Welcome to Lithia Springs Methodist Church
Sunday worship bulletin for September 8, 2024.
A printable PDF version of this bulletin can be downloaded here.
Wi-Fi is available in the Sanctuary
Name: Sanctuary
Password: Faith2024
The flowers adorning the chancel area are given to the glory of God and in celebration of what would have been Chester and Bonnie Standridge’s 70th wedding anniversary. Though he is no longer with us, the love they shared continues to bloom in our hearts, a testament to a beautiful marriage that has transcended time. With love from their family.
*Please stand as you are comfortable.
CHIMING OF THE HOUR
Glenn McElroy
WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND INVOCATION
Rev. Thomas Long
PRELUDE
“Down by the Riverside” Arr. Marianne Kim
Glenn McElroy
OPENING HYMN*
“Lord of the Dance”
Sydney Bertram Carter; CCLI 1152573
Verse 1 I danced in the morning When the world was begun And I danced in the moon And the stars and the sun And I came down from heaven And I danced on the earth At Bethlehem I had My birth Chorus Dance then wherever you may be I am the Lord of the Dance said He And I'll lead you all Wherever you may be And I'll lead you all In the Dance said He Verse 2 I danced for the scribe And the Pharisee But they would not dance And they wouldn't follow Me I danced for the fishermen For James and John They came with Me And the dance went on Chorus Verse 3 I danced on the Sabbath And I cured the lame The holy people said it was a shame They whipped and they stripped And they hung Me on high And they left Me there On a Cross to die Chorus Verse 4 I danced on a Friday When the sky turned black It's hard to dance With the devil on your back They buried My body And they thought I'd gone But I am the dance And I still go on Chorus Verse 5 They cut Me down And I leapt up high I am the life That'll never, never die I'll live in you If you'll live in Me I am the Lord Of the Dance said He Chorus
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH* The Apostles’ Creed #691 I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
ANTHEM
“Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” Arr. Sandra Eithun
Handbell Choir
PASTORAL PRAYER; LORD’S PRAYER
Rev. Thomas Long
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Rev. Thomas Long
For online giving visit:
https://613e4b45.churchtrac.com/give
OFFERTORY
“I Love to Tell the Story” Arr. Bill Ingram
Handbell Choir
DOXOLOGY* #682
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Words Thomas Ken, Music Louis Bourgeois CCLI 1152573
SCRIPTURE* James 2:1-17
Georgia Deakin
Favoritism Forbidden
2 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Faith and Deeds
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Leader: This is the Word of God for the people of God.
People: Thanks be to God.
SERMON
Rev. Thomas Long
HYMN*
“Trust and Obey” #334
BENEDICTION*
Rev. Thomas Long
POSTLUDE
Hymn Postlude on “Precious Name” Arr. Rick Parks
Glenn McElroy
If you have been visiting with us, we would love to be able to connect with you! Please take a Visitor’s Card from the pew, complete it, and place it in the offering plate.
Thank you for worshiping with us!
This Week’s Schedule
Today, September 8:
9:45 a.m. Adult Sunday School
9:45 a.m. Children’s Sunday School
11:00 a.m. Worship Service
Monday, September 9:
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop 62
Tuesday, September 10:
7:00 p.m. Men’s Group
Wednesday, September 11:
5:30 p.m. Prayer Group
6:00 p.m. Family Fun Night
6:00 p.m. Cub Scout Pack 62
6:45 p.m. Handbell Choir
7:45 p.m. Chancel Choir
Saturday, September 14:
11:00 a.m. Fall Festival
Sunday, September 15:
9:45 a.m. Adult Sunday School
9:45 a.m. Children’s Sunday School
11:00 a.m. Worship Service
Children’s Sunday School Sept. 8th
Today our lesson focused on Exodus 17:8-16 and we learned that each person has an important job in serving the Lord and helping others. The memory verse for the week is Romans 12:9-10. We hope to see your children next Sunday, Sept. 8th at 9:45am in the Children’s Wing!
Annette Winn Backpack Blessings
Thank you, church family, for so graciously supporting this community outreach and ministry by donating food for the children of Annette Winn Elementary School. Your donations will be distributed to the school this week and will be a blessing to families in need in our neighborhood!
Family Fun Night September 11th
Our Next Family Fun Night is THIS WEEK on Wednesday, September 11th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We will share a snack supper and play games. Invite a friend or neighbor!
One Week Countdown: Fall Festival Sept. 14th
Our Fall Festival is on Saturday, September 14th from 11-4pm. This will be a fun fellowship event for our congregation and community. We have confirmed an inflatable bouncy house, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Polar Patrol Ice Cream Truck will be there, a live DJ will liven the atmosphere with music and dancing, and a petting zoo will be onsite from 11am-1pm! Food will be available for purchase, and there will be a variety of crafts and games to play. Fishing booth, anyone? This event is ONE WEEK AWAY! Please contact the church office to volunteer.
PRC Guest Speaker Sept. 15th
We invite you to join us during worship next week, September 15th, as we welcome a representative from the Pregnancy Resource Center. They will share about the important work they are doing in our community to support families in need. Come and be inspired by their message of hope and care!
PRC Walk For Life September 21st
The Pregnancy Resource Center is hosting a Walk for Life fundraising event on Saturday, September 21 at 10am at First Presbyterian of Douglasville, registration begins at 9am. You may register to be a Walker at partnersofprc.com. Participating in this event will be a blessing to the women of our community facing unplanned pregnancies and will help to save the lives of at-risk babies. If you are unable to walk but would like to sponsor a Walker, please fill out the bulletin insert and place it in the offering plate
Women’s Group Sept. 21st
The next meeting of the Lithia Springs Methodist Church’s Sara Bowden Unit will be in the Fellowship Hall on Saturday, September 21st at 10am. We are blessed to welcome Mrs. Delma Morales, the founder of Sisters in Christ Ministries. Delma’s dedication to uplifting women through faith and community is inspiring, and we are honored to have her share her insights and experiences with us. Please join us for a transformative time of fellowship! All are invited to attend. Please RSVP to the church office, as lunch will be provided afterward.
Movie Night Sept. 21st ages 10+
Join us in the Children’s Wing for pizza, popcorn, and a movie on Saturday, September 21st from 6:00pm-8:30pm in the Children’s Wing. We’ll announce the title soon, so check back next week for details!
Charge Conference October 20th at 4pm
Please join us at Dog River GMC for a time of worship and celebration for our first Charge Conference as a Global Methodist Church! Andy Postell will deliver the message and they are looking for churches to lead a congregation hymn or special chorus. If you feel called to serve in this way, please contact the church office. Refreshments will be served and we are asked to help provide foods such as cookies, brownies, finger sandwiches, or beverages. Please get in touch with the church office if you are able to contribute in this way. We look forward to seeing you there as we hear testimonies and join together in celebration of all God is doing in our church and in our district.
Financial Figures for August 2024
Earnings/Profit $25,900.55
Expenses/Loss -$20,160.37
Profit $5,740.00
To contact the church office,
please send correspondence to
[email protected]
Or call 770.948.5429