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Worship

At Hillside UMC, worship is our time of coming together, growing closer to God, and celebrating our community.
Normally, we worship on Sunday mornings at 9:00am, followed by a time of fellowship.  But, in this very challenging season, we worship God individually with a guidance of online bulletin. I hope and pray that each of you have your own Active worship to God wherever you are.

Third Sunday of Easter Worship on April 26, 2020

4/26/2020

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Third Sunday of Easter
"Strait from the Heart"
​April 26, 2020

We continue with our Easter Season because Easter isn’t just one day.
It is the message of God’s desire for us to live fully every day.
The early church practiced their hope in this way:


“Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple,
they
broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts,
praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.”  (Acts 2: 46-47a)


We create a “temple” of worship in our hearts that connects us across boundaries, distance and time.
But as we share this worship, we will stay connected.
At the “heart of the matter,” we are connected through the Spirit that makes us one in love.


Opening Act of Centering Our Hearts as One

We are going to center our hearts as one to begin.
Let’s take a deep breath together [everyone breathes together].

I invite you to place your hand on your heart and
let’s lightly tap together in a slow heartbeat rhythm
Holy Living God,
Heartbeat of Creation,
help us to take this time to center on you,
for you made us,
you gave us life,
and you continue to be with us
            every moment… every breath... every step

Be still, O heart, you’re not alone,
your beat is shared with me.
Come now, and calm, and center here,
you’re mine, secure and free.
Into your care, we offer now,
our worries, fears and strife.
We turn to you and know you’re near–
Your light, our love and life.

Let’s light our candles now and set our heart worry stones next to it.


Hymn / UMH #408 "The Gift of Love"


​Breaking Open the Word with Scriptur


Leader:
Here is how the story of Jesus’ surprise visit on the road and at the dinner happened. Imagine yourself walking down the road and a stranger comes along…

Reader:
On that same day, two disciples were traveling to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking to each other about everything that had happened. While they were discussing these things, Jesus himself arrived and joined them on their journey. They were prevented from recognizing him.


He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk along?” They stopped, their faces downcast.

The one named Cleopas replied, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who is unaware of the things that have taken place there over the last few days?”
He said to them, “What things?”
They said to him, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth. Because of his powerful deeds and words, he was recognized by God and all the people as a prophet. But our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the one who would redeem Israel. All these things happened three days ago. But there’s more: Some women from our group have left us stunned. They went to the tomb early this morning and didn’t find his body. They came to us saying that they had even seen a vision of angels who told them he is alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women said. They didn’t see him.”
Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! Your dull minds keep you from believing all that the prophets talked about. Wasn’t it necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then he interpreted for them the things written about himself in all the scriptures, starting with Moses and going through all the Prophets.
When they came to Emmaus, he acted as if he was going on ahead. But they urged him, saying, “Stay with us. It’s nearly evening, and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. After he took his seat at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he
disappeared from their sight. They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts on fire when he spoke to us along the road and when he explained the scriptures for us?”​

They got up right then and returned to Jerusalem. They found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying to each other, “The Lord really has risen! He appeared to Simon!” Then the two disciples described what had happened along the road and how Jesus was made known to them as he broke the bread. - Luke 24:13-35

Anthem        “Didn’t Our Hearts Burn Within Us” by Pepper Choplin
emmaus_-_didn_t_our_hearts_burn_within_us_-_from_once_upon_a_morning.mp3
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It is difficult in this moment not to be near some of the people we love and might be worried about.
Take a moment and say out loud
the names of people you wish were right there next to you at your table today.
As we name them, they are present with us in our hearts.


We also want to call to mind, the people we cannot name, whose names we do not know. But we know they need our prayers and God’s comfort.

For those who have lost loved ones
For those who are sick and recovering
For those who are caring for loved ones who are sick at home
For those who are caring for persons in medical care
For those who are separated from loved ones
For those who are feeling alone and isolated
For those who are helping and are so very tired
For those who are struggling to find friends, food, and comfort
For those who are afraid

​Closing Hymn / UMH #675 "As the Sun Doth Daily Rise"

​Benediction

(based on Psalm 16)

As we close this time together, remember:
God is always with you. No matter what you face,
no matter what trials or hardships come your way,
God is right beside you, whispering “Peace be with you,”
guiding and directing your path.
So do not live in fear, but in joy.
Take heart! This is the heart of the matter.
​Amen.
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Second Sunday of Easter Worship on April 19, 2020

4/19/2020

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THE HEART OF THE MATTER
April 19, 2020

Prelude



​Friends, you may not realize that Easter is not just a day. Easter is a whole season of eight Sundays that last from Easter until Pentecost Sunday, a time when we celebrate the Spirit of Christ in the church as the presence of Jesus’ work ongoing in the world. During the Easter Season, we will continue to hear more about Jesus’ message of what is truly the “Heart of the Matter” in our lives.  As you gather each week in front of your computer, tablet or phone, think of how you can make this spot a Worship space.  Perhaps you can light a candle, put out your pocket/prayer stone, make a cup of Coffee or Tea and we can “sit a spell, with each other and God.



 
“Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.” (Acts 2: 46-47a)



​So over the next few weeks, we are following our ancestor’s traditions. We are creating a “temple” of worship in our hearts whether we can be physically together or not. By sharing in words and music and breathing and eating and moving together, we will stay connected. The earliest Christians worshiped in their homes before they had churches, and so will we, until we can meet again in our sanctuaries. Because at the “Heart of the Matter,” we are connected through the Spirit that makes us one in love.
​​

Opening Act of Centering Our Hearts as One
We are going to center our hearts as one to begin.
Let’s take a deep breath together
I invite you to place your hand on your heart and
let’s lightly tap together in a slow heartbeat rhythm


Let’s take another deep breath,
making sure our shoulders and any tension we feel in our bodies
is letting go with the breath

Let us pick up our heart stone, sometimes called a “worry stone,”
and let our touch on its surface remind us that God’s touch is
within us, between us, and around us.
As close and real as this object is in our hands right now,
is how close Love is to us always.

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Leader: Today we imagine Jesus at our “right hand,” counseling us throughout our days, with these words, “Peace be with you.” This is what he did when he appeared to the disciples after his resurrection. They were in a locked room, fearing for their lives. Sound familiar? Let’s let Jesus speak these words to us as well. Here is how the story from the Gospel of John goes:

People: “It was still the first day of the week. That evening, while the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid… Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As [Abba, God] sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” - John 20: 19-22

Leader: Two things Jesus wanted the disciples to have in their moment of fear was peace and the Spirit. “Taking a breather” is one way to see what Jesus offered to them. He wanted them to take his breath so that they would feel his spirit living in them. May Peace be with you.
Scripture: John 21:15-17 (NIV)

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

Sermon / Pastor Gil - "Do You Love Me?"
PRAISE GOD

We know Jesus is present among us…
[repeat]
even in this very home…
[repeat]
We will not let fear be louder than love…
[repeat]
but with glad hearts and rejoicing souls… [repeat]
we will sing God’s praise…
[repeat]
for we are Easter People…!
[repeat]


HAVE GOODWILL
​

Let’s decide to send some good news out to the world that needs it! What message does the world need? Perhaps you will decide to create a way to let more and more people know the message of Christ, “You are not alone. I am here. Peace be with you.” What can we do to create more peace in our household, in our family, in our relationships with those we cannot be with right now? How can we offer peace to those who are working so hard right now? How can we offer peace to those who feel no peace or comfort? Maybe we can send virtual HUGS through email, text or Facebook.  Make some random calls to people on our mail list.  Put some hearts in your windows.  Look for heart shapes in nature as you take a walk.  The list could be endless.  JUST LOOK FOR LOVE!
Benediction
(based on Psalm 16)


As we close this time together, remember:
God is always with you. No matter what you face,

no matter what trials or hardships come your way,

God is right beside you, whispering “Peace be with you,”

guiding and directing your path.

So do not live in fear, but in joy.

Take heart! This is the heart of the matter.

​Amen.

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Easter Season: from Easter to Pentecost (50 days)

4/14/2020

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​
​Friends, you may not realize that Easter is not just a day. Easter is a whole season of eight Sundays that lasts from Easter until Pentecost Sunday, a time when we celebrate the Spirit of Christ in the church as the presence of Jesus’ work ongoing in the world. During this Easter Season, we will continue to hear more about Jesus’ message of what is truly the “Heart of the Matter” in our lives.

Especially in this special and strange season where all of us face, we are following our ancestor’s traditions. We are creating a “temple” of worship in our hearts, whether we can be physically together or not. By sharing in words and music and breathing and eating and moving together, we will stay connected.

The earliest Christians worshiped in their homes before they had churches, and so will we, until we can meet again in our sanctuaries. Because at the “Heart of the Matter,” we are connected through the Spirit that makes us one in love.

Acts 2:46-47 (NIV)
46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Here is a reading plan for the Easter Season (from Easter to Pentecost) 
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Easter Sunday Worship on April 12, 2020

4/12/2020

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Easter Sunday Service
April 12, 2020

Invitation
Good Morning, Everyone. In spite of all that is going on around us, Easter has come. The reminder that Christ overcame death is our message this morning

Introit / “Once Upon A Morning” by Pepper Choplin

​Opening Hymn / UMH #302 “Christ The Lord is Risen Today”

Responsive Reading / UMH #762-3 Psalm30

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Easter Celebration of Communion

​ANTHEM / “The Empty Tomb” by Pepper Choplin
​
​Today's Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.


SERMON / Pastor Gil

 Closing Hymn / UMH#308 “Thine be the Glory” ​
Announcement
- Many Thanks to those of you sending in your pledges.  Please continue to do so.
- Also please try to stay in touch with each other.  Pick a name each day and make a phone call.  We don’t want to be strangers when this is over.
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Via Dolorosa: Good Friday Prayer Walk

4/10/2020

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Via Dolorosa means “Way of Suffering” in Latin and is a traditional pilgrimage route in Jerusalem commemorating Christ’s journey to the cross, Golgotha, Calvary, the place of crucifixion (Mark 15:20-23). 

Nowadays, there are 14 stations of the cross or the events that transpired during that exhausting journey. I selected nine out of fourteen stations based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

I hope and pray that you can meditate on each photo with prayer so that you can commemorate the Passion of Christ on Good Friday. 

Pastor Gil
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First Station.
Jesus is Condemned to Die
 

Jesus stands, strong in His silence, as He is condemned to die for a crime He did not commit. He has been betrayed by His disciple, falsely accused, and judged wrongly. And yet He accepts His punishment without a word of protest.
 
PRAYER
Jesus, what a terrible injustice to see You condemned to death. Your own people, the Roman judges and the soldiers didn’t recognize that You were the Son of God. Give us the grace to see, respect and love You in all people, both innocent and guilty. Change our hearts that we may see with new eyes those we might otherwise condemn. 
In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen
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Second Station
Jesus Takes Up His Cross
 
Jesus begins His terrible journey up the hill to Calvary. The weight of the cross bites into His shoulders and He is reminded with each step that the pain He bears will be the cause of our joy. Despite His pain, His mind is filled with thoughts of us.
 
PRAYER
May we see Your presence Lord in all the burdens we carry today. Help us to share our burdens more freely, not to be afraid to acknowledge our fears and our pain. May we be more aware of the crosses that others bear and make time to alleviate their burden. May Your face shine on each one of us through the crosses we bear. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen
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Third Station
Simon Helps Jesus to Carry the Cross

Just when Jesus begins to think that He can go no farther, just when the soldiers begin to doubt that Jesus can make the long journey up the hill, they grab a man from the side of the road and force Him to carry the cross. Simon feels the bite of wood on His shoulder, and certainly he must have wondered why He, an innocent man, should be asked to do this.

PRAYER
Lord, help us to grasp our opportunities to be a Simon in our world. In those times when we can help, let us have the generosity to do so. May we continue the spirit of Simon through all who work to alleviate suffering in our world. Lord, may we have the humility to accept all the Simons along our road who reach out to help us in our moments of need. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen
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Fourth Station
Jesus Consoles the Women of Jerusalem
​

As Jesus walked along the road toward His death, some people laughed. Some stood in silence and wondered who He was. Some cheered. But one group of women, seeing Him hurting, tired, and beaten down, cried. This small act of faith and courage in the face of hardship supported Jesus in His grief, perhaps when He needed it most.

PRAYER
Lord, open our hearts to the suffering of all people in our world. Give us the generosity of spirit to help us recognize their pain, the courage to challenge the systems that place intolerable burdens on them and the compassion to support them. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen
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Fifth Station
Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

Jesus finally reaches the top of the hill – the place of His death. His reward for completing this part of the journey is to be savagely and brutally stripped. His open wounds cling to His garments, so the pain is excruciating as the soldiers rip His garments from His body, taking flesh and blood along with the cloth. To be forced to stand naked before the jeering crowds is humiliating for Jesus.

PRAYER
Forgive us Lord for being an irreverent mob prying into people’s lives. Forgive us for being consumers of gossip under the name of ‘news’. Let us never expose anyone. May we respect the dignity of others and leave judgement to God. Let us see the good in those around us and so enable them to reach their full potential. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen
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Sixth Station
Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
 
With a thief to His left and right and encircled by a crowd of onlookers, Jesus gently and willingly stretches out His hands and accepts the torture of the nails. In the midst of this most intense agony, His heart remains on His people: “Father, forgive them,” He prays, “for they know not what they do.”
 
PRAYER
Jesus, we pray on behalf of those who cannot reach out to You at this moment. We pray for all victims of violence; those who suffer it and those who inflict it. We pray especially for children, for the elderly and those too vulnerable to defend themselves. May victims of cruelty and oppression know that You are always with them. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen
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 Seventh Station
Jesus Dies on the Cross
 
Jesus didn’t immediately die when they nailed Him to the cross. He suffered for three long, agonizing hours first. The giver of life, who stood side by side with the Father at the moment of creation, was now dead. His mission on earth was nearly accomplished. He gave up his spirit, and gave us His life.
 
PRAYER
Let us stand with those who watched and prayed in silence while Jesus breathed His last. As we cannot measure love, so we cannot dilute this ultimate act of love and forgiveness with words. Let our love span the silence. Lord! Let our love and forgiveness speak Your praise. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen
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Eighth Station
Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
 
When the crowds finally went away, a few of Jesus’ followers were brave enough to ask for His body so they could bury it. Two men carefully remove the body from the cross and lay in the arms of His waiting mother. Tears run down Mary’s cheeks as she holds the son given to her so many years before.
​

PRAYER
Help us Lord to accept the partings that must come. Help us to offer our loved Ones back to you. Faced with the silence of death, let us not despair but find hope. May the finality of death not oppress us. Help us to trust in You, the Lord of the living and the dead. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen
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Ninth Station
Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
 
REFLECTION
Mary and the friends of Jesus prepare His body for burial and lay it in a tomb cut from solid rock. They have forgotten or perhaps failed to believe – the promise Jesus made to them. He will rise from the dead. As they roll the rock across the doorway, sealing the tomb, they feel that this special time with Jesus has come to an end. They know their lives will never be the same again.
​

PRAYER
Jesus, each day You put before us life or death. Help us always to choose life. We ask for the gift of faith when we are faced with the darkness of the tomb and our own death approaches. May we have eyes to see the promise of new life that the darkness can hold. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen
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Maundy Thursday Private Worship at Home

4/9/2020

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MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE

Centering Words
God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace we have been saved. Our sins are forgiven in the name of Jesus Christ.Almighty God, strengthen us with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in our hearts through faith. Amen.

Opening Prayer
Holy God, source of all love, on the night of his betrayal, Jesus gave us a new commandment, to love one another as he loves us. Write this commandment in our hearts, and give us the will to serve others as he was servant of all, your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

FIRST READING: Exodus 12:1-14 (CEB)
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month will be the first month; it will be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole Israelite community: On the tenth day of this month they must take a lamb for each household, a lamb per house. If a household is too small for a lamb, it should share one with a neighbor nearby. You should divide the lamb in proportion to the number of people who will be eating it. Your lamb should be a flawless year-old male. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. You should keep close watch over it until the fourteenth day of this month. At twilight on that day, the whole assembled Israelite community should slaughter their lambs. They should take some of the blood and smear it on the two doorposts and on the beam over the door of the houses in which they are eating. That same night they should eat the meat roasted over the fire. They should eat it along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Don’t eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over fire with its head, legs, and internal organs. Don’t let any of it remain until morning, and burn any of it left over in the morning. This is how you should eat it. You should be dressed, with your sandals on your feet and your walking stick in your hand. You should eat the meal in a hurry. It is the Passover of the Lord. I’ll pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I’ll strike down every oldest child in the land of Egypt, both humans and animals. I’ll impose judgments on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be your sign on the houses where you live. Whenever I see the blood, I’ll pass over you. No plague will destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.“This day will be a day of remembering for you. You will observe it as a festival to the Lord. You will observe it in every generation as a regulation for all time.”

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

Pray this Psalm

PSALM 116 (CEB)
I love the Lord because he hears my requests for mercy.I’ll call out to him as long as I live,because he listens closely to me.Death’s ropes bound me;the distress of the grave found me--I came face-to-face with trouble and grief.So I called on the Lord’s name:“Lord, please save me!”The Lord is merciful and righteous;our God is compassionate.The Lord protects simple folk;he saves me whenever I am brought down.I tell myself, You can be at peace again,because the Lord has been good to you.You, God, have delivered me from death,my eyes from tears, and my foot from stumbling, so I’ll walk before the Lord in the land of the living.I have remained faithful, even when I said,“I am suffering so badly!”even when I said, out of fear,“Everyone is a liar!”What can I give back to the Lordfor all the good things he has done for me?I’ll lift up the cup of salvation.I’ll call on the Lord’s name. I’ll keep the promises I made to the Lord in the presence of all God’s people.The death of the Lord’s faithful is a costly loss in his eyes. Oh yes, Lord, I am definitely your servant!I am your servant and the son of your female servant--you’ve freed me from my chains. So I’ll offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to you,and I’ll call on the Lord’s name.I’ll keep the promises I made to the Lordin the presence of all God’s people,in the courtyards of the Lord’s house,which is in the center of Jerusalem.Praise the Lord!

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (CEB)
I received a tradition from the Lord, which I also handed on to you: on the night on which he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread. After giving thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this to remember me.” He did the same thing with the cup, after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Every time you drink it, do this to remember me.” Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you broadcast the death of the Lord until he comes.Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL: John 13:1-17, 31b-35 (CEB)
The holy gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.

Before the Festival of Passover, Jesus knew that his time had come to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them fully. Jesus and his disciples were sharing the evening meal. The devil had already provoked Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew the Father had given everything into his hands and that he had come from God and was returning to God. So he got up from the table and took off his robes. Picking up a linen towel, he tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he was wearing. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You don’t understand what I’m doing now, but you will understand later.” “No!” Peter said. “You will never wash my feet!”
Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t have a place with me.” Simon Peter said, “Lord, not only my feet but also my hands and my head!” Jesus responded, “Those who have bathed need only to have their feet washed, because they are completely clean. You disciples are clean, but not every one of you.” He knew who would betray him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you is clean.”After he washed the disciples’ feet, he put on his robes and returned to his place at the table. He said to them, “Do you know what I’ve done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you speak correctly, because I am. If I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you too must wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example: Just as I have done, you also must do. I assure you, servants aren’t greater than their master, nor are those who are sent greater than the one who sent them. Since you know these things, you will be happy if you do them...“Now the Human One has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify the Human One in himself and will glorify him immediately. Little children, I’m with you for a little while longer. You will look for me—but, just as I told the Jewish leaders, I also tell you now—‘Where I’m going, you can’t come.’“I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.”

The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Having read these readings, think of this:
This word about the love of Jesus is always the beginning of any time. By remembering the Passover and the Last Supper and the footwashing, we are not trying to get back to an old time. In the face of the suffering and death with which the world is filled, our trying would not come to much. But God’s word comes to us now. To our time. Even when we cannot meet for the holy supper together, this word—which takes these three nights to say—comes to us: Jesus Christ is our forgiveness. He is the Lamb whose blood marks the doors of our houses and bodies. In the power of the Spirit, he has washed our feet and our lives. And he turns us toward our neighbors. In this word—and in the cross proclaimed tomorrow and the resurrection proclaimed on Saturday night—Easter comes out to hold us already.
​

Here you may share your thoughts with others or listen to Bishop Karen's short message.


Hymn # 432 “Jesu, Jesu” 

Hymn # 292 “What Wondrous Love Is This” 

You may pray these intercessions for our church and world: 
United with Christians around the globe on this Maundy Thursday, let us pray for the church, the earth, our troubled world, and all in need, responding to each petition with the words, Your mercy is great.

A brief silence. 

Blessed are you, holy God, for the church. Gather all the baptized around your presence in the Word. Strengthen the body of your people even when we cannot assemble for worship. Grant our pastor and church leaders faithfulness and creativity for their ministry in this time, and accompany those preparing for baptism.

A brief silence. 

Hear us, holy God. Your mercy is great. Blessed are you, bountiful God, for this good earth and for the flowering of springtime. Save dry lands from destructive droughts. Protect the waters from pollution. Allow in this time the planting of fields for food. Make us into caregivers of your plants and animals.

A brief silence. 

Hear us, bountiful God.Your mercy is great. 
Blessed are you, sovereign God, for our nation. Inspire all people to live in peace and concord. Grant wisdom and courage to heads of state and to legislators as they face the coronavirus. Lead our elected officials to champion the cause of the needy.

A brief silence. 

Hear us, sovereign God. Your mercy is great. 
Blessed are you, faithful God, for you accompany suffering humanity with love. Abide wherever the coronavirus has struck. Visit all who mourn their dead; all who have contracted the virus; those who are quarantined or stranded away from home; those who have lost their employment; those who fear the present and the future. Support physicians, nurses, and home health aides; medical researchers; and the World Health Organization. 

A brief silence. 

Hear us, faithful God. Your mercy is great. 
Blessed are you, gracious God, for you care for the needy. We beg you to feed the hungry, protect the refugee, embrace the distressed, house the homeless, nurse the sick, and comfort the dying. Especially we pray for those we name before you now.

A brief silence. 

Hear us, gracious God. Your mercy is great. Blessed are you, loving God, that your Son knelt before us, your unworthy servants. Preserveour lives, comfort our anxiety, and receive now the petitions of our hearts.

A longer period of silence. 

Hear us, loving God. Your mercy is great.Blessed are you, eternal God, for all who have died in the faith, especially the martyr DietrichBonhoeffer, whom we remember today, and those whom we name before you here.

A brief silence. 

At the end, bring us with them into your everlasting glory. Hear us, eternal God. Your mercy is great. 

Receive, merciful God, our prayers, for the sake of Jesus Christ, the host of our meal of life, who died and rose that we might live with you, now and forever. Amen. 

​HYMN # 549 “Where Charity and Love Prevail” 

Finally, remembering Jesus going to his arrest and his death, the events from which all the mercy that fills this night flows, pray this Psalm. 

PSALM 88 (CEB) 
Lord, God of my salvation,
by day I cry out,
even at night, before you--
let my prayer reach you!

Turn your ear to my out cry 
because my whole being is filled with distress;
my life is at the very brink of hell. 

I am considered as one of those plummeting into the pit.

I am like those who are beyond help,
drifting among the dead, 
lying in the grave, like dead bodies--

those you don’t remember anymore,
those who are cut off from your power.

You placed me down in the deepest pit,
in places dark and deep.

Your anger smothers me;
you subdue me with it, wave after wave. Selah 

You’ve made my friends distant.
You’ve made me disgusting to them.

I can’t escape. I’m trapped!
My eyes are tired of looking at my suffering.
I’ve been calling out to you every day, Lord--
I’ve had my hands outstretched to you!

Do you work wonders for the dead?
Do ghosts rise up and give you thanks? Selah

Is your faithful love proclaimed in the grave,
your faithfulness in the underworld?

Are your wonders known in the land of darkness,
your righteousness in the land of oblivion?

But I cry out to you, Lord!
My prayer meets you first thing in the morning!

Why do you reject my very being, Lord?
Why do you hide your face from me?
Since I was young I’ve been afflicted, I’ve been dying.
I’ve endured your terrors. I’m lifeless.

Your fiery anger has overwhelmed me;
your terrors have destroyed me. 
They surround me all day long like water;

they engulf me completely.

You’ve made my loved ones and companions distant.
My only friend is darkness.
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Sunday Worship on April 5, 2020

4/4/2020

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Picture
Prelude
(Please get ready yourself to have a special time with God in prayer)
 
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 / “Come and Rest” (Click Here)
 
Reading / Liturgist
Jesus’ prayer life was described most often in the scriptures as something he did “away” from the crowds or disciples. And as we come to the last week of this Lent journey, we have experienced the blessings of turning away from the noise of the world in order to turn inward to hear that “still small voice” of God and finding our own voice of wisdom there as well. This Sunday begins the story of the end of Jesus’ human life and the scripture contains one of the rare examples of how Jesus prayed. It was honest, it was gut-wrenching, and it finally was a letting-go of expectations about life and turned toward the acceptance that gives us courage to move onward.

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:
 
Listen to the Beating of your own heart. . .
it will tell you what makes you fully alive


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.

Reading / Liturgist
In the midst of the bustle of Jerusalem at Passover comes a parade into the city–not filled with grandeur and might–but one that has reverberated through the ages. It continues to call us as a church to join with palms of praise and protest. Let us stand and greet the Parade of Jesus that proclaims a kingdom of justice and peace.
 
Opening Hymn / UMH #278 “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna"(Click Here)
 
Seeking the Word / Matthew 26:36-46
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

L: This is the Word of God for the people of God.
P: Thanks to be God.
 
Anthem / “The Messiah Has Come" (Click Here)
 
Joys and Concerns
The Lord’s Prayer
Affirmation of our prayers / UMH #898 "Amen"
 

Communion with the Palm Sunday Message of the Bishop (Click Here)
For this special Palm Sunday, we are joining in the Remote Love Feast for Palm Sunday 2020 with the Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar and Conference Lay Leader Rene Wilbur 


Closing Hymn / FWS #2112 / “Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley" (Click Here)

Announcements
  • Please pray for our church families’ safety, healthy, and in peace physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
  • Please let pastor Gil know if you have anyone who is sick or any needs.
  • No Sunday Worship until further notice.
  • No Bible Study until further notice.
  
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" (Click Below)
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Hillside United Methodist Church

82 Center St. Goffstown, NH 03045
Church: (603) 497-4163
Church Email: hillsidegoffstown@gmail.com

Pastor: (603) 290-9436
Pastor Email: gilpyo.lee@gmail.com

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