Epworth United Methodist Church

Discovering Jesus - Easter Worship Celebration: April 16, 2006

Easter Sunday (Year B)

Welcome to our Easter celebration. Also known as the Great Fifty Days, Easter is the most joyous season of the Christian year. Its focus is the resurrected presence of Jesus in the sacramental community under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Our Easter worship began last night with a vigil that included Word, Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion. This morning we gather again for Word and Table in celebration of new life from God through Christ Jesus our Lord. As we prepare for worship, consider the ways you might seek to discover the presence of a saving Lord.

New Testament Lesson
1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters,
       of the good news that I proclaimed to you,
       which you in turn received, in which also you stand,
       through which also you are being saved,
       if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you-
       unless you have come to believe in vain.
For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received:
       that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures,
       and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day
       in accordance with the scriptures,
       and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters
       at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.
Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle,
       because I persecuted the church of God.
But by the grace of God I am what I am,
       and his grace toward me has not been in vain.
On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them--though it was not I,
       but the grace of God that is with me.
Whether then it was I or they,
       so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.

Gospel Lesson
John 20:1-18

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark,
       Mary Magdalene came to the tomb
       and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple,
       the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,
       and we do not know where they have laid him."

Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb.
The two were running together,
       but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there,
       but he did not go in.
Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb.
He saw the linen wrappings lying there,
       and the cloth that had been on Jesus' head,
       not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself.
Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in,
       and he saw and believed;
       for as yet they did not understand the scripture,
       that he must rise from the dead.
Then the disciples returned to their homes.

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb.
As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb;
       and she saw two angels in white,
       sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying,
       one at the head and the other at the feet.
They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?"
She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord,
       and I do not know where they have laid him."
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there,
       but she did not know that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?
Whom are you looking for?"
Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him,
"Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him,
       and I will take him away."
Jesus said to her, "Mary!"
She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher).
Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me,
       because I have not yet ascended to the Father.
But go to my brothers and say to them,
       'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"
Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples,
"I have seen the Lord";
       and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Sermon - Discovering Jesus Rev. Jack Abel
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(Firefox users might need to use I.E., until we figure out a solution)

Download the sermon: 2006-04-16-epworth-umc.mp3
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Total time: 26 minutes, 11.7 MB file

Sermons on iTunes

Rev. Jack's sermons are now available as a podcast through iTunes. 

Here is a direct link to the podcast on iTunes.  This will only work for people who have iTunes installed on their computer:

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=148765629&s=143441

You can also browse your way to the podcast.  Here's how:

1) Open iTunes

2) Go to the music store and select "podcasts"

3) Select "browse"

4) Select "Religion and spirituality" and then "Christianity". 

5) Scroll down to Epworth: A United Methodist Church.

6) Click "subscribe"

Epworth is Podcasting

Cutting edge folks can now subscribe to Epworth's sermons via podcast (what's a podcast?). As with all things internet, there are several ways to do this.

1) Easiest, but doesn't count as podcasting :-) The easiest solution is to visit this blog.  An audio player is embedded at the bottom of each sermon's entry, and all you have to do is click "play".   Here's an example - Palm Sunday.

Geek note: Firefox users (including the author of this post) might have to briefly switch to I.E. to get this to work.  If you know a work-around, please write your solution in the comments. 

2) iTunes. If you use iTunes, iPodder or another podcatcher, you can copy and paste this link to get the Epworth podcast: http://epworth.typepad.com/epworthrehobothorg_a_unit/rss.xml

Helpful hint: In iTunes, select "advanced -> subscribe to podcast" and paste in the link. As with all things online, you could do it another way, and paste our Odeo (see below) feed link: http://www.odeo.com/channel/96128/rss

UPDATE: The Epworth podcast is now available for free through the iTunes store browser or through this direct link (which works only if you have iTunes installed).

3) Burning CDs. Scroll to the bottom of each service to find a link to "right-click and save the sermon" to your computer.   From there you can burn sermons to a CD to listen in the car, or upload to an MP3 player.

4) Sharing Online. To dip your foot into the waters of podcasting, visit our Odeo podcast page. You can select any of the numbered audio files.  For instance, Epworth Methodist Church- 2006/04/02 - Days of New Beginning will take you to the sermon from April 2, 2006.   For those who have blogs, there is a link called "Get web code".  Clicking it will expand two boxes.  Click once in the box which says "Flash Player" and copy the code.  If you paste this into a blog, you'll embed the sermon in your blog, just like we do here.  The web is a tremendously fun place.

Tip: Even if you're new to all this, you can visit Odeo, cruise around and create a personalized page, and subscribe to other podcasts.  For instance, NPR's Most Emailed Stories or browse other religious podcasts.

Love: April 09, 2006 Worship Celebration

Palm Sunday (Year B)

Welcome. In Lent we understand ourselves as being "under construction.” Lent is a Spring housecleaning of the soul. The simplicity of Lent calls us to focus on things that matter most. Today’s key word is Love, while our lessons take us to Palm Sunday’s triumphal celebration and forward toward the passion of Christ on the cross. Palm and Passion are demonstrations of love. Do you have an enthusiasm for God as savior? How does the love God offers you in Christ shape your practice of love in God’s world?

New Testament Lesson
Philippians 2: 5-11

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Sermon - Love Rev. Jack Abel
Click the play button below to listen to the sermon.

Download the sermon: 2006-04-09-epworth-umc.mp3
Right click and "save as" to your computer
Total time: 30 minutes, 13.7 MB file

Days of New Beginning: April 02, 2006 Worship Celebration

5th Sunday of Lent (Year B)

Welcome. In Lent we understand ourselves as being "under construction.” Lent is a Spring housecleaning of the soul. The simplicity of Lent calls us to focus on things that matter most. Jeremiah encouraged an ancient community to trust in the hope of new beginnings. Today we are renewed in and through our relationship with Christ by the sharing of Holy Communion. The elements we use are wheat bread and unfermented grape juice. All are welcome at the table of the Lord. As we prepare for worship, you may wish to reflect on what new beginnings are taking place in your individual and social world, and how they will shape your practice of love in God’s world.

Hebrew Bible Lesson
Jeremiah 31:31-34

"The time is coming," declares the LORD,
"when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah.
It will not be like the covenant
I made with their forefathers
when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of Egypt,
because they broke my covenant,
though I was a husband to them, "
declares the LORD.
"This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel
after that time," declares the LORD.
"I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
No longer will a man teach his neighbor,
or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,'
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest,"
declares the LORD.
"For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more."

Sermon - Days of New Beginning Rev. Jack Abel
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Download the sermon: 2006-04-02-epworth-umc.mp3
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Total time: 25 minutes, 22.2 MB file

Signs of Healing: March 26, 2006 Epworth Worship Celebration

4th Sunday of Lent (Year B)

Welcome. In Lent we understand ourselves as being "under construction.” Lent is a Spring housecleaning of the soul. The simplicity of Lent calls us to focus on things that matter most. Today’s lessons include a story of healing by Moses in the wilderness and a reference to that healing by Jesus in the Gospel of John. As we prepare for worship, you may wish to reflect on the healing power of God. What are the various kinds of meaning we may intend when we say a person or circumstance is in need of healing? What prayers for healing might you be inclined to offer today? In light of healing in your own life, how are you inclined to practice healing ministry in God’s world?

Hebrew Bible Lesson
Numbers 21:4-9

From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way.
The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.”
Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died.
The people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord to take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.
And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.”
So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.

Gospel Lesson
John 3:14-17

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Sermon - Signs of Healing Rev. Jack Abel
Click the play button below to listen to the sermon.

Download the sermon: 2006-03-26-epworth-umc.mp3
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Total time: 26 minutes, 11.7 MB file

We Receive: March 12, 2006 Epworth Worship Celebration

2nd Sunday of Lent (Year B)

Welcome. In Lent we understand ourselves as being "under construction.” Lent is a Spring housecleaning of the soul. The simplicity of Lent calls us to focus on things that matter most. Today’s lesson brings to mind the reception of faith as the foundation for our development as children of God. The first in a series of inserts offers us insight into our planned relocation. As we prepare for worship, you may wish to reflect on all the gifts we receive from God, but especially the gift of divine love. How will our receipt of God’s love in Christ shape your practice of love for others?

New Testament Lesson
Romans 4:13-25

For the promise that he would inherit the world
did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law
but through the righteousness of faith.
If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs,
faith is null and the promise is void.
For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.
For this reason it depends on faith,
in order that the promise may rest on grace
and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law
but also to those who share the faith of Abraham
(for he is the father of all of us,
as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations")
in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead
and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become "the father of many nations,"
according to what was said, "So numerous shall your descendants be."
He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body,
which was already as good as dead
(for he was about a hundred years old),
or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb.
No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God,
but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,
being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
Therefore his faith "was reckoned to him as righteousness."
Now the words, "it was reckoned to him," were written not for his sake alone,
but for ours also.
It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,
who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.

Sermon - We Receive Rev. Jack Abel
Click the play button below to listen to the sermon.
(Audio begins with 10 seconds of silence)

Download the sermon: 2006-03-12-epworth-umc.mp3
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Audio begins with 10 seconds of silence
Total time: 24 minutes, 43.7 MB file

Help in the Mess: March 05, 2006 Epworth Worship Celebration

1st Sunday of Lent (Year B)

Welcome. In Lent we understand ourselves as being "under construction.” Lent is a Spring housecleaning of the soul. The simplicity of Lent calls us to focus on things that matter most. Today we find help in the presence of Christ, celebrated in Holy Communion. The Lord’s assistance inspires us to be instruments of help to others. Mary Helms, Building Committee Chairperson, lifts up opportunities to do so through the vision of relocation that calls us forth. As we prepare for worship, you may wish to reflect on help sought by you, our community, and by others in God’s world. How will our receipt of divine love shape your practice of love for others?

Gospel Lesson
Mark 1:9-15

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee
and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
And just as he was coming up out of the water,
he saw the heavens torn apart
and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.
And a voice came from heaven,
"You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.
He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan;
and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee,
proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying,
"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near;
repent, and believe in the good news."

Sermon - Help in the Mess Rev. Jack Abel
Click the play button below to listen to the sermon.
(Audio begins with 10 seconds of silence)

Download the sermon: 2006-03-05-epworth-umc.mp3
Right click and "save as" to your computer
Audio begins with 10 seconds of silence
Total time: 12 minutes, 5.7 MB file