Order of Worship for Sunday, November 5th 2023

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Prelude

Welcome

Call to Worship

Leader: In big miraculous displays and in still silent whispers
All: the Lord indeed is God.

Leader: When we struggle to make a choice and when the voice draws us ever nearer
All: the Lord indeed is God.

Leader: For those of us who feel we’re out here on our own and those of us embedded in a community that both helps and hinders
All: the Lord is indeed God, and we will worship God together.

Opening Hymn

Blessed Assurance UMH 369

Prayer of Confession

We go back and forth, O God, between faithfulness to your way and the ways of this world. Do we really have to choose? We hop from one thing to the other, balancing and contorting ourselves to try to make the systems work for us when they only work for themselves. There’s no profit in stability and balance.

On the one hand, we want what the world promises, and we’ll do what it takes to get it, even when we know better. On the other hand, we long for the peace and justice of your promise, though honestly, you often feel invisible. Forgive us, O God, for our labored hobbling from one thing to another. Forgive us, O God, for the mental gymnastics we’ll do to avoid a choice. Forgive us, O God, for you alone are God; you alone are the Source of Life, God of our ancestors, the One we are called to worship and serve; you alone are the Love that consumes and transforms. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Leader: God's love is not fickle, and we are not left to our own devices. Even when we waver, we are always held in the loving embrace of our Creator.
People: Thanks be to God! We give thanks for God's never-ending love, which grants us the assurance and strength to journey faithfully in His path.

Passing of the Peace

First Reading:

Mark 9:2-4

Second Reading:

1 Kings 18:17-39

Sermon:

Elijah at Mount Carmel by Pastor Kevin Rutledge

Hymn of Response

This is my Father's World UMH 144

The Apostle's Creed

The Great Thanksgiving

Communion

Tithes and Offerings

Give Now

Offertory Response

Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow UMH 95

Offertory Prayer

With hearts full of gratitude for your boundless generosity, we offer these gifts, O Lord. May they serve as a reminder of your love, and may we, as a church, renew our commitment to living out your call to love and serve others.

Pastoral Prayer and Lord's Prayer

Closing Hymn

When I survey the Wondrous Cross UMH 298

Announcements

Benediction

Said Each Week as A Communal Prayer:
Send to us all the people who feel unwanted and loved everywhere else, and if they can't come to us, send us to them.

Postlude

This Week's Reading Plan

Day: Reading:
Monday The Drought Ends: 1 Kings 18:41-46
Tuesday Elijah on the Run: 1 Kings 19:1-8
Wednesday Elijah at Mount Horeb: 1 Kings 19:9-18
Thursday Elijah and Elisha: 1 Kings 19:19-21
Friday Elijah and Ahaziah: 2 Kings 1:1-8
Saturday More Fire from Heaven: 2 Kings 1:9-17
Sunday God's Beloved Children: Hosea 11:1-9

Reflections and Caring Conversations

Please use the prompts and prayers below to aid you in your devotions for this week.

  • Morning Prayer: Dear Lord, as I begin this day, I ask that You help me share the stories of Your blessings in my life. May I have the courage and the words to express Your love and power in my journey, just as Elijah did in his time. May my testimony bring hope and inspire faith in those who hear it. Amen.

  • Evening Prayer: Almighty God, as I prepare for rest, I thank You for the blessings I recognized today. Help me to continuously celebrate Your goodness, just like the United Methodists did in their worship services. May I always be aware of Your presence and the abundant blessings You provide. In Your name, I pray. Amen.

  • Reflection Question: The sermon highlighted the importance of sharing personal stories of God's blessings. How have you witnessed God's work in your life and how have you shared these experiences with others?

  • Reflection Question: The story of Elijah brings to light the power of faith and decision-making. How has your faith guided your decisions? Can you recall a specific instance where you had to rely on your faith to make a difficult decision?

  • Reflection Question: The sermon emphasizes the transformative power of prayer, as illustrated by Elijah's prayer that ignited the heavenly fire. How has prayer transformed your life and strengthened your relationship with God?

  • Challenge: Challenge yourself to share your faith experiences with others this week, demonstrating God's transformative power and blessings in your life.

Featured Upcoming Events:

Christmas at Berwyn

We are so glad that you want to know more about our Christmas Season celebrations. We have a variety of worship services and activities to help you recapture the meaning of Christmas!

Learn More

Staff Christmas Gift

'Tis the season of joy and gratitude! As we approach the Christmas season, we have a wonderful opportunity to express our appreciation and love for the remarkable individuals who tirelessly serve our church community— Pastor Kevin Rutledge, Administrative Assistant Veronica Mosley, and Sextant Over Caicedo. In the spirit of giving, we are organizing a Staff Love Offering to shower them with tokens of appreciation and warm wishes.

Learn More

Lunch and Learn with Pastor Kevin

on 12/13/2023 from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

Join us for a weekly Bible study and lunch with Pastor Kevin on Wednesdays at 12:30pm. Bring your lunch and come ready to dive deeper into the Sunday morning scripture. This is a great opportunity to discuss and learn more about the word of God in a small group setting with the guidance of our pastor. See you there!

Learn More

Christmas Movie Night

on 12/15/2023 from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

🎄✨ Get ready for an ELFish-ly awesome night of holiday cheer at our Teen Movie Night: ELF-stravaganza Edition! 🧝‍♂️🍿Join us for an evening packed with jolly vibes, snug blankets, and an ELF-tastic Christmas movie that will have you laughing, cheering, and maybe even doing a little elf dance! 🕺💃This event is FREE for all middle and high school students. Just get you-Elf registered to let us know you are coming!Don't worry if it's cold out side, we are meeting inside and will have some Hot Cocoa and other parts of the 4 main food groups:Candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup! So, mark your calendars, grab your ELF-abet buddies, and join us for a night of holiday magic and movie fun. It's going to be ELF-initely the highlight of your winter break! 🌟🎄

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Christmas Lunch

on 12/17/2023 from 11:15 AM to 12:25 PM

Celebrate Christmas with us at our Church Lunch! Enjoy a festive feast of roasted turkey, savory stews, and delightful sides. Let's share laughter and love, fostering friendship as we savor the true spirit of the season together.

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Christmas Eve Service

on 12/24/2023 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

We begin our celebrations of God’s light entering the world. We will savor the story of the first Christmas as told in Luke, singing several favorite Christmas carols and sharing Holy Communion. We will conclude our worship with the singing of Silent Night as we light the candles and finish with a celebration that joy has come to the wold.

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The Next Two Weeks at Berwyn UMC:

Date: Time: Summary
Dec 08 12:00 AM - 11:59 AM Christmas at Berwyn Learn More
Dec 08 12:00 AM - 11:59 AM End of Year Giving! Learn More
Dec 08 12:00 AM - 11:59 AM Staff Christmas Gift Learn More
Dec 10 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM Every Topic Considered Small Group Learn More
Dec 10 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Advent Worship Learn More
Dec 12 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Food Pantry Distribution Hours: Learn More
Dec 12 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Troop 181 Meeting Learn More
Dec 13 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM Lunch and Learn with Pastor Kevin Learn More
Dec 13 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Steps to Freedom - Women's AA Meeting Learn More
Dec 15 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Christmas Movie Night Learn More
Dec 17 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM Every Topic Considered Small Group Learn More
Dec 17 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Advent Worship Learn More
Dec 17 11:15 AM - 12:25 PM Christmas Lunch Learn More
Dec 19 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Food Pantry Distribution Hours: Learn More
Dec 19 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Leadership Team Meeting Learn More
Dec 19 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Troop 181 Meeting Learn More
Dec 20 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Steps to Freedom - Women's AA Meeting Learn More
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