Mt Jackson United Methodist Church & Drive-In Worship February 7

Mt Jackson United Methodist Church & Drive-In Worship February 7, 2021 -- 11am The Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany

THE PRELUDE

THE GREETING

THE ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE PRAYER CONCERNS

THE HYMN -- “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” (You may hum instead of sing)

1. O for a thousand tongues to sing 2. My gracious Master and my God, my great Redeemer's praise, assist me to proclaim, the glories of my God and King, to spread through all the earth abroad the triumphs of his grace! the honors of thy name.

3. Jesus! the name that charms our fears, 4. He breaks the power of canceled sin, that bids our sorrows cease; he sets the prisoner free; 'tis music in the sinner's ears, his blood can make the foulest clean; 'tis life, and health, and peace. his blood availed for me.

5. He speaks, and listening to his voice, 6. In Christ, your head, you then shall know, new life the dead receive; shall feel your sins forgiven; the mournful, broken hearts rejoice, anticipate your heaven below, the humble poor believe. and own that love is heaven.

THE CALL TO WORSHIP -- (Adapted from Rev. Dave Wade)

Lord, how awesome it is that we can gather here today and loudly sing your praises! But, Lord, we cannot sing. Our voices are crippled by a virus. We are thrilled to be standing in your presence, Lord! Lord, I can’t stand. I use a wheelchair and there is no place for my chair. It really is great, Lord, that we are able to hear you speak to us through your Holy Word this morning! I’m sorry, God. I didn’t hear what was said. And, Lord, it’s fantastic to be able to read your Word, to recite the creeds, and litanies. This morning my vision is dim, God. I cannot read the bulletin. Lord, we really feel blessed that we understand everything that is happening around us in the church in this hour. God, why am I so much slower than others, and sometimes feel that I do not really belong here? Open us, O God. Make us accessible to your Spirit, and accessible to all your people.

THE PRAYER OF CONFESSION -- (Adapted from Southeastern U M Agency for Rehabilitation 2004) Almighty and creating God; we come before you today as people who are separated from one another by fear, prejudice, and ignorance. By our language, actions and facilities we declare insiders and outsiders in our lives and in our church. Forgive us and create in us the vision of opening our hearts, minds, and doors as wide as the love of God, so that no one is left outside. Help us to reach beyond ourselves to discover the joy of community. Give us the patience to discover that all people have gifts and abilities to share with our community of faith. We pray in Jesus name. Amen

ASSURANCE OF PARDON The God who loves us into life hears our prayers, forgives our shortcomings and urges us always to follow in the footsteps of his beloved Son, in whose image we are made. Amen.

THE SCRIPTURE -- Isaiah 40: 21-31

21 Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? 22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in; 23 who brings princes to naught, and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing. 24 Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows upon them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble. 25 To whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing. 27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. 30 Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; 31 but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

THE OPENING REFLECTION -- Disability Awareness Sunday (Sharon Benson)

THE HYMN -- “Rejoice Ye Pure in Heart” (You may hum instead of sing)

1. Rejoice, ye pure in heart; 2. Your clear hosannas raise, rejoice, give thanks and sing; and alleluias loud; your glorious banner wave on high, whilst answering echoes upward float, the cross of Christ your King. like wreaths of incense cloud. Rejoice, rejoice, Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing. rejoice, give thanks and sing.

3. Yes, on through life's long path, 4. At last the march shall end; still chanting as ye go; the wearied ones shall rest; from youth to age, by night and day, the pilgrims find their heavenly home, in gladness and in woe. Jerusalem the blest. Rejoice, rejoice, Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing. rejoice, give thanks and sing.

5. Praise God who reigns on high, the Lord whom we adore, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, one God forevermore. Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing.

THE SCRIPTURE -- Mark 1:29-39 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31 He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34 And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

35 In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37 When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” 38 He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” 39 And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

THE RESPONSE This is the word of God for the people of God Thanks be to God. Amen.

THE SERMON

THE PASTORAL PRAYER

THE HYMN “Here O Lord I See Thee” (You may hum instead of sing) 2

1. Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face; 2. This is the hour of banquet and of song; here would I touch and handle things unseen; this is the heavenly table spread for me; here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace, here let me feast, and feasting, still prolong and all my weariness upon thee lean. the hallowed hour of fellowship with thee.

3. Here would I feed upon the bread of God, 4. Too soon we rise; the symbols disappear; here drink with thee the royal wine of heaven; the feast, though not the love, is past and gone. here would I lay aside each earthly load, The bread and wine remove; but thou art here, here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiven. nearer than ever, still my shield and sun.

5. Feast after feast thus comes and passes by; yet, passing, points to the glad feast above, giving sweet foretaste of the festal joy, the Lamb's great bridal feast of bliss and love.

THE SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you…

…And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ… …And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith. Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. …Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.

And now with the confidence of the Children of God, let us pray:

THE LORD’S PRAYER

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

THE SPECIAL MUSIC -- These Are the Words Patti Smith

1. Awake everyone, the dawn has come 2. Awake everyone, the time has come Life is streaming from the sun To mend, to tend, our common home A garden blessed, the bird that sings To give our thanks, sow our seeds Nature gives us everything Extend the hand to those in need

3 When the soul yearns for love 4. Walls will crumble, we arise It comes flowing from above To work as one, abide, provide Mercy, hope, humility Mercy, hope, humility These are the words to live by every day These are the words we whisper in our sleep 3

5 When in doubt the nights are long 6. Walls will crumble as we abide Wear the smile, wear the sun Restore the house, we shall provide To comfort us when alone Love, compassion, unity Holding your heart, love will come These are the words to live by every day

7 Awake everyone, the time has come; Life is streaming from the sun; Mercy, hope, humanity These are the words; These are the words; These are the words

THE OFFERING PRAYER Loving God, may these gifts bring your light to those overwhelmed by darkness, pain, and loneliness. Let them shine for all to see, and be brought into the sphere of your love and righteousness. Amen.

THE HYMN -- “On Eagle’s Wings” (3X) (You may hum instead of sing)

And God will raise you up on eagles wings; bear you on the breath of dawn; make you to shine like the sun; and hold you in the palm of God’s hand

THE BENEDICTION

As we seek to have open hearts, open minds and open doors, Help us to move beyond opening the door to welcome only those who can climb the steps to enter. Help us to move beyond opening our hearts to love only those who look like us. And help us to move beyond opening our minds to accept only those who think like us. Help us to create an environment, in our church and in our community, where all are welcome. In your name we pray. Amen

THE POSTLUDE +++++

Church attendance Procedure:

We no longer have to register in advance for our worship service. The Virginia Conference is now permitting us to do “Entryway Health Acknowledgement”. It will be a similar procedure as to when we enter a doctor’s office. You will be asked to answer some questions, wear a mask and follow all the safe distancing rules. We will keep a record of all who attended our services.

Please remember- you must wear either a paper or cloth mask that covers you nose and mouth.

There will be no changes to our drive in worship services.

Please Remember If you are sick, please stay at home • An offering container will be available on the way out the door. • Volunteers will assist you in the parking lot and into your seats in the church. • Communion will be received on the way out the door. In-Person Worship o Masks are required. o No singing – but you may hum to the music o You may bring your own Bibles. All hymnals and Bibles have been taken out the pews.

Drive in Worship – at 11am in the Mt Jackson Parking Lot o Everyone must stay in their cars o The church building will be closed - no bathrooms available

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Many Thanks to our Parish Nurse, Sharon Benson, who will be sharing about Disability Awareness Sunday. Disability Awareness Sunday calls the Church to celebrate the gifts and graces of persons with disabilities and calls the Church and society to full inclusion of persons with disabilities in the community. The church is not complete unless all of us are present and included.

4 Ash Wednesday Service – Join us for our charge-wide Ash Wednesday Service at 7 p.m. February 17.

Food Pantry –- February item is Hamburger Helper.

Prayer Concerns:

Tommy Wright Family, Dawn Kagey (Rick and Cherryl Hassler’s daughter-in law), Nathaniel Scott (22 months old- Sharon Benson’s grandson)

Gary Driver, Freddie Forster, Laura Anderson, Sharon and Terry Turner, Sarah Rowling, Jeff Roberts, David Carte, Robert Sammons.

If you have any prayer concerns that you would like for Pastor Elfie to share at worship, you can: Email her at [email protected] or call/text her at 540-604-4579

AVOIDING ABLEISM

What is Ableism? Like ageism is prejudice or discrimination based on a person’s age, ableism is prejudice or discrimination towards people with disabilities, based on the belief that typical abilities are superior. Ableism can be intentional or unintentional, and includes being dismissive or ignorant of the needs and concerns of those who are disabled. With 26 percent (1 in 4) of the U.S. adult population being disabled, these concerns cannot be ignored. According to the CDC, 35 percent (more than 1 in 3) of adults over age 65 are disabled. As Christians and as a church, we have a tremendous responsibility to become aware of and respond to these needs.

Some examples of Ableism: • Assuming health based on appearance - not all disabilities are visible • Assuming someone is unhealthy based on their weight, whether they are overweight or underweight according to social standards • Calling those in poor health lazy, such as individuals with mental health or chronic pain issues • Discouraging medical treatment for illness and injury in favor of prayer alone • Implying that someone must not be spiritual enough if they suffer from poor health • Assuming we have rights to anyone’s personal medical information • Not prioritizing the needs or making a mockery of those who are disabled • Noncompliance with disability rights laws and lacking accessibility • Assuming that people with disabilities want or need to be “fixed” • Using unacceptable words and phrases that insult disabled people and disabilities

What can be done to recognize and avoid Ableism? • Believe people when they disclose a disability and don’t accuse them of “faking it.” • Listen to people and try to make their requested accommodations. • Allow people with disabilities time to speak for themselves. • Don’t assume a person’s intellectual capacity is defined by their physical ability. • Don’t ask invasive questions. • Talk with and teach children and young people about disability. • Offer to assist those who are disabled when you do identify a need. • Greet and speak with those who are disabled as you would any other person. • Create accessible facilities and programs to include the disabled. • Include those with disabilities in planning and decision-making. • Remember that every individual is God’s precious, beloved child.