(Last updated Friday afternoon) This is where to check for all updates on activities; they will be listed here as soon as we have them! It is extremely likely that a blizzard will cause the cancellation of all in-person church activities this weekend. In-person services depend on the timing and amount of snow and the ability to get the walkways shoveled in time; this year, we may also be affected by the cleaning or non-clearing of the former bank parking lot on Greene Avenue. The latest forecasts are for 1-2 feet of snow, high winds and bitter cold. No matter what, our normal online service will appear at sunup on Sunday. If anything is cancelled, we will let you know right here. Please exercise caution, use common sense and stay safe!
Sunday morning in-person worship begins at 10 a.m. Bible Studies meet Wednesday at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., plus a Men’s Study at the Bayport UMC Thursday at 7 p.m. A Service of Remembrance for Harriet Rofrano will be held in the church on Thursday at 10 a.m., with visitation on Wednesday from 4-8 at the Raynor & D’Andrea Funeral Home in West Sayville. We host Sharing a Meal this Thursday from 4-6:30 p.m. at the Sayville UCC and are looking for new volunteers to help distribute food. Please see Al Croce if you can help!
OPENING SONG: Isaiah 42:10
Singto theLorda new song, HIS PRAISE FROM THE ENDS OF THE EARTH,
you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, YOU ISLANDS, AND ALL WHO LIVE IN THEM.
CALL TO WORSHIP: “Reckless Love” (Rehearsal Version)
Church band ~ Originally by Cory Asbury
UNISON PRAYER
DAY BY DAY
O DEAR LORD
THREE THINGS I PRAY:
TO SEE THEE MORE CLEARLY
LOVE THEE MORE DEARLY
FOLLOW THEE MORE NEARLY
DAY BY DAY.
AMEN.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE (Based on Psalm 139:1-4)
God searches us and knows us;
He perceives our thoughts from afar.
He is familiar with all our ways.
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.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
(Note: Add your own prayers at the beginning or end)
We thank you for the life of Harriet Rofrano on earth, and her new life in heaven. Thank you for sharing her with us and for the example of love and kindness that she set. Thank you for taking care of her in her new heavenly home. Be with her family and friends as they mourn, and bless our service this week as we remember her with love, in hopes of seeing her again.
Bless Jack Matthew as he is baptized this morning. Bless his parents Matthew and Michelle, and his godparents Holly and Cliff. Fill his life with all the blessings of your Holy Spirit, and surround him with love and grace.
Thank you for the encouraging drop in COVID numbers. Help us to remain vigilant yet hopeful. Encourage our health care workers, who are dealing with an unprecedented work load; bolster them with the strength of your Spirit. Bring healing to those who suffer and rid us of this disease.
Bless Dannie as she goes for a consultation on her spine tomorrow. Be with Diane as she meets with doctors this week to discuss surgery. Ease MaryBeth’s anxiety as she awaits knee surgery on the 31st. Help Mary to deal with the symptoms of chemo so she can compete her round of treatment. Bless Baby Will with stable health and the healing of his heart. Help Jean S.’s godfather Nick to deal with the aftereffects of a stroke as he awaits heart surgery.
Shine your light on those struggling with cancer, especially Liz S., Dannie M., Laura S. and Tracy S.’s brother Paul. Blanket them with love, support encouragement and healing.
We pray for others in our church family who are going through times of need: for Pat, Vivian, Jim, Joanna, Sue, Janet, Joan, Lois, Mary, Kathleen, Lily, Ken, Diane, Laurie, Paul and Ruth; for all members of our extended family who are suffering; for this nation and for the world.
We come to you now in silent prayer …
Lord, as you know what is written in our hearts, attend now to our spirits, we pray in your name, Amen.
Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
SUNDAY SERMON (Video Only This Week)
Once again, the lucky people at home get a sermon that isn’t given in church! We’ve chosen to revisit an old topic ~ our attention spans ~ in the context of everything from ZOOM to what you are doing right now (watching from home). Thank you to Kaitlyn for filming!
OFFERING
As you fill out your checks and envelopes,
please enjoy our band’s rehearsal version of “I Don’t Have Much” by Mission House.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you for always paying attention to us: for listening to our prayers and needs with infinite patience. Teach us to be more like you. Lead us to use these gifts to increase your kingdom in heaven and on earth. Amen.
BENEDICTION
This week, may we be more aware of God’s voice; more attuned to God’s blessings; and better listeners to those around us. May we concentrate on what is important and allow the rest to fall away as we simplify our lives and bolster our inner peace. Amen.
Blest Be the Tie That Binds
Thank you for worshiping with us. May you feel the blessing of God today and always!
(Last updated Friday afternoon) This is where to check for all updates on activities; they will be listed here as soon as we have them! It is extremely likely that a blizzard will cause the cancellation of all in-person church activities this weekend. In-person services depend on the timing and amount of snow and the ability to get the walkways shoveled in time; this year, we may also be affected by the cleaning or non-clearing of the former bank parking lot on Greene Avenue. The latest forecasts are for 1-2 feet of snow, high winds and bitter cold. No matter what, our normal online service will appear at sunup on Sunday. If anything is cancelled, we will let you know right here. Please exercise caution, use common sense and stay safe!
Sayville UMC 