ASHLAND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION Joining Together on a Christian Journey of Love and Service

November 11, 2018

2600 Ashland Rd The Reverend Tresco E. Shannon, Pastor Office Hours: M-Thurs.: 8 am-3:30 pm Columbia, SC 29210 pastor@ashlandumc.org Telephone: 798-5350; Fax 798-6057 Phone Ext. 15

www.ashlandumc.org Worship services: The Path: 8:45AM Traditional: 11:00AM Sunday School: 9:45AM

Suzy Broadus Ryan Keith Karen Zobel Maria Anderson education@ashlandumc.org youth@ashlandumc.org finance@ashlandumc.org office@ashlandumc.org Phone Ext: 14 Phone Ext: 12 Phone Ext. 13 Phone Ext. 10

Jack Holladay Robert Neese pathmusic@ashlandumc.org music@ashlandumc.org The Path, Ashland Youth Choir Traditional Worship Choir, Organist

The Sound of Silence

Today we seem to live in a system that keeps us all too busy, too frantic, in our adventures to have and accomplish all that we want out of life. In doing so, we often fail to realize the need we have for times of silence. In our busy world, there are times that our faith calls us out to seek moments of solitude and embrace times of silence. Because our lives are so full of the noise and rush of the day to day routines of life, we all have difficulty grasping that life without a moment of quiet becomes destructive. Walker Percy, in his novel “The Second Coming”, has Will Barrett contemplating a lazy cat. “All at once he recognized where he had gone wrong. There was a cat sitting in the sun, quiet, alone and still, one hundred percent cat. Will Barrett realized that he had never been one hundred percent about anything in his whole life.”

Father John Westerhoff, of Duke Divinity School, put it this way: “In silence we discover that being is more important than having and that we are worth more than the results of our efforts. We soon discover that our life is not something to be hoarded, protected and defended but a gift to be shared. Without solitude and silence we rarely hear anything worth repeating to anyone else. In stillness we grow close to one another in ways that constant talking, playing and working together make impossible.” (On the Threshold of God’s Future)

It seems clear to me that worship provides this quietness, this stillness, where we can discover God’s speaking to us in the sound of silence. --Tresco E. Shannon

SAVE THE DATES Sunday, December 9th 6pm, Children’s Play, “A Family Christmas Sing-a-Long”, Ashland Hall

Sunday, December 16th, One Service at 11 am, Choir Cantata, “Appalachian Winter” Sunday, December 23rd, 8:45 am, The Path Christmas Music Special Monday, December 24th, 5:30 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Followed by a Fellowship Drop-in in Ashland Hall

Ashland United Methodist Church An Order for the Worship of God

Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost November 11, 2018 11:00 A.M. The Chiming of the Hour

The chiming of the hour is a call for us to shift from conversation to silence, as we prepare our hearts and minds to worship God.

Prelude “Three Verses” Girolamo Diruta The Lighting of Altar Candles Choral Call to Worship “All My Hope Is Firmly Grounded” Herbert Howells

*The Hymn of Praise “O Spirit of the Living God” UMH p. 539 *Invocation The Prayer of Confession (to be prayed by all)

Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy loving kindness; according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out our transgressions. Wash us thoroughly from our iniquities, and cleanse us from our sins. For we acknowledge our transgressions, and our sin is ever before us. Create in us clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit within us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Prayer for Pardon and The Lord’s Prayer The Anthem “Love Never Fails” J. A. C. Redford Vincent Washington, ‘Cello

Minister: O Lord, open thou our lips. People: And our mouths shall show forth thy praise. Minister: Praise ye the Lord. People: The Lord’s name be praised. *The Psalter “Psalm 24” UMH p. 755 (Join in singing the Response 2.)

*Affirmation of Faith “The Apostles’ Creed” UMH p. 881 *The Gloria Patri UMH p. 71 *The Gospel Lesson John 3: 1-8 The Call to Prayer Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: Let us pray.

Welcome!

Please sign the friendship pad when it is passed to you and pass it to your neighbor.

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.

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick 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.

Gloria Patri

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.

Doxology

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.

Remember in Prayer

Lynne Mahaffey; Mylla Markland; Bill Turner; Claire Dickerson, granddaughter of Linda Dickerson

The Pastoral Prayer The Announcements The Offertory “Offertory in G Major” Léon Boëllmann *Doxology “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” UMH p. 95 *The Hymn of Preparation “Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song” UMH p. 544

Sermon “Touch Me and Heal Me” Rev. Tresco E. Shannon The Prayer of Christian Discipleship *The Hymn of Response “Have Thine Own Way, Lord” UMH p. 382 *The Extinguishing of the Altar Candles *The Benediction *Benediction Response “Bless Thou the Gifts” har. Basil Harwood

*Postlude “The Heavens Declare God’s Glory” Benedetto Marcello

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *All who are able, please stand. Please put your cell phones on vibrate when the service begins. Hearing devices are available from the sound technician.

A nursery is provided in the education wing for infants through 3 years old.

Altar Flowers One vase is given to the glory of God and in honor of the 66th wedding anniversary of Hugh and Ruth Westbury by Jane Westbury. One vase is given to the glory of God and in honor of our 46th wedding anniversary by Bill and Jean Jackson.

Today’s Scripture John 3: 1-8

Pew Bible NT pp. 93-94

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Enhancing Worship Today Narthex Table: Jean Jackson, Dianne Berryman Crucifer: John Calore Acolytes: Caroline Calore, Jalin Gibson Altar Steward: Lisa Lindsay Welcome Center Advocates: Grant & Dalene Gibson Greeters: Dottie Reed, Kaye Bradley Valet Parkers: Sandy & Judy Mitchell Ushers: Bill Hutson, Tom Wilkinson, Clare Allen, Jerry Ruschkofski, Jimmy Smith

NOTE FROM JIMMY SMITH, HEAD USHER I will soon be compiling the usher schedule for 2019. If you have not been an usher, and would like to be one, please let me know so that I can add your name to the list. If you were an usher in 2018, your name will remain on the list for that same month unless you let me know that you'd prefer to be removed from the list or would rather have a different month. Thanks to all who serve Ashland in this way. 781-6944 or smith1009@bellsouth.net

Opportunities to Serve & Learn

Last Wednesday Fall Supper November 14th @ 6 p.m.

By Our Presence – 11/4/2018 The Path: 69 Traditional: 150 Total Worship: 219 SS: N/A

Menu: Lasagna, salad, vegetables, and dessert

**Sign up using the red slip in the pew rack or via Ashland’s website by noon Mondays. **

Suppers will resume January 9th. Groups needed to help cook, or order suppers. Dates available through

April. Contact Suzy when you can help.

Ashland Readers November 18 – “My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry” by Fredrik Backman December – No Book Club

6:30 pm -- Panera Bread on Bower Parkway

November 9-11 – Fall Retreat November 18 - Youth Sunday - Youth Choir @ 4:30 PM; MYF @ 5:30 PM November 25 – No MYF November 30 – 5th Quarter

Senior High Bible Study meets Wednesdays @ 6:30 pm. Remember to bring your bibles.

All 6th - 12th graders welcome! Thoughts? Questions? Ideas?

Want to join our email list? 803.798.5350 x 12

youth@ashlandumc.org

Message from Jeff Barham, Finance and Stewardship Committee Thank you to those who have turned in their Estimate of Giving cards. For those who have not, please do so this week because the Finance Committee is meeting on November 13, 2018, to finalize the proposed 2019 church budget. Your input is very important! We appreciate all that you do for Ashland UMC through your faithful stewardship, financially and otherwise.

Poinsettia Flowers Order Form Poinsettias will be placed in the sanctuary December 16th. You may take your plants home after the Christmas Eve Service. Payment to Ashland UMC must accompany order. Deadline for orders is today. Please print how you would like the names to appear in the bulletin. ___________ 6 1/2” red - $11.00 ___________ 8” red - $20.00 ________ Total Enclosed In Memory of ________________________________________________ In Honor of ________________________________________________ Name___________________________________________

Advent Bible Study

Starting Sunday, November 18th, join us in room 113 for an Advent study titled; “The Redemption of

Scrooge” by Matt Rawle. Cost of book: $10. Facilitators: Herman Lightsey and John Calore.

The study will meet at 5 pm on Nov, 18 & 25th and Dec. 2nd & 16th. Email or call Suzy if you plan to participate,

798-5350 x 14 or education@ashlandumc.org

Thanksgiving Soup Lunch Join us Sunday November 18th following the

11am service for a Soup lunch.

Bring a pot of soup or dessert to share

Drinks and cornbread provided.

Give back from the blessings we have been given,

by bringing a food item for Sharing God’s Love.

Giving Tree for Epworth Children’s Home will be in the Narthex November 18th. Angel tags will be available for you to select and buy a gift for a child. Deadline for gifts is December 9th.

Today at The Path We are dedicating 17 prayer shawls. Thanks to Robin Davidson, Terri MIller, Donna Gore, Bonnie Mixon, and Clare Allen for making them. If you would like a prayer shawl, please contact anyone on Congregational Care Committee.

Cutting, Collating and Chatting Help get the new Sunday school material ready

for our children’s classes this quarter.

Meet us in room 127 on

Tuesday November 13th at 2:30pm.

*Items for the December newsletter are

due by Monday, November 26th at noon.