Worship ServiceSeptember 13th (Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost)

“WE GATHER TO PRAISE GOD AND BE CHRIST’S PEOPLE”

“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)

“I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.” (Psalm 138:2)

Opening Hymns - “Christ Beside Me” ---------------------- 2166(TFWS) v. 1,2

Opening Prayer (Taught by Love, Lavon Bayler)Majestic God, who led our spiritual ancestors with a pillar of cloud that hid them by day and protected them by night, lead us through the threatening times in which we live. Save us from the floods of our own misplaced trust, as you saved them from the waters of the sea and the weapons of their pursuers. On this day, grant strength to those who are weak and support for all who are stumbling. Let every tongue praise you as we give account to you of our deeds. Amen.

Welcome & AnnouncementsGood morning! How are you today? Welcome to the worship of our Lord. Today is the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost. We confess God is love because he shows his love at every single moment. Through Jesus’ precious blood, we are freed from the power of darkness. As his people and his children who experienced his everlasting love, we want to give thanks to God. We want to praise God. We want to glorify God. That is why we want to worship together.

1. Target date for return to in-person worship from (re)Launch team: With prayerful consideration, extensive planning, and input from church members and leadership areas, a plan

has been made for a return to in-person worship beginning September 20. This first service will be held outdoors on the church lawn at 10:00 a.m. If weather and/or fire conditions prohibit an outdoor service, we will meet in the sanctuary. Written materials as well as a recorded service will continue to be available for those not attending in person.

As has been the case until now, the (re)Launch Leadership Team and leadership and committees of the churchwill continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation in our local area. BUMC will follow the guidelines presentedby the Mountain Sky Conference, State of CO and Larimer County guidelines as well as guidance and direction from our District Superintendent and Bishop. Any changes or updates regarding the service will be announced via church email.

2. On the Calendar: Trustee Meeting; Tuesday, Sept. 15, 7:00 p.m., church parking lotChurch Council Meeting; Thursday, Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m., via ZoomUMW Circles Outing; Saturday, Sept. 19, 9:00 a.m., Pioneer Park, 115 E. Indiana Ave.

3. UMW Mission Sunday is September 20: In addition to the UMW Recognition, there will be a special presentation from Bruce and Mary Jane Bohall

about their mission experiences with NOMADS. This will also mark the first live service since March 15; please join us! (See information regarding the service and requirements in the announcement above).

4. Children's Sunday School Clarification: In the September newsletter, it was stated that Children’s Sunday School would resume with in-person

worship. For the September 20 service, there will not be Sunday School. There will be an announcement made prior to classes resuming. We apologize for any misunderstandings which may have occurred.

5. Basement restriction: Due to safety protocols for the preschool, the trustees have implemented a policy whereas the basement, with

the exception of the library, is not to be occupied by any church member or visitor at any time. This is in effect immediately, until further notice.

6. Dear Church Family: Even in these unprecedented times, we are still a church family who needs to stay connected to the Lord and

each other. If you have any news to share related to the life of the church, please submit it to the office to be included in the newsletter. Photos are also a special way to share our lives with one another, so please include them whenever possible. Thank you for helping us stay connected.

Passing the Peace of Christ: Please Greet Each Other in Jesus’ Name – “Peace be with you!”

Hymn - “ Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”----------------------------------- 139(UMH) v. 1,2,and 3

Prayers of Joy and Petition It is time for us to open our hearts, and share our joys and concerns. We want to pray for one another. We can remember each other in our hearts and in our prayers.

Sharing - Please share your joys and concerns together. Please do not forget to “give thanks to God.”

Meditation – Together

Pastoral PrayerHeavenly Father, Thanks for this time, and this place. We give thanks to you for gathering us here in your

grace. Thanks for calling us here to your presence for us to be your loving people. As we are here in your presence, we want to open our hearts to offer ourselves as living sacrifice. Fill our hearts with your love and grace so that we may live our lives confidently, strongly, and spiritually. We believe that you are with us all the time. We want to rely on you no matter what, and do what we are supposed to do as children of God. We believe that you have led us here with your spirit. Help us be closer to you this time by offering ourselves as living sacrifice. Receive our heart and fill it with your words, and help us be wiser and stronger in your will. As the source of happiness of this world by your blessings, wherever we go, whatever we do, or whomever we meet, let us deliver your love and peace in our joyful lives.

Now we want to lift up all our prayers and pray for all people who are in our minds and hearts. Oh loving God, they are suffering from pain, sorrow, anguish, and loss. They need your help. Send your healing and comforting Spirit so that they may feel your love and grace at every single moment. Strengthen them physically, mentally, and spiritually. Send them proper helpers and supporters. Use every hand and every prayer, so that they can experience your love. Touch and rub the body of people in recovery process with your Healing Spirit and with your almighty hands. O creator and mighty God, you have promised strength for the weak, rest for the laborers, light for the way,

grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing sympathy, and undying love. Please help us to continue in your promise. We pray in Jesus’ name.

Lord’s PrayerOur 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.

Scripture Reading ------------------------------ “Exodus 14:19-31” ------------------------------- Janie PattersonThen the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The

pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long. 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.

The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. He made the wheels of their chariots come off so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place.

The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen--the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived. But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. And when the Israelites saw the great power the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

Sermon ------------------------------------------- “He is Acting!” -------------------------------- Rev. KyeongSu Jung

When we talk about “Christian and Biblical Movies,” we cannot say without the “Ten Commandments.” When I was a boy, it was released in Korea. I admired that movie because of the spectacular scenes. Especially, when Moses divided the sea with his staff, it was incredible. I still remember that scene. Today’s text is the story about that moment. God divided the sea and saved his people from Egyptian power. When the Israelites crossed the sea and Egyptian soldiers died in the sea, they could realize that their freedom became a reality. God liberated his people from slavery. We want to share this story together.

During 400 years, the Israelites suffered from slavery in Egypt. They groaned in their slavery and cried out. God heard their crying and he remembered his covenant with his people. Finally, God started his plan to rescue his people from slavery. God picked Moses and sent him to Pharaoh. Moses went to Pharaoh with his brother, Aaron, and said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Let my people go.” (Exodus 5) But, Pharaoh did not hear Moses. God acted on his miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt. Pharaoh finally released Israel from slavery after he underwent 10 kinds of calamities. It was “Exodus.” Moses left Egypt with his people. They were freed from slavery. All Israelites were happy because they had hope that they could return to their hometown which was promised by God.

However, after for a moment of joy, the Israelites were in trouble again. When they arrived at the Red Sea and camped by the sea, Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart. “Look what we have done! We let them get away, and they will no longer be our slaves.” (Exodus 14:5) The Egyptians chased after them with all the horses, horsemen, and army. They overtook them camping by the sea. The Israelis were faced with a terrible situation. The Egyptians were marching after them. As Pharaoh’s army drew near, they became very frightened. All people were in panic. They cried out to the Lord. Then, they resented Moses. “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why did you make us leave Egypt? It would be better to be slaves to the Egyptians than dead in the wilderness.” (Exodus 14:11-12)

It was quite natural that the Israel people blamed Moses; they had no idea how God would liberate them. To be more precise, they mostly forgot God’s promise and they got accustomed to living as slaves in Egypt. However, God did not forget. “God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” (Exodus 2:24) God made the covenant with Israel. “You will become my people and I will become your God.” Although the people forgot, God remembered and fulfilled his promise.

It is the same for us. God promised that he will be with us, protect us, and bless us because we are his people. Like God remembered and fulfilled his promise for Israel, God wants to show his love and grace for us because he promised. The only thing we have to do is to believe his promise of love. How about us? Do we believe God’s promise of protection, guidance, and blessing? Please believe God’s promise of love. When we believe, we can see miracles and his promise of love will be realized in our lives.

Moses divided the sea with God’s power and the Israel people crossed the sea. God saved his people from the power of the oppressor. But, we have to check one very important thing. How could Moses divide the sea? In the movie, Moses lifted his staff and stretched out his hand over the sea. Soon after Moses used his staff, the sea was divided and people crossed. But, the Bible witnessed a different thing. “Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord sent a strong east wind that blew all night until there was dry land where the water had been. So, the waters were divided.” (Exodus 14:21) That is, it was not true that the sea was divided just right after Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. It took “All night.” God swept the sea back by a strong wind. After “all night,” the sea finally divided and they could cross the sea.

You may say, “So what? What is the problem? God divided the sea and the Israelites crossed the sea. They were saved from Egypt soldiers. That’s all.” Yes, you are right. The most important thing is the fact that God showed the miracle and they got a victory with God’s power. However, we have to think about “All night.” Let’s guess that you were there. You are standing in front of the sea. And, there are Egyptian armies in your back who try to kill you. You are scared. So, you are asking Moses, “please ask for God’s help.” Moses prayed and said, “I received God’s answer.” That is, it is the only hope you can rely on at this time. When Moses lifted his hand and stretched out over the sea, you may think God would have shown the solution immediately because it was an emergency situation. You may expect God’s prompt miracle. But, nothing happened immediately. It took “all night.” Egyptian soldiers are just over there and the Red Sea is in front of you. That is, you cannot escape from there. How would you like it? What kind of thing could you do? Could you believe and wait for God’s promise? Could you endure that situation?

In our lives, we experience similar things. Very often, we face very difficult situations. In that situation, we ask God to help us. However, God’s help does not necessarily happen immediately. It looks like God does not pay attention to us. It is very hard to bear. So, many people say, “You did not love me. You missed your promise. When I was in hardships, you also turned away your face from me.” However, please remember that that is not true; God never forgets his promises. God never turns away his face from us whatever may happen. “God is acting” for us at every single moment. Because God loved us, he sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to save us from the power of darkness and death. Through Jesus’ crucifixion, we are saved and have become God’s children. And God has never stopped acting for us. God sent the Holy Spirit for us. Constantly, God is with us and works for us. Apostle Paul confessed, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

If so, how can we recognize that “He is acting” for us? First, God proclaims he is acting. Moses testified, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14) That is, God will show us the fact that “He is acting” to make us realize it. Through all of the things in our world, every day God proclaims, “He is acting.” When we have the eyes of faith, we can see “He is acting.” Second, God shows what “He is acting” to us. Today’s text said, “The angel of God moved to the back of the Israel people. So, the pillar of cloud also moved to the back of the people. The cloud stood between the Egyptians and the Israelites. Throughout the night, there was light for the Israelites. But there was darkness for the Egyptians. So, the Egyptians could not come any closer to the Israelites that night.” Until the sea divided, God protected his people with “the pillar of fire and cloud.” Even though the Egyptian army tried to attack the Israel people, it was impossible because God protected them.

It is the same for us. “The pillar of fire and cloud” is the symbol of God’s protection and help. Although God’s promises seem to not be promptly realized in our lives, it is being achieved now because God is acting for us. Although we feel that God is not working for us when we are in trouble, God never leaves us alone. God is always with us and he is acting now. Like the pillar of fire and cloud protected the Israel people, God is protecting us with his arms. When we struggle against Satan’s temptations and attacks and when we suffer from the power of darkness,

God protects us and says, “believe that I am the Lord who loves you.” Paul confessed, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) Although God’s help seems to not be fulfilled immediately in our lives, it is not because God does not love us, it is not because God does not want to help us, and it is not because God cannot help us. It is because we do not believe that God is acting for us. By the sea, God’s work for Israel looked to them to not be enough and not helpful. But God worked in his way. God clearly showed his love. That is, God wanted the Israel people to realize and believe his love. Today, God also shows his love to us. The only option is “believe or not.” When we believe God as our Lord, we can realize God’s love and grace in our spiritual journey. When you cannot trace his hand, trust his heart. When we believe his love, at that moment, we can realize that “He is acting” for us. Please believe and realize that “Though you see nothing, he is acting.”

Let us pray. Loving God, thank you for giving this time to worship you. Thank you for giving your wonderful message of love. We give thanks to you because you came here to show your love and to save our lives. And, you promised that we are your people when we believe you as our Lord and Savior. As your people, we want to experience your love and grace. O, God of love, we believe that you are acting for us. We believe that we are not alone. We believe that you are with us all the time. Please help us realize your love and grace in our lives. Please help us experience the amazing thing that you are working for us. Please help us to get the victory as your people in our spiritual journey. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Offertory – “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” ---------------- 94 (UMH)

Offertory Prayer (Taught by Love, Lavon Bayler)We honor you, O God, as we give. We know we do not live or die to ourselves but are a part of a large community, linked in ways beyond our knowing with you and all generations of your children. We are accountable to you and share in responsibility for one another and for the care of this planet. Thus, we dedicate our resources and our lives to you for the work of your realm. Receive our gifts and draw us to yourself. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Closing Hymn - “ Great Is Thy Faithfulness” -------------------------------- 140(UMH)

Commission and BlessingWe believe the grace of God, the love of Jesus Christ, And the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.Great is our God, and greatly to be praised.May the Lord continue to bless us and keep us.May the Lord continue to make his face shine upon us and be gracious to us.May the Lord continue to look upon us with favor and give us peace.In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.