Good morning New Street Family,
Christmastime is Here/Medley is performed by guest pianist, Adam Booth and plays against the backdrop of pictures of New Street elves decorating the sanctuary, and crafts for the children in Wesley Hall.
The season of Advent, which comes from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming" or "visit," begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Advent is the beginning of the church year for Christians.
During Advent, we prepare for and anticipate the coming of Christ. We remember the longing of Jews for a Messiah and our own longing for and need of forgiveness, salvation and a new beginning. Even as we look back and celebrate the birth of Jesus in a humble stable in Bethlehem, we also look forward anticipating the second coming of Christ as the fulfillment of all that was promised by his first coming.
Although we are accustomed to celebrating Christmas on a single day, in both Christian tradition and on the church calendar, the Christmas season lasts from sundown on Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) through Epiphany of the Lord (Jan. 6). This is sometimes referred to as "the 12 days of Christmas."
Source: "What is Advent?", by Dean McIntyre, retired director of music resources, Discipleship Ministries. http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/what-is-advent
All-Present One, may we find a sense of hope and anticipation in the midst of our current realities. In this season of Advent encourage and strengthen our faith, and give us eyes to see you! Amen. Amen.
“…I will raise up a righteous branch from David’s line, who will do what is just and right in the land…” Jeremiah 33:15b (CEB)
In this season of Advent: May God give us hearts that are open to hope, feet that stand firm on God’s promises, eyes that are alert to the ways Christ comes among us, and hands that are ready to work for God’s kingdom. In the name of Jesus, our coming king we pray. Amen.
Blessings!
Pastor Dee-Ann Dixon
New Street United Methodist Church | Shepherdstown Church
Online Worship Service | Rev. Dee-Ann Dixon
https://newstreetumc.com
Good morning New Street Family,
Today is Christ the King Sunday and Thanks Giving Sunday. While there is no formal sermon today, please take the time to reflect on the blessings we have received from God as we hear musical selections excellently performed by our New Street UMC Chancel Choir. They sing "God's Presence", "Thanksgiving Prayer" and "Celtic Laud" which features flutist, Beth Brennan. Our frequent guest pianist, Adam Booth performs a medley entitled "It is Well with My Soul".
Extravagant, God, generous giver of all good things, just as you brought the Israelites into a land flowing with milk and honey – a land where they could be free from bondage and oppression, you have brought us into this good land – a land with flowing streams, with springs and underground waters welling up in valleys and hills, a land of wheat and corn, of fertile plains, and majestic mountains. We give you thanks: for the bounty that fills our tables, for the water that satisfies our thirst, for the beauty of this land where we are free to worship you in the name of Jesus, who is the Christ. Amen.
“Then Hannah prayed: My heart rejoices in the LORD. My strength rises up in the LORD! My mouth mocks my enemies because I rejoice in your deliverance. No one is holy like the LORD – no, no one except you! There is no rock like our God!”(CEB)
Let us give thanks to God in all that we do, for all that we have, for every moment of our lives. God provides us with every blessing, so that we may share it abundantly with all the world. Amen.
Blessings!
Pastor Dee-Ann Dixon
New Street United Methodist Church | Shepherdstown Church
Online Worship Service | Rev. Dee-Ann Dixon
https://newstreetumc.com
Good morning New Street Family,
Today, Pastor Dee-Ann is delivering the message for the online service from Morgantown. We learn about the life of Hannah where her story begins in deep heartache that is displaced by God's promise. Hear her struggles and even put yourself in her place to learn to be faithful and trust in God no matter your circumstances. Always know that the Lord who remembered Hannah, is the same Lord that will remember and deliver you.
Our special music is performed on the organ by Rose Gamblin “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”. The closing song is "How Great Thou Art".
God of new beginnings and endless possibilities, grant us the courage to reach out and claim the promises of your faithful love. As we pour out the deepest desires of our hearts, fill out souls with peace, for you alone are our hope and our salvation. Give us eyes to see the longing of our neighbors, and grant us the wisdom to offer words of comfort and assurance, that we might be instruments of your mercy and your grace. For you are our rock and our hiding place, O God. You are our fortress in times of trouble. In joy we reach for you, and in joy you gather us to your breast. Be with us in this time of worship, and heal the pain we carry in our hearts. Amen.
“Then Hannah prayed: My heart rejoices in the LORD. My strength rises up in the LORD! My mouth mocks my enemies because I rejoice in your deliverance. No one is holy like the LORD – no, no one except you!
There is no rock like our God!”(CEB)
Blessings!
Pastor Dee-Ann Dixon
New Street United Methodist Church | Shepherdstown Church
Online Worship Service | Rev. Dee-Ann Dixon
25th SUNDAY AFTER THE PENTECOST
https://newstreetumc.com
Good morning New Street Family,
Today is All Saints Sunday. It is an opportunity to give thanks for those who have gone before us in the faith. In our faith we too, like Mary and Martha Martha accompanied with distress over the loss of their loved one, Lazarus, obeyed the commands of Christ. Even Lazarus, though he was dead, obeyed the commands of Christ. In doing so, we can be all that God has created to be, just as our Saint's have done.
Our special music is performed by our own Chancel Choir singing “Song of Saints”. The closing song is "God Be with You Till We Meet Again".
God of new beginnings, remove the shroud that separates us from one another and from your mighty presence, that we may see you as you are. Wipe away our tears and take away our disgrace that we may come before your throne with hearts full of song and souls ablaze with joy. Help us to live as those who are prepared to die, and enable us to die as those who go forth to live, so that whether living or dying, our hearts will always belong to you. Amen.
“I heard a loud voice from the throne say, ‘Look! God’s dwelling is here with humankind. He will dwell with them, and they will be his peoples. God himself will be with them as their God.’” Revelation 21:3(CEB)
Blessings!
Pastor Dee-Ann Dixon
New Street United Methodist Church | Shepherdstown Church
Online Worship Service | Rev. Dee-Ann Dixon
All Saints & 24th SUNDAY AFTER THE PENTECOST
https://newstreetumc.com
Good morning New Street Family,
Today we learn about the story of Ruth, who is a virtuous woman, devoted to family and faithfully dependent on God. In her witness, it is revealed that God's plan for her included becoming the chosen forebear of the lineage for David, and ultimately Jesus. Just as she, and Naomi trusted in God to provide for them, so should we trust God's plan for us.
Our special music is performed by our own Chancel Choir singing “God's Presence”. The closing song is "Jesus Loves Me".
God who is faithful forever, you are our God. We turn to you in praise, for when our hope rests in you, we find rest. We turn to you with our cares, for when we look to you for help, we find strength. We turn our hearts to you in worship, offering love for you and for our neighbor. We wait in hope. We bring our cares. We offer you our love in the name of Jesus who teaches us to love, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, who inspires us to love. Amen.
“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to abandon you, to turn back from following after you. Wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord do this to me and more so if even death separates me from you.’” Ruth 1:16-17(CEB)
Blessings!
Pastor Dee-Ann Dixon
New Street United Methodist Church | Shepherdstown Church
Online Worship Service | Rev. Dee-Ann Dixon
23rd SUNDAY AFTER THE PENTECOST
https://newstreetumc.com
Good Morning New Street Family,
Today our guest preacher is Carol Goldthorpe, who is also our Lay Leader. She will be speaking on the virtues and perils of light and dark, how it applies to our lives and how God shines light on us through Christ to shine on others.
Our special music is performed by our own Chancel Choir singing “Here Comes the Light”. The closing song is "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee".
Gracious and loving God, we come with open hearts to see what you will do today. Help us recognize your presence when life takes twists and turns we do not expect or anticipate. Help us turn to you when we are weak and unsure of ourselves. Help us listen for your voice above all other voices. Most of all, help us follow Christ, your Son and our redeemer. May we walk in his footsteps, that we might be perfected in your unconditional love. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish
the light.” John 1:5 (CEB)
Blessings!
New Street United Methodist Church | Shepherdstown Church
Online Worship Service | Rev. Dee-Ann Dixon
22nd SUNDAY AFTER THE PENTECOST
https://newstreetumc.com
Happy Sunday! Today is Pastor Appreciation Sunday.
Karen Meyer-Cain will take a moment to recognize our devoted Pastor and her ministry to New Street UMC. The sermon this morning is about the story of Ester, a young Jewish woman who finds favor with the King of Persia. She risks her life to save the Jewish people from massacre by persuading the king to retract the order issued by a revengeful viceroy.
Our special music is performed by our own Chancel Choir singing “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel” based on another story of the reversal of demise. The closing song, a church favorite, is "Here I am Lord".
“…But who knows? Maybe it was for a moment like this that you came to be part of the royal family.” Esther 4:14b(CEB)
Maker of heaven and earth, remind us this day that you are our strength and our shield. When adversaries assail us like a raging river, you keep our necks above the churning waters. When enemies seek to destroy your people, you offer counsel and strength to avert disaster. When we suffer in body and spirit, the prayers of the faithful restores us to health. We come to you, O God, that we might be rescued and healed. We come to praise your holy name. Amen.
Blessings!
New Street United Methodist Church | Shepherdstown Church
Online Worship Service | Rev. Dee-Ann Dixon
21st SUNDAY AFTER THE PENTECOST
https://newstreetumc.com
Twentieth Sunday after the Pentecost | October 10, 2021 | New Street UMC Shepherdstown, WV
“…They were shocked even more and said to each other, ‘Then who can be saved!’ Jesus looked at them carefully and said, ‘It’s impossible with human beings, but not with God. All things are possible for God.’” Mark 10:26-27(CEB)
Holy One, we call upon your name this day. When you seem most absent, we yearn to hear your voice. When you seem most present we yearn to hear your voice. When you seem most present, we long to follow your teachings. Be with us now. Strengthen and guide us that we may trust your call and follow your lead. In doubt, in trust, but most of all in hope, we pray. Amen.
Blessings!
New Street United Methodist Church | Shepherdstown Church
Online Worship Service | Rev. Dee-Ann Dixon
20TH SUNDAY AFTER THE PENTECOST
https://newstreetumc.com