Sunday, September 13th -Hebrews, chapter 13: “Final Words for the Faithful” -Blessing of Grandparents

-NEW Sermon Series Announced Discover what “remains” in this world.

In Home Worship (for individuals, couples, families, friends, phone groups & more)

Sunday, September 13, 2020-Saturday, Sept 19, 2020Pastor Jen & Pastor Michael

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NEW Sermon Series—Seeing in Darkness Many days we are asked to walk by faith unable to see outcomes. In this apparent

darkness, there arises a voice and a guiding presence to help us see our next step. (begins 9/20/2020)

Blessing of Grandparents September 13, 2020—Grandparents Day

Ocala West United Methodist Church

How grandparents can remain connected with grandchildren…Ask God to give you wisdom on how best to love each grandchild during this time.Be open to your grandchildren having a wide variety of feelings. Listen and validate their feelings. Let them know that you care and that you are having a lot of varying feelings during this time, too.Take initiative regularly. Write a letter, make a phone call, and/or send a picture.Send a care package—homemade, store-bought, or ordered online—all are welcome expressions of love and care.Share your families’ stories in writing, on the phone or recorded.Send a new book regularly. Read before sending. Offer to read a story to your grandchildren on the phone or online. Or, ask your older grandchildren what they are reading and read the same books so you can share in discussions with them.Do a craft together over the phone or online. Or, send a box of supplies or a craft kit. Make sure you request pictures to be sent of the final projects.Mail or email an easy-to-make recipe or a family favorite recipe. When sending a family recipe, also send some notes on why it is a favorite, from whom you received it and occasions where you and others enjoyed this recipe.Make a “playdate” online—board games, building sets, coloring and more can be shared online.Write a list of interview questions for each grandchild. Ask a few of these questions each time you have a chance to speak.Ask your grandchildren, “How can I pray for you?” Or, “What do you hope God will do for you today?” Keep a prayer journal including how God answers these prayers and how each grandchild is a blessing to you. Make sure to share your prayer journal with your grandchildren from time to time.Share favorite Bible verses or inspirational quotes in creative ways.Learn one new form of technology to connect with your grandchildren; say, “I learned this for you!”Call and ask their advice and input on a decision you are making—from fun to serious, let them know you respect and desire to know their thoughts.Say often, “I love you!” and “God loves you!” and “I am so glad I am your grandparent and you are my grandchild!”

Blessing of Grandparents September 13, 2020—Grandparents Day

Ocala West United Methodist Church Rev. Jen Harner Sims & Rev. Michael Sims

The role of grandparent is a cherished role in our church family. Many in our congregation are grandparents through family relationships and others have become like grandparents--grand role models as they live their faith, serve and give to bless generations to come with God’s love.

Grandparents of faith—are just that—they are Grand—meaning—they are magnificent, impressive and loving. Their words and deeds and life seek to offer witness to God’s unfailing love.

Grandparents and Grand role models play important roles in our family, church and community—they are caretakers, storytellers, historians, mentors, disciples and confidants.

Isaiah 40:28-31 Do you not know?

Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

The Prayer of Blessing for Grandparents

Lord God almighty, bless our grandparents with long, healthy lives and with the joy and peace of knowing you, O Lord. May they remain constant in your love and be living signs of your presence to their children, grandchildren, church and community.

May they be strengthened by you, O Lord. as they connect with family near and far in vital and transforming ways. May they be inspired to serve church and community as they give witness to the new life they have found in You.

Bless and renew Your hope in these special disciples. Hold them and their families and loved ones in the palm of Your hand. Pour your Holy Spirit upon them as they worship you in spirit and truth. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Ocala West United Methodist Church 9330 SW 105th Street, Ocala, Florida 34481

OcalaWestUMC.com 352-854-9550

Grandparents Truly are Grand—Happy Grandparents Day! Enjoy finding the synonyms listed below for the word “Grand!”

T X C C F Y N S P G E R M R W K N U I T I P T R A V E K E M N T E H T L N E U W I G A S T K O G N E S A S Q B S A T P N K I B N I T E Z P U S L M E Q M Y D L S M N J O I E D Z C C K I L Y E C E L A O R N B T I D Y S N Z P E E S M P I V E F L L V R L V Z W R W M N N D I S U O I R O L G D P I K K G R I O T A U I N M E T R U A B R L V M Z E J J U P T R W B U E O O B P Y I G T J N H Z Z Y T E X C E L L E N T S U P E R B D E V O L R E N F H K Y U P R EXCELLENT GLORIOUS GREAT IMPRESSIVE INSPIRING LOVED MAJESTIC MARVELOUS

MIGHTY NOBLE PREEMINENT REGAL

RESPECTED SPLENDID SUPERB TERRIFIC

This word puzzle is a Grandparents Day Gift from Ocala West United Methodist Church. Please share with others! OcalaWestUMC.com 352-854-9550

Grandparents Truly are Grand—Happy Grandparents Day! Enjoy finding the synonyms listed below for the word “Grand!”

T X C C F Y N S P G E R M R W K N U I T I P T R A V E K E M N T E H T L N E U W I G A S T K O G N E S A S Q B S A T P N K I B N I T E Z P U S L M E Q M Y D L S M N J O I E D Z C C K I L Y E C E L A O R N B T I D Y S N Z P E E S M P I V E F L L V R L V Z W R W M N N D I S U O I R O L G D P I K K G R I O T A U I N M E T R U A B R L V M Z E J J U P T R W B U E O O B P Y I G T J N H Z Z Y T E X C E L L E N T S U P E R B D E V O L R E N F H K Y U P R EXCELLENT GLORIOUS GREAT IMPRESSIVE INSPIRING LOVED MAJESTIC MARVELOUS

MIGHTY NOBLE PREEMINENT REGAL

RESPECTED SPLENDID SUPERB TERRIFIC

This word puzzle is a Grandparents Day Gift from Ocala West United Methodist Church. Please share with others! OcalaWestUMC.com 352-854-9550

Call to Worship Sing of God’s mercy and grace. Sing of God’s strength and might. For God protects the lowly. God brings forth justice and righteousness. Sing of God’s mercy and grace. Sing of God’s strength and might.

Opening Prayer Gracious God, renew our minds with the power of Your Holy Spirit. Cleanse our spirits with the mercy of Your grace. Bring us into fellowship with one another, and grant us courage to defend the lowly. Part the waters of our troubled thoughts that we might see others as you see them. Protect us with your powerful hand, that we might sing of Your faithfulness and dance to Your glory. Amen.

Old Testament: Exodus 14:13-14, 21-22 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”…Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

Prayer Concerns & PraisesTake a moment to consider your own joys and concerns,

those of your loved ones, those of our church and community…Merciful God, transform us into hope and joy for a troubled world. Through Your blessings, transform our ministries into instruments

of Your grace. May places of sorrow and mourning know the sound of love and laughter. Through our living, mold us into Your people—

a people of promise and hope. Amen.

Meditative Thought Sing to our God,

who brings us into a future of hope and life.

Hymn Grace Greater Than Our Sin Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,

grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt, yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,

there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin.

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide, what can avail to wash it away!

Look! there is flowing a crimson tide; whiter than snow you may be today.

Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin.

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe: you that are longing to see his face,

will you this moment his grace receive?

Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin.

Hebrews 13:1-25

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. 10 We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. 14 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Continued

Hebrews 13:1-25 (continued)

15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.

Benediction and Final Greetings 20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

22 Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly.23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.24 Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings.

25 Grace be with you all.

Reflection Questions (based on Hebrews 13:1-25) 1. Beyond your family, who is a person who has taught you a lot about

love? Explain.

2. In the first 3 verses of Hebrews 13, we are told to love four groups of people. Who are these people, and why would loving them be so important for followers of Christ?

3. Hebrews, chapter 13 has four famous verses. Please read through each of the quotations below and share times in which it may be appropriate to share these with others: Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it. ~Hebrews 13:2

Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. ~Hebrews 13:5

The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. ~Hebrews 13:6

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ~Hebrews 13:9

4. Name 4 types of sacrifices that we are to bring to God instead of animal, fruit and grain sacrifices.

5. The “benediction” (verses 20-21) includes two requests from God? What are these requests, and why are these requests so important to the Christian life?

Ocala West United Methodist Church 9330 SW 105th St Ocala, FL 34481 352-854-9550 www.OcalaWestUMC.com

Reflection Questions (based on Hebrews 13:1-25)

6. Pastor Jen shared a story of a grandmother who worked hard and a lot went wrong. Yet, at the end of the day—she gathered her family around the organ and played and sang, “When We Come to the End of a Perfect Day?” How might you explain her ability to find “perfection” or “beauty” in what remained of her day even when so jmany things went wrong?

7. What “remains” in the Christian life even after we are gone?

8. The final 5 words of the book of Hebrews reads as follows—“Grace be with you all.” What have we learned in Hebrews that supports the idea that grace is so amazing?

Thank you for reading and studying the book of Hebrews with us!

~Pastors Jen & Michael

Ocala West United Methodist Church 9330 SW 105th St Ocala, FL 34481 352-854-9550 www.OcalaWestUMC.com