January 29, 2012
Rev. Susan Sherwood, Pastor
6085 Park Blvd.
Pinellas Park, FL 33781
727/544-8558 or 546-7602
Web Site: www.goodsam-church.org
E- mail: goodsam-church@tampabay.rr.com
Presbyterian Church (USA) "More Light"
United Church of Christ "Open and Affirming"
OUR Mission: we are called to build the beloved
community.
JANUARY 29, 2012
Youth and children will go
directly to Sunday School and Nursery
and return for the closing circle.
GATHERING MUSIC
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS;
Whoever you are, wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
Nursery care is lovingly provided during the worship service.
Please sign the guest book and pass it down the row, greeting one another by name.
*PASSING THE PEACE: "May the peace of Christ be with you. And also with you."
When we welcome one another, we welcome Jesus Christ.
CENTERING MUSIC In The Presence of Jehovah with Surely the Presence of the Lord is in the Place arr. Mark Hayes
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE/RINGING OF THE BELL
*CALL TO WORSHIP Roy Rudasill
By Ted Loder in Guerrillas of Grace
(* Please stand, if you are comfortable doing so. If not, stand up on the inside!)
LEADER: Eternal One, Silence from whom our words come;
PEOPLE: Questioner from whom our questions arise;
LEADER: Lover of whom all our loves are hints;
PEOPLE: Disturber in whom alone we find our rest;
LEADER: Mystery in whose depths we find healing – and ourselves;
ALL: Enfold us now in your presence;
Restore to us your peace;
Renew us through your power;
And ground us in your grace. Amen
*HYMN Blue P 281 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBER (See Insert.)
Rev. Sue Sherwood and Clerk of Session Christopher Johnson
New Member: René Carroll
Reaffirmation of Faith
PASTOR: Do you desire to reaffirm your faith and renew your baptismal vows today, claiming the freedom of new life in Christ?
CANDIDATE: I do.
PASTOR: Do you feel called to journey with this congregation, which affirms
God as Creator, Jesus Christ as Savior, and the Holy Spirit as our strength?
CANDIDATE: I do.
PASTOR: Do you promise, by the grace of God, to be Christ’s disciple, to renounce evil and follow in the way of Love and Justice,
as best as you are able?
CANDIDATE: I promise, with the help of God.
PASTOR: By baptism we are all made one in the body of Christ, the church. Today we rejoice in your pilgrimage of faith
which has brought you to this time and place. We give thanks for every community of faith that has been our spiritual home,
and we celebrate your presence in this household of faith.
Do you promise to participate in the life and mission of this family of God’s people, sharing regularly in the worship of God
and enlisting in the work of this local church as it serves this community and the world?
CANDIDATE: I promise, with the help of God.
All who are present, please stand, as you are able.
CLERK OF SESSION: Let us, the members and friends of Good Samaritan Church, express our welcome and affirm our mutual
ministry in Christ.
PEOPLE: We welcome you with joy in the common life of this church. We promise you our friendship and prayers as we share
the hopes and labors of the church of Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit, may we walk together in discipleship and continue to grow in God’s knowledge and love as we respond to the call to build the Beloved Community.
PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE AND BIBLE
HYMN OF ILLUMINATION Blue P 324 Open My Eyes That I May See
Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
Place in my hand the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see;
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!
THE GOOD NEWS IN THE HEBREW SCRIPTURE Psalm 111
THE GOOD NEWS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT Mark 1:21-28
LEADER: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.
ALL: Thanks be to God!
SPECIAL MUSIC René Carroll, Soloist
CONTEMPORARY WORD: "The Here and Now and the Hereafter"
Sermon Series: "Honest to God!"
The Rev. Susan Sherwood
(Sermons can be heard online at www.goodsam-church.org.)
*HYMN Blue P 332 Live into Hope
SPACE FOR GRACE: SHARING OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER (Pendle Hill Quaker community):
Heavenly Father, Heavenly Mother, Holy and blessed is your true name. We pray for your
reign of peace to come.
We pray that your good will be done. Let heaven and earth become one. Give us
this day the bread we need.
Give it to those who have none. Let forgiveness flow like a river between us, From each
one to each one to each one.
Lead us to holy innocence beyond the evil of our days: Come swiftly, Mother,
Father, come.
For yours is the power, and the mercy, and the glory. Forever your name is one. Amen.
OFFERING OUR TITHES, OUR GIFTS, AND OUR LIVES
OFFERTORY Breathe arr. Mark Hayes
Ushers: Sandy Badger, Debbie Rasmussin, Linda Rupp, Lisa Ware
*DOXOLOGY Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ, all creatures here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION: Light of all life, All that I am, All that I have, All that I do, All that I’ll ever be,
I offer now to you. Amen.
*CIRCLE BENEDICTION and SUNG RESPONSE:
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God our Creator, family all are we.
Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now,
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow:
To take each moment, and live each moment in peace eternally!
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
SHALOM! SALAAM! PEACE!
Quotation of the Week: "I said to the almond tree: Friend, speak to me of God; and the almond tree blossomed." - Nikos Kazantzakis
OPPORTUNITIES
| SUNDAY
(1/29) Celebrate: Wear Green! 10:30 Worship/ Church School/Nursery: New Member Welcome Small Change/Big Difference 11:45 Fellowship: Soup and Salad 12:15 ANNUAL CALLED CONGREGATIONAL MEETING MONDAY (1/30) 9:00 Food Pantry: Annie Gambino and Barbara Waldbesser TUESDAY (1/31) 9:00 Food Pantry: John & Elly Hopkins WEDNESDAY (2/1) THURSDAY (2/2) 9:00 Food Pantry: Bev Kelly and Lloyd Haver FRIDAY (2/3) SATURDAY (2/4) SUNDAY (2/5) Communion "Souper Bowl Sunday" 10:30 Worship/Nursery: Good Sam Spotlight; Installation of new Session 11:45 Fellowship: Heather & Shane Woods
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PLEASE PICK UP YOUR 2012 PLEDGE ENVELOPES TODAY: THE POWER OF 1!
You will find an extra envelope with a colored border in the packet for additional expenses that the church has at the beginning of the year: 2012 denominational per capita fee of $17.25 for each member ($34.25 per couple) and $2 for pledge envelope cost.
ST. JAMES LIST
Pray for one another that you may be healed. James 5:16
Let us remember these members and friends who have asked for our prayers: Bay Pines VA Community Living Center, Building 101: Lee Nasser
Westminster Suncoast: Jim Freeman; Lexington: Edna Smith, Virginia McNeill
At Home: Bob Bell, Scott Boake, Shirley Clarke, Dottie Hart, Christopher Johnson, Jennifer Kelly, Lisa and Greg Lusk (Lisa’s brother), Mac McNeill, Dorothy Morton, Carla Moseley & Family (upon the passing of Carla’s niece Emma), Sam and Thea Pruyne, Nancy Rudasill, Sihapanyas & employees, Jeffrey Smith (son of Claudia and Brian Smith), Sue Spencer, John Strobridge, Barbara Williams, Mildred King (family of Georgann Schlosser), Joel Westlake, our Interim Pastor Search Committee (Gretchen Ackerson, Dick Hall, John Hopkins) -- and all those who have given up on "church" and religion.
Address for Get Well Wishes to Lee Nasser: Lee Nasser, Room C-34, COC West, Bldg. 101, P. O. Box 5005, Bay Pines, FL 33744. Her phone: 319-1513.
ANNUAL REPORTS ARE READY for our Congregational Meeting today at Fellowship. Please take one per family. We will be electing our new Session members for the Class of 2014. The nominees are: Karen Lederer, Chris Osberg, and Brian Smith.
THE FEBRUARY MESSENGER IS ALSO ON HAND. If you have not done so already, please fill out the form for your preferred method of delivery. In an effort to be "green," we are no longer sending bulk mailings of the newsletter. You may read it online, pick it up at church, or request to have it mailed to your home. The church will mail the Messenger to all seasonal visitors when they are away.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5: "SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY" Help our Food Pantry by bringing soup to worship next Sunday! Other items most needed are cereal, pasta sauce, spaghetti, and peanut butter.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3 AND SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4: JESUS SEMINAR
What "so-God" synchronicity! Good Samaritans just talked about the Bible last Sunday and next week you can learn more through a Jesus Seminar/Westar Religious Literacy Seminar called "The Once and Future Bible." The lecturer is Stephen Patterson, professor at Willamette University in Oregon and chair of the Jesus Seminar on Christian Origins. The seminar will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road.
This seminar is divided into three sessions: "Creating the Bible," Fri., Feb. 3, 7:30-9:00; "Using and Abusing the Bible," Sat. Feb. 4, 9:30-Noon; "Understanding the Bible," Sat. 1:15-4 PM. You can sign up for the whole seminar ($75, and $50 for an additional family member) or for any portion (Friday $20, Saturday morning or Saturday afternoon $30 each). See the registration form on the Welcome Center bulletin board.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8: "SAVING JESUS FROM THE CHURCH," 6:30 PM
Once in a very long time a book comes along that is readable, makes sense, and can re-form the church. Archbishop Desmond Tutu says this is that book! It is called: Saving Jesus from the Church; How to Stop Worshiping Christ and Start Following Jesus. Written by a UCC pastor, Robin Meyers, it opens the scripture to new meaning and challenges our very way of life. We will meet to discuss this book at Panera Bread in the Shoppes on the Mall on Wednesday, February 8th. Order your dinner and join us by 6:30. Books and study guides are available. See Bev Kelly.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11: VISUAL JOURNALING WORKSHOP, 10:00 – NOON
Save this date as it will be your last opportunity to participate in a Good Sam workshop led by Pastor Sue. This is a repeat of an extraordinary workshop she presented several years ago on Visual Journaling – what Sue calls "Soul-Speak." Hear Spirit’s voice speak to you through prayerful, simple drawing exercises. No art experience necessary – just an open mind and heart. Art materials will be supplied so please sign up in the Welcome Center so that we can have all the materials ready.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11: SWEETHEART DINNER DANCE FOR RELAY FOR LIFE, 7 PM
This fundraiser in Brockus Fellowship Hall includes a full spaghetti dinner and dessert, as well as dancing to recorded "oldies" and special requests. The tickets are $7.00 in advance or $10.00 at the door. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12: CELEBRATION OF LOVE SERVICE
If you have been in a committed relationship over 25 years, please contact the church office so we can celebrate you in this special service!
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13: BISHOP ROBERT SCHNASE SPEAKING, 9 AM – 4 PM
REGISTER WITH THE PRESBYTERY BY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6
Bishop Schnase of the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church will be the featured teacher and speaker for the Presbytery of Tampa Bay’s "Revised Standard Visions" on Monday, February 13. This is a series to explore together the possibilities for our presbytery and churches. Bishop Schnase is the author of Five Practices for Fruitful Congregations, encouraging congregations for vitality through Radical Hospitality, Passionate Worship, Intentional Faith Development, Risk-taking Mission and Service, and Extravagant Generosity. If you are attending this seminar, you are strongly encouraged to read this book. Because of the high profile of this speaker, please register for this event by Monday, February 6. The cost is $20 for the workshop, which includes lunch. Pick up your registration form in the Welcome Center and mail it to the Presbytery of Tampa Bay at 4704 Kelly Rd., Tampa.
NOTE: We will have a Fellowship Potluck Luncheon on February 19, Rev. Sue’s last Sunday preaching as Good Sam’s pastor. Sign up in the Welcome Center. We will not have a Potluck on February 12.
2012 BIRTHDAYS: GRATITUDE FOR THE POWER OF ONE IN YOUR LIFE
Our Stewardship chairs invite you to claim the Power of One throughout 2012. When you celebrate your birthday this year, express your gratitude to God for a lifetime of blessings by donating $1 (or moreJ ) to Good Sam for every year of your life. Become part of the 2012 Birthday Gang and Good Sam will throw you all a birthday party at the end of the year! So – join the fun – and praise God! Note "Birthday Gang" on your check!
MARCH 3 AUCTION : What can I do to help?
1) Pick up your "free admission" cards to distribute to friends, neighbors, and businesses.
2) Sign up in the Welcome Center to volunteer to help put this fun evening together.
3) We are receiving items and gift certificates to auction. There is a collection basket in the Welcome Center for new items for gift baskets – items like gourmet crackers/cookies, cloth napkins, gourmet coffees/teas/fancy tea cups, wine/glasses.
QUESTIONS? See the Auction Team: Mickey Moore, Elly Hopkins, Gretchen Ackerson, Clarence Wilkinson, Jean Adams and Carolyn Woodard.