LIVING and LOVING IN LODI      Sunday, January 24, 2021 

From Pastor Pam:  

Baby Steps in the Desert ... or in the Snow!

 

Many years ago a congregant came to me to discuss her calling. From my experience with her, it was clear she had gifts, and graces for ministry. Her sense of calling to serve God in ordained ministry came from deep within her spirit. But oh! The obstacles were many!  She had not completed her undergraduate degree; she had a family to care for and a job. Some former pastors had suggested that seminary and elder's orders were simply out of reach. After she shared her story and we prayed, I felt moved to affirm her calling; while I did not dismiss or discount the very real challenges ahead, I encouraged her to take baby steps. Small steps on a path to be opened by God. She is now an accomplished pastor, scholar, and leader in our Conference.

 

Who knows where baby steps might lead?

 

Often we like life to be like the AAA Trip Tiks my dad would get before a vacation- every pathway clearly marked before we leave home. But I tend to think that while Jesus has made the destination clear- the reign of God in our souls, our communities, and our world-he often has us travel like the ancient Israelites; he calls us to have courage and take baby steps;  He may not offer us  a precise map through the unknown wilderness  but  instead offers manna for our hungers, water for our thirst, and  light in even the darkest skies. 

 

As we travel each day let us be mindful of the Friend and Redeemer who walks with us-- one baby step at a time. 

Listen, God is Calling!

With Love in Christ,

Pastor Pam

                               

Scripture: Mark 1:  14-20

Jesus Announces the Good News  ¹⁴ After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ¹⁵ “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Jesus Calls His First Disciples  ¹⁶ As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” ¹⁸ At once they left their nets and followed him. ¹⁹ When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. ²⁰ Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

 

Spiritual Practice -Weekly E Bible Study

1.      Often we think of calling as a major transition in life, but often it is the "small still voice " of God reaching out to us through the ordinary events of our daily lives.  Take a moment each morning to ask God where he is calling you each day to the work of love in prayer, presence, giving, witness, or service.   In moments of stress or discouragement take a prayer break to ask God where you are being called in this situation. How might you open your life more fully so that you might hear and obey God's call?

2.      You may want to take time to look at some of the call stories in the Bible. What might these narratives have in common? How are they different?  Which one/s speak to your experiences of calling? Moses: Exodus 3-4, Zachariah, Elizabeth, Mary: Luke 1  Hannah and Samuel:   1 Samuel: 1-4    The Book of Jonah   Paul: Acts 9

                                                                       

Spiritual Support: Pastor Pam is available for a porch visits, to bring Holy Communion for you to partake in your home, to listen, to pray with you.  Please call or text: 216 704 0307 or e-mail  pamelab23@hotmail.com. 

 

Even though our building is closed, until the governor says we can reopen, we are live on Facebook at 10:00am Sunday mornings AND once the service has been uploaded, it will be on our private YouTube channel!!!!  An e-mail will include the link. A new website is being worked on – this will make viewing the Sunday service much easier!  Please be patient as this takes time. 

 

The Trustees met on Sunday, January 17. They continue to work hard on many projects that will allow us to be faithful stewards of the gifts God has given us. We will be ready to grow our ministry in our time and place. 

   

You can mail your offerings to:  Lodi UMC, PO Box 3, Lodi, OH  44254 (The church continues to need your tithes and offerings, each week.  Even though we are not meeting in person, the work of the church goes on.  Thank you for your continued support.) 2021 Offering envelopes are just inside the single door at the church. Call Dottie for a code 330-887-1471

Do you have a new phone number or e-mail address?  Please be sure that you share it with us so we can all stay connected! 

 

Noteworthy News and Needs: Do you have News or Needs or Prayer Concerns?  Please share them with Dottie (lodiumcsec.dottie@gmail.com , 330-887-1471) or Pastor Pam Buzalka (216)704-0307 pamelab23@hotmail.com

 

Life Line Screening at Lodi United Methodist Church March 16, 2021  9am-5pm  Life Line Screening, the nation’s leading provider of preventive health screenings, will offer affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings at Lodi United Methodist Church on Tuesday, March 16, 2021.  A package of 5 screenings to identify risk for stroke, heart disease and other chronic conditions will be offered:         

·  Carotid artery ultrasound to identify plaque buildup in the carotid arteries, a major risk factor for stroke

·  Abdominal aortic aneurysm ultrasound to identify presence of an enlargement in the largest blood vessel in the body

·  An EKG to identify the presence of atrial fibrillation, which increases the risk for stroke

·  Ultrasound of the lower legs to look for plaque buildup known as peripheral artery disease

·  Ultrasound of the shin bone to identify risk for osteoporosis.  These 5 vital screenings are offered for only $149 and take 60-90 minutes to complete. If you register today, you will receive a $10 discount. Register:   1-888-653-6441 or text the word "circle" to 797979.

 

The part for my laptop is here, finally! and it’s being worked on. I will have updated balances and will send out statements as soon as it is fixed. – It’s been a crazy couple of weeks without my laptop!  Thanks for your patience!  Dottie

 

 

 

 

Lodi United Methodist Church Bulletin, Sunday, January 24, 2021 Worship

            

Prelude  Simple Gifts  Missy

 

Call to Worship  - Jane Corbus

Jane:  For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is in him.

Community: He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

                     On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.

Jane: Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him;

Community: We will listen to the voice of the One we trust- the Holy One in whom we trust.

                     We will follow the call of God whose power is steadfast love which endures forever!

                                                                                                                        based on Psalm 62: 5-12                                                                                                     

Hymn       Where He Leads Me   #338

1. I can hear my Savior calling, I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling, "Take thy cross and follow, follow me."

Refrain: Where he leads me I will follow, where he leads me I will follow,
where he leads me I will follow; I'll go with him, with him all the way.

 

4. He will give me grace and glory, he will give me grace and glory,
he will give me grace and glory, and go with me, with me all the way.

Refrain: Where he leads me I will follow, where he leads me I will follow,
where he leads me I will follow; I'll go with him, with him all the way.

 

Unison Prayer   Jane Corbus

Gracious and loving God, You call Your children to know, love and serve You with humility, patience unselfishness, and courage.  Fill us with wisdom that we might hear Your voice over the noise of fear. Fill us with faith that we might answer Your call to us each day as we rejoice Your presence! Amen

                                                                                                                                                       

Church in Action – Jane Corbus

Joys and Concerns    - Pastor Pam                                                                           

               

Prayer Song   Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus   #349 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, (wonderful face),

and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.  

 

Silent Prayer and 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      

                                                                                   

Hymn      The Summons    TFWS #2130

1 Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown? Will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

2 Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

4 Will you love the "you" you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

 

Offertory - Missy

Jane Corbus:   We pray that we may offer our gifts to God in prophetic and faithful ways. Take a moment to thank God for the gifts and graces of the week.

 

Moment of Silent Prayer

 

Jane Corbus:   Let us with one heart and one voice praise the Holy One.

 

*Doxology   Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow   #95

*Prayer of Dedication  - Jane Corbus

Create in us clean hearts and renew right spirits within us that we might know the freedom of heart that comes when we dare to leave our nets, believe the Good News, and follow You. May we give all that we have and all that we are to You so that we may grow to become the disciples you call us to be! Amen

 

Special Music:    Two Fishermen    vocal solo Jane Corbus with Missy

 

The Good News           Jane Corbus

Mark 1: 14-20

 Jesus Announces the Good News  ¹⁴ After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ¹⁵ “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Jesus Calls His First Disciples  ¹⁶ As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” ¹⁸ At once they left their nets and followed him. ¹⁹ When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. ²⁰ Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

 

Message   Following With Faith    Pastor Pam

 

Hymn    My Hope is Built     #368

1. My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

Refrain: On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.

 

2. When darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain: On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.

 

Benediction   Jane Corbus

Let us go forth as faith-filled disciples - called by God and strengthened by grace.  This service has ended but our life in Jesus Christ goes on and on. We go now in His name into all of the world. May our light so shine and our joy be so obvious that all who see us may come to praise God.  Amen

 Postlude    Missy