May 29, 2022; Ascension Sunday

Moscow United Methodist Church 126 Church Street Moscow, Pennsylvania 18444 Church Phone: (570)842-7251 Email: [email protected] Website: moscowumc.com Worship Service 10:00 Sunday School 9:00 Mission Statement: To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

May 29, 2022 Ascension Sunday 10:00 a.m. GOD’S PEOPLE GATHER Gathering Prelude Prelude on “Melita” Ringing of the Church Bells By John B. Dykes arr by Roger C Wilson Parish Notes Invocation *Call To Worship Leader: In a world filled with aggression and war; People: We gather together to celebrate the promise of peace. Leader: In a world filled with tyranny and oppression; People: We gather together to celebrate the promise of justice for all.

Leader: In a world filled with hunger and greed; People: We gather together to celebrate the promise of plenty for all. All: Our hope is in the name of the Almighty God, the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of heaven and earth. *Opening Hymn UMH#696 “America the Beautiful” O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain; for purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea. O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife, who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life!

America! America! May God thy gold refine, till all success be nobleness, and every gain divine. O beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years thine alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears! America! America! God mend thine every flaw, confirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty in law. Children’s Chat GOD’S WORD PROCLAIMED Choral Prayer for Illumination: Guide us, O God, by your Word, and Holy Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover peace. Amen.

New Testament Reading Isaiah 40 1-2;28-31 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Special Music Carol Hess “O, America” By Brendan Graham & William Joseph Arr. By James Kazik

Gospel Reading Luke 24:44-53 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. Leader: The word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God.

Message Pastor Lori Robinson Final Blessing GOD’S PEOPLE RESPOND *Hymn of Response UMH#710 “Faith of Our Fathers” Faith of our fathers, living still, in spite of dungeon, fire, and sword; O how our hearts beat high with joy whene'er we hear that glorious word! Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to thee till death. Faith of our fathers, we will strive to win all nations unto thee; and through the truth that comes from God, we all shall then be truly free. Faith of our fathers, holy faith!

We will be true to thee till death. Faith of our fathers, we will love both friend and foe in all our strife; and preach thee, too, as love knows how by kindly words and virtuous life. Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to thee till death. Sharing In Prayer: Concerns and Joys Circle of Prayer Churches: Buckhorn UMC, Bloomsburg; Heshbon Park UMC, Williamsport; Curwensville UMC, Curwensville; Luzerne UMC, Luzerne; *Summerdale UMC, Summerdale; *Warner Memorial UMC, Mano - Sierra Leone; Salem UMC, Blairs Mills; Druck Valley UMC, Hellam; St. Paul’s UMC, Sandy Ridge; Rome UMC, Rome; South Auburn UMC, South Auburn; Wesley Forest Camp & Retreat Center, Weikert Prayer List: Those affected by the school shooting in Texas, Corona Virus Pandemic, Our United Methodist

Denomination, Upcoming Susquehanna Annual Conference, Our Country and Leaders, All Military Troops, War in Ukraine, All Churches and Pastors currently in transition, Mary Tanfield, Geoff Walker, Eric Schilling, Sandy Krisler, Frank Ciero, Sr., Sandy Avery, Susan Santarsiero, Barbara McCullough, Dana Nelson and Family, Alice Roese, Unspoken Requests, Those Suffering in Silence Silent Prayer Pastoral Prayer THE LORD’S PRAYER UMH#895 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. Reception of the Tithes and Offerings

*Doxology UMH#94 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! *Offertory Prayer (unison) Lord, we bring to the altar our offerings for your blessing. Grant us courage to experience the joy of deep generosity as we continue sharing our resources and reaching out to others. We pray this in the name of our Risen Savior, who thought the cross was not too great a price to pay for us. Amen. GOD’S PEOPLE ARE SENT FORTH *Hymn of Sending Forth UMH#697 “America” My country,' tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing; land where my fathers died,

land of the pilgrims' pride, from every mountainside let freedom ring! My native country, thee, land of the noble free, thy name I love; I love thy rocks and rills, thy woods and templed hills; my heart with rapture thrills, like that above. Let music swell the breeze, and ring from all the trees sweet freedom's song; let mortal tongues awake; let all that breathe partake; let rocks their silence break, the sound prolong. Our fathers' God, to thee, author of liberty, to thee we sing; long may our land be bright with freedom's holy light; protect us by thy might, great God, our King.

*Benediction *Choral UMH#717 “Battle Hymn of the Republic (v 1&5)” Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; he is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; he hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword; his truth is marching on. Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! His truth is marching on. He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave, he is wisdom to the mighty, he is honor to the brave;

so the world shall be his footstool, and the soul of wrong his slave. Our God is marching on. Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! His truth is marching on. *Postlude “Fanfare” By R. Mark Otterstad * Invites the congregation to stand if able. Pastor: Lori Robinson Email: [email protected] Phone: (570)762-4918 Administrative Assistant: Jennie Chmielewski Email: [email protected]

ANNOUNCEMENTS General Information: • Children are welcome during worship, there are Busy Bags in the coat room, and the Nursery is open for childcare after Children’s Chat for children up to age 6 • Restrooms can be found down the hall across the Narthex from the Sanctuary. • For more information, please go to our website, www.moscowumc.com Schedule This Week: Bike Helmet Event Today 11:00 a.m. Wednesday Morning Crew Wednesday 9:00 a.m. Wednesday-Friday Susquehanna Annual Conference 2022 Office Hours This Week: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 31 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Thursday, June 2 **Newsletter Deadline: The deadline for article submissions for the June Newsletter is today. Ministries and Missions / Community Collections: *** MUMC DONATION STATION *** The MUMC Donation Station is located in the narthex of the church building: is located in the narthex of the church

building: For the month of May we will be collecting *NEW* bicycle helmets. We will be working with the Moscow Police Department to distribute these helmets to the children in our community. If you would prefer to make a cash donation, please talk to Jennie in the office. Infant Hat Collection: Thank you to those who continue to donate hats. If you are unable to knit or crochet but would like to contribute, you can donate yarn for others to make the hats. Information on which yarns are best can be found with the hat patterns. Food Pantry & Dry Goods Pantry – Most Needed Items of the week: Food Pantry- peanut butter, pasta, and canned ravioli Dry Goods Pantry – bar soap We are collecting plastic bags and other stretchy plastic, which will be turned into an outdoor bench when we reach 500lbs. So far we have reached our goal for our first bench. We continue to collect aluminum tabs for the Ronald McDonald House in Scranton. MUMC Power of Prayer Network – If anyone is in need of prayer, please contact Cis Lyon, Pastor Lori, or Jennie, so your requests can be given to the Power of Prayer Network. The MUMC Learning Tree Preschool spots for the 2022- 2023 school year are filling fast. If you or someone you know

would like to enroll their child, applications as well as other information can be found on our website under the “Ministries” section. The Preschool Board is in need of a financial representative. Spiritual Enrichment Opportunities: Sunday School has concluded for the summer. The end-of- the-year party is next Sunday, June 5th after worship. Christian Connections virtual Bible virtual Bible study meets Tuesday evenings 6:15-7:30. Join us as we discuss scriptures in their original context and discover how we can live out these biblical principals in our daily living. Upcoming Activity and Event Information: Vision Team: The Vision Team is looking over the life cycle of the church and area demographics, compiling core values and traditions of MUMC and more, to prayerfully discern God’s vision of ministry, mission, and fellowship for the future. If anyone would like to serve on the Vision Team, please contact Pastor Lori. CPR/AED Class: If anyone would like to sign up for a future class, please contact Jennie in the office, or add your name to the list on the table in the Narthex. This year’s Spring Sale will be June 18 from 8-1. Check the flyer for drop off times and items not being accepted. Any help setting up and during the sale is greatly appreciated.

Mark your calendars for Vacation Bible School. VBS will be hosted by us the evenings of July 18, 19, and 20. Mark your calendars: Join us for worship on Sunday, June 12, our Learning Tree Preschool students will be singing a few songs for us. CRITICAL NEED for a small, one bedroom apartment, for an over 40 woman, non-smoker, quiet, responsible. Call or text: Nicole Verrone at 570-855-9557 Thank you, Carol Verrone.