Bellport United Methodist Church
Saturday, July 27, 2024
He who abides in love, abides in God.

Sunday Church Service Bulletin

 

Bellport United Methodist Church

185 South Country Road, Bellport, NY 11713 ~ 631-286-0525

Reverend Matthew Querns 845-208-1405

July 21, 2024

16th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Close Your Eyes and Keep Your Mind Wide Open

 

Welcome!
The Bellport UMC family welcomes visitors from all backgrounds. You are invited to join us for our fellowship hour following the service. For childcare, large print hymnals, or directions to our accessible access (elevator), please see any of our ushers. Our current newsletter and church brochure with upcoming events are available in the entry area and Fellowship Hall. We hope you will feel God’s presence with us, and we invite you to join us again. We invite members and guests to sign in at the entrance area. Thank you!

 


IMPORTANT CHURCH MEETINGS

Women’s Bible Study: Will resume in September.

Men’s Bible Study: Every Monday at 12:15 PM. On Zoom
Youth Bible Class: Every Wednesday, 7: 30 PM. On Zoom
Men’s Breakfast: 2nd Saturdays (8/10, 9 AM) at the Church
Choir for Worship: Thursdays at 7 PM, Sundays at 9 AM.
Church Council Meeting: 8/20 and 9/17, 7:30 PM, Zoom.
Finance Committee: 8/6, 7 PM
Trustee Meeting: 8/14, 7:00 PM, Wesley House
Staff Pastor Parish Relationship: 7/21, Sunday, 10:40 AM after service Worship Team & Ushers Meeting: 2nd Sundays at 8:45
Stewardship Committee: Outreach:



Thank you for your Food Pantry Donations: the Drop Box is available

Please Sign Up for Coffee Hour using the Sign-up Sheet. Thank You!

The Thrift Shop is open Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

 

Harvest Fair Committee Meeting: 8/8, 7:00 PM, Wesley House, First Floor

 


GATHERING THOUGHTS

 “I once was lost, but now am found was blind but now I see.” 

~ John Newton “Amazing Grace”


 
 

 

ENTERING INTO THE PRESENCE

 

PRELUDE & QUIET MEDITATION

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

BRING IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

Congregational Centering

Leader: Our eyes offer us glimpses into God’s great creation.

People: What an awesome gift it is to take in such beauty!

Leader: Yet just because we have eyes, that does not mean we see clearly.

People: And just because we might be blind, does not mean we do not see God every day of our lives.
All: God of true vision, focus our eyes, so we might see as You do.

 

Opening Hymn: UMH #454   Open My Eyes, That I May See

 

PASSING THE PEACE- Conclude by singing: “Shalom to You” 

Shalom to you now, shalom my friends,

May God’s full mercies bless you, my friends,

In all your living and through your loving,

Christ be your shalom, Christ be your shalom.

 
 

OPENING TO THE PRESENCE

Gathering Prayer

Seeing God, You have given us the ability to see with both our eyes and our hearts. With these gifts, we interact with Your world; yet, at times, we use these gifts to judge others and ourselves. In these days, our eyes become beacons of bias and of distrust. Lord, clear our eyes and readjust our vision, so we might see Your glory more fully in the world, in those we meet, and in ourselves. Prevent our eyes from being stumbling blocks; equip us all to see with spiritual eyes of love.

 

 

MOMENT FOR SILENT PRAYER

WORDS OF GRACE

Ministry of Music           Scott Munson, bass

 

Moments for Children

GOD SIGHTINGS, JOYS & CONCERNS
You may offer up a prayer or thanksgiving, followed by “This is my prayer, 
O Lord.”

The church family will respond, saying, “Lord, hear our prayer.”

 
 

PASTORAL PRAYER & 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. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen

HYMN OF SIGHT: UMH #405 “Seek Ye First”

SCRIPTURE READINGS 
 
First Reading: Acts 9:1-18a Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. 8Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 11The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, 12and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; 14and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.” 15But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; 16I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored.
 
Second ReadingJohn 9:1-12, 35-41 (NRSV) 

As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. 4We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, 7saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see.8The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10But they kept asking him, Then how were your eyes opened?” 11He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” 12They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.” 35Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36He answered, “And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.” 37Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” 38He said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped him. 39Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” 40Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” 41Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.

 

   For the Word of God in Scripture,

   For the Word of God among us,

   For the Word of God within us,

   Thanks be to God!

The Sermon: Close Your Eyes and Keep Your Mind Wide Open”     Reverend Matthew Querns

Sermon ChallengeThis week, when we jump to conclusions, let us close our eyes and open our hearts. Then, we will see things as people of grace.

 

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

WORSHIPPING WITH OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying” arr. by Mark Hayes 

*DOXOLOGY UMH #94      “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Alleluia, Alleluia.
Praise God, the source of all our gifts.

Praise Jesus Christ whose power uplifts.

Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit. 

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

 

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication

 Eternal God, we give thanks for this holy mystery in which You have given Yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of Your Spirit, to give ourselves to others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

*SENDING HYMN: UMH # 378    Amazing Grace”

BENEDICTION       

Postlude

 
 


JOIN US FOR COFFEE HOUR FELLOWSHIP.

THANK YOU FOR WORSHIPING WITH US

AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN!


 

CHURCH SERVICE: Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
CHURCH OFFICE
Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

TELEPHONE631-286-0525
CHURCH WEBSITE & SUNDAY BULLETIN: www.umcbellport.org

CHURCH EMAIL: bellportumc@optimum.net
ZOOM MEETING LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6312860525
DIAL BY PHONE:16465588656 then 6312860525#
PASTOR: Rev. Mattew Querns, 
845-208-1405, matthew.querns@nyac- umc.com

LITURGIST: Sheryl Moodt

MUSIC: Lynn Hoag & Choir       PIANO: Patty Munson
COFFEE HOUR: 
Margie Ludewig and June Potter

USHERS: Bruce Groh, Bill Morse and Youth
YOUTH & CHILDREN: Lori Labalsamo and Bill Morse

TECHNOLOGY: Barbara Pannhurst and Bill Lang
CHURCH FACEBOOKhttps://www.facebook.com/bellportmethodist.church.5 PRESCHOOL: 631-286-2498, www.BellportPreschool.com
THRIFT SHOP: 631-286-0746https://www.facebook.com/UmcBellportFiddlersGreen


 

Sympathy Prayers for the Carl (Sheryl) Moodt family.

Prayers: Rescue and recovery for victims of natural disasters & wars, Peace of the World, Revival of the Church, Prayers for healing and strength: Rachel Langert and her parents, Henry and Rosemarie Gonzalez, Katherine Wright, Mark and Lois Barton (Bristal, Sayville), Joe Harder (Jr.), Jack Antos & family, the Downs family, Tess Mouquin, Peter & Barbara Berman (Village Walk, Patchogue), Doris Lundegard, Kristin Quatrale, Sheryl Moodt and family for the passing of Carl Moodt, Donna and Carl Catandella, the Vander Zalm family, Lillian Muttitt and family, Dorothy Vogel and family, Prayers for young adults including: Andrew, Ethan, Amy and Seann, Shelby, Derek, Diana, Oliver, David and Samuel; the Pastor & family, and all Church affiliated people.

Prayers for COOP Churches (Cooperative Parish): United Methodist Churches of South Shore, & UM churches/All the churches worldwide


 Send offering checks by mail:

“Bellport United Methodist Church”
PO Box 460, Bellport, NY 11713
By ZELLE: bellportumc@optimum.net, Tel: 631-205-4050