Worship Annual, p. 129-130, adapted, Copyright © 2019 by Abingdon Press

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty from: The United Methodist Hymnal, #64, Copyright © 1989 by The United Methodist Publishing House

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Benedictions - The 2 Corinthians passage is the conclusion of Paul’s letter. It can be seen as Paul’s usual style of “signing off,” of saying farewell, and his way of offering his readers a blessing. He sends along the greetings from others and wishes them well. But more than that, he is proclaiming the promise: that the Grace of Christ, the Love of God, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit IS WITH THEM ALL. He is not just hoping it will be, he is declaring that it is. In the same way, Matthew’s Gospel concludes with the parting words of Jesus: “I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.” It is more than a “farewell,” or “best wishes,” it is the promise: that the ongoing mysterious presence of the risen Lord IS WITH THEM ALWAYS. These benedictions are more than a blessing, they are the promise: GOD IS WITH US, we are not alone!

Instructions and Encouragement - Knowing that God is with us as promised, and is experienced in uncountable ways by God’s people throughout the ages, gives us the ability to respond to the instructions and encouragement in these two readings. Paul tells us to “put things in order,” to “be in harmony with each other,” to “live in peace,” and to “say hello to each other with a holy kiss.” Order suggests to me keeping things in proper perspective. Harmony and peace evoke a sense of balance, stability, and calm. These are helpful and encouraging instructions for anyone seeking a faithful way to respond to the painful news of the murder of George Floyd and the violent reactions it provoked around the country. To live in peace and harmony doesn’t mean we should passively accept whatever happens in our world. We, instead, seek peace and harmony by calling for accountability, openness, and honesty in ourselves and in our leaders, and by using the energy of our emotions to strengthen our resolve to persist in seeking to live in harmony with all. While we would like to see this happen instantly, we know that, only with God’s help, we inch our way toward the goal with each act of love and forgiveness, and through patient persistence.

A Final Thought - the “holy kiss” How can we hear Paul’s instruction to “say hello to each other with a holy kiss,” when the number of Covid-19 cases continues to rise across the U.S., and we need to protect ourselves and others? It helps to know the intention of the practice of “the holy kiss” in the 1st century. It was the greeting exchanged by family and close friends, particularly upon return from some distance, or period of time. It was not the kind of greeting one exchanged when being introduced for the first time, like a hand-shake of today. So, we can be faithful to this instruction by saying hello to each other in a way that means “I’m glad to see you!” or “I’m glad you’re here,” as opposed to our natural instinct that thinks: “Who are you and what do you want from me?” With God’s help and by the grace of Christ, we might even greet mere acquaintances and strangers in the same manner. In this way we can be a living example of the “grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.” This is also the way in which we teach the commands of Jesus to others, the way we “make disciples of all peoples,” by example. With patience and persistence, and a whole lot of help from the Lord, we will continue to proclaim, in word and by our example, the promise: The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit is with us all!

Pastor Julie

Prayers of the People See “In Our Prayers This Week” on page 3

Lord’s Prayer We join our hearts to pray in the words of Jesus:

Benediction (Say it out loud and believe it:) We go forth: with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, with the love of God, and in the power and communion of the Holy Spirit. We go forth: to live in peace, with friends and with strangers, as a Christian witness in the midst of these unsettled times in which we live. We go forth: with God! We are not alone.

Scripture Quotations from: Common English Bible, Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Readings for Sunday, June 14th

2nd Sunday after Pentecost

Genesis 18:1-15 Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 Romans 5:1-8 Matthew 9:35-10:8

Drop Box at Church

If you wish to drop off an offering envelope, or other note, there is now a black Drop Box mounted

outside, by the Pastor’s Office. A contact-free way to connect.

Need a Mask?

Jerre Duffy has a few cloth masks for anyone who would like one. 734-6962

Find us on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/Disciples-UMC-Mt-Morris-387515188014627

Disciples UMC Mt Morris is our Facebook page name. Click the link above and let us know what you think! This is one more way to keep in touch while we are apart.

Conference Website

You’ll find a weekly message from Bishop Sally Dyck, and other resources at the Northern Illinois

Conference (UMC) website: www.umcnic.org You can also subscribe to the weekly “eNews” and “The Reporter,” (NIC newsletter)

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Around the Country & World: Health Care workers & 1st Responders “Essential” workers & Laid-off workers Those who are food-insecure Those who are housing-insecure

In Our Congregation: Jan Hough - in ICU @ UWH Madison Bob Friemuth Pinecrest residents & staff

In Our Prayers This Week

Thank You to Our Volunteers

Thank you to everyone who has helped with many tasks to keep the church running while we are not meeting for Sunday worship.

This list includes yard maintenance, counting and recording donations, paying bills, checking on system functions during the power outage, and other behind-the-scenes projects.

Our ‘shepherds,’ for calling church friends to check in, and pass along prayer requests.

Council members meeting via Zoom to continue the guidance of our ministry.

All your efforts are greatly appreciated.!

2020 Vacation Bible School Cancelled

The Vacation Bible School Committee is so sorry to announce that the Mt. Morris Community Vacation Bible School will not happen this summer.

We want to make sure that everyone stays safe and healthy, and we do not want to risk our children (usually over 100) or our volunteers (about 50). Our numbers are far higher than what we believe will be recommended and what we believe will be safe in July.

We hope that each of you can find ways to connect with God and each other this summer, and we are sad that we had to make this decision. We look forward to another amazing Vacation Bible School with all of you next summer in 2021!

Mt. Morris Community VBS Committee

Monthly Food Pantry Offering

Thank you for your monthly support of our food pantries. Lifeline Food Pantry, in Oregon, has modified their process due to new Health Department guidelines: One family at a time enters the pantry to pick up a pre-packed box of food. Their modified hours are: Tuesday: 1:30 - 4 pm food only Friday: 1:30 - 4:30 pm food only

Loaves and Fish has also modified its process and is keeping their same schedule: 1st and 3rd Thursdays; 4:30-7 pm 2nd and 4th Mondays: 2-4:30 pm

Financial contributions to our monthly Food Pantry Offering may still be given to the church, and are divided

evenly between Lifeline and Loaves & Fish.