Pastor's Reflections:

Grace and peace, y'all! 

After hearing my sermon last week, someone mentioned to me that we don't often hear one another talk about being led by the Spirit and I can understand why. It's a risky business. Maybe you're like me and have thought that God was leading you one way only to find out that was definitely not where God was leading. Or maybe we can sometimes hide behind the Spirit, making less-than-loving choices in the name of "being led by the Spirit." Maybe we are hesitant because we've been hurt by someone who claimed that "God told them to tell us...," but really they just wanted to offer criticism. 

Thankfully, God knows our limitations and gives us good gifts to help us figure things out. We have the gifts of Scripture, our own minds and experiences, and our community to help us discern the Spirit's leading. We can help one another tell what's true and what's of the devil. We can lean on these good gifts and offer one another grace as we journey down this road being perfected in love. 

I pray that you will take time this week to reflect of the presence of the Spirit in your life. What has been energizing you lately? Have you had any holy conversations? Pay attention to where you have felt the Spirit nudging you and share that with someone you trust. Pray that God will give you confidence and use the gifts you've been given. 

In Christ, Pastor Sarah 

THE ORDER OF WORSHIP“I am the Alpha…and the Omega.”

† GatheringWorship begins as the children of God gather in the name of Christ. Some are lost, some are redeemed, some are in negotiations with God – but all

are children. We gather to declare who we are before God, and to declare who God is in Jesus Christ.

9:45 am Quiet Time for RelectionPreludeChiming of the HourHoly Greeting Katie Warren

Invocation Chorus “Shall We Gather at the River” vs 1,2,3,4 UMH 723AnnouncementsOpening PrayerHymn of Celebration “My Tribute” vs 1-repeat UMH 99Scripture Reading Psalm 85:8-13 Maxine Price

Children’s Moment Laura Bodenmann

† ProclamationThe Word of God, Jesus Christ, is God’s self-revelation. The Scripture is

the church’s written proclamation of God in Christ. By the Word of God we are called, redeemed, consecrated for service, and given an eternal hope.

Prayer for Illumination (on screen):Scripture Reading Ephesians 1:3-14 Rev. Sarah JonesProclamation "The Great Gathering" Rev. Sarah Jones

† Congregational Responses of Heart and LifeWorship is both a call and a response. God’s Spirit and God’s Word call to

us, and invite us to respond with our whole being.

Affirmation of Faith Apostles’ Creed UMH 881Hymn of Hope “Nothing But the Blood” vs 1,2,3,4 UMH 362Offering Doxology

† Sending Forth We go forth in the name of Christ – to be the church.

Hymn of Benediction “Are Ye Able” vs 1,4 UMH 530Blessing and BenedictionPostlude

Calendar

Today: July 15 th 2018 Sunday School 8:45 amWorship 10:00 amBoondocks (Children’s Church) 10:15 amFellowship Meal Following worship

Upcoming: Monday, July 16th Shepherds of the Flock 3:00 pm Tuesday, July 17th

Men's Coffee 7:30 am “Sisters in Christ” 10:00 am Monday, July 23rd SPRC 6:30 pm Friday, July 27th Movies & Ice Cream Social Sunday, July 29th “Christmas in July” for kids 3:00-5:00 pm

Serving You Today

Acolytes: Youth VolunteersPianist & Choir Director:Laura BodenmannChildren’s Church: VolunteersSound Tech: VolunteersNursery: Frances RiosUshers: Paul Heronime

Wayne TeemGreeters: Sherri Heronime

Barb Lorenc Pastor Rev. Sarah Jones

Flowers: “To honor and welcome Reverend Sarah Jones”

Flowers next week: Don & Eileen White

There are many open summer dates on the Flower Calendar. Please share your garden flowers with us. You may want to select a special date and put the flowers "in memory or in honor of a special event or person.”

For Your Daily Prayers

New ConcernsDarlene Olsen Family, Dolores Teem; Gibby Jones, Siggy McCallum, Tom Pender, Fred Weingartner Family.

On-going Concerns Tina Amenta, Peggy Ashton, Pat Bell, Paul & Grace Bernhard, Kathy Boettchar, Susan Brady, Lorrie, Phillip, Greg & Stinson Brock, Emelie Brown, Don & Gloria Coon, Lori Cooper, Preston Cryan, Barb & Bob Derflinger, Barbara Driver, Baxter Duddy, Tamara & Rebecca Espinoza, Don Forrester, Sr., Xander Foy, Steven Garza, Bertie Geci, Jeffrey Gotreaux, Diane White Hartley, Alan Herrington, Ann Holden, David Innocente, Don & Jean Johnson, Harrison Jones, Mark Jones, Lynn Kosick, Paul Lorenc, Jenny Lott, Kim Moore, Brandie Niolon, Smith Paterson, Diane Geci Reitz, Courtney Reynolds, Carol Rupp, Tabatha Slaughter, Leland Stewart, Evelyn Suprise, John Taylor, Pete & Virginia Totsch, Billy Walker, Jody Ward, Anna Woodard.

Other Concerns:Military & Families, Government leaders at all levels. Victims: of injustice,

of natural disasters, of domestic and child abuse. .

Marlow United Methodist Church16149 CR 9Summerdale, AL 36580251 988 8563

Rev. Sarah Jones – 334-494-6917

marlowumc.org facebook.com/marlowumc

News & Announcements

TODAY FOLLOWING WORSHIP We are honoring Rev. Jones with a Fellowship Meal. Please plan to stay, there is plenty of food.

5 TH SUNDAY-JULY 29 TH please sign up on the colored sheet in the narthex.to request hymns.

TO WELCOME HOME: If you would like to send food to Rachel and Brian Jones as they bring baby Harrison home from the hospital, please bring frozen dishes to church any Sunday morning during July. We will keep them in the church freezer and deliver them to the family. Please clearly label them and give re-heating instructions. See Laura Bodenmann if you have questions.

COMING EVENTS: Sunday, July 29, 3-5 pm: “Christmas in July” kids activities – we will have a craft, snacks, games, and work on our Christmas program music. See Laura Bodenmann for more information. Friday, July 27, Ice Cream Social & movies….1 for adults and 1 for children. Watch for more details.

O UR RIVER CROSSING FOOD PANTRY needs your continued support. Please donate non-perishable food and place in the container in vestibule.

THE UPPER ROOM devotionals for July/August are on the hallway table. You may pick one up. Please leave a donation.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE for DARLENE OLSEN will be August 18th.

Worship with us, where the river bends, where the waters divide the world, where

God is calling us beyond.Sit and wait with us, until the drift breaks loose your strain, until your sins flow out

to the sea,until Christ lifts you up.

Cross over with us! In this place the Spirit stirs the deep;

MarlowUnited

KingdomTide

ChurchMethodis

t

RIVER CROSSING