Also, please consider joining us for our Conference Call Prayer Service at 10am on Sunday, March 29, 2020 by dialing 712-775-7031. When asked for the access code, please type: 638-979-741#. Please call in early to avoid overloading the system.
Choral Prelude Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying (About the 1st minute)
One: Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! Lord, hear my voice!
Many: Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!
One: If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?
Many: But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be worshiped.
One: I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, in the Lord's word I hope;
Many: my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.
One: O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, with the Lord is plenteous redemption.
Many: And the Lord will redeem Israel from all iniquities.
Opening Hymn Breathe on Me, Breath of God (UMH 420)
Healing and Empowering God, we are sometimes so sure that things will not work out. We doubt your ability to make things right in our lives. We confess that we do not trust you and are often frightened by death. We have experienced the loss of loved ones and have heard, all too often, of the horrible losses of those in our community and the world who died too early from diseases or from disasters. We get scared that it could happen to our family too. Ease our fears, O Lord, and give us courage and strength to face each day unafraid because you are by our side. Help us to remember that dry bones can come alive and that there is life after death. Amen. (Rev. Bonnie McCubbin)
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.

5_sun_lent-29_mar_ez37_1-14_.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
Awesome God, our gifts are just empty words called “prayers,” or ink on paper called “money” and “checks.” They are dead and useless until you give them new life. Send your Spirit into our gifts so that they may come alive and bring our community into a relationship with you. Amen. (Rev. Bonnie McCubbin)
Closing Hymn Lord of the Dance (261 UMH)--Awesome Irish version! Totally worth the listen.
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 5 this week.
Holy Week Worship Schedule: All in-person worship experiences have been cancelled at this time. Next Sunday is Palm Sunday and we are working on creative ways to enable families to receive palms (However, you are encouraged to make your own and use them!). We will provide online and phone versions of Holy Week 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.
Additionally, 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).