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.
Call to Worship
One: Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem;
Many: for the Lord has comforted the people. (Isaiah 52:9)
Opening Hymn Up From the Grave He Arose (UMH 322)
Eternal God, Rock and Refuge; with roots grown old in the earth, river beds run dry, and flowers withered in the field, we wait for revival and release. We saw and experienced your resurrection, but we are still stuck in Good Friday time. Forgive us for not celebrating your resurrection fully and living as resurrection people. Abide with us until we come alive in the sunrise of your glory. Amen. (W&S 28, adapted)
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.

4_sun_easter-3_may_1peter2_2-10_.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.
Doxology
God of Grace and Glory, we offer these gifts as a testimony of our faith. Use these gifts so that we may see one another as you envision us—faithful followers. As we continue in this time of worship, we seek now the sanctuary of your comforting peace. In the name of the Resurrected Healer, Jesus the Christ, we pray. Amen. (W&S 110)
Closing Hymn How Firm a Foundation (UMH 529)--Start at 40 seconds, end at 4:08.
UPDATE: We are currently closed at least through May 15 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.
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.
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 4 this week.
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).