HFUMC/MUMC
February 5, 2023
Micah 6:1-8
Follow along in this service by clicking
on the links for music, message, etc.,
coming back to the service
after each.
Call to Worship:
Generous God,
we give you thanks for your everyday mercies.
Open our eyes to the light of possibilities,
even when the day ahead holds difficulties.
Be with us, near us, beside us. Amen.
Praise: The Light of the World — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCRunZGYBi4
If you have children please share this – if you do not, navigate to the prayer section below. Please register on the Sunday School website by clicking on “log in” in the top right and sign up.
Children’s Church:
Good morning! Seeing your faces makes me feel better already!
You know what also makes us feel better? Doing something kind for someone else! Isn’t that great? We feel good not only when we have something good happen to US, but also when we do something that is good for someone ELSE!
We sang our song, “More Light” again as you came up. One line of it says “help us hear what needs to be heard.” It invites us to open up to hear God’s invitation. One thing that the Bible says over and over again is this: Love your neighbor. Be kind. That’s what today is about.
Here we are at our Time for Children Lamp that we will turn on each week. Let’s turn it on right now. [turn it on and say “ta-da!”] Turning on our lamps reminds us about the Light of God inside each of us.
We’ve heard a lot about viruses in the last couple of years, right? We learned that when one person is sick, other people around them can get sick, which is called “contagious,” so we have to be careful. Did you know that kindness is also contagious? It’s true! When one person does something nice for someone else, then that person is inspired to do something nice for another person and it can really spread! That’s a “good virus!” Unfortunately, the same is true of being mean. If someone does something mean to us, we sometimes want to be mean back to them or to someone else.
We have a choice today. There are two piles of cards here. Smiley ones and mean ones. Would you rather have someone do something nice for you or mean to you? [hand a smiley card to each child and throw the mean ones in a trash can] Me too! So the way we make sure kindness happens more often than meanness is to practice kindness ourselves until it catches onto everyone! So today give that smiley card to someone else, say something kind to them, and then ask them to give it to someone else and do the same thing. Let’s spread kindness all around! I’m guessing it is going to help our lightbulb inside us shine really bright when we make someone’s day!
Let’s say our repeat-after-me-poem:
There is a lamp
There is a lamp
inside of me
inside of me
it’s always there
it’s always there
for all to see
for all to see
[continue like this for the rest of the poem,
saying each line, letting the children repeat after]
But there are times…
the light feels dim
and things are tough
and just too grim
But that’s OK
When I feel down
I know in time
it turns around
I’m not alone
when I am sad
I’m always loved
for that I’m glad!
Prayer:
Please take this time to speak out loud the things that have brought you joy and blessing this week. I am sure you have them, but sometimes we have to be reminded to look for them. Thank you Jesus for these things. Then after you have have shared those joys, list your concerns as you would if we were together. Now, let us join together in prayer:
Prayer/Scripture/Message: https://youtu.be/Brv8dRQIZCI
Hymn: All Who Love and Serve Your City — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjmX419CEkw&t=71s
Offering:
Take this time to exercise the privilege of sharing in the work of God by giving your tithe to the church. You have options:
US Mail:
First United Methodist Church of Herkimer
127 N. Prospect Street
Herkimer, NY 13350.
or
Morning Star United Methodist Church
36 Second Avenue
Ilion, NY 13357
or
Online Giving for HFUMC (safe and secure)
You can use this link or download the Tithe.ly app from the app store https://tithe.ly/give?c=1695306
Prayer of Dedication:
God of all creation, source of every blessing: you have given us so much. As we bring our tithes and gifts to you this day, these seem so small by comparison, unless we see that we are truly called to give ourselves back to the world. May we be the salt that brings value and flavor into relationships with those around us. May we be the light that helps others find their way to your love and care. We pray all of this in the mighty name of Jesus, who came to help us see all we could be. Amen.
Hymn: Forth in Thy Name, O Lord — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwB24WV6GwE&t=56s
Benediction:
Now go into the world,
feeling the wrap of love around your shoulders,
the embrace of well-being encompassing your heart,
the confidence that only requires one foot in front of the other,
and the assurance that you are not alone.
The world needs you
and will patiently wait for your light to shine,
illuminating just one small corner,
speaking even a little bit of hope.
We’re in it together,
along with the One who created us,
the One who redeems us,
the One who sustains us.
So be it.
Amen.
Passing of the Peace of God
Let your hearts sing a new song in place of your benediction song. Reach out to someone in our congregation and place a song in their heart by your contact.
Service adapted from Worship Design Studio SAD Series – http://www.worshipdesignstudio.com