Fifth Sunday of Lent March 18, 2018

WE GATHER TO ACCLAIM HIM PRESERVICE MUSIC PRELUDE Lamb of God-arr. Douglas Wagner LaMurl Morris

GATHERING SONG HYMN NO. 370 Victory in Jesus WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Glenn Cole

GREETING TIME

WORSHIP IN PRAISE HYMN NO. 380 There’s Within My Heart a Melody READING OF THE WORD Isaiah 51:15-16 (NIV) Glenn Cole AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (THE APOSTLES’ CREED-NO. 881) (8:30) OFFERTORY King of My Heart Callie Jo Bowen and Praise Team DOXOLOGY

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea.

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

MORNING PRAYER (8:30) LaMurl Morris (11:00) 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Sunday School Class

(11:00) Children may be dismissed to Children’s Church in Room 103. Pre-K (3 years old by Sept. 1, 2017) through 3rd Grade.

WE WORSHIP IN TEACHING The Rev. Bill Curington SERMON SERIES: PROPHECY Week 1: Prophetic Words Week 2: Prophetic Dreams (Bob Beckwith) Week 3: Understanding Prophecy Week 4: Prophetic Strengthening, Encouraging and Comfort (Mike Cantrell) Week 5: Times of Prophecy Week 6: Art of Prophecy Week 7: Prophetic Comfort Week 8: Prophetic Evangelism Week 9: Prophetic Signs Week 10: Prophetic Warnings Week 11: Prophetic Art

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS (11:00) Stan and Deborah Self

OUR RESPONSE (8:30) Jesus Messiah PRAISE SONGS (11:00) SENDING FORTH Glenn Cole POSTLUDE A Charge to Keep I Have-BOYLSTON LaMurl Morris

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES AT ST. JAMES

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

Sunday, March 18, 2018

10:30 a.m. Sunday School 11:30 a.m. Worship Service

THE LIGHT

Did you miss a Sunday?

Pastor Bill’s sermons are on our

website. Go to www.sjumc.org

and click on “Teachings.”

The Worship of God

Stars in Your Crown

In 1988, Ray Boltz released a song called “I Dreamed I Went to Heaven.” The song tells

the story of a dream in which the narrator and a friend are in heaven. While they walk

around, a number of people approach the friend to say "thank you". These people are in

heaven because of something the friend had done.

We were reminded of that song when we heard of the death of Reverend Billy Graham. He

preached the Gospel to over 215 million people. Can you imagine how many people were

in the line of saints in Heaven waiting to say "thank you" to him? There was a wonderful

reunion celebration in Heaven on that day!

The line that will form to say "thanks" to you and me may not be as long as the one for

Billy Graham, but there will be people in heaven who are there because you touched their

lives in some way. It may be from a small act on your part; as the Ray Boltz song

describes in this verse:

“Then another man stood before you

And said remember the time

A missionary came to your church

His pictures made you cry

You didn't have much money

But you gave it anyway

Jesus took the gift you gave

And that's why I'm here today”

Every time you help with the Missions barbecue, every donation to the yard sale, every

drive you hit in the Light Golf tournament can have an influence on the life of someone you

have never met. When you bake cookies for Kairos, pack an Operation Christmas Child

Box, sponsor an orphan in Tanzania, or support any of the missions programs of St.

James with the smallest of gifts, God can use that act to reach someone who needs to

hear the Good News.

An old hymn asks whether there will be any stars in your crown when you arrive at the

Pearly Gates. Every person lined up to say "thank you" represents a star in your crown

because even the least of these is important to Jesus. So in advance of your heavenly

reward, thank you for all you do to support the Missions program at St. James.

Sunday, March 18 Worship Services at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.

8:30 a.m. Worship (Sanct.) 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship (Sanct.) 6:00 p.m. Youth Supper Club (The Jimmy)

Monday, March 19 6:00 p.m. Praise Team (Sanctuary) 7:00 p.m. Leadership Council (Rm. 219)

Tuesday, March 20 7:30 a.m. Men’s Bible Study (Rm. 220) 6:30 p.m. Men’s Gathering (The Jimmy)

Wednesday, March 21 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Fellowship Dinner (FH) 6:00 p.m. WednesdayInTheWord (The Jimmy) 6:00 p.m. Free to Be Like Jesus (Rm. 111) 6:15 p.m. First Thessalonians Bible Study (FH) 7:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal (Rm. 213)

Thursday, March 22 3:30 p.m. Suzuki Strings (Rms. 112, 113) 5:30 p.m. Male Quartet Rehearsal (Rm. 213)

Friday, March 23

Saturday, March 24 2:00 p.m. Easter Egg Hunt (FH) Key FH=Fellowship Hall Sanct.= Sanctuary The Jimmy=House beside St. James (across parking lot)

March 18, 2018

PRAYER REQUESTS

Faye Boyd Marlene Bryan Sally Stowers Amie Arnold Bette Daniels Pat Robison Katherine Wolf Jerry Chesness Anna May Cobb Laura Beck Betty Chesness Kim Reuning

SERVING IN THE MILITARY

Corp. Shay Jennings Major Brett Thomas Pvt. Andrew Bryant 2nd Lt. Wesley M. Hutto Maj. Nathaniel Chittick Jazmine Hunter

PREPARING FOR SUNDAY MORNING Sunday Worship at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.

The Rev. Bill Curington

LITURGICAL READINGS for March 18, 2018

Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm 51: 1-12 Hebrews 5:5-10 John 12:20-33

THANK YOU FOR SILENCING ELECTRONIC DEVICES

DURING THE WORSHIP SERVICES.

Our St. James Prayer Ministers will be available at the Altar immediately

following the service to pray with anyone desiring prayer.

Jim Hathcote—Head Usher, March, 2018

111 West Lake Drive • Athens, Georgia 30606 • (706) 548-1680 Congregational Care Hotline (after hours) (706) 395-5152 • www.sjumc.org

Questions? Email us at info@sjumc.org

LOOKING AHEAD

March 18—Sign-up Begins for Pictorial Directory Photographs March 22—Ladies Night Out at Chili’s (6:00 pm) March 24—Easter Egg Hunt (2:00-4:00 pm) March 26—The Light Golf Classic (9:00 am) March 30—Good Friday Service (7:00 pm)

Wednesday Night Opportunities Attendance & Offering (March 11, 2018)

ST. JAMES UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

The Rev. Bill Curington, Senior Pastor

Glenn Cole Bryan Shaw Executive Minister Minister of Music Bill Emerson Austin Hunter Minister of Congregational Care Youth Minister Jenny Major Catherine Crabb Children’s Minister Nursery Coordinator Cathy Uhrick Lloyd Craft Finance Secretary Pastor, The Light (Mission Church) Mary Swift LaMurl Morris Administrative Assistant Organist

7:30 p.m. — Choir (Rm. 213)

Music Ministry

Youth Ministry

Bible Studies

Please Note...We are in need of the following items for The Bigger Vision community winter shelter: Decaf Coffee, Creamer, Sugar, Disposable Ponchos, and Hand Warmers

If you wish to provide flowers for our worship services please sign up on the 2018 flower calendar, which is posted on the bulletin board next to the Fellowship Hall.

6:00-7:30 p.m. — WednesdayInTheWord (The Jimmy)

Attendance Sunday School 109 Worship (8:30) 33 Worship (11:00) 138 Total Worship 171

Offering

General/Operating Fund Offering $16,141 General/Operating Fund Offering (YTD) $151,383

Children’s Ministry

6:15 – 7:30 p.m.—Everyday Heroes (Pre K4—5th Grade)

FELLOWSHIP MEAL, 5:30 p.m. (Fellowship Hall)

Menu for WEDNESDAY, March 21

Country Fried Steak, Rice and Gravy, Butter Beans, Salad, Rolls, Apple Cobbler

Cost: $5.00 (kids under 12 eat free)

We need your meal reservation by Monday, March 19 (11 a.m.)

To make reservations: [1] call the church office (706-548-1680) and leave message on voice mail; [2] email mswift@sjumc.org; or,

[3] note number attending by your name on Sunday’s attendance sheet. on Sunday’s attendance sheets.

6:15-7:30 p.m.—”First Thessalonians–The Return of our King” (FH) A five-week study of Paul’s letter and the theme of the second coming of Christ.

6:00-7:30 p.m.—Free to Be Like Jesus (Rm. 111, Prayer Room B) A 14-week study led by Jane Kilgo and designed for every Christian interested in spiritual growth through prayer. (Pre-registration required)

Rolling River Rampage VBS

June 18-22, 2018 Find adventure, acceptance, joy,

rest, and peace on the river!

The Light Golf Classic Monday, March 26, 2018 Please join us at Lane Creek Golf Club for a day of fun, fellowship and golf. Lunch and snacks provided. We will have prizes, raffles, and contests to add extra fun for all! Not able to play? We will miss you, but we have a number of ways you can get

involved as well. We are looking for sponsors, volunteers, and those just wanting to help support this great mission. All proceeds will go to support The Light ministry outreach programs and completion of the Children’s Classroom Addition. Your participation and donations will help us to go The Second Mile in ministry to the Rocksprings community. Additional information and registration forms are available in the church office or online at www.sjumc.org.

If you are looking for an egg-cellent time, please join us March 24th for our church-wide Easter Egg Hunt. Think you’re too old for a hunt? Come watch our cute kiddos and enjoy some snacks. To participate, just come to the church on March 24th from 2:00-4:00.

Bring your lawn chairs, a snack to share, and of course, your Easter baskets. Be prepared to have some fun!

SIGN UP TODAY! Our church will soon be producing a new pictorial directory. The photography dates will be April 24-April 28. Each family photographed will receive a free directory which includes a mobile

directory with pictures and a free 8x10 portrait. Sign-up for pictures will begin this Sunday, March 18th and continue through Sunday, April 15th. Look for the sign-up table provided in the Fellowship Hall to make your own personal appointment. We need everyone to be included in our new pictorial directory. Thanks for your cooperation!

Please note...The Athens Pregnancy Center is hosting a fundraising benefit, “Together for Life,” on March 20, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. at Athens Church (10 Huntington Rd.). For more information, contact mirian@athenspregnancycenter.org.

Join Us for Ladies Night Out!

March 22, 2018 at 6:00 PM

Chili’s (183 Alps Road)

Ladies, the weather is beautiful, so let’s get out and celebrate. Hope you will join us for a fun night of some good food and fellowship!

New Bible Study Begins This Week!

“First Thessalonians: The Return of Our King” A five-week study of Paul’s letter and the theme of the second coming of Christ.

Wednesdays, 6:15-7:15 p.m., beginning March 21, in the St. James Fellowship Hall.