Worship Service

September 6th (Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost)

“WE GATHER TO PRAISE GOD AND BE CHRIST’S PEOPLE”

“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)

“I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.” (Psalm 138:2)

Opening Hymns - “Christ Beside Me” ---------------------- 2166(TFWS) v. 1,2

Opening Prayer (Taught by Love, Lavon Bayler)

This is a festival day, glorious God, a day of remembering your faithfulness through the centuries, a time for celebrating your vibrant presence with us, a pause of anticipation for the seasons yet to be. We rejoice at the assurance that you take pleasure in us, that we are known by you, called by you, empowered by you to live honorably and humbly, in the spirit of Christ. We would exalt your name and sing for joy, knowing that we can trust you for the guidance and direction we need. Amen.

Welcome & Announcements

Good morning! How are you today? Welcome to the worship of our Lord. Today is the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Because of God’s love and grace, we are saved and have become his people. And, God sent Counselor to help us keep our faith in this world. As we confessed, we believe that God loves us and he is always with us. That is why we want to worship together.

1. Target date for return to in-person worship from (re)launch team: With prayerful consideration, extensive planning, and input from church members and leadership areas, a plan has been made for a return to in-person worship beginning September 20. This first service will be held outdoors on the church lawn at 10:00 a.m. Pre-registration and safety precautions as required by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment will be required for attendance. If weather and/or fire conditions prohibit an outdoor service, we will meet in the sanctuary. Please watch for further communication on this service. Written materials as well as a recorded service will continue to be available for those not attending in person.

As has been the case until now, the (re)Launch Leadership Team and leadership and committees of the church will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation in our local area. BUMC will follow the guidelines presented by the Mountain Sky Conference, State of CO and Larimer County guidelines as well as guidance and direction from our District Superintendent and Bishop.

2. Children's Sunday School Clarification: In the September newsletter, it was stated that Children’s Sunday School would resume with in-person worship. For the September 20 service, there will not be Children’s Sunday School. There will be an announcement made prior to classes resuming. We apologize for any misunderstandings which may have occurred.

3. Highway clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, September 12; we will meet in the church parking lot at 8:00 a.m. for a short briefing and then carpool to the location on Hwy 56. We are limited to 25 people, so if you are planning to help, please notify Debbie in the office to be put on the list.

4. Basement restriction: Due to safety protocols for the preschool, the trustees have implemented a policy whereas the basement, with the exception of the library, is not to be occupied by any church member or visitor at any time. This is in effect immediately, until further notice.

5. Dear Church Family: Even in these unprecedented times, we are still a church family who needs to stay connected to the Lord and each other. If you have any news to share related to the life of the church, please submit it to the office to be included in the newsletter. Photos are also a special way to share our lives with one another, so please include them whenever possible. Thank you for helping us stay connected.

6. Rev. Marv Essing Memorial Information from Beth Frazier: “Rev. Marvin Essing Passed away August 3, 2020. We wanted to let each church know of his passing, as there may be members of your congregation who remember him. We have established an online memorial site: https://bit.ly/3jo1xwR. People can leave condolences, photos or stories of Marv and find information about the September 9 memorial service that will be live-streamed. Donations to Scholarship: We have established a scholarship with the Iliff School of Theology in his name. If anyone would like to contribute, they may use this link: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/essing

Passing the Peace of Christ: Please Greet Each Other in Jesus’ Name – “Peace be with you!”

Hymn - “Forward Through the Ages” ---------------------------------555 (UMH)

Prayers of Joy and Petition

It is time for us to open our hearts, and share our joys and concerns. We want to pray for one another. We can remember each other in our hearts and in our prayers.

Sharing - Please share your joys and concerns together. Please do not forget to “give thanks to God.”

Meditation – Together

Pastoral Prayer

Heavenly Father, thanks for this time, and this place. We give thanks to you for gathering us here in your grace. Thanks for calling us here to your presence for us to be your loving people. As we are here in your presence, we want to open our hearts to offer ourselves as living sacrifice. Fill our hearts with your love and grace so that we may live our lives confidently, strongly, and spiritually. We believe that you are with us all the time. We want to rely on you no matter what, and doing what we are supposed to do as children of God.

We believe that you have led us here with your spirit. Help us be closer to you this time by offering ourselves as a living sacrifice. Receive our heart and fill it with your words, and help us be wiser and stronger in your will. As the Source of happiness of this world by your blessings, wherever we go, whatever we do, or whomever we meet, let us deliver your love and peace in our joyful life.

Now we want to lift up all our prayers and pray for all people who are in our minds and hearts. Oh loving God, they are suffering from pain, sorrow, anguish, and loss. They need your help. Send your healing and comforting Spirit so that they may feel your love and grace at every single moment. Strengthen them physically, mentally, and spiritually. Send them proper helpers and supporters. And use every hand and every prayer, so that they can experience your love.

Touch and rub the body of people in recovery process with your Healing Spirit and with your almighty hands. O creator and mighty God, you have promised strength for the weak, rest for the laborers, light for the way, grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing sympathy, and undying love. Please help us to continue in your promise. We pray in Jesus’ name.

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, forever, Amen.

Scripture Reading ----------------------- “Matthew 18:15-20” ------------------------------- Rev. KyeongSu Jung

“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

Sermon ---------------------------------- “In Our Relationships” -------------------------------- Rev. KyeongSu Jung

When Jesus ascended into heaven, his disciples were looking intently up into the sky as he was going. At that time, angels stood beside them and said, “Why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11) They returned to Jerusalem and all joined together constantly in prayer because Jesus gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.” (Acts 1:4) They gathered and waited. And on the day of Pentecost, they experienced a wonderful thing.

Acts chapter 2 said, “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” It was an amazing thing. After they experienced the “Holy Spirit,” they ran outdoors and boldly shouted, “Jesus is the Christ and the Lord. Jesus is the Messiah who we waited for a long time. Believe him.” People who believed Jesus Christ as the Lord gathered and introduced their belief to the world. It was the beginning of the Church. Today, we want to share the story about the Church.

First, let’s think about “two of you” and “two or three.” In today’s text, Jesus said, “If when any two of you on earth agree about something you are praying for, my Father in heaven will do it for you.” Here, I have a question. Why did Jesus say “two of you?” If so, should we gather at least two people when we pray? If anybody prays alone, will God not listen? What is the meaning of “two of you?” Jesus also said, “Whenever two or three of you come together in my name, I am there with you. Why did he say “two or three?” If so, should we always gather at least two or three people? If not, will God not be with us? What does it mean?

It has a very important secret. The meaning of “two of you” and “two or three” is related to the church. “Two of you” and “two or three” are the minimum requirements of a church. In Greek, church is “Ecclesia.” Ecclesia means “an assembly and congregation.” Because a church is a community, one person cannot become a church. That is, at least two people are needed to make a church. That is why Jesus said “two of you” and “two or three.” But, “two of you” and “two or three” does not mean “anybody.” It means the people who are distinguished from the world in the name of Jesus Christ. It means the people who are united together because of the power of the Holy Spirit. It means the people who gathered together and decided to follow Jesus Christ. The Bible testified that those people are Christians. When those people gather together, it can be called a church. It is the same for us. That is, we are the basic unit of our church; Berthoud United Methodist Church. So, we have to be aware that we are the basis of our church. We have to try to become a strong unit of our church and our congregation. Please remember that each of you is the foundation of our church.

Second, today’s text said, “come together in my name.” What does it mean? It means “kneel for Jesus.” Jesus Christ was the son of the living God. But, Jesus came here as a human to save us. Paul testified, “He did not consider equality with God, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-8) Through his sacrificial death, Jesus accomplished God’s plan of love for human beings. But it was not the end. Jesus resurrected. He had victory against the power of death. “God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus ‘every knee should bow’ and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” (Philippians 2:10-11)

In church history, lots of people “knelt for Jesus” because they believed that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior. Stephen was one of seven evangelists. After he experienced the Holy Spirit, he decided that he would introduce Jesus to the people. It was a very dangerous thing because the anti-Christ powers tried to arrest and kill Jesus’ followers. But, he boldly shouted that Jesus Christ is the Lord until he became a martyr because he knelt for Jesus. When Apostle Paul met Jesus, he recognized that Jesus is the Christ and the Lord. He knelt for Jesus and decided that he would dedicate his entire life to Jesus Christ. Finally, he became one of the most wonderful leaders in Christianity. He confessed, “If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” (Romans 14:7) Of course, it does not mean that we all have to become martyrs. The real meaning of “come together in my name” is “believe and accept Jesus Christ as the Lord in our hearts.” When we believe, we can gather in Jesus’ name to make the wonderful congregation.

One more, Jesus promised that “there am I with them who come together in my name.” What is the meaning? It means “I will work with them.” It is the promise that Jesus will work with the people who believe and follow him. Although there are just two or three people, our Lord will work with them and he will show his mercy and power to them. From here, God makes wonderful things. God shows his love and grace. It is the history of Christianity. At first, gathering together in Jesus' name looked like a very trivial thing. But, God worked with the people who believed him. He showed his power.

After Moses died, Joshua became a leader. Although God picked him up as the leader of Israel, he could not get rid of the fear and concern. When Joshua was distressed, God called him and promised, “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:5, 9) It was the promise that “I will be with you and I will work with you.” After that, Joshua had courage and could fulfill his duty because he believed that God would be with him and would work with him. When he believed, he experienced God’s love and power.

Yes, when we gather in Jesus’ name, when we gather for his glory, and when we gather to work for his kingdom, God will be with us and will work with us. So, David confessed, “God will lead me in the best way and will make the best thing with me in my life because he knows that I will praise and glorify God.” (Psalm 23:3) How amazing is the promise that God is with us and God works with us? It is a wonderful joy and comfort. It brings huge power so that we can endure our hardships and difficulties. It gives us the power to serve our church and congregation. It gives us the power to share God’s love and grace to others. The Bible said, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Although there are just two or three, he promised that he is there with them. It is the meaning that God is with us and works with us although we are very weak and look like we’re not enough to work for God if we come together in Jesus’ name. Jesus promised that “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

The one thing we have to do is believe his promise. If we believe his promise we can be strong and take heart. If we believe, we can follow his way. If we believe, we can live with confidence as his children and his church. I pray we can all believe that God is with us and works with us when we confess we are his people. I pray we can all believe that God makes us strong for his noble work. I pray we can all enjoy this wonderful message of love together. We are here in the name of Jesus Christ. We are church.

Let’s pray. Loving God, thank you for giving us this time to worship you. Thank you for giving your wonderful message of love. We give thanks to you because you came here to show your love and to save our lives. And, you promised that we are your children when we believe you as our Lord and Savior. Because we are your people, we gathered here in your name. You promised that you are with us and you work with us, even though we are not strong enough to work for you. Please help us experience your power of love. We want to recognize that you are with us in our daily lives. Please help us experience and enjoy your secret of love at every single moment in our lives. We thankfully give the glory to you. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Offertory – “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” ------------ 94 (UMH)

Offertory Prayer (Taught by Love, Lavon Bayler)

May these offerings help to free your people, O God, from bondage to sin. Unite us in a community of mutual caring in which differences are resolved as we listen to one another and seek to offer understanding. May the light of your love shine through all our effort to share your good news. Keep us in the light when we are tempted to ignore and violate your commandments. With these prayers, we dedicate our gifts. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Closing Hymn - “Together We Serve” ---------------- 2175(TFWS)

Commission and Blessing

We believe the grace of God, the love of Jesus Christ,

And the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

Great is our God, and greatly to be praised.

May the Lord continue to bless us and keep us.

May the Lord continue to make his face shine upon us and be gracious to us.

May the Lord continue to look upon us with favor and give us peace.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we pray.

Amen.