Pastor: David Range
September 17, 2023
Miramar United Methodist Church
in the heart of Miramar, a place for gathering, healing, and sending out friends, helping to create a sense of family to find new life in Christ.
Part of the United Methodist family where we make disciples for the
Transformation of the world.
Order of Worship
September 17, 2023
8:30 and 11:00 a.m. services
Please see the end of the bulletin for some additional important information
CALL TO WORSHIP
Hymn 1127 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah+
Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but thou art mighty; hold me with thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me till I want no more; (want no more)
feed me till I want no more.
2. Open now the crystal fountain, whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
be thou still my strength and shield; (strength and shield)
be thou still my strength and shield.
3. When I tread the verge of Jordan, bid my anxious fears subside;
death of death and hell's destruction, land me safe on Canaan's side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises, I will ever give to thee; (give to thee)
I will ever give to thee.
WORDS: William Williams, 1745; trans. From the Welsh by Peter Williams and the author, 1771 MUSIC: John Hughes, 1907
OPENING PRAYER
*PRAISE AND WORSHIP
I Will Enter His Gates
I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart
I will enter His courts with praise
I will say “this is the day that the Lord has made”
I will rejoice for He has made me glad
He has made me glad…..He has made me glad
I will rejoice for He has made me glad
He has made me glad…..He has made me glad
I will rejoice for He has made me glad
Blessed be the Lord God Almighty
Father in heaven, how we love you,
We lift your name in all the earth;
May your kingdom be established in our praises,
As your people declare your mighty works.
Blessed be the Lord God Almighty,
who was, and is, and is to come;
Blessed be the Lord God Almighty,
Who reigns for evermore.
Father of mercy, be exalted,
May Jesus’ name be lifted high;
For his sacrifice of love has won my pardon,
And his resurrection power gives me life.
Blessed be the Lord God Almighty,
who was, and is, and is to come;
Blessed be the Lord God Almighty,
Who reigns for evermore.
Glorify Thy Name
Father we love You, we worship and adore You
Glorify your name in all the earth
Glorify your name, glorify Thy name
Glorify your name in all the earth
Jesus we love You, we worship and adore You
Glorify your name in all the earth
Glorify your name, glorify Thy name
Glorify your name in all the earth
Spirit we love You, we worship and adore You
Glorify your name in all the earth
Glorify your name, glorify Thy name
Glorify your name in all the earth.
Shine, Jesus, Shine
Lord, the light of Your love is shining, in the midst of the darkness shining;
Jesus, Light of the World, shine upon us,
set us free by the truth You now bring us.
Shine on me, shine on me.
Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze set our hearts on fire
Flow, river flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your Word, Lord, and let there be light.
Lord, I come to Your awesome presence,
from the shadows into Your radiance,
By the blood I may enter Your brightness,
search me, try me, consume all my darkness,
Shine on me, shine on me.
Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze set our hearts on fire
Flow, river flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your Word, Lord, and let there be light.
As we gaze on Your kingly brightness, so our faces display Your likeness
Ever changing from glory to glory,
mirror’d here may our lives tell Your story
Shine on me, shine on me.
Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze set our hearts on fire
Flow, river flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your Word, Lord, and let there be light.
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Happy birthday to you, Jesus loves you it’s true,
May the Lord bless and keep you,
Happy birthday to you.
Happy Anniversary to you, happy Anniversary to you
Happy Anniversary dear friends, happy Anniversary to you
TODAY: Welcome to the friends from the Turks and Caicos Islands Association!
TODAY: Sunday School continues after the offering time at both services
TODAY: Immediately after the 11:00 a.m. service there will be a meeting of the Pastor Appreciation Planning Team
TODAY: BOLD Justice house meeting in the fellowship hall at 4:00 p.m. with the network of Vinessa Edwards, Ina McNeil and Grace Lee
Church Prayer meeting at 7:30 p.m.
MONDAY: Bold Justice Team meeting at 1:30 p.m.
TUESDAY: Finance Committee at 7:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: The Southeast District Clergy meet in our sanctuary from 10:00 a.m. to 12 Noon concluding with lunch in our fellowship hall. We rejoice in the hospitality that can be offered by our church and that we can be a part of strengthening the fellowship in our district under our new District Superintendent, Dr. Simon Osunlana.
WEDNESDAY: Bible Study at 7:00 p.m. on Pastor’s gotomeeting link, please write him for the link at miramarpastor@gmail.com
THURSDAY: United Women in Faith meets at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. All women in the church are invited to join in with the mission of strong women everywhere.
THURSDAY: Choir at 7:00 p.m.
FRIDAY: All men in the church are invited to practice for the concert to be held on Oct.15 by coming to this night’s practice at 7:00 p.m.
NEXT SUNDAY: Worship Services at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.
SUNDAY there will be a New Member Session after each service and, by the grace of God, you are welcome to join the church and become a stronger witness for the power of God in our community. Please come to the pastor’s office after he is finished shaking hands after the service.
MONDAY: September 25 Admin/Church Council at 7:30 p.m. to prepare for the Charge Conference on October 8
Contact Allison Feurtado at 954 483 3792 if you would like to participate in these two events:
1. September 24 the “People Profile Awards—together we are stronger” at the Faith Center, 5555 NW 95th Ave., Sunrise. It is a black-tie event, refreshments at 6:00 p.m., showtime at 7:00 p.m. $45 general admission.
2. September 30 to October 1 at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 3800 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill, “OL’Time Sinting—Come Back Again”
See flyers at the end of the bulletin.
SUNDAY October 1 at 4:00 p.m. you are invited to a Celebration of Installation of Rev. Dr. Simon Osunlana, our new District Superintendent at the Hollywood Hills UMC, 400 N. 35th Ave, Hollywood 33021.
SUNDAY October 15 the Men’s Group invites you to a “Men’s Concert” so all men, women, boys and girls please plan to come for a fun gospel event. We are inviting men’s groups from other churches to join us to put on this concert. (All men in the church are invited to practice in the sanctuary on Fridays September 22 and October 6 at 7:00 p.m.)
MONDAY October 16 the United Women in Faith will have their Breast Cancer Awareness meeting. Everyone is invited to attend and increase our knowledge and power against cancer. (NO meeting on Thursday Oct. 19).
If you would like to have a great time with Division Chief Segarra who taught some of us about the AED (Automated External defibrillator) and how to care for people in physical distress please sign up for the next session. If we have enough participants, we can ask him to come back at a time yet to be decided. If you would like to be a part of the next free class please sign up or contact Pastor David and we may be able to host another class in the next few months if enough people sign up.
Pastor CJ Walter thanks everyone for their prayers and best wishes as she heals from surgery to remove her appendix. She is very thankful to be a part of such a caring church.
For Sharing of the Spirit, please wave at the YouTube camera and say, “the peace of the Lord be with you,” and then wave at your neighbor in the sanctuary and say, “and also with you”.
Please stand for the gospel of Matthew 18:21-35
CHILDREN’S TIME
BAPTISM (at 11:00)
Brothers and Sisters in Christ; through the Sacrament of Baptism, we are initiated into Christ’s holy Church. We are incorporated into God’s mighty acts of salvation and given new birth through water and the Spirit. All this is God’s gift, offered to us without price.
Kenai Uriyel Jean-Louis has been brought for baptism by his parents, family and godparents today. We ask them to respond to these questions as a testimony to their faith, and I ask the congregation to pledge to help them in their task.
To the family and godparents, I ask these questions:
On behalf of the whole Church, I ask you: Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of your sin? I do.
Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves? I do.
Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as your Lord, in union with the Church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races? I do.
Will you nurture this child in Christ’s holy Church, that by your teaching and example he may be guided to accept God’s grace for himself, and profess his faith openly, and to lead a Christian life?
I will.
Now to the congregation I ask:
Do you, as Christ’s body, the Church, reaffirm both your rejection of sin and your commitment to Christ?
We do.
Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include these persons and all the children in this church, in your care?
With God’s help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround these persons with a community of love and forgiveness, that they may grow in their service to others. We will pray for them, that they may be true disciples who walk in the way that leads to life.
Let us pray: Eternal Father: When nothing existed but chaos, you swept across the dark waters and brought forth light. In the days of Noah you saved those on the ark through water. After the flood you set in the clouds a rainbow. When you saw your people as slaves in Egypt, you led them to freedom through the sea. Their children you brought through the Jordan to the land which you promised.
In the fullness of time you sent Jesus, nurtured in the water of a womb. He was baptized by John and anointed by your Spirit. He called his disciples to share in the baptism of his death and resurrection and to make disciples of all nations.
Pour out your Holy Spirit, to bless this gift of water and Kenai Uriyel who receives it, to wash away his sins and clothe him in righteousness throughout his life, that, dying and being raised with Christ, he may share in his final victory.
Bless the home of Kenai Uriyel, give wisdom and affection to his parents, grant to his godparents understanding and guidance, and, most of all, build up the love which conquers all evil and instills the grace to lead a Christian life. We ask in Jesus’ name.
All praise to you, Eternal Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns forever. Amen.
Kenai Uriyel, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
The Holy Spirit work within you, that being born through water and the Spirit, you may be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Now it is our joy to welcome our new brother in Christ.
Through baptism you are incorporated by the Holy Spirit into God’s new creation and made to share in Christ’s royal priesthood. We are all one in Christ Jesus. With joy and thanksgiving, we welcome you as members of the family of Christ.
*HYMN 128 He Leadeth Me, O Blessed Thought+
1. He leadeth me: O blessed thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be, still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
He leadeth me, he leadeth me, by his own hand he leadeth me;
his faithful follower I would be, for by his hand he leadeth me.
2. Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
by waters still, o’er troubled sea, still ’tis his hand that leadeth me.
He leadeth me, he leadeth me, by his own hand he leadeth me;
his faithful follower I would be, for by his hand he leadeth me.
3. Lord, I would place my hand in thine, nor ever murmur nor repine;
content, whatever lot I see, since ’tis my God that leadeth me.
He leadeth me, he leadeth me, by his own hand he leadeth me;
his faithful follower I would be, for by his hand he leadeth me.
4. And when my task on earth is done,
when by thy grace the victory’s won,
e’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
since God through Jordan leadeth me.
He leadeth me, he leadeth me, by his own hand he leadeth me;
his faithful follower I would be, for by his hand he leadeth me.
WORDS: Paul Gerhardt, 1653; trans. by John Wesley, 1739 MUSIC: William H. Walter, 1894
RECEPTION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Please place your offering in the baskets at the 3 doors leading into the sanctuary on your way in or out.
The Mission Offering today is for BOLD Justice
Next Sunday our Mission Offering goes to Apportionments
Prayer of Dedication
One minute musical interlude while worshipers prepare their offering. Instructions for giving online, by check or text are in the section after the Order of Service.
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
praise him all creatures here below,
praise him above, ye heavenly hosts,
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
TIME OF SHARING JOYS & CONCERNS
(please email miramarpastor@gmail.com)
PRAYER HYMN 156 I Love to Tell the Story+
1. I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story, because I know 'tis true;
it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.
I love to tell the story, 'twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.
2. I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems
than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me;
and that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.
I love to tell the story, 'twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.
3. I love to tell the story; 'tis pleasant to repeat
what seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
the message of salvation from God's own holy Word.
I love to tell the story, 'twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.
4 I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
'twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.
I love to tell the story, 'twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.
WORDS: Katherine Hankey, ca. 1868 MUSIC: William G. Fischer, 1869
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION AND 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, the power, and the glory,
For ever and ever. Amen.
SERMON How many times? Pastor David Range
HYMN OF SENDING FORTH 462 ‘Tis so sweet to Trust in Jesus+
1 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, and to take him at his word;
just to rest upon his promise, and to know, "Thus saith the Lord."
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust him more!
2 O how sweet to trust in Jesus, just to trust his cleansing blood;
and in simple faith to plunge me ‘neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust him more!
3 Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus, just from sin and self to cease;
just from Jesus simply taking life and rest, and joy and peace.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust him more!
4 I’m so glad I learned to trust thee, Precious Jesus, Savior, friend;
And I know that thou art with me, wilt be with me to the end.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust him more!
WORDS: Louisa M. Stead, 1882 MUSIC: William J. Kirkpatrick, 1882
BENEDICTION
+All music under ccli #24249
How do children learn to worship?
1. By being taught that they have a place in the community of the church.
2. By seeing, hearing, feeling, even smelling, the sanctuary as a place of welcome and worship.
3. By being around other children in the worship service.
4. By watching how adults sing, pray, and make offerings.
5. By sharing in prayers, communion, and worship with adults.
6. By being given ways to watch for God’s presence in their own lives, and encouraged to share where they notice God.
_____________
We give God thanks for this opportunity to worship together in-person in our sanctuary as well as online. Please wear your mask and greet each with a wave, an elbow or fist bump. Please maintain social distance and sit at either end or the middle of the pew. In the pews we ask you to sit, in every other pew, spaced out as best you can. Seats are also available in the foyer and the fellowship hall if needed. Both have been set up with screens for the PowerPoint presentation and live video stream from the pulpit. We will continue to live stream the services on Twitter and YouTube for those who would like to continue to participate from home.
The offering will be received in the baskets at the three entry points of the sanctuary. No bulletins will be handed out, everything you need will be on the screens. No need to call or email ahead for a place to worship, you are invited to the sanctuary any time for in-person worship. Come as you are!
Remember there are two ways you can watch our services. One is on YouTube.com by typing in the search bar: Miramar UMC and then you should see the service live streamed. If you subscribe to our service through YouTube.com you can set up reminders for the day before or 15 minutes before, whatever you like.
The other way to “gather” in virtual worship is through the Twitter service available by going to our miramarumc.org website. Pass around the information so that others may join in worship by clicking on the Twitter bird icon on the home page. We will continue our 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. services (except when we have a fifth Sunday of the month 10:00 a.m. service.) If you lose the service for a few seconds do not worry it will probably come back, but if it is longer than a few seconds you might try clicking the refresh button in your browser window.
Please email your prayer requests for uplifting on Sundays by sending them to miramarpastor@gmail.com. It is best if you send them by Saturday NOON if possible.
Our church prayer meeting is online on Sundays at 7:30 p.m. and you may contact Marvia Aitken or Vinessa Edwards mamaness@bellsouth.net for the link.
This week, Monday through Thursday there will be someone in the church office from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. each day, and you may make an appointment to see the pastor at these or other times. Please remember to enter from the south entrance near the Pastor’s office. No other doors will be open for church business. The preschool is open but you should still come in by the south entrance because the north entrance from the parking lot must be dedicated for the little children of the preschool. Please let friends with preschool aged children know that they can enroll the children in our preschool.
WAYS to give:
1. Online giving is available through our website miramarumc.org. On the home page the ‘Donate’ icon (a hand with a dollar sign above it) is located at the top left corner and on the right under “Contact Us” you will see the same icon along with “Donate Online.” Click on either location for instructions. If you need help call the church office at 954-989-4711. Thanks to all who have signed up for this. The regular tithes and offerings of the church are a great source of blessing.
2. You can also mail a check to Miramar United Methodist Church. If you have your offering envelopes you will see that the address of the church is printed for mailing purposes and your offering can be mailed in this envelope when you apply a stamp. You may also use a regular envelope and address it to: MUMC, 2507 Utopia Drive, Miramar FL 33023. Just put your check inside, mark which funds you would like to support, put a stamp on and let the United States Postal Service do the rest! Or bring it by after the Sunday services, someone will be in the church for one hour after the worship finishes as well as Mon-Thurs 1-5 pm. We trust God will keep us strong.
3. Also, we have the option of giving by text! Use 833-931-1791 to GivePlusText and when you text any amount, by putting that number in the message, you will be prompted to register, then fill out the details of your name, address and means of payment, and the contribution will go in! If you enter an email address you will get an immediate receipt. It is easy! If you have an Apple phone you may also get Vanco’s GivePlusMobile by downloading the app from the App Store. You may also look up YouTube videos to show how all this is done.
Thank you for your prayers! Grace and peace, Pastor David
