Sunday, July 13, 2025
The 5th Sunday after Pentecost
We are grateful for your ongoing support of the mission and ministries of St. Mark’s. For your convenience, you can donate to St. Mark’s using
Loving care for our youngest children (infants-age 4) is provided in Room 24 during the Worship Service.
Sunday, July 13th, 2025
The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Order of Worship
GATHERING MUSIC
GREETING & WELCOME
Ilze Akerbergs
Reverend John Huff and Reverend Mary Beth Morgan
*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE AND THE RINGING OF THE BELLS
PRELUDE
Offertoire -- Cécile Chaminade (1857-1944)
Ilze Akerbergs
*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: We come to this place with praise for the wonderful works of God.
All: Even before we speak, God knows us and loves us completely.
One: The Holy One knows us and sustains us, even in our moments of sorrow and doubt.
All: Who can count the thoughts of God? They are more than all the sands of the desert.
One: Like clay in the hand of the potter, we are shaped into vessels of divine love.
All: We come with praise for the wonderful works of God.
One: We come to this place with praise as a people fully known and loved by God.
All: Let us worship the God who knows us and loves us completely!
*Please stand as you are willing and able.
*GATHERING HYMN Page 10
I Love to Tell the Story
*GATHERING PRAYER
Almighty God, you call us to go into your service and spread the message of the salvation of your Son. Bless richly, we pray, this fellowship. Fill us with the power of your Holy Spirit and let us find an open door for the Word.
We also pray for your church on earth. Equip us all with a spirit of willingness, that we with courage can witness about you by the profession of our mouths and through our way of living.
All this we pray; for you are to us the Father of mercy and the God of all grace; you are the Son, the Savior and the Redeemer; you are the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Helper and the Giver of life. Blessed be you. Amen.
AN ORDER FOR THE CELEBRATION OF AN APPOINTMENT
Leader:
Dear friends, today we welcome John Huff, who has been appointed to serve as our lead pastor, and Mary Beth Morgan, who has been reappointed as our associate pastor. We believe that they are well qualified and have been prayerfully appointed by our bishop, Tracy Smith Malone
John, you have been sent to live among us as a bearer of the Word of God; a minister of the Sacraments; and a sustainer of the love, order, service and discipleship of the people of God.
Mary Beth, you are to represent the ministry of servanthood, to proclaim God’s word, and to equip all Christians to be in ministries of compassion and justice in service to the community.
Pastors:
Today we reaffirm this commitment in the presence of this congregation.
Leader to congregation:
Brothers and sisters in Christ, as a people committed to participate in the ministries of the Church by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service, will you who celebrate this new beginning support and uphold John and Mary Beth in these ministries?
Congregation:
We reaffirm our commitment to support you with our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.
Leader:
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger
Congregation: who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation.
The leader continues: Let us pray.
Eternal God, strengthen and sustain us in our ministries together, with John and Mary Beth as our pastors. Give them and us patience, courage, and wisdom so to care for one another and challenge one another that together we may follow Jesus Christ, living together in love, and offering our gifts and talents in your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Leader to pastor:
John, accept this Bible, and be among us as one who proclaims the Word. Amen.
John, take this water, and baptize new Christians in this place. Amen.
John, take this bread and cup, and keep us in communion with Christ and his Church. Amen.
Leader to associate pastor:
Mary Beth, accept this Bible, and be among us as one who proclaims the Word. Amen.
Mary Beth, take this towel and basin, and lead us to be servants of all. Amen.
Mary Beth, take this plumb line, and faithfully call us toward ministries of compassion and justice.
Leader to pastors:
John and Mary Beth, use this hymnal and book of worship to guide us in our prayer and praise. Amen.
John, receive this Book of Discipline, and help us keep the covenant that strengthens our connections as United Methodists. Amen.
Mary Beth, receive this globe, and lead us in our mission to this community and all the world. Amen.
Leader to pastor:
John, receive this stole, signifying your ordination, and shepherd us as our pastor. Amen.
Leader to associate pastor:
Mary Beth, receive this stole signifying your ordination, and equip us for our ministries in the world. Amen.
Then the pastor may take from the Lord's table the stole left by the previous pastor, put it on, and say:
This yoke has been laid upon me, and I willingly take it upon myself.
Pastor:
Let us pray.
Congregation:
Lord God, bless the ministries of your Church. We thank you for the variety of gifts you have bestowed upon us. Draw us together in one Spirit, that each of us may use our differing gifts as members of one body. May your Word be proclaimed with faithfulness, and may we be doers of your Word and not hearers only. As we who have died and risen with Christ in baptism gather at his table and then scatter into the world, may we be one in service to others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The pastor or deacon minister may kneel, and the leader and others may lay hands on his/her head.
The congregation may join hands and unite in this blessing: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.
Pastor:
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
Congregation: And also with you.
CHILDREN’S MOMENT
A CALL TO PRAYER
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYER
SILENT PRAYERS
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.
GRADUAL HYMN
LESSON FROM THE PSALMS
GRADUAL HYMN
LESSON FROM THE GOSPELS
The Summons (Verses 1-3)
Psalm 139: 1-18, 23-24
The Summons (Verses 4-5)
John 10: 11-18
SERMON
What’s Your Story?
A CALL TO GIVING ANTHEM
We’ve Come This Far by Faith— Albert A. Goodson
We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord. Trusting in His Holy Word. He’s never failed me yet. Oh, oh, oh, can’t turn around. We’ve come this far by faith!
Don't be discouraged with trouble in your life. He'll bear your burdens and move all discord and strife!
Just remember the good things he has done. Things that seemed impossible. Oh, praise him for the good things he has won!
*THE DOXOLOGY
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!
Page 11
Eric Metzler
Page 11
Lisa Kurz
Reverend John Huff
The Chancel Choir
*OFFERTORY PRAYER
As we offer these gifts, may they bear fruit in your kingdom, strengthening the church, uplifting the weary, and sharing the hope we have in Christ. In Christ’s name, we give and rejoice. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN Page 12
Go Forth for God
*BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
Organ Postlude - Adolph Friedrich Hesse (1808-1863)
Ilze Akerbergs
JULY 11, 2025
PARISH JOYS AND CONERNS
The flowers on the altar this morning are given by Members of the Congregation in celebration and welcome of Reverend John Huff and Reverend Jen and the Huff Family
DEATH
Dan Hughes
BIRTH
granddaughter to Charlie and Katie Matson
HOSPITALIZATION, EXTENDED CARE & HEALING AT HOME
Ben Ackerman
Dixie Arter, Peggy Hoyle’s mother
Randy Barnes
Liz Collins
Peggy Emard, sister of Karen Korn
Linda Joachim Gluff
Mike Grubbs
Diana Hall
Loren Henry
John Hopkins, Brother-in-law of Carle and Linda Crawford
Peggy Good Hoyle
Martin, son of Peggy Good Hoyle
John I
Debra Jones
Bill Kemp
Karen Korn
Carrie Lawrence
Tim Lloyd
Bruce Martin
Trish Martin
Doran May
Joan McEvoy
Ann McNair
Jo Parrish, Mother of Susan Parrish
Suzie Rimstidt
Nancy Rusnak
Jason Shaw
Georgia Sumner
Cheryl Wolf
Patti Wright
Mike Yost
AH
Ally
Carol
Charles
Cillian
Daniel
David
Gunner
Jenny
Jeremy
Jordan
Julie
Kay
Kim, friend of Annette Lemond
Kip I.
Laura
Matisse
Matt
Phyllis
Sheila
Sue
Tom
THIS WEEK @ ST. MARK’S
Sunday, July 13, 2025
9:30am Nomads Room 8
10:30am Worship Service Sanctuary
10:30am Sunday School Rooms 4
11:30am Welcome Luncheon Garton Hall
Monday, July 14, 2025
(no events scheduled)
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
(no events scheduled)
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
2:00pm UWF-Art-Cycled Showcase Garton Hall
Thursday, July 17, 2025
11:00am Women of Wonder and Faith Room 8
Friday, July 18, 2025
1:00pm Conversations on Life Room 15
Saturday, July 19, 2025
7:00am S.O.S. (Men’s A.A.) Room 8
9:00am A.A. Room 8
2:00pm Care Team Singers Rehearsal Offsite
St. Mark's United Methodist Church of Bloomington, Indiana is an inclusive community, bringing Christ-like love, healing and hope to all. We embrace the United Methodist idea l of Open Hearts, Open Minds and Open Doors by welcoming and affirmin g those of all race s, cultures, faith traditions, sexual orientations, and gender identities.