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Scripture:
- Proverbs 28:5 (NRSV)
- Psalm 51 (UMH 785)
- John 12:20-33 (NRSV)
Liturgist:
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Worship streaming on Facebook Live
If you are watching this after Sunday worship, look on the "Video" page for past videos.
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Land Acknowledgement Statement |
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As we gather, we acknowledge that we are on the stolen traditional lands of Anishinabe and Santee-Dakota peoples, Nations that are still represented in Indigenous Minnesotans.
We acknowledge that we have poorly shared this land with those nations and with other parts of God’s good creation.
May we remember and may we live in full acknowledgement of those contributions to our existence and our sustenance.
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WELCOME
PRELUDE
OPENING MUSIC
“As the Deer” (Twice)
The Faith We Sing #2025
By Martin Nystrom
CCLI SONG #1431
1984 Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing
(Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after You
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You
You alone are my strength my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You
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PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION: Ministry Matters
Lord, be with us this day as we commit ourselves to being your disciples. Help us to face the future unafraid, trusting in your loving care and presence with us. We pray this in Jesus’ name. AMEN.
SCRIPTURE
CHILDREN’S MOMENT: A True Surprise
SERMON: Understand Justice
REFLECTION
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HYMN OF RESPONSE
“Give Me Jesus”
Worship and Song #3140, verses 1 & 3
African American Spiritual
In the morning when I rise,
In the morning when I rise,
In the morning when I rise,
Give me Jesus.
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus,
You may have all this world,
Give me Jesus.
Dark midnight was my cry,
Dark midnight was my cry,
Dark midnight was my cry,
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus,
You may have all this world,
Give me Jesus
JOYS AND CONCERNS: Submitted in person and online
HYMN OF PRAYER
“Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying”
The Faith We Sing #2193
Words & Music: Ken Medema
© 1973 Hope Publishing Co.
CCLI SONG #22829
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit in this place;
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Send us love, send us pow’r, send us grace.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our God 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
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WE TAKE GOD’S WORD WITH US
INTO THE WORLD
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CLOSING HYMN
“A Mighty Fortress”
United Methodist Hymnal #110 verses 1 and 3
By Frederick Henry Hedge, Martin Luther, Tommy Walker
CCLI SONG #2184098
Words: Public Domain
A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper he amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo, his doom is sure;
One little word shall fell him.
POSTLUDE
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UPCOMING EVENTS AT EPWORTH |
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March 21: Deadline to Order Flowers
March 23: Racial Justice Book Club
March 24: Echoes Deadline
March 24: Cabin Fever Toy Library
March 28: Palm Sunday
April 4: Easter
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Please make sure to send all upcoming announcements to the Epworth church email by Wednesday of each week.
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Church Council News:
Pastor Steve and Plans for Future
Please click here for a special message from Church Council with important news about Pastor Steve’s reassignment and planning for Spring, Summer and early Fall events, including plans for in-person worship. Please note information about restructuring committees.
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Racial Justice Book Club
March 23
6:30 pm
Zoom
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The Racial Justice Book Club meets March 23 at 6:30 pm to continue discussing How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. The last time we met, we considered other ways to engage with the material and had meaningful conversations in small groups.
When we meet this week, we will review the following chapters in breakout sessions: (5) Ethnicity, (6) Body, (7) Culture, (8) Beavior, and (9) Color. If you have been part of previous sessions but did not receive the email with the Zoom link, contact Pastor Steve.
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Prayers for Marking a Year of COVID-19:
Free Coloring Pages to Download here.
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March 24:
Summer 2021 Echoes Deadline
The Editorial Board plans to send this issue to you by April 4 (or before). This issue will cover what has happened from January-March 2021. Articles received after the deadline will likely not appear in the Spring 2021 issue.
Please send us stories and pictures about Epworth events of the past few months or your opinions about them.
We continue looking for your stories -- your personal history and/or theology, your griefs and your blessings.
We are also looking for recipes of
· new dishes you have discovered during isolation
· or dishes enjoyed at past church gatherings
· or dishes you can’t wait to share at our next church gathering – whenever that happens,
· or random acts of kindness you have learned about, done, observed, or received.
You can share by writing and/or by providing photographs or artwork with captions. Please try to limit each article or story to 550 words or fewer. If it is longer, by submitting, you give us permission to edit. Please identify the photographer or artist for each picture you send.
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Easter Flower Order Deadline March 21
Order potted flowers to help us decorate the sanctuary for Easter. See the chart for choices below.
Don’t forget to include your name and dedication with your order.
You can get your flower(s) after Easter Worship.
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Hope in the Wilderness
Did you get. your Lenten Devotional?
Are you keeping up with the daily devotions there?
Have you found a way to take the journey with others?
Let us know
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Camp Scholarships Available
Hiring Summer Staff
Now hiring cabin leaders, program leaders, integration specialists, support staff, and health care staff. All positions include industry competitive salary, room, board, opportunities for certifications, and an unforgettable, life changing experience. Year-round opportunities may be available. All applicants must be 18 or older. Each camp will strictly adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols that meet local, state, CDC, and industry guidelines. Click here to get info about summer staff openings and to apply.
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Your Donations Still Needed |
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Because of COVID-19, we have not been able to hold our usual fundraisers that helped keep us solvent -- the Annual Spring Auction and the Fall Pasty Sale, for example. And only two of our renters continue to add to our revenue.
Although the congregation and small groups are not meeting at Epworth, the building is still being used for Facebook Live worship, office work, repair and maintenance, and more. We also continue to offer safely distanced programming for youth and children in our church and in our community.
Our cup runneth over with gratitude for all of you who continue to give generously online and by mail. But our coffers need continual feeding.
Although we are not currently putting the plates out, we do still need your donations to pay the bills and carry out our missions. The needs in our community are even greater than before.
We are still Nourishing Faith. We are still Doing Good. We are still Welcoming All. We are still Being Church! But we need your help to continue doing so.
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Send your donations via US Postal system to
Epworth UMC
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OR donate online at our square site: Here
Thank you,
Pastor Steve
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3 Ezekiel Jones
7 Balinda Villanueva
12 Hayden Kotschwar
14 Marshall Smith
14 Felicia Holcomb
14 Jayden Davis
20 Carl Weston
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24 Flora Jane Gustafson
25 Justin Benson
27 Tim Rice
29 Pete Caligiuri
29 Armani Nyas Saleumlok
30 Jerry Soechtiing
31 Jason Rice
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Prayers Shared Week of March 14
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To see all the prayers with the song lyrics at the end of this email, click "View entire message" at the bottom.
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Great Triune God, we have gathered here in your name in an auto of faith, believing that you are not only among us, but that you love us and always care for us. Thank you! Amen
Pastor Steve’s dad has been diagnosed with glioblastoma, a serious, aggressive, form of brain tumor. His will is somewhat diminished. The tumor is inoperable and treatment would likely cause more harm with very little benefit. The family is seeking to move him to a hospice facility closer to Pat and Ron’s house and with better COVID visiting protocols. Pastor Steve says, “Your continued prayers are coveted.” May God’s loving arms surround Ron Reiser and his family. As Pastor Steve drives to Iowa, may God’s angels be with him and his family, and may our love go with them.
We pray for Chris Long, Jean Long, and their family as Chris recovers from injuries related to a fall last week. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for Shirley’s friend Claudia and her husband Jerry who has cancer. He is scheduled for his second surgery in April. Mercy, love, healing we pray
Prayers for Sara Larson, South Minneapolis Meals on Wheels Program Coordinator. Her husband was admitted to the hospital the night of March 12 due to a major heart blockage. He had a stint put in and came home Monday. Please keep him and the family in your prayers for good recovery.
We give you thanks with Cynthia that her brother is now leaving the hospital following his back surgery. May he continue to increase his strength and coordination, we pray, O God.
We give you great thanks, O God, with Aaron, for this amazingly beautiful weather! We love Your outdoors!! We can sense spring coming!
Thank you, God, for an extra hour of sleep.
We pray for Berri’s brother (Jerin and Joyce’s son) as he undergoes treatment for a traumatic brain injury. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the ministry of Epworth Church. Lord, lead us in the way You would have us go.
How can we act to insure justice for the innocent? Why don’t we do it? Do the wicked have too much power? Act on behalf of those who are deemed insignificant.
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“A Place at the Table”
by Shirley Erena Murray
For everyone born, a place at the table,
For everyone born, clean water and bread,
A shelter, a space, a safe place for growing,
For everyone born, a star overhead.
And God will delight
When we are creators of justice and joy:
Yes, God will delight
When we are creators of justice,
Justice and joy.
Worship & Song #3149
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