Bethel United Methodist Church

Lewes, Delaware

11:00 a.m. June 7, 2020

Prelude: Joyce Mentzer Greeting and Announcements

Call to Worship: by Rev. J. Lee Hill, United Church of Christ. Alt. Let us worship the Triune God. Let us worship the One who spoke in the beginning and created everything out of nothing.

Let us worship the Triune God. Let us worship the One who put on the clothing of humanity to set those who were oppressed free.

Let us worship the Triune God. Let us worship the One whose Spirit rests continually upon us, calling us from sorrow-filled endings to bright new beginnings.

Opening Song: "Let There Be Peace On Earth" by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson Solo: Nancy Cirelli Guitar: Paul Faircloth

Prayer of the Week: Liberating God, in love You have set us free: free from slavery to sin and self, free to know and love You, free to follow and serve You.

We praise You for Your faithful love toward us, and for the many ways You have demonstrated that love to us. We see Your love in the natural world around us— in the sky and trees and rivers. And we see Your love in Jesus Christ, who lived and died to bring us life.

Because we have experienced Your love, we come before You with confidence, bringing our needs and the needs of our world. God, in your unfailing love, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who live surrounded by violence— whether from war or political unrest, crime, or rioting. We pray for those who have been victims of violent crime, and for those whose loved ones have been injured or murdered. God, in your unfailing love, hear our prayer.

We pray for our homes and families: for children feeling the sting of prejudice, for youth angry over discrimination and injustice for parents juggling the responsibilities of work and family, for husbands and wives whose marriages are breaking down, for spouses who are abused daily by their partners, for children chafing under parental authority or expectations, for men and women caught up in adultery or adulterous thoughts. God, in your unfailing love, hear our prayer.

We pray for the many people in our world who do not yet know You and have not experienced the new life that comes from knowing Christ Jesus; who continue to search for purpose and meaning. God, in your unfailing love, hear our prayer.

Merciful God, give us strength and courage to keep Your commandments, to live in faithful obedience to Your will. Guard our hearts and minds from all that might distract us Help us to find our true worth in knowing You more fully, and serving You more faithfully. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Cornerstone Who has taught us to pray…

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, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Recognition of the Class of 2020

Joys & Concerns

Pastoral Prayer

Musical Offering: “The Earth Is the Lord’s” arr. Thornhill Presented by the Youth Music Ministry

Scripture Lesson: I Peter 2:4-10 Ray Davis

4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God Message: “Peculiar Speech” Pastor Baker

Closing Hymn: “More Like Jesus” by Brooke & Scott Ligertwood, Kristian Stanfill and Brett Younker Solo: Nancy Cirelli Guitar: Paul Faircloth

Postlude Joyce Mentzer

Participating in today’s service: Nick Mentzer, Camera; Todd Mentzer, Sound & Streaming

Live Streaming: We want you to know that we've changed our YouTube name to make it easier for you to find us, our live streams and our weekly Pajama Sunday School and children's videos. Our YouTube name is Bethel Lewes. Just head to YouTube on any device or Smart TV and enter "Bethel Lewes" in the YouTube search bar and there we are!! Click on the lighthouse to see all our videos or past services.

Bethel will continue to Live Stream & record a service each Sunday at 11:00 a.m. you can view through our website, www.bethellewes.org. At the top of the page click on ‘Virtual Bethel.’ For the live service, click on Virtual Worship.

Food Drive: Now that the Cape Henlopen Food Basket is once again open, we will be collecting food for them over the next couple of weeks. Several ladies, who have been gathering food for the Food Bank each week, are now going to deliver food to the CHFB for at least the next several weeks. We will glad deliver food or money donations there for you. Contact Hope Ellsworth or drop off donations to her house (302-236-6805; 112 W. 3rd St., Lewes). The Cape Henlopen Food Basket provides food to everyone who comes. No one is turned away.

Our 2020 High School and College Graduates The Bethel Family extends its heartfelt congratulations to all the members of the Class of 2020. We are proud of all your many achievements, and pray that God will direct your path and bless your future endeavors.

High School Graduates: • Jade Baker, Musselman High School, Inwood, WV • Sylvie Elliott, Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences, Georgetown, DE • Lauren Essex, Potomac Senior High School, Brookfield, VA • Easton McCullough, McLean High School, McLean, VA • Rachel McCullough, McLean High School, McLean, VA • Nicholas Mentzer, Milford High School, Milford, DE • Kyle Morris, Sussex Technical High School, Georgetown, DE • Hunter Reifsnyder, Cape Henlopen High School, Lewes, DE • Caelan Slater, Eastlake High School, Chula Vista, CA • Freddy Sposato, Fork Union Military Academy, Fork Union, VA

College Graduates: • Cassidy Clark, Delaware Technical & Community College, • James ‘Goss’ Ferneyhough, IV, University of Delaware, Newark, DE • Ross Gillan, University of North Carolina, Wilmington, NC • Haley Grove, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA • Justin Laws, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC • Shannon McCall, Morehead State University, Morehead, KY • Katie Macturk, Davidson College, Davidson, NC • Alison Palmer, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA • Buck Shockley, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA A Message From the Trustees Dear Bethel Family, The Board of Trustees is preparing for the day when all our Church family can finally worship together again. Before doors open, we must have the proper cleaning and disinfecting products on hand, signage in place, hands-free sanitizer stations available, volunteers trained in addressing the necessary protocol to keep everyone safe from the Coronavirus, etc. All state guidelines and precautions must be in place before Bethel’s exact opening date is determined. A Bethel COVID-19 Task Force, a subdivision of the Trustees, has been created to implement and comply with all state mandates. Please contact the co-chairs: Patty Marvel @ [email protected] or Walt Tydings @ [email protected] with any input, suggestions or to commit to this task force. Please join me in praying for God’s will. Alison Parsell, President Board of Trustees

From Don Peterson, Interim President, Immanuel Shelter Dear Volunteers and Friends,

As many of you may already know, Immanuel was slated to end our season on April 1st, however with the COVID-19 funding and volunteer support, we were able to extend the shelter from April 1st until June 3, 2020.

Many of our guests are now working, actively seeking employment or with the help of our manager Toni Short, they have been able to secure benefits through available programs such as SSI, SSD etc. This season, even with the challenges we faced, our over all results were extremely successful. All of our guests were tested for COVID-19 and have been social distancing, and educated on the use of masks and hand washing. In addition, with your help and support Immanuel served over 3,000 lunches and nearly 6,000 dinners over the course of the extended season. We are happy to say that some of our guests have also already found alternative housing.

This is exciting news in spite of the stressful times we have all recently been experiencing. COVID- 19 and the impact on our homeless leaves all of us with many unanswered questions and concerns. Some include the possibility that Delaware will be facing increased homelessness in the near future and the looming threat of the possible resurgence of COVID-19 in the fall. These concerns mean that Immanuel Shelter will continue its work by planning, gathering and organizing resources for the fall and upcoming winter 2020-2021. (The full report from Don Peterson will be in the next Newsletter.)

Prayer Link: Need prayer? You can now get prayer requests to the pastoral staff, or if you choose, add a prayer request to our Prayer List. Just go to our Website www.bethellewes.org Across the top of the home page, click on ‘Prayer Request’ a screen will open for you to enter your prayer request, and whether it is private, or can be shared with our prayer ministry.

Covid-19 Relief Fund: Bethel has funds available if you are having difficulty paying essential bills because of loss of income or employment during the Covid-19 pandemic. Your identity and personal information will be kept confidential. Depending on the size of the need, assistance may be limited.

If you are currently facing a financial hardship, or see one coming in June please, contact Pastor Baker at [email protected]. Assistance is available. Currently we do not need additional donations. Thank you!

Change of Dates: The Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee is organizing a retirement party for Pastor Earle. Previously a date in June had been selected, but it seems unlikely that large gatherings will be appropriate then. So, please clear your calendars for this new date 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 29th to join the Bethel Church Family and others as we come to say goodbye and celebrate Pastor Earle’s 40-year career of service to God and The United Methodist Church. Please look forward to more information in future announcements as we approach Pastor Earle’s retirement. On Sunday August 30, Pastor Jim Penuel will be returning to Union UMC in Bridgeville for a farewell service, and Pastor Earle Baker will be returning to Bethel for a farewell service here.

Thank You for Your Financial Support

Thank you for your weekly support. We thank everyone who has provided funds to keep Bethel’s ministries going. E-giving in April was the highest ever!

There are five ways you can get your gift to Bethel: 1. Drop off your donation through the mail slot in the front door of the Parsonage Meeting House at 130 W. Fourth St. 2. Mail donations to BUMC, 129 W. Fourth St., Lewes, DE. 3. E-giving: Thank you for strong e-giving in March. If you would like to begin giving electronically, go to Bethel’s Website www.bethellewes.org and at the top right of the home page and click on the word, ‘Giving.’ 4. Text Giving is a new option for donations, using a cell phone or hand-held device. Call (302) 202-6625, text the word "GIVE" 5. IRA Distribution. Those who are over 70½, can donate part of their mandatory distribution to Bethel. To receive a tax deduction, the donation must move directly from your financial institution to Bethel, without going through your Bank. Please speak to your financial advisor to learn more about this option.

Community Needs in the Cape Region: • Donate Blood: Blood supplies are critically low. Make an appointment to donate in either Salisbury or Dover. Call 888-824-6638 or go to www.delmarvablood.org/give-blood • Make Protective Masks for Beebe Healthcare Workers: Sewists are needed to make protective masks. Contact Pam Smith at [email protected] who will show you completed samples, safety guidelines, and online tutorials.

Key: Red type indicates a request new this week Green type indicates an answered prayer Blue type is Covid-19 related

Joys: Bob & Pam Monti are celebrating their 51st anniversary today John & Kathleen Pedersen who will celebrate their 67th anniversary on Wednesday

Hospital: Daryl Bradley, Ruth Doughtery, Rev. Charlie Kind

Illness: Lisa Baker, Kay Poole, Randy Hoffpauir, Lydia Penuel, Baby Nora Shuttleworth, Carol Walters

Covid-19 Related Requests: • Marge Alia, Brian Brengel, William Hickman, Layla Hickman, Wilz Hickman, Susan Leighton, Linda Shurkey, Lisa Tzaferos • All staff and residents of Hospitals, nursing homes and continuing care communities

Other: People who are unemployed and under employed, and homeless families

Sympathy to: • Emil Tetzner and family on the death of his mother in Pennsylvania, June 4 • Heidi Quillen and family on the death of her mother, June Collier, on June 3 • Gary Eisdorfer and family on the death of his father • Family and friends of Beth McCormick, May 25th • Over 385,000 people have died worldwide, 108,000 have died in the United States many more have lost a family member to Covid-19

Pastor’s Changing Appointments • Lee Parks to the Milton-Nassau Charge which includes White’s Chapel and Zion UMCs beginning July 1. • Pat Bollinger, to Indian Mission UMC, beginning July 1 • Earle Baker, to Retirement, beginning July 1 • James Penuel, to Lewes: Bethel, July 1

Staff Contact Information:Bethel, a Beacon of Hope at the Beach since 1779 • Earle Baker, Pastor [email protected] 302-841-1305 • Joyce Mentzer, Director of Music [email protected] 645-9426 • Ray Davis, Director of Youth and Family Ministry [email protected] 645-9426 • Sandy Stough, Office Manager, [email protected] 645-9426 • Jane Lenkner, Administrative Assistant, [email protected] 645-9426

For a complete list of Bethel’s Staff, visit our website: www.bethellewes.org. Click on ‘About’ then click on ‘Staff’

We need your Feedback

If you know of someone who is not able to receive the Bethel Newsletter by email, and is not on the newsletter mailing list please contact Sandy Stough at [email protected] so they can be added. If you would like to have a DVD of Sunday services, email Jane at [email protected] so we can get one to you. If you anticipate needing assistance from the Covid Relief Fund, or know someone who currently needs assistance, contact [email protected]