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.
Words of Welcome
Together we celebrate all of God’s children – young, old and in-between; male, female and in-between; gay, lesbian, straight and in-between; the assured, the doubting, and the in-between; the optimistic, the cynics, and the in-between; the foolish, the wise, and the in-between. Let us together center our spirits, our minds, our hearts on this time of worship. (http://www.rmnetwork.org/newrmn/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Rec-Sun-Pack-2012.pdf)
*Call to Worship The Spirit has called us to this place, to bring our whole selves to worship the God of Love. We lift our voices, We lift our hearts, We praise, we pray, we dance, we serve. We have been called to love our God, and love our neighbors as ourselves.
Call to Worship
One: The Spirit has called us to this place, to bring our whole selves to worship the God of Love.
Many: We lift our voices, We lift our hearts, We praise, we pray, we dance, we serve.
One: We have been called to love our God,
Many: and love our neighbors as ourselves.
(http://www.rmnetwork.org/newrmn/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Rec-Sun-Pack-2012.pdf)
Opening Hymn Draw the Circle Wide
Breath of Life, we thank you for the Spirits who were trailblazers, moving and shaking people’s hearts and minds. Stir up in us that same energy of those who helped pave the way for where our LGBTQIA+ siblings are today. May we never stop expanding the borders of love and acceptance. (https://www.reconcilingworks.org/events/pride2020/)
Celebration of 1st Anniversary of Reconciling Congregation Status Show your posters!
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 Ms. Melissa and friends! (Be sure to "subscribe" to our YouTube Channel too, so you don't miss any updates!)
Sermon You can download a sermon below

6_sun_easter-17_may_1peter4_12-14__5_6-11_.docx |
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.
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.
Offertory Hymn Christ Has Broken Down the Wall
Rainbow God, we give you praise for the many ways in which you created humans--so diverse, yet so similar. Give us strength today to fully live into who and what you made us to be, and to enable others to do the same. For the gifts you have given us; for the ways we share those gifts, we dedicate ourselves to your service in the world for your glory. Amen. (Rev. Bonnie McCubbin)
Closing Hymn Lord of the Dance (261 UMH)
One: Holy One, Out of love, you swept over the waters and hovered over the face of the deep.
Many: Your love created all that was, all that is, and all that will be.
One: Out of love, you brought your people out of oppression.
Many: Your love gave them a law and a land.
One: When their love for you failed,
Many: Your love remained steadfast.
One: Gracious One, Because of love, you gave us prophets to challenge and guide:
Many: Visionaries, dancers, dreamers, and scoundrels.
One: Because of love, you sent Jesus of Nazareth, the full expression of your love.
Many: He healed the sick; he ate with sinners; he loved with abandon.
One: Because of love, Jesus called together his disciples
Many: so that we might walk in the way that leads to love.
One: Passionate One, Teach us, as Jesus did, to love our neighbors: Our unhoused neighbors
Many: Our immigrant neighbors
One: Our neighbors of different faiths
Many: Or who have no faith at all.
One: Our LGBTQ neighbors
Many: Our heterosexist neighbors
One: Our undereducated neighbors
Many: Our neighbors who see race as a barrier to loving others.
One: Empower us, O God of all creation, to love our neighbors because out of love, you first loved us. Many: When Jesus calls us to love our neighbors, we are called to listen and respond.
One: Go forth into the world to love and serve,
Many: to seek justice and share grace.
(http://www.rmnetwork.org/newrmn/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Rec-Sun-Pack-2012.pdf)
Announcements
UPDATE: We are currently closed under order of Mayor Jack Young 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, and may be on a modified schedule once we return. Once outdoor worship services are permitted, we will advertise a socially-distant parking lot communion service. Details are still being worked out, but we anticipate allowing up to 18 households at one service (based on the number of parking spots we have). You will need to RSVP, wear a mask, and remain in your spot. If you do not have a vehicle, you will be asked to bring a chair or stand in the middle of a parking spot--6 feet from others. This service is anticipated to be 15 minutes or less. Communion elements will be individually packaged and distributed safely as you leave the lot. Please do not remove your mask to consume until you are no longer in contact with anyone else outside of your household.
A "Re-Launch" Team is meeting to discern best practices for our congregation moving forward. Stay tuned for more information.
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.
Church Council meets after worship today. Please stay on the Zoom meeting.
Blessing of the Masks On Sunday, May 24, be sure to join us for a "Blessing of the Masks" during worship! One way to participate is to send a picture of yourself/household all wearing masks to HampdenPastor@gmail.com No later than Wednesday, May 20 at 12 noon. We will incorporate it into our service. You can also have your mask handy during the service to hold or wear while the blessing is happening.
Pentecost is May 31. Please wear red!
Masks are now required when in public across the state of Maryland. If you do not have a face covering (mask, scarf, bandanna, etc.) please email HampdenPastor@gmail.com for more information on getting a suitable covering.
Knitters and Crocheters care packages are available with yarn, needles/hooks, and patterns for free! Contact Pastor Bonnie to get one (and if you have any color or pattern preferences). Thank you to Melissa Salzman of LovelYarns for this opportunity.
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 regularly. 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 down to part 2. We'd be on Session 6 this week.
Flowers already paid for will be moved to an open date after we return.