This week, we ask you to write

a brief note of love & care to

Julie Rickert

who had surgery this week and is now recovering.

Use this QR Code to donate online to Milwood UMC

& The Journey at Milwood.

Today’s Bread Pan Collection benefits our Ministry Shares.

Leftwich Family Father Lipka Baby Frank

Ailene Vicky

Ruff Family Scott Family Jack Couch

Becky Brodhagen Hellner Family Pam Cowgill

Lee Dianna

Marlene & Don Bonnie Locker Jim Ronchetti Sean Stratil

Bill Slack Vickie Crawford

Bev Harper Newhouse Family

Caroline W Nellie Pohlers

Brenda Brodhagen Bountiful Harvest

Jimmy Emily Carrie Kate

Bray Family School Shootings

Wheat Family Mary T. Karen

Why do we take two collections during worship?

The first collection is the opportunity for you to contribute God’s tithes

and your offerings (Malachi 3:10). These contributions go directly to

Milwood UMC for operating expenses and ministry programs.

The second collection is taken through a Bread Pan. All proceeds from

this collection go towards Missions projects in both the local and world-

wide setting of the United Methodist Church through Ministry Shares.

Simply put, Ministry Shares is Milwood’s financial contribution (or tithe)

to God’s work through the United Methodist Church.

*Dismissal with Blessing

*Response O How He Loves You and Me FWS 2108 stanza one only

*Postlude Postlude on “Duke Street” Allan Mahnke

Milwood United Methodist Church MilwoodUnitedMethodistChurch.org | facebook.com/MilwoodUMC

3919 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 | 269-381-6720

Worship on Sundays at 9:15 am or 6 pm

OUR MISSION

"Connecting Through Christ:

Learning, Serving, Witnessing, Worshiping”

OUR VISION

“Welcoming all people into relationship with Christ

as a window into the kingdom of God through

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.”

Gary Willoughby, Lay Speaker

Carl Doubleday, Organist | Brenda Brodhagen, Dick Buttery, Greeters

Jody Kotecki, Liturgist

Gordy Brodhagen, Dave Gordon, & Eric Rice, Sound & Technology

February 25, 2018 ● 9:15 am

Welcome to Classic Worship * (Please stand as you are able) Trinity Chimes

Prelude Lenten Meditation Alice Jordan Beneath the Cross of Jesus

Welcome, Announcements, & Introduction

*Milwood Mission & Vision Call to Worship

Liturgist: Welcome! We come together to celebrate and renew our Mission. Connecting through Christ: Learning, Serving, Witnessing, Worshiping. Liturgist: We come together to worship and reaffirm our Vision. Welcoming all people into relationship with Christ as a window into the kingdom of God through Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.

*Hymn Lord of the Dance UMH 261

*Call to Confession & Reconciliation Pastor: We walk through life, confident, strong, boasting of all our achieve-ments. But God sees the hurts we have inflicted on others, the weariness in our bones from chasing after bad choices, and all the foolishness we trip over in the busyness of life. Let us come to God, for the One who listens to our faltering worlds is the One who gives us the Word filled with grace and mercy. Join me as we pray together, saying:

*Unison Prayer for Forgiveness All: We cannot hide from you, Everlasting God, even if we were to go from one edge of creation to the next. You speak to us of compassion, but the ways in which we treat others show we have not been listening. You explain your hopes to us, and we act as if we don’t have a clue as to what is going on. We run as fast, and as far, from you as we can, and wonder why we have no energy to follow Jesus. Yet you search for us in all the deserted places we flee to, Never-wearied God, so you can take us by the hand to show us the way to life with you. You heal our broken hearts so we can offer them to others. You fill us with your strength so we can bind ourselves to Jesus, our Savior following him to serve all of your children.

*Assurance of Pardon Pastor: Have you not been listening? God never tires out, nor is there an expiration date on God’s forgiveness. God is ever with us, healing us with mercy, and strengthening us for service. If God numbers the stars, surely our names are known by the One who loves us and offers us grace. This is indeed good news for all! Thanks be to God. Amen.

*Passing the Peace of Christ

Children’s Time Children are invited to the front for a message. Connect Cards with Prayer Requests will be collected during this time.

Scripture Lesson Romans 4: 13-25 NT 155 This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

*Gospel Reading Mark 8: 31-38 NT 44

*Response Take Up Thy Cross UMH 415 stanza one only

Sermon “What Does a Hero Look Like?” Gary Willoughby, Lay Speaker

Anthem The God of Abraham Praise arr. Henry Overley Chancel Choir

The God of Abraham praise, who reigns enthroned above; ancient of everlasting days, and God of love.

To him uplift your voice, at whose supreme command from earth we rise, and seek the joys at his right hand.

He by himself hath sworn, I on his oath depend; I shall, on eagle wings upborne, to heaven ascend:

I shall behold his face, I shall his power adore, and sing the wonders of his grace for evermore.

There dwells the Lord, our King, the Lord, our righteousness, triumphant over world and sin, the Prince of Peace. On Zion’s sacred height his kingdom he maintains, and glorious with his saints in light, forever reigns.

The whole triumphant host give thanks to God on high; “Hail Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!” they cry, they ever cry.

Hail Abraham’s God and mine! I join the heavenly lays; all might and majesty are thine, and endless praise. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession & The Lord’s Prayer UMH 895

Offering God’s Tithes and Our Gifts/Offerings

Offertory Choral Prelude on “Jesu meine Freude” David Schack see tune and text in UMH 532

*Doxology Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn Forth in Thy Name UMH 438