Sunday Worship on March 22, 2020

Sunday Worship
March 22, 2020

Prelude
(When the prelude begins, please take your seats and begin to “Listen.”)
 
Invitation to Worship
I invite you to stand and turn to face the light as it comes into our midst.  It is this “turning” or “re-orienting” ourselves toward the Holy light that is the essence of our season of Lent.  Let us begin this season of listening, of hearing that still, small voice and finding our own true selves.
 
Introit / Meet Me Here
 
Reading / Liturgist
Prayer as a spiritual practice may come easily for you and maybe it doesn’t. Even the most devout among us has doubts about prayer’s power at times. What is it? How does it work? This week we will consider
that the mechanics of what happens in prayer is not as important as that we do it. Because whether or not the outcome for ourselves or others is an actual healing, the very act of being entangled with God and with others through prayer has healing and power-bestowing benefits.
 
Silent Rest
You are invited to sit quietly in the silence
   without any expectation of what you “ought” to be thinking.
Don’t worry about sounds from the congregation or colds–simply
   let them float into and out of your attention. 
And if you find it difficult to settle your thoughts, contemplate the following:
 
A wound is healed when a binding together happens.
A prayer for another binds us with them ad binds both of us to God...healing
 
What about simply letting things be for a minute
It is often the most needed ingredient for a breakthrough
 
Responsive Reading:

• L: For that which, then I thought was right...
• P: have mercy, God.
• L: For that which, now, I regret...
• P: forgive me, God.
• L: For that which, hence, I know not what to do...
• P: guide me, God.
• All: Amen.

 
Opening Hymn / UMH #375 "There is a Balm in Gilead"
 
Seeking the Word / Mark 5:24-34
24 So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him.
25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years.
26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.
27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak,
28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”
29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’”
32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it.
33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.
34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
 
L: This is the Word of God for the people of God.
P: Thanks to be God.
 
Anthem / “How Wonderful His Love”
 
Prayer Station-Button Prayers
All you need is a button. Perhaps one on the clothes you are wearing, or one found in a drawer.
 

1. Feel the hardness of the button and think about people who are going through hard times.  Ask God to help them.
2. Buttons are used to fasten clothes together. Ask God to bring together people who have fallen out and moved apart from each other. Pray He will bring them peace.
3. Look at your button and see how many holes it has. Think of that number of things you would like to thank God for.
4. Look at the color of the button and say Thank You to God for something that color.
5. Of course, we all have different buttons. Thank God for making everyone different and giving us all different gifts.
6. AND don’t forget our GRATITUDE JAR. Try to write something every day.  This is very important during these very troubling times.  

 
In the words of this song, ask God to:
   Meet me here
   Find me in my wanderings
   Meet me here
   Deep within my soul.
 
Joys and Concerns
The Lord’s Prayer
Affirmation of our prayers / UMH #898
 
Sermon / Pastor Gil (You can click Here to watch)
Title: “Finding Your Power: Listening for Healing”
Scripture: Mark 5:24-34
 
Closing Hymn / UMH #428 / For the healing of the Nations    
 
Announcements

• No Sunday Worship until further notice.
• No Bible Study until further notice.
• Please for our church families’ safety, healthy, and in peace physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

 
Benediction / Pastor Gil Lee
Now with the grace of Jesus Christ who died on the cross to save us from our sin and death, love of God who wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, and fellowship and communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all forever and ever more. Amen
 
Offering / by mail
Dear families of Hillside United Methodist Church, 
During this special and challenging time, if you are able to send your weekly pledge by mail, would you do so, please? 
The address of the church is  Hillside United Methodist Church, 82 Center St, Goffstown, NH 03045.
May God Bless You!
 
Postlude / "Meet Me Here"