As we utilize "social distancing" to help contain Covid-19, I invite you to gather with your household, on the phone with a friend, or even alone as you prepare your heart and mind and spirit to worship God. The following resources are provided for your use. All links were current as of the posting of this blog.

Also, please consider joining us for our Zoom Worship Service at 10am on Sunday by clicking this link:
https://umcom.zoom.us/j/97309102821. If you are calling from a smart phone, you can click this number to be connected without having to enter a meeting ID: +19292056099,,97309102821#. Or, from a landline or flip phone, dial: 1-301-715-8592, and enter the Meeting ID 973 0910 2821 when prompted.
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Choral Prelude Alleluia, Alleluia (162 UMH)

Call to Worship 
One: Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.
Many: Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25)

Opening Hymn The Strife is O'er, the Battle Done (UMH 306)

Opening Prayer
Lord, can salvation really be so easy? Is there not some price to pay, some contract to uphold? Is confessing you with our lips, and believing in our hearts, all that is really necessary? Is there not some fine print, something we have not been told? This is too easy. If we were God, instead of you, there would be hell to pay. No one would get off so easy. But we, thankfully, are not God; and you are unlike any of us. There is no price tag on your love. Through we live like heathens, disobeying you at every turn, you wrap us in your salvation. “Come,” you say to us, “Come. Enjoy the miracle of my love.” And we come, Lord. We come. Amen. (W&S 195)​

Children's Message
Please visit this link for multiple children's activities related to this week's passage. You can also watch this children's message with Pastor Bonnie.

Hymn Take Time to Be Holy (UMH 395)

Prayer of Dedication
Jesus gave himself for us, God. We’ll never equal that with our gifts. Our gifts will never pay you back, but they can say, “Thank you, God.” And as we give our lives for others, we let you know that we understand. So accept our gifts, God of grace, and use our lives however you choose. Amen. (W&S 110)

Closing Hymn ​I'm Gonna Live So God Can Use Me (2153 TFWS)

Call to Worship 
One: For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
Many: When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
One: “Where, O death, is your victory?
Many: Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:53-55)

Opening Hymn The Day of Resurrection (UMH 303)

Opening Prayer
Lord of Life, submitting to death, you conquered the grave. By being lifted on a cross you draw all peoples to you. By being raised from the dead you restored to humanity all that we had lost through sin. Throughout these fifty days of Easter we proclaim the marvelous mystery of death and resurrection. For all praise is yours, now and throughout eternity. Amen. (James F. White, BOW 394)

Children's Message
Please visit this link for multiple children's activities related to this week's passage. You can also watch this children's message with Pastor Bonnie.

Prayer of Dedication
Holy One, we do not doubt that Jesus, the Messiah, lives again. Yet only one short week from Easter, our thoughts are cluttered with finite, insignificant activities and agendas. Instead of remaining focused on the abundance of divine transformation, we return to a pessimistic mindset of scarcity. Refocus our attention on the joy of Easter, so that we may recognize all that we have received and be led to give cheerfully. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. (W&S 141)

Closing Hymn ​Hymn of Promise (707 UMH)

Bonus! Check out this 4-part trombone version, recorded by Dwight Watson, Jr.

Double Bonus! Here's a snippet of "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" from Good Shepherd UMC in 2019. 

Opening Prayer
Almighty God, in raising Jesus from the grave, you shattered the power of sin and death. We confess that we remain captive to doubt and fear, bound by the ways that lead to death. We overlook the poor and the hungry, and pass by those who mourn; we are deaf to the cries of the oppressed, and indifferent to calls for peace; we despise the weak, and abuse the earth you made. Forgive us, God of mercy. Help us trust your power to change our lives and make us new, that we may know the joy of life abundant given in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen! (W&S 87)

Children's Message
Please visit this link for multiple children's activities related to this week's passage. You can also watch this children's message with Pastor Bonnie.

Hymn Easter People, Raise Your Voices (UMH 304)--No Lyrics on the video

Scripture John 20:1-18 (Click for the NRSV translation)

Sermon​ You can download a sermon below

Prayer of Dedication
Blessed One, the resurrection of your Son has given us renewed hope. We respond to your divine love and unfailing promise with these offerings. We give faithfully in support of ministries that enable others to encounter your salvation. We pray in glory and honor of your Son, the Messiah! Amen. (W&S 131)

Closing Hymn ​In the Garden (314 UMH)

One of the traditional services for Good Friday is a Tennebrae service, a service of light and darkness. Pastor Bonnie and Pastor Lem put this together to help us continue the journey towards the cross and resurrection. But remember...this is not the end of the story! You need to join us on Sunday to hear the continuation. The worst thing is never the last thing. 

As we long to gather together once more, let us gather virtually to observe the beginning of the holiest 3 days of the Christian year--the Triduum, lasting from the evening of Holy Thursday until Easter Sunday. Below is a home worship experience that Pastor Bonnie and Pastor Lem collaborated on. Please be sure to grab some lotion and a "comfort food" (whatever food brings you comfort: a cup of coffee, a sweet, a favorite dish) before starting. You are loved.

Call to Worship Psalm 118:14-29 (UMH 839)
One: The Lord is my strength and my power; the Lord has become my salvation.
Many: There are joyous songs of victory in the tents of the righteous:
One: "The right hand of the Lord does valiantly, the right hand of the Lord is exalted,
Many: the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!"
One: I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.
Many: The Lord has chastened me sorely, but has not given me over to death.
One: Open me to the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
Many: This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
One: I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
Many: THe stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
One: This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
Many: This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
One: Save us, we beseech you, O Lord!
Many: O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!
One: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Many: We bless you from the house of the Lord.
One: The Lord is God, who has given us light.
Many: Lead the festal procession with branches up to the horns of the altar!
One: You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.
Many: O give thanks to the Lord, who is good; for God's steadfast love endures for ever!

Opening Hymn All Glory, Laud, and Honor (UMH 280)--Skip Ads ***Please get out your palms and wave during the song. If you do not have any available (from your yard or elsewhere), you can print and color one here, or simply wave your palms (hands).***

Opening Prayer
God of truth, in the midst of the holiest of weeks you continue to speak your Word to us and in us, like so many times before; but we do not listen to you. We have not been mindful of your presence, or attentive to your voice. Have mercy on us, forgive us, and heal us. Speak your Word in us now, and create us anew. We open ourselves to your Word. Amen. (Adapted from W&S 92)

Children's Message
Please visit this link for multiple children's activities related to this week's passage. You can also watch this video story with Pastor Bonnie.

Hymn Tell Me the Stories of Jesus (UMH 277)

The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;*
the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic** church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
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Joys, Concerns, & God Sightings
Continuing Prayers: Our Police; Baltimore; Our nation and world; The Syrian refugee crisis and Aleppo; Our homebound, Those effected by Covid-19--including medical staff, teachers, parents, children, those infected, etc.

The 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass 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.

Offering
As a means of justice, we are committed to paying our staff throughout this crisis. So that we can do this, especially since church employees do not qualify for unemployment, and so that we are still here when this crisis ends, please consider giving generously. We know this is a tough time for everyone, but every little bit helps. Our preferred method of giving is by utilizing our online giving platform available with any of the green "Give" buttons located throughout our website. This is safe, secure, and gets the funds to us nearly instantly. Alternatively, you may mail your offerings to the church (3800 Roland Ave, Baltimore, MD 21211)--but there may be a delay in depositing. Lastly, please consider bringing your offerings when we resume meeting to "make up" the weeks missed. We appreciate your generosity as we seek to continue our mission and ministry throughout the community and world during this difficult time.

Doxology

Prayer of Dedication
God in life and God in the crucifixion, you are there in our highest of highs and our lowest of lows. We shout “Hosanna!” and wave our palms. We curse you with our lips. Help us to shout more “Hosannas!” and fewer curses when we pull out our wallets and checkbooks; when we search for toilet paper, paper towels, meat, Lysol, and other necessities. Let us give with generous and cheerful hearts so that one day, all people can shout “Hosanna!” with joy and faith. Amen. (Rev. Bonnie McCubbin)

Closing Hymn ​Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (278 UMH)

Announcements
UPDATE: We are currently closed at least through the end of April to help "flatten the curve" of Covid-19. If you have pastoral needs, please contact Pastor Bonnie directly (preferably through email or the website) so they can be addressed promptly. We have no office hours and all activities, including, but not limited to worship, Bible Study, Church Council, choir, and After School Programs are cancelled until the building re-opens.

Please stay home and stay safe. If you need help getting reliable information, please reach out to Pastor Bonnie. She is getting informed and updated by Johns Hopkins staff and experts twice a week.

Online Giving Go to our website (www.goodshepherdhampden.com) and click the green "Give" button to go to a secure website for your transactions. Or, download the secure, encrypted App Tithe.ly from the App Store or Google Play.

Contact Information We have tried to reach out to every regular attendee and member each week via telephone, text, and/or email. However, in many situations, we have incorrect contact information. Please be sure to *email* or call Pastor Bonnie ASAP so you do not miss any information. You should be receiving calls from both Pastor Bonnie and a member of our Church Council Leadership team each week. If you are not, please let us know.
 
Bible Study resources can be accessed at https://www.bwcumc.org/resources/who-are-we/#PeopleofGod Scroll all the way down to part 1. We'd be on Session 6 this week. 
 
Holy Week Worship Schedule: All in-person worship experiences have been cancelled at this time. We cannot get palms currently because the suppliers are all closed. Holy Thursday worship will be broadcasted on YouTube on our church channel and linked to on our website. You will need lotion and a "comfort food" or drink (coffee, your favorite meal, etc) for Thursday's service. Good Friday Tenebrae service will also be broadcasted on YouTube on our church channel and linked to on our website. We are collaborating with Milford Mill UMC for these services. The Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference is also providing Palm Sunday and Easter streaming services for those interested. Links will be posted when we have them. 

Devotional Pastor Bonnie and Pastor Lem have worked together to craft a Holy Week family devotional for your use. There are activities for children, youth, and adults to participate in. Please download it here. 

Lastly, whatever Sunday we return, that will be our Easter celebration! We are working with our florist to ensure that flowers are available at that time--even if they are different than what was ordered. (Weekly flowers will be moved to a future date that is open). 

Church Council will meet via conference call immediately following worship on Sunday, April 19. Please call in and stay on the line for our meeting.