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Worship Service |
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SUMMER SUNDAY WORSHIP --- 10:00 A.M.
SANCTUARY -- LEVEL ONE
Sunday Worship. From the casual fellowship prior to the organ prelude through to the benediction, First Church offers the best of traditional worship for contemporary Christians. Congregational songs and prayers, scripture and sermon, choral anthems and children's messages are all a part of the service. Large print bulletins and handicapped seating are available. Children of all ages are certainly welcome, though we do provide guided childcare (parents' pagers are distributed for immediate contact with the nursery). Children will also enjoy bags containing activity sheets and coloring pages in the Narthex.
Holy Communion, also known as the Lord's Supper, is served the first Sunday of each month. In the United Methodist Church, you do not need to be a member to participate in this sacrament --- Holy Communion is open to all people who love Christ. At First Church, we serve by "intinction" -- the pastor will give you a piece of bread, you will then dip it into grape juice in the chalice. Afterwards, you may wish to kneel at the prayer rail or return to your seat. Those preferring Communion where seated will be served by a pastor. If you do not wish to participate, simply remain seated. Provisions are always made for those who are gluten intolerant.
Through Baptism, we accept God's gifts through Jesus. There are three methods used for baptism by United Methodists, although sprinkling water on the head of the person being baptized is most common. Please contact our pastors if you would like more information about baptism at First United Methodist.
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2010 SUMMER VESPERS
Two special vesper services were held this Summer, as a part of our "Beyond the Walls" ministries.
The first of these was a Folk Song Vespers at Jackson Square, the Pike Street parking facility in downtown Clarksburg, Wednesday evening, July 14th.
"Although we have a wonderful home church, in order to reach more people, we must take our ministry and worship into the community. This vespers is a great way to do that", reports Director of Music and Adult Ministries, Don Gardner. "When we did this the past two years, families from our church were joined by folks from others in the area, as well as people who just happened to be downtown, heard the great music, and came over to see what was going on."
The 2nd "Beyond the Walls" vespers was again at the Jackson Square pavillion, on August 11th, and featured sacred jazz, led by the Phil Wyatt Quartet, who played a great selection of gathering songs from 6:45 to 7:15. Then, from 7:15 to 8:00, a vesper service with communion was celebrated.
Other "Beyond the Walls" events this summer have included giving away free brownies to morning commuters and free marigold seedlings and helium balloons throughout the community --- our way at First Church of saying "God cares for you....and so do we!"
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PENTECOST
Pentecost, celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter, commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles in Jerusalem. The image of the tongues of fire that symbolizes the Holy Spirit inspired the United Methodist cross and flame emblem.
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While there are other references to Pentecost in the New Testament, the main passage is in Acts 2, telling of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on those in the "upper room."
Pentecost represents God’s gracious, enabling presence actively at work among His people, calling and enabling them to live out in dynamic ways the witness of being His people.
The sanctuary colors for Pentecost are red, the color of the church. The red symbolizes both the fire of Pentecost as well as the apostles and early followers of Jesus who were gathered in the Upper Room for the empowerment from God to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world.
For Christians, Pentecost Sunday is a day to celebrate hope, a hope evoked by the knowledge that God through His Holy Spirit is at work among His people. It is a celebration of God’s ongoing work in the world.
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Scripture Readings for Pentecost
The New Testament readings include Acts 2, as well as John 14:8-17, 16:5-15, 20:19-23, all of which carry through this theme of God enabled mission in the world.
The reading from 1 Corinthians 12:3-13 emphasizes the gifts of the Spirit that enable God’s work in the world.
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THIS WEEK
More information? Call 304-623-3397 or click to open our newsletter.... SEPTEMBER 2010 Grapevine
Sunday, Sept 5
Sunday School---9:00 am Worship---10:00 am
Monday, Sept 6 -- Offices Closed
We will open the church for the noon and evening AA/NA meetings.
Tuesday, Sept 7
Monastic Meal at 12:15 pm $3 lunch and reading
Tues. - Thur. Office Hours
8:30 am to 4:30 pm
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