Also, please consider joining us for our Zoom Worship Service at 10am on Sunday by clicking this link:
https://umcom.zoom.us/j/97309102821. Or, from a phone, dial: 1-301-715-8592, and enter the Meeting ID 973 0910 2821 when prompted.
Call to Worship For the Nations (responsively)
One: God of all nations, we thank you for the life and history of our country, for its vast beauty, its wilderness, and wealth of forest, mine, and sea.
Many: We praise you for its people, the people whose ancestors have been here for thousands of years, and those who have just arrived.
One: We thank you for the variety of our traditions and our cultures, the riches of our spiritual and religious heritage, the strength of our democratic institutions.
Many: We pray for our nation, that you inspire the minds of all women and men to whom you have committed the responsibility of government and leadership. Give to them the vision of truth and justice, that by their counsel all nations and peoples may work together.
One: Give our people zeal for justice and strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will.
Many: Forgive our shortcomings as a nation; purify our hearts to see and love the truth.
(Inspired by W&S 203 and BOW 442)
Opening Hymn This Is My Song (437 UMH)
1) This is my song, O God of all the nations, a song of peace for lands afar and mine. This is my home, the country where my heart is; here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine; but other hearts in other lands are beating with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.
2) My country's skies are bluer than the ocean, and sunlight beams on clover leaf and pine; but other lands have sunlight too, and clover, and skies are everywhere as blue as mine. O hear my song, thou God of all the nations, a song of peace for their land and for mine.
Opening Prayer
God of Life, your risen Son has gathered us into the church, nourished us with his body and blood, and poured out upon us your Holy Spirit. Yet, life is not perfect. So we boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Grant that we may receive the blessing of your grace, so that we may love you with all our hearts and gladly feed your sheep in the name of Christ. Amen. (W&S 32, Romans 5:3-5)
Children's Message
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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
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 Amazing Grace--Bruce McCubbin, Guitarist
Prayer of Dedication
Rock of our Salvation, you care for us even when we throw the stones at your other children and at you. Help us to care for one another like you do. Pour out your Spirit on these gifts of self and money, that they may be worthy of your calling. Amen. (Rev. Bonnie McCubbin)
Closing Hymn Just a Closer Walk With Thee (2158 TFWS)
Refrain: Just a closer walk with thee, grant it, Jesus, is my plea, daily walking close to thee: Let it be dear Lord, let it be.
Verse: I am weak but thou art strong; Jesus, keep me from all wrong; I'll be satisfied as long as I walk, lemt me walk close to thee.
Benediction
Announcements
UPDATE: We are worshiping remotely at least through the end of November, except for communion services to help prevent the spread 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 will be on a modified schedule once we return.
A "Re-Launch" Team is meeting to discern best practices for our congregation moving forward. Stay tuned for more information. We understand many people are anxious to resume in-person services, however, we have not yet completed our preparations to allow for a safe re-opening. Your Re-Launch Team has procured supplies from various vendors and is in the process of creating procedures to maintain the safety of our congregation. We are working diligently so that we may gather once a month for communion. You must RSVP for each service you wish to attend using this link. Masks are required. Specific information for each service will be shared ahead of time as best practices are implemented as we continue to learn more.
Parking Lot Communion Worship--TODAY, 2pm. A few reminders if you are coming to communion:
1) Bring a mask. When you roll down your window to hear the service, you will need to be masked. If you do not have a mask, we can give you a bandanna to wear.
2) You must remain in your vehicle at all times. If you do not have a vehicle, please bring your own chair, and you will be assigned a parking spot to stay in, socially distanced from others.
3) Bathrooms/the building will be closed. Please plan accordingly.
4) You will be screened at entry. If you have any health concerns, please stay home.
5) You will be provided with an individual serving of communion for your consumption in your vehicle. We are not providing "to go" packs for persons not present. We are preparing only the number of servings we need for those who RSVP.
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.
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.
Flowers already paid for will be moved to an open date after we return.