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 Conference Call Prayer Service at 10am on Sunday, March 22, 2020 by dialing 712-775-7031. When asked for the access code, please type: 638-979-741#. Choral Prelude Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying (About the 1st minute) |
One: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Many: The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures,
One: leads me beside still waters, restores my life,
Many: leads me in right paths for the sake of the Lord's name.
One: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil;
Many: for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
One: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
Many: you anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.
One: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
Many: and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.
Opening Hymn He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought (UMH 128)--Skip Ad
Almighty God, a wilderness beckons us: a desert, a barren place, yet a place of blessing and discovery. Jesus, steady companion, accompany us, as we enter the hurtful places, the frightening places, the dangerous places deep within us. Jesus, our wise and well-traveled guide, lead us into this emptiness, where all will fall away, and we will have nothing but you. Walk with us through the valley of the shadow of death, where we shall be raised, and drink of deep springs. Amen. (W&S 17, altered)
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.
Sermon You can download a sermon below

4_sun_lent-22_mar_ps23.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
Please consider mailing your offerings to the church (3800 Roland Ave, Baltimore, MD 21211), bringing them when we resume meeting to "make up" the weeks missed, or utilizing our online giving platform available with any of the green "Give" buttons located throughout our website. We appreciate your generosity as we seek to continue our mission and ministry throughout the community during this difficult time. And, we need your help so we are still here when this crisis ends. As a means of justice, we are committed to paying our staff throughout this crisis, but we need your help to do this.
Doxology
Lord of us all, guide us in the right paths, lead us to the still waters when all our pain and suffering can melt away. Take the gifts we have brought this day and bless them so that they may be used to lead others to the still waters that only you can provide. Amen. (Rev. Bonnie McCubbin)
Closing Hymn Precious Lord, Take My Hand (474 UMH)
We are currently closed at least through the end of March (and most likely, longer) 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.
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 this 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.
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 4 this week.
Holy Week Worship Schedule: (Assuming we are back by then! Otherwise, we will have online options):
Palm Sunday (April 5): 10am Vibrant Worship with Palm Parade and Trumpet
Holy Thursday (April 9): 7pm Worship at Good Shepherd with Communion and Foot Washing, combined with Hampden UMC and Mt. Washington/Aldersgate UMC
Good Friday (April 10): 11am Pastor Bonnie preaching at Salem UMC, 7509 Windsor Mill Rd
10am CrossWalk starting at Good Shepherd and ending at The Village Church with worship
Easter (April 12): 7am Community SonRise worship in Roosevelt Park
10am Vibrant Resurrection worship with Trumpet