STEWARTVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

9:00 a.m.

Third Sunday in Lent March 15, 2020

The Mission of the United Methodist Church: “Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

The Motto of the United Methodist Church:“Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors: The People of the UMC”

WE GATHER AS THE FAMILY OF CHRISTPrelude

Welcome Persons at the center aisle end of each pew, please sign the attendance sheet

and pass on

Call to Worship Light. Without it, we stumble blindly in the darkness. With it everything is illuminated and clear.

Sometimes the light is dim. Sometimes it flickers, ready to die.

But if we have it to guide our path, we are safe. Christ is called the Light of the World, and we, as his followers, are instructed to walk in the light, as he is in the light.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. Let your light shine!” As Jesus was living out his last days, his light never wavered.

If I were in his place, would I have reflected his light?Would my brightness shine against the darkness of the world?

And what about now? Does our faith, our light, burn brightly?

Or does it flicker uncertainly in the tumult of our daily lives? Would we rather stay in the darkness or do we yearn for the light?

For it is light that makes everything visible. Let us gather strength from the example of Jesus

as he faced the darkness of the world. (We extinguish a third candle on our journey to the cross.)

*Opening Song Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days (v. 1-3, 5) UMH #269

Invocational prayer Lord Jesus, “loving” sounds so simple, but in real life it gets harder to apply. As I draw nearer to you, through your Holy Spirit, teach me more and more what it means to love as you love. Keep my eyes and my heart open to see your face in the faces of hurting people around me who need your touch through me. Help me not just to act loving on the outside but to show “sincere love” to all your children. Use me and whatever good things I have so that through me “your light will shine in the darkness.” Use me as one of your instruments to bring justice to your world. Make my life and whatever abilities I have, count for you. Amen.

Lenten Banner Symbol The Gavel Jack Regan and Mike Cast

WE LISTEN FOR THE WORD OF GOD

Scripture Lesson Choose this day whom you will serve… Joshua 24:15

Created in Christ Jesus for good works… Ephesians 2:8-10

Children’s Moments

Special Music Kristin Gontea, Lori Ringen and Kim Souhrada

The Message Here I Am, Lord Pastor Wane

The Walk series by Adam Hamilton

WE RESPOND WITH FAITH AND JOYSharing Tithes and Offerings

Offertory Kristin Gontea, Lori Ringen and Kim Souhrada Joys and Concerns

Prayer Requests Closing Hymn Here I Am Lord, Send Me UMH #593*Benediction*Postlude

WORSHIP is over, let the SERVICE begin!

* indicates those who are able may standUMH: United Methodist Hymnal FWS: Faith We Sing, Song Book

Three Rules to live by: Do no harm! Do Good! Stay in love with God.Upcoming Events

Mayo Clinic Hospice Grief Support Group 3.16Mayo Clinic Hospice 8 week Grief Support Group is to start on March 30 through May 18 in Rochester and Wabasha for adults who have experienced the death of a significant person within the last 3 years. The groups are free and open to the public but advanced registration is required before March 16! Fliers/registration forms are on our back table. Please call Kelley Adelsman 507-284-4002 or email RSTHOSPICEBEREAVEMENT@mayo.edu

Disaster Response Team Training hosted at Evangel UMC, Rochester 3.28The Minnesota Annual Conference will be offering a training course for those interested in volunteering for disaster relief work through UMCOR. Becoming an Early Response Team (ERT) member gives you the credentials to enter disaster torn areas. ERTs from Minnesota respond to various types of disasters such as flooding, tornadoes, and hurricanes. You must have completed this training and have a successful background check on file with UMCOR in order to volunteer. Milestones 3.29Thank you to Jessica Eastman and Pastor Bridget for planning these upcoming events!!!  

Age 3 and 4                  I Can Pray                                           March 29th

It's time to start planning for Summer Camp Scholarships! 4.5Plans have begun for our 4th Annual Silent Auction to support summer camp scholarships.  April 5 bidding will start at 8:30am and conclude at 11:15am.  Please start planning what you can bring for the auction. Invite friends to

worship and to participate in this opportunity to make sure our kids get to camp this year!

Good Friday Ecumenical Service 11:00am @ Stewartville Community Center 4.13A SEMCAC Brunch will be held at 10:00am before the service begins. Please RSVP at least one day in advance with Sharon McAtee #533-4787.

Healing Adventures Camp 5.9Mayo Clinic is offering a free one-day camp for children and teens (ages 5 – 17 years) who have experience the death of a significant person within the last 3 years. This will be held on Saturday, May 9th , 8:30am – 4:00pm at Ironwood Springs Ranch, 7291 CR 6 SW, Stewartville. Completed applications must be received by the hospice office on or before Friday, April 17th .A flier is on our bulletin board. Please call Amy Stellpfulg 507-284-4002 or email RSTHOSPICEBEREAVEMENT@mayo.edu

General Announcements

Missions & Community OutreachMarch is Minnesota Food Share Month.  there will be collection jars placed on the Fellowship Hall Tables .  All money collected will be donated to Channel One of Olmsted County.  A $1.00 donation can be turned into four meals for a person in need.  Your spare change can make a difference.March 22 is UMCOR Sunday.  Judy Finley will be speaking for the Missions Moment part of the service that day.

Faithful and Inclusive Small Group Study Given the current state of the United Methodist Church around the topics of human sexuality, Pastor Bridget Sheely and Pastor Wane Souhrada will be offering a video-based study titled, “Faithful and Inclusive: The Bible, Sexuality and the United Methodist Church.  The goal of this study is to offer a safe place to explore this controversial topic with constructive conversation. Study Options:Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m.  March 18-StewartvilleThursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. March 19- Racine   

General Conference

General Conference 2020 is May 5th – 15th at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The Dakotas-Minnesota area is collaborating to host thousands of United Methodists from around the world. Learn about the different volunteer jobs that are now available and sign up to volunteer. You may sign up to volunteer here https://gc2020welcome.org/volunteers/

Kiwanis Food for KidzPlease join us to make food packets for needy children in Olmsted County, Somalia, Haiti and around the world on Saturday, April 4th at the Stewartville Community Center from 10:00am to 4:00pm (2 hours shifts.) Donations needed to pay for ingredients. Cost $.15 a meal …$25 feeds 167 children! 100% of donations are applied! Mail donations by March 27th to 201 6th St NE, Stewartville, MN 55976. Please make checks payable to “Food for Kidz.” To sign up to help, contact Mary Brouillard #533-6596 or email mkbrouill@gmail.com

Welcome Guests!A Welcome Table is set up by the front door under the informationisign. Any first time guest is invited to stop by and get a welcoming gift. Thank you for

worshiping with us today!

We Celebrate That We Are a Safe Sanctuary! We have established Safe Sanctuary policies and forms to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the physical safety, emotional integrity and spiritual growth of all. For more information, please see our web-page: http://www.stewartvilleumc.org/safe-sanctuary.html

SUMC StaffPastor: Rev. Wane Souhrada Youth/Worship Ministry: Catie LevenickOffice Administrator: Laural Wooner Children’s Ministry: Pastor Bridget Sheely Organist: Laurie Helmers Head Usher: Scott Warren Coffee Fellowship: Stockman Family Parish Nurse: Renee Wilson

Circle of ConcernsPhyllis Podein Joyce Collins  Del Jahns Donna Torres

Service Members

Prayer ChainIf you would like to be added to the circle of concerns and/or the email list for the prayer chain, please contact the church office at 507-533-4625 or send an

email to stewartvilleunitedmethodist@gmail.com

Church Calendar March 15 - 22

Sunday,March 15

9:00am10:15a

m10:30a

m

Worship ServiceChildren’s ChoirSunday School Age 3 thru 4th Grade

Monday, March 16

6:30pm SPRC Meeting

Tuesday,March 17

10:00am

6:30pm6:30pm

UMC Worship Service @ Care Center Pastor WaneFinance Committee MeetingWorship Committee Meeting

Wednesday,March 18

10:00am

3:10pm5:45pm6:15pm6:30pm7:00pm

Faithful and Inclusive Study SUMCNo 3Ten Ministry 5th & 6th Grade (will resume April 8th)No Homework Time (spring break)Lenten Meal SUMCNo The Way Small Groups 7th – 12th Grade (spring break)Lenten Worship SUMC Pastor Jon

Thursday,March 19

6:30pm6:30pm

Faithful and Inclusive Study, RacineTrustees Meeting

Sunday,March 22

9:00am10:15a

m10:30a

m

Worship Service, UMCOR SundayChildren’s ChoirSunday School Age 3 thru 4th Grade

Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00am-12:00pm

Church Office: (507) 533-4625Church email:

stewartvilleunitedmethodist@gmail.comPastor Wane SouhradaCell: (507) 520-8962

Church Website: www.stewartvilleumc.org The monthly calendar and weekly church bulletin are available on our website.

Like us on facebook for updates and events during the week!

Upper Room Daily Devotions The March-April issue is available in the entryway.

NOTE: An Automatic External Defibrillator is in the hallway leading to the Fellowship Hall

Electronic GivingOptions available:

1. Automatic withdrawals from a checking/savings account. Forms available on our weekly church notes email or at the information booth.

2. Download the Give+App on your phone. Go to the App Store or Google Play and search for “GivePlus Church.” Download the app for free. You can give anytime, anywhere, any day of the week. If you have questions, please contact:

Paula Zincke, Lance Campbell, Joy Harris, Vicki Howard or Brittany Bones

WEDNESDAYS with THE WAY7th-12th Grade Youth Group

5:45- Quiet/Homework Time 6:30- Hang Out/ Snacks/ Game

7:00- Large Group / Small Groups (alternate bi-weekly) EVENTS:. March 27th

4:30-7:30pm9th-12th GradeEat Food, Hang Out, Be Fun. Depart SUMC at 4:30pm. Permission Slip Due Mar. 8th

Sun., March 29th 8:15am Eagle Brook Church Permission Slip March 8th

Saturday, April 4th 9am-4pmAs we look towards the end of your students Confirmation experience, we’ll explore next steps on this awesome retreat. Permission Slips and Roca Release Form Needed by April 4th

Friday, May 1st 7-9pmProm weekend in Stewartville is so fun! But we don’t want the younger ones (7th grade +) to miss out! Find a thrift store dress or suit and come ready for some crazy fun! We’ll head out for some bowling, and a goofy time! Permission Slips due April 26th

Wed., May 6th 3-5:30pmGrab your gloves, old sneakers, long pants, and let’s go! Pizza to follow! Permission Slip Due May 3rd

Wednesday, May 20th 6-8:30pm8th-12th GradeWe’ll welcome the 8th graders into the High School Group with this fun event! Come hungry! We’ll jump in the van and venture to different houses to complete our meal! Permission Slips due May 3rd

Interested in hosting the youth for part of this event?! Talk to Catie!

All events are open to completed 7th-12th Grade (unless noted otherwise).Permission slips & sign ups are available on the Bulletin Board in the fellowship

hall, as well as on the SUMC Youth Parents Facebook Group and the church website.

Forms & payments may be placed on Catie’s desk.

Stewartville United Methodist Church900 John Wesley Avenue NW

Stewartville, MN 55976

Third Sunday in Lent March 15, 2020

9:00 a.m.

Church Office: 507-533-4625Web Site: http://www.stewartvilleumc.org

E-mail: stewartvilleunitedmethodist@gmail.com