February 14, 2021

Gretchen Nelson, Pastor Jerry Sowers Minister of Music ,

Sylvia Krisnow Secretary , Cynthia Campbell, Accompanist

Members of Wesley Ministers ,

The Vision of Wesley United Methodist Church is to serve

all people with the love of Jesus Christ.

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Order of Worship – 10:00 A.M. Service Gather and Spend Time with God Together

Preparing your home for Worship Create a space that brings reminders of God's presence with LIGHT. Candles. Colorful flowers. Pictures. Lamps. Fill your space with LIGHT of many kinds. Ask everyone in your home for suggestions. Before the gathering time: play music, turn off devices not used for worship, start to pay attention to your breath as a gift from God. Pray.

Welcome and Orientation Centering our attention on God’s Holy Presence with our breath and senses.

Gathering Centering Music Let the music fill your hearts and spirits becoming aware of God welcoming you in love.

Call to Worship One: We have seen the light of God; Many: on high mountains of celebration and in the delight of loving embrace. One: We have seen the light of God; Many: through the bitter scorn of betrayal and the searing chasm of grief. One: We have seen the light of God; Many: with eyes that have been shaded, with eyes that have been opened, with eyes that have been blinded. One: We have seen the light of God.

Opening Hymn “Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies” UMH 173

1. Christ, whose glory fills the skies, Christ, the true, the only Light, Sun of righteousness, arise, triumph o'er the shades of night. Dayspring from on high, be near; Daystar, in my heart appear. 2. Dark and cheerless is the morn unaccompanied by thee; joyless is the day's return,

till thy mercy's beams I see, till thy inward light impart, cheer my eyes and warm my heart. 3. Visit, then, this soul of mine; pierce the gloom of sin and grief; fill me, radiancy divine; scatter all my unbelief; more and more thyself display, shining to the perfect day.

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Glory Sightings Witness to God’s faithfulness and love in the world. You are invited to share where have you witnessed good news. Raise a hand, write in the Facebook Comments, add into Zoom Chat. Singing our Praises “Shine, Jesus, Shine” FWS 2173

Refrain: 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 1. 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 Refrain:

2. 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. Refrain: 3. As we gaze on your kingly brightness. So our faces display your likeness. Ever changing from glory to glory. Mirrored here may our lives tell your story. Shine on me, shine on me Refrain:

Proclamation and Response Day by day, as they spent much time together in temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts…”Acts 2:46

First Testament Reading 2 Kings 2:1-12 2 Now when the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. 3 The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the LORD will take your master away from you?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent.” 4 Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; for the LORD has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. 5 The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the LORD will take your master away from you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; be silent.” 6 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I

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will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. 7 Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. 8 Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground. 9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” 10 He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” 11 As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. 12 Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

Psalter Psalm 50 UMH 783-784 1 The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. 3 Our God comes, and does not keep silence, before whom is a devouring fire, round about whom is a mighty storm. 4 God calls to the heavens above, and to the earth, that the people may be judged; “Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!” 6 The heavens declare God’s righteousness, for God alone is judge! 7 “Hear, O my people, and I will speak,O Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God. 8 I do not reprove you for your sacrifices; your burnt offerings are continually before me. 9 But I will not accept a bull from your house, nor a he-goat from your folds. 10 For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know all the birds of the air, and that moves in the field is mine. 12 If I were hungry I would not tell you; for the world and all that is in it is mine. 13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? 14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High;

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15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” 16 But to the wicked, God says: “What right have you to recite my statutes, or take my covenant on your lips? 17 For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you. 18 If you see thieves, you are their friends; you keep company with adulterers. 19 You give your mouth free rein for evil; and your tongue frames deceit. 20 You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your mother’s son. 21 These things you have done and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you, and lay the charge before you. 22 Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I rend, and there be none to deliver! 23 Those who who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor me; to those who order their way aright I will show the salvation of God!”

Epistle Reading 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the

knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Special Music

Gospel Reading Mark 9:2-9 2 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” 8 Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

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Meditation Blazing Bright, Brazen Love Pastor Gretchen Nelson

Responsive Hymn “O Wondrous Sight! O Vision Fair” UMH 258

1. O wondrous sight! O vision fair of glory that the church shall share, which Christ upon the mountain shows, where brighter than the sun he glows! 2. From age to age the tale declares how with the three disciples there where Moses and Elijah meet, the Lord holds converse high and sweet. 3. The law and prophets there have place, two chosen witnesses

of grace; the Father's voice from out the cloudproclaims his only Son aloud.

4. With shining face and bright array, Christ deigns to manifest that day what glory shall be theirs above who joy in God with perfect love.

5. And faithful hearts are raised on high by this great vision's mystery; for which in joyful strains we raise the voice of prayer, the hymn of praise.

Invitation to Christ’s Table

Confession & Assurance Prayer of Confession

One: God of Mercy and Grace, you come to us in Jesus of Nazareth to break down the dividing walls of hostility between us: Many: Yet we maintain walls that separate and isolate.

One: You give us the ministry of reconciliation: Many: Yet we nurse our wounds and withhold mercy and forgiveness.

One: You invite us to join with Peter, James, and John on the mountain of Transfiguration: Many: Yet we deny the wonders you have worked in our own lives. One: You ask us to acknowledge and share our wealth: Many: Yet we refuse to recognize and relieve the poverty around us.

One: You bless our lives with boundless love: Many: Yet we fail to witness to that love, and so keep others from knowing you.

ALL: Forgive our selfishness, we pray. Transform us by your Spirit and your Word into that which pleases you, the image of Christ. Amen.

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Words of Assurance

One: Jesus admonished Peter, James, and John not to tell of what they witnessed on the mountain until he was resurrected. ALL: But we can tell what we have seen and heard of God’s glory! Here is the good news: Jesus lives! He is raised! We are forgiven! Go, share the vision! Tell of God’s love! In this God is well pleased!

Sharing Christ’s Peace During this season of Spatial Distancing, practicing Christ's Peace is an witness of God's shalom. Cross your arms or press hands together at your heart, bow to your companion while keep eye contact. Offer this is similar greeting "The Christ in me greets the Christ in you. Abundant peace." Use your social media and phones to send Christ's peace into the world.

Break Open our Hearts with Prayer As we share in prayer today you are encouraged to pray aloud your joys and concerns. Complete your prayer with "Lord, in your mercy" and all the people respond "Hear our prayer". (You are invited to write your prayers in the Chat or Comment feed. Also please email them to the church office so the Prayer Team may continue to pray with you during the week).

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, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. Offering Giving is a spiritual practice of our faith. Sharing God's Good News through mission and ministry continue even as we are physically separate. Keep your covenant tithe, pledge, and offering with God. Consider healthy ways to be in service with your gifts and skills.

Musical Offering

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During this musical act of praise, you are encouraged to praise God with your gifts. Wherever you are – lift up your hands, sway, dance, let the spirit of God move you (on screen or off).

Thanksgiving and Communion

The Great Thanksgiving

Pastor: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Pastor: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them up to the Lord. Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Pastor: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth. You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life. When we turned away, and our love failed, your love remained steadfast. You delivered us from captivity, made covenant to be our sovereign God, and spoke to us through the prophets. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

People: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Pastor: Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. Your Spirit anointed him to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, and to announce that the time had come when you would save your people. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and ate with sinners. By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection you gave birth to your Church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit. When the Lord Jesus ascended, he promised to be with us always, in the power of your Word and Holy Spirit.

On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: "Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you.

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Do this in remembrance of me."

When the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: "Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."

And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.

People: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.

Pastor: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood.

By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory and we feast at his heavenly banquet.

Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, all honor and glory is yours, Almighty God, now and forever. ALL: Amen.

Sharing and Receiving the Bread and Cup

Blessing & Commission One: Go now, and speak of what you have seen of God’s glory. Do not cling to the holy moments when heaven overshadows you, but as the Lord lives, listen to Christ and follow him from the places of revelation to the places of mission. And may God shine the light of glory into your hearts. May Christ be with you and never leave you. And may the Spirit renew the image of God within you.

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ALL: We go in peace to love and serve the Lord, with love.

Prayer of Thanksgiving Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Praise God

Hymn of Praise “We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding” FWS 2103

1. We have come at Christ's own bidding to this high and holy place, where we wait with hope and longing for some token of God's grace. Here we pray for new assurance that our faith is not in vain, searching like those first disciples for a sign both clear and plain. 2. Light breaks to our clouds and shadows, splendor bathes the flesh-joined Word, Moses and Elijah marvel as the heavenly voice is heard.

Eyes and hearts behold with wonder how the Law and Prophets meet: Christ, with garments drenched in brightness, stands transfigured and complete. 3. Strengthened by this glimpse of glory, fearful lest our faith decline, we like Peter find it tempting to remain and build a shrine. But true worship gives us courage to proclaim what we profess, that our daily lives may prove us people of the God we bless.

Announcements and Fellowship

Prayers and ligurgies today: © 1997 Katherine Hawker. Posted on her Liturgies Outside website; Rev. Dr. Renee C. Jackson, Posted onwww.ucc.org/worship_worship-ways; United Methodist Book of Worship; © 2003 Nathan Nettleton http://www.laughingbird.net; All music used within CCLI#752546

Remember in our Prayers

Concerns: Ellen Gumbert, Eli Sweeney, Don and Pat Brookman, Ann Wilson, Billie Jean, Vicky Morgan, Marge Edwards, Ariel Arus, Jim McKirdy, Ed Boyd, Mike Mee, Patty Bumgarner, Sheree, Crystal Radford, Tommy, Ron, Carol Beard, Joann Walsh, Grace Burnell, Freta Lamb, Joella, Joseph Gilday, Abby, Amber Stinson, Bill Mee, Zach Perkins, Caleb Coates, Ernie and Carolyn Taylor, Zeb Cope,

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Nancy Bellan, Ramona Gemeinhart, Pete Stone, Karen Bowers, Janice Crumpton, Kevin Lykins, Joe Ames, Nina Winfree, Barbara Greene, Ben Stanley, Susan Nichols, Jo and Buddy Carlisle.

Other Concerns: All teachers and students returning to the classroom, the Coronavirus, the tragedies occurring in our country and around the world; police officers and first responders; all who are grieving; our seniors; our church and the entire United Methodist Church; recovery from addiction; young adults needing a closer walk with Christ; those awaiting test results; healing for those in pain.

Nation and World: Our nation, leaders, military, deployed troops and their families.

Ecumenical Prayer Cycle: Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland

Birthdays/Anniversaries: 02/15 Irene Lutes; 02/17 Debi McNichol

We at Wesley are glad you are here and invite you to worship with us often. If you are looking for a church home, we invite you to consider Wesley. Pastor Gretchen would be happy to talk with you about it.

Announcements

This week we enter into the liturgical season of Lent. Ash Wednesday, February 17th, will offer two opportunities to mark the beginning of our journey together. 8 AM online worship on Zoom and Facebook Live (which will be posted for anytime worship). Evening Drive-Through prayers between 6:30-7:30 PM. Full details of each will be emailed separately. Welcome all your friends and neighbors to participate.

Happy Valentine's Day. Take a moment today to express the rich, decadent love of God with the world. Celebrate holy unconditional love! You are the best gift.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper: Tuesday, 16 Feb, 6:00 PM, on Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent via email. Contacts: Chris and Anne Companion

Counters for February/March February 14 and 21 – Becky Morris/Stephanie Eitzen February 28 and March 7 – Clyde Gumbert /Donna Turley

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HELP Food Pantry Update: The Food Pantry is well stocked, but there is still a need for powdered milk and fruit juices (individual packs or regular plastic containers). The donations are delivered monthly. Contact person: Sherry Moore

Scriptures for February 21: Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15

As of 14 February 2021 Sun. 14 10:00 AM Live Stream Worship Service – Zoom or

Facebook~Happy Valentine’s Day Mon. 15 5:00 PM Prayer Time on Facebook

Tues. 16 5:00 PM Prayer Time on Facebook 6:00 PM Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner on Zoom

Wed. 17 8:00 AM Lenten Prayer Service on Zoom/Facebook 5:00 PM Prayer Time on Facebook 6:30-7:30 PM Drive Thru Ashes for Ash Wednesday (Wesley’s Parking Lot)

Thurs. 18 5:00 PM Prayer Time on Facebook

Fri. 19

Sat. 20 Sun.

21 10:00 AM Live Stream Sunday Worship Service – Zoom or Facebook

CHURCH ATTENDANCE February 7: 41 on Zoom, 50 on Facebook

OFFERING Received: $9,185.00 Needed each week: $4,878.00

Secretary Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM. Phone: 757-838-3044 Fax: 757-838-1663; Address: 2510 N. Armistead Avenue, Hampton VA 23666-1506 Pastor Gretchen Nelson: Cell Phone 804-896-6785 email: gretchennelson@vaumc.org