UNION CENTER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

UNION CENTER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

CHURCH OFFICE 748-6329 PASTOR BROWN 748-1358

February 17, 2008 8:30 AM

PRELUDE: Betty Phinney

ANNOUNCEMENTS: 8:25 AM

*GREETINGS & GATHERINGS: “By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16 RSV

*CALL TO WORSHIP: “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence does my help come?
My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved, He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and for evermore.” Psalm 121 RSV

HYMNS OF PRAISE: “How Great Thou Art” #77

“Better Is One Day” Insert

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: The Apostles’ Creed #881

*GLORIA PATRI: #70

UNISON PRAYER:  “Most Holy and Gracious God, our heavenly Father, You who are the wind that brings new life and the breath that sustains us, blow upon this day. Inspire the words we hear and speak and sing.  Sweep away the dullness of our minds that we may know You more fully.  Clear our hearts of those things that clutter them that we may love Jesus

more deeply.  Banish from our wills any weakness that prevents us from following Him more faithfully.  Be here with us we pray, and move among us so that Your name may be praised both in this place and in all those places we may go this day.  We ask it in Jesus' name who has taught us to pray:”

LORD’S PRAYER

SHARING IN CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP: “For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” Romans 4:3 RSV

Welcoming Our Visiting Friends

Sharing of Our Testimonies, Joy and Blessings

Sharing our Prayer Concerns

PRAYER VERSE: “Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins
are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not reckon his sin.”

Romans 4:7, 8 RSV

PRAYER CHORUS: “He Knows My Name” Insert

OFFERTORY VERSE: “Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you, and him who curses you I will curse; and by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves.” So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.”

Genesis 12:1-4 RSV

OFFERTORY CHORUS: CD Special

Presentations of Tithes and Offerings

*DOXOLOGY: #95

HYMN OF PREPARATION: “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” #452

SCRIPTURE: John 3:1-17 Pew Bible #1029

MESSAGE: “Twelve Great Promises from John 3:16 Pastor Brown

*HYMN OF INVITATION: “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” #301

*ALLELUIA *BENEDICTION *POSTLUDE

The Altar is open for prayer. You are welcome to come to the Altar, praying for someone or praying for yourself with commitment to Christ for the first time or for rededication of your life to Him. Someone will join you at the Altar to pray with you. The flowers that grace our Altar are given to the Glory of God and in loving honor of Howard Woodward’s 90^th birthday. From his friends.

RECORD OF FAITHFULNESS & STEWARDSHIP FOR February 10, 2008

ATTENDANCE: (65/64,129) TOTAL OFFERING:$4007.26

General:$2764.35 Designated:$1242.91

THOSE WHO ARE SERVING TODAY: 8:30 AM

WORSHIP LEADER: Ray Bartholomew

GREETERS: Gordon & Donna Glover

NURSERY: Betsy Shumaker

USHER: Adam Rosenbarker

AUDIO: Bob Deuel

JR. CHURCH: ___________________________________________________

CHURCH CALENDAR WEEK of February 17, 2008

TODAY: 8:30 AM First Worship Service

9:50 AM Sunday School

11:00 AM Second Worship Service

12:30 PM Fellowship Luncheon

9:30 AM Wesley United Methodist Church Service

WED: 6:00 PM Soup/Supper

6:30 PM Bible Study

FRI: 7:00 PM TV Ministry – Cable Channel 4

CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR: Edward Lucia(upcoming tests, Jean Warfield’s grandson), Chuck Loeffler, Carl Grube (paralyzed, 37 yr. old brother of Kim Soundararaj), Gail C. (upcoming biopsy), Bernard Kohler (85 yr. old has emphysema, Betty DuBois's cousin), Bettye Tuzza, Kathleen Budnovitch (Millie Rood’s friend), Ernie Peckham, Sr. (surgery on 2-18-08), Irene Boyer, John Pipher, Jean Warfield, Judy Pflug, Linda Ayer, George Cameron, Irving Rosenbarker, Connie Perry, Pamela Jean (Jack and Alice Black’s niece), Bob English, Millie Rood, Jack Black, Ethel Hower, Yvonne Arnold, Jonathan (Nate Young’s grandson), Orin White, Jeffery Sibley, Diane Ryans, Linda Fisher, Ralph Kocik, June Smith, Chad Grindel (Ray & Betty Fowler’s grandson), Dorothy Sedlacek, Ruth Ross, Alana Otis, Don & Lillian Eckler, Andy & Ann, Mahlon Tewksbury and Paul Carpenter.

SPECIAL NEEDS : Vin and Sherri Rosenbarker, Alex Madison (mass on his kidney), Kim Soundararaj (breast cancer) and Jonathan Brown, (30 yr. old who has cancer).

THOSE SERVING IN IRAQ: Alan Votakpa, Shawn Gent, Frank Simser, Kevin McPherson - Rich's cousin, now on his 8th tour in Iraq, Kyle Chanitz, Scott McPherson, Christopher Simser, Jr., Adam Tatusko and Nicholas Tokos. Please pray for our Nation, Kenya and Orissa, India.

PRAYING FOR OUR MISSIONARIES: Doug/Karen (Frisch) Lehman (Africa), Jim /Shawn Ramsay (Georgia/Mission Society), Peter/Esther Pereira (India), Dave/Jean Coles (Indonesia), Neal/Mari Hicks (Japan), Guido/Kim (Warren) Orellana (Ecuador), Dr. Jeff/Marilyn Lester (Medics International), Dr.Terry/Renee Wortz, Elizabeth Salisbury(USA), Gary/Rebecca Mink (Africa), Leroy/Peg Jones (USA), Larry/Marian Byrnes (Indiana/OMS), Christopher/Rashaell Jones (Ecuador)

UNION CENTER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

http://www.gbgm-umc.org/ucumc

umcgospel@aol.com

CHURCH OFFICE 748-6329 PASTOR BROWN 748-1358

February 17, 2008 11:00 AM

PRELUDE: Betty Phinney

ANNOUNCEMENTS: 11:00 AM

*GREETINGS & GATHERINGS: “By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16 RSV

*A TIME OF PRAISE:         “Forever”
                                                “Salvation Belongs To Our God”
                                                “Knowing You”

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: The Apostles’ Creed #881

UNISON PRAYER:  “Most Holy and Gracious God, our heavenly Father, You who are the wind that brings new life and the breath that sustains us, blow upon this day. Inspire the words we hear and speak and sing.  Sweep away the dullness of our minds that we may know You more fully.  Clear our hearts of those things that clutter them that we may love Jesus

more deeply.  Banish from our wills any weakness that prevents us from following Him more faithfully.  Be here with us we pray, and move among us so that Your name may be praised both in this place and in all those places we may go this day.  We ask it in Jesus' name who has taught us to pray:”

LORD’S PRAYER

A TIME OF PRAYER

A TIME OF WORSHIPPING WITH OUR TITHES, OFFERINGS AND

SPECIAL MUSIC

*A TIME OF WORSHIP:     “Open The Eyes Of My Heart Lord”
                                                “You Are My All In All”
                                                “Jesus, You Are My Life”

SCRIPTURE READING: John 3:1-17 Pew Bible #1029

MESSAGE: “Twelve Great Promises from John 3:16 Pastor Brown

*HYMN OF INVITATION: “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” #301

*ALLELUIA *BENEDICTION *POSTLUDE

RECORD OF FAITHFULNESS & STEWARDSHIP FOR February 10, 2008

ATTENDANCE: (65/64,129) TOTAL OFFERING:$4007.26

General:$2764.35 Designated:$1242.91

THOSE WHO ARE SERVING TODAY: 11:00 AM

WORSHIP LEADER: Craig Sabin

GREETERS: Bill & Abby Woodward

NURSERY: Sandhya Naik

USHER: Rich Henry

AUDIO: Bill Jubin

JR. CHURCH: Luanne Pullano _

WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

CHURCH OFFICE (785-5349) OR 748-6329 PASTOR BROWN 748-1358

February 17, 2008 9:30 AM

PRE-SERVICE MUSIC 9:25 AM

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

*GREETINGS & GATHERINGS: “By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16 RSV

*HYMN OF PRAISE: “How Great Thou Art” #77

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: The Apostles’ Creed #881

UNISON PRAYER:  " Most Holy and Gracious God, our heavenly Father, You who are the wind that brings new life and the breath that sustains us, blow upon this day. Inspire the words we hear and speak and sing.  Sweep away the dullness of our minds that we may know You more fully.  Clear our hearts of those things that clutter them that we may love Jesus

more deeply.  Banish from our wills any weakness that prevents us from following Him more faithfully.  Be here with us we pray, and move among us so that Your name may be praised both in this place and in all those places we may go this day.  We ask it in Jesus' name who has taught us to pray:”

LORD’S PRAYER

SHARING IN CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP: “For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” Romans 4:3 RSV

Welcoming Each Other into the House of the Lord

Sharing Of Our joys and blessings

Sharing our Prayer Concerns

PRAYER VERSE: “Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins
are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not reckon his sin.”

Romans 4:7, 8 RSV

MORNING PRAYER

SPECIAL MUSIC: Grant, Mary and Ruth

OFFERTORY VERSE: “Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you, and him who curses you I will curse; and by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves.” So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.”

Genesis 12:1-4 RSV

Presentations of Tithes and Offerings

*DOXOLOGY #95

*HYMN OF PREPARATION: “The God of Abraham Praise” #116

SCRIPTURE: John 3:1-17 Pew Bible #1649

MESSAGE: “Twelve Great Promises from John 3:16 Pastor Brown

HYMN OF INVITATION: “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” #301

*BENEDICTION

The Relay For Life of Western Broome is coming soon, June 14 and 15 at Sammon Field, Vestal. Please help us to promote the Relay in our Western Broome community by including the following announcement (or facsimile) in your church bulletin in the coming weeks.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Relay For Life of Western Broome will be held June 14 and 15 at Sammon Field, Vestal. Relay For Life is an overnight celebration of life and cancer survivorship. Teams of people from the community have fun while raising much needed funds to fight cancer. Contributions to the Relay For Life help the American Cancer Society fight cancer in four ways: research, education, advocacy and patient services.

If you are interested in joining a team, volunteering your time or making a donation to support the Relay For Life of Western Broome, contact Gina Chapman, (607) 766-6907 or call 1-800-ACS-2345.

Thank you in advance for your support!

DEAR CHURCH FAMILY-After returning from our EXCEL weekend, where the focus was “surrender, service and scripture”, the youth group has decided to begin this New Year with a service project for the soldiers related to members of our church family.  You can help.  There will be collection boxes placed in the fellowship hall and the narthex of the Church, we will be collecting the following items through the month of February and will send our boxes early in March.  Thank you in advance for your help with this project.

Batteries, powdered drink mixes, toothbrushes and toothpaste, shaving cream and razors, soap, playing cards, phone cards, gum and hard candy, popcorn, bug spray, lip gloss, magazines, game and puzzle books, granola bars, small hand held games, breath mints, paperback books, DVDs

PRACTICE FOR THE EASTER CANTATA-“Behold! God’s Holy Lamb” by Mark Hayes.  We are practicing Wednesday nights at 7:30 pm.  All are welcome

JEREMIAH PEOPLE-Will be in concert at Union Center UMC on Saturday, February 23, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.  The Jeremiah People have wowed audiences for nearly 30 years with their unique style of music, laughter and drama. The mission of the Jeremiah People is to inspire the church, energize the family and challenge believers and non-believers alike with the message of Hope found in Jesus Christ.

FIVE FOR FIVE CONCERT-April 11, 2008. Sponsored by UCUMC. This concert will be held at Boulevard UMC, Binghamton. There will be five National Christian bands performing. Tickets may be purchased at Arrowhead and Ticket-tron at the price of $5.00. This is a mega Youth event! Call the Church office for more information. 607-748-6329.

BUILDING PROJECT FUNDRAISER EVENT-April, 2008. For more information contact Deborah Eckhardt at 772-2472.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY’S DAFFODIL DAYS-Every year, the American Cancer Society welcomes the arrival of Spring with thousands of Daffodils. The magnificent flower is also the Society’s Symbol of Hope…that cancer will be eliminated as a major health problem. It is our hope that you will join us in continuing to make a difference in the fight against cancer by participating in the Daffodil Days campaign. A bunch of 10 fresh-cut daffodils is $10 each, potted plants are $10 each, a Bear and a Bunch is $25 each. Place your order by February 22. Please place your order by calling the Church office at 748-6329 or you may order online at http://daffodil.acsevents.org/southern_ny. Thank you for supporting our goal to conquer cancer! Peg Blackman, Daffodil Coordinator.

INDIA NIGHT-Saturday, March 1, 2008. Come and join us for an evening of food and fellowship. We will be serving authentic Indian food. We will start serving at 4:30 until 7:00 p.m. We will be taking a free will offering. This offering will go to our Christian brothers and sisters who have been affected by the recent violence against them.

Better Is One Day

How lovely is Your dwelling place

O Lord Almighty,

For my soul longs and even faints for You.

For here my heart is satisfied

Within Your presence.

I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings.

Better is one day in Your courts,

Better is one day in Your house,

Better is one day in Your courts,

Than thousands elsewhere.

Better is one day in Your courts,

Better is one day in Your house,

Better is one day in Your courts,

Than thousands elsewhere.

One thing I ask and I would seek,

To see Your beauty,

To find You in the place Your glory dwells.

One thing I ask and I would seek,

To see Your beauty,

To find You in the place Your glory dwells.

Better is one day in Your courts,

Better is one day in Your house,

Better is one day in Your courts,

Than thousands elsewhere.

Better is one day in Your courts,

Better is one day in Your house,

Better is one day in Your courts,

Than thousands elsewhere.

My heart and flesh cry out

For You the living God,

Your Spirit’s water to my soul.

I’ve tasted and I’ve seen,

Come once again to me.

I will draw near to You,

I will draw near to You.

Better is one day in Your courts,

Better is one day in Your house,

Better is one day in Your courts,

Than thousands elsewhere.

Better is one day in Your courts,

Better is one day in Your house,

Better is one day in Your courts,

Than thousands elsewhere.

Better is one day, better is one day,

Better is one day than thousands elsewhere.

Better is one day, better is one day,

Better is one day than thousands elsewhere.

Better is one day in Your courts,

Better is one day in Your house,

Better is one day in Your courts,

Than thousands elsewhere.

Better is one day in Your courts,

Better is one day in Your house,

Better is one day in Your courts,

Than thousands elsewhere,

Than thousands elsewhere.

IT’S TIME TO ORDER YOUR EASTER PLANT!

Easter Lillies—5 bloom $8.50

Hyacinths—3 flower (6 inch pot) $7.25

Daffodils—(6 inch pot) $7.25

Mums—(6 inch pot) $7.95

Tulips—3 flower (4 inch pot) $3.95

6 flower (6 inch pot) $7.25

To order your Easter plants please fill out the form below. Thank you.

In honor of_______________________________________________

In memory of_____________________________________________

Presented by______________________________________________

Will pick-up______________________________________________

Deliver to a shut-in_________________________________________

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR A FUN EVENT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

What: Silent Auction FUNdraiser toward the building fund

When: Saturday April 19, 2008

Where: Fellowship Hall

Why: To raise money, excitement and awareness of what the Lord can do as we collect money for the building fund.

What kinds of things will be auctioned off?

This highly depends on the creativity of our congregation and those who are willing to go out and generate donations. Some initial ideas?

Gift baskets from those who sell Pampered Chef, PartyLite, Lia Sophia, Avon, Mary Kay, etc.

Gift certificates from those who provide services – haircuts, piano lessons, voice lessons, cake decorating, oil changes, professional services such as counseling, audiology, massage, tutoring, etc.

Donations from those who sew, quilt, crochet, or create other works of art such as beautiful paintings

Gift certificates/gift baskets from local businesses not far from our church, such as Our Country Hearts, Giant markets, Nezuntoz, Phil’s Chicken House, (where do you go out to eat after church?), etc

Gift certificate/Gift basket from Arrowhead Christian Bookstore and other local Christian stores, then take a look in the Christian Yellow Pages, who else would be willing to make a donation.

Baskets that have a cookbook and cookie cutters, a basket with candles and bubble bath, wine and crackers, kitchen towels and a special recipe, a basket of books that you’ve already read (in good condition) and would like to pass along

A basket of baby bibs, onesies, baby toys, diapers, etc

A kid’s basket with crayons, coloring books, stickers, doodle pad, little toys, etc

Get your family, Sunday school class, men’s group, woman’s group, youth group etc to donate a collective basket. Options are limitless here!!! Creativity will be the key! We don’t need expensive donations - think of things that would make nice gifts, items that people would be willing to bid on!

Stay tuned as more details will be made available as April draws near!

Thank you in advance for your participation and willingness to generously donate to this FUNdraiser! If you have questions, more ideas or want to be involved in this event, please contact Deborah Eckhardt, 772-2472.

My Faith Looks Up to Thee

The history of the human condition that we find in the opening chapters of the Bible paints a bleak picture. First came Adam and Eve and "the fall." In the very next generation we find the story of Cain and Able and the first recorded crime of murder. From there, humanity continued on a downward spiral toward self destruction and the flood.

God's mercy and care are seen throughout the stories, though. Although Cain killed his brother, God warned others against harming him. Unfortunately, Cain's descendants didn't seem to improve in character. Lamech, Cain's great-grandson, bragged of killing men and practically defied anyone to do anything about it. Yet God gave Lamech a son named Jubal, the "father of all who play the harp and flute." Evil continued to grow in the world, but God looked and saw Noah, "a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God." (Gen. 6:9). God told Noah to build an ark. An ark! And Noah did it, just because God told him to. Noah and his family survived the flood. All others died.

What Noah did was remarkable in his day. He put his faith in God. We are challenged to do the same remarkable thing today--put our faith in God. This week's featured hymn, My Faith Looks Up to Thee, was written by Ray Palmer (1808-1887). From the very first verse, this hymn builds upon a theme of faith, grace, and salvation. It acknowledges guilt and cries out to have it removed. It calls for love from grace, relief from sorrow, and life from death. What a powerful message of grace that ransoms the guilty soul--the soul of someone who suffers from the human condition. Here is the text of the hymn:

1. My faith looks up to thee,
thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
take all my guilt away,
O let me from this day
be wholly thine!

2. May thy rich grace impart
strength to my fainting heart,
my zeal inspire!
As thou hast died for me,
O may my love to thee
pure, warm, and changeless be,
a living fire!

HE KNOWS MY NAME

I have a maker
He formed my heart,
before even time began
My life was in his hands

He knows my name
He knows my every thought,
He sees each tear that falls
and hears me when I call

I have a father,
he calls me his own
He'll never leave me,
no matter where I go

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
and hears me when I call

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
and hears me when I call

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And hears me when I call
He hears me when I call