FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Fort Dodge, IA

Our mission

is to provide the people of the Fort Dodge area

opportunities for spiritual growth,

real friendships, and giving of themselves

Radio broadcast at 11:05 am each Sunday on KVFD 1400 AM

Truck Site: www.takingittothepeople.org

Email: worship@fumcfortdodge.org

Web Site: www.fumcfortdodge.org

Phone: 515-576-7586

October 21, 2007

21^st Sunday after Pentecost

*Congregation Stands Congregation reads Bold Type

“UMH” = The United Methodist Hymnal

“FWS” = The Faith We Sing Songbook

PRELUDE

The prelude is a time of centering – of transition from “getting here” to “being here”. Please take the time to quiet your spirit. Be aware of being with others. Feel the spirit of God in the community.

WESLEY RINGERS

“They’ll Know We Are Christians”

arr. Jeffrey Honore’

WELCOME Please take a moment and fill out the “Ritual of Friendship” pads at this time. Please list all family members attending today, your address and phone numbers, and then pass the books back through the pews after everyone has signed, so you may greet and know those sitting with you.

MISSION, MINISTRY AND STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND VISITORS

Please stand to make your introductions. An usher will bring the portable microphone to you, beginning with the east section, working left to right. Please introduce your family and friends, using the microphone.

*THE PEACE

The peace of the Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Greet those around you with signs of peace and love.

*CALL TO WORSHIP

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the

Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

Even if the fig tree does not blossom, and there is no fruit on the vines.

Though the produce of the olive fails and the fields yield no food;

Even if the flock is cut off from the fold and there is no herd in the stalls;

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the God of my salvation.

I will rejoice in the Lord and worship him, for He is my God,

my strength and my hope.

*OPENING SONG

“The Summons”

# 2130 FWS

*INVOCATION

God of our days and our nights - of our valleys and our mountain tops, we come into your sanctuary and into your presence at this time to worship you - to give you the praise that you deserve, to show you the love that we have for you because of your goodness, to learn from you what you would have us do and be. Grant that this may be a time of prayer - of communion - of thought and meditation. Grant too that we may rejoice no matter what the circumstances in our lives - and develop a stronger faith in you. We ask it in the name of Christ Jesus - our Lord.

*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 sins, as we forgive those who sin 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.

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

The sacred writings are able to instruct us for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. For the Christ of the cross is revealed to us as mediator and intercessor with God. And in Jesus we are assured of forgiveness, and we are established in newness of life. Praise be to God!

*ACT OF PRAISE

“Something Beautiful, Something Good”

(sing through twice)

#394 UMH

CHANCEL CHOIR

“Wade in the Water”

arr. Mark Hayes

KID’S MINUTES

The congregation sings “Where Children Belong” (p. 2233) as the children come forward

Ushers collect the “Ritual Friendship Pads” at this time

“Where Children Belong”

This, this is where children belong, welcomed as part of the worshipping throng. Water, God’s Word, bread and cup, prayer, and song: This is where children belong.

RESPONSIVE READING

Psalm 121

I look to the world around me for the salvation that I desire;

but my help comes instead from God who made the heavens and the earth.

God, my protector, is ever-vigilant.

"Guard us, O Sovereign God."

God is always watchful, guarding and sheltering me by day and by night;

I am protected from all danger, my safety is assured;

and my coming in, both now and forever.

"Guard us, O Sovereign God."

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray:

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

God who seeks our constant communion and who offers us grace upon grace, we confess that we pray in fits and starts and that, indeed, we often lose heart. We look around and see that the poor are always among us, that justice is yet to roll down like waters, that we have beaten our plowshares into swords, and we wonder how long, O Lord, must we cry. Hear our cries and respond. Hear our cries and cause us to respond. Bring wholeness to this hurting world through persistent widows and faithful servants and those with hearts on whom you have your law written. Make it so, God of true justice and giver of great hope. Amen.

*HYMN

“O Word of God Incarnate”

# 598 UMH

*GOSPEL READING

Luke 18:1-8

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. {2} He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. {3} In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.' {4} For a while he refused; but

(Continued on back page)

later he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, {5} yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" {6} And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. {7} And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? {8} I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (NRSV)

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

SERMON

“Never Give Up”

Mark Haverland

PRESENTATION OF OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS

Offertory

“Invention”

Flor Peters

Organist Charlton Pendry

*Doxology #95

*Prayer of Dedication of Offerings

*HYMN

“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”

# 384 UMH

*COMMISSIONING

Having been called by the Christ of the Bible to participate in God's ongoing salvation of the world, go out to expose others to Scripture in your ministry, as you are living words of hope for the hopeless and help to the helpless.

*BENEDICTION

The blessing of God, the word-giver; of Jesus, the Word incarnate; and the Holy Spirit, the word-enabler is with you always.

*POSTLUDE

“Toccata in E Minor”

Johann Pachelbel

WELCOME!

If you are a visitor with us today, we warmly say welcome. We invite you to join us at the rear of the sanctuary after worship for fellowship and refreshment.

GREETERS: LITURGIST:

Don & Mary Lou Fibiker (East Door) Larry Boyd

Cal & Doris Woods (West Door)

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Altar Grains are given today by John Schmalenberger

In Memory of his father, Carl Schmalenberger

Opportunities for Work, Witness and Fellowship

through First United Methodist Church

Sun, Oct 21	21^st Sun after Pentecost	Thu, Oct 25
8:45 am	Sunday School	9:30 am	Lord’s Cupboard
10:00 am	Worship	12:00 pm	Call to Prayer
11:00 am	HS Youth Group Brunch	6:45–10:00 pm	Choral Society Rehearsal
5:00 pm	Tinns Rehearsal	Fri, Oct 26
5:45 pm	HS Youth Group	1:30 pm	Lord’s Cupboard
Mon, Oct 22	Chimes Deadline	7-Midnight	Friday Night Lights
10:00 am	Staff	Sat, Oct 27
6:45-10:00 pm	Choral Society Rehearsal	4:15-7:15 pm	Choral Society Rehearsal
Tue, Oct 23		Sun, Oct 28	22^nd Sun after Pentecost
9:30 am	Lord’s Cupboard	8:45 am	Sunday School
12:00 Noon	AA	10:00 am	Worship
7:00 pm	Boy Scouts	11:00 am	Tinns
Wed, Oct 24		3:00 pm	Choral Society Concert
6:30 am	Bible Study	3:30 pm	HS Study Group
9:30 am	Julia-Lydia Circle	5:45 pm	HS Youth Group Telethon
9:30 am	Ruth Circle	You are welcome to stay for the HS Youth Group Brunch!!!
1:00 pm	Priscilla Circle
6:00 pm	Wesley Ringers
7:00 pm	Chancel Choir
7:00 pm	Vashti Circle

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CIRCLE MEETINGS

              Your Staff:

The Congregation, The Ministers

Mark Haverland, Pastor

Phyllis Peterson, Admin Assistant

Jennifer Peterson, Program Coordinator

Audra McKinney, Outreach Coordinator

Mike Richardson, Choirs Director

Liz Johnson, Children’s Choirs Director

Diane Logan, Organist

Jon Schuman, Chief Financial Officer

Betty Kinkner, Nursery Attendant

Kory & Dee Finke, Custodians

Linda Wakeman, Asst Custodian

                                                                                Oct 24^th

9:30 am

Julia-Lydia Circle

At 4^th Floor Lounge

Heritage Apts.

Ruth Circle

At Skylight

1:00 pm

Priscilla Circle

At Heritage Apts.

7:00 pm

Vashti Circle

Nancy Bolton, Hostess

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NURSERY PROVIDED DURING WORSHIP IN THE NORTHEAST ROOM BEHIND THE SANCTUARY.

Sr. High Youth Group Brunch

Today, Sunday - October 21

following the 10:00 service

Egg Casseroles, muffins and rolls, juice and coffee

Free will donation to help defray costs of projects this year

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The Soup is On!!!

The youth will be sponsoring FUMC’s 44^th Annual Soup Supper on November 5^th. We will be serving from 4:30-7 PM. Tickets will be $5 for adults; $3 for ages 4-11; children 3 and younger are free!! We will be serving homemade chili and vegetable beef soups, relish, drink and dessert!!

Please make sure to mark your calendars and support the youth’s soup supper. This is the largest fundraiser for the youth group and allows them to participate in events to nurture their faith.

Tickets are on sale today in the back of the sanctuary.

Tickets are also available at the church office during the week.

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Check it out!

Sermons, bulletins and newsletters are on our website at www.fumcfortdodge.org

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The African Children’s Choir will be in concert, Nov 2, 7:00 pm,

At Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Fort Dodge.

“Please hear our songs and see our smiles – we will show you what a difference can be made in the lives of children like us with your help.”

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Nov. Chimes Deadline - October 22

The High School Youth Group Telethon