United Methodist Churches
of Cresco First and Zion
April 16th, 2023
Prelude—Zion—Lois Amundson
Cresco—Melodee Balk
Worship & Song Leader—Gaye Pedersen
Ushers—Pat & Larry Joiner
Technician—Joe Labosky
Welcome and Announcements
Call to Worship
L: Something awakened us this morning – perhaps day’s
dawning, the smell of brewing coffee, the sounds of alarm
on the shelf or a newspaper thudding at the door.
P: And now we gather with awakened spirits to
worship with others the Creator of this day.
L: Something moved us this morning – we left behind a
sufficiency of sleep or a restless night, we engaged in
feeding and dressing, we left our homes for here.
P: And now we gather in this place to worship the
Christ who moves among us and to follow the Spirit
which leads us into deeds of love. May ours be a faith
that is both awake and moving as we serve our God.
Prayer of Confession (Unison)
Giver of all good gifts, we thank you for your
presence deeply embedded in our lives, and for
entering our lives fully in your human face: Jesus the
Christ. You know our uneasiness with the claims that
faith makes upon our lives, yet you linger with us in
our struggle and we know we are not alone. We are
thankful that you have not abandoned us and that
your Spirit continues to comfort us in our search for
truth. Encourage us to live the truth we find and guide
us to seek the truth yet undiscovered. We are thankful for the bond of love and faith which connects us with
other seekers around us and with you, as we live in
this family of faith. Amen.
*Hymn #304—“Easter People, Raise Your Voices”
Children’s Time
Scripture: John 20:19-31
L: This is the word of God for the people of God.
P: Thanks be to God.
Sermon: “Jesus with Scars”
*Hymn #318—“Christ is Alive”
Prayers of the People
The Sharing of Our Joys and Concerns
Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Offering
*Doxology #95—“Praise God, from Whom All
Blessings Flow”
*Offertory Prayer
*Hymn #671—“Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing”
Benediction
Response—“God Be with You till We Meet Again”-Zion
“Blessing Song”—Cresco
Postlude
Announcements
v Monday, April 17 – Zion UWIF-1:30 P.M. in the
East Room
v Wednesday, April 19 – Bible study at 9:00 A.M.
v Thursday, April 20 – Choir Practice at 6:00 P.M.
Bible study at 7:00 P.M.
v Friday, April 21–Items for the May newsletter are
due
v Sunday, April 23 – Zion worship 8:30 A.M.
Sunday School - 9:00 A.M.
First Church Service – 10:00 A.M.
v On Thursday, April 20th Notre Dame will host their
Spring Dinner from 4:30-7:30 P.M. They are serving
Swiss steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, cold
slaw, roll, and dessert. Adult tickets are $15.00 and
$10.00 for ages 6-12. Carry outs are available.
v On Tuesday, April 25th the Finance Committee will
meet at 5:30 P.M. in the East Room with the Church
Council meeting at 6:00 P.M.
v On Wednesday, April 26th Pastor Melissa will lead
worship at the nursing homes and Assisted Living.
v On Wednesday, April 26th Pillow Cleaning will be
from 6:00-8:00 P.M.
v On Thursday, April 27th Pillow Cleaning will be held
from 7:30 A.M.-3:00 P.M.
v Pastor Melissa’s contact info:
Call/text-515-290-0893
Email-melissa.warren@iaumc.net
v Sunday, April 9:
Attendance - 77
Worship with us virtually as well! Go to youtube.com
and search for Cresco UMC.
Have a great week
United Methodist Churches of Cresco and Zion
April 2, 2023
Zion - 8:30 A.M.
First Church Sunday School 9:00 A.M.
First Church Service 10:00 A.M.
Pastor Melissa Warren
"Seeking: Where are you headed?"
Prelude— Lois Amundson
Worship & Song Leader—Patsy Bronner
Ushers—Peggy, Auggie & Immie Loveless & Travis Klimesh
Welcome and Announcements
Call to Worship
*Hymn: “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus” #277
Children’s time “Ho-ho-ho-hosanna!”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture and Prayer of Confession Featuring
Matthew 21:1-11
Words of Forgiveness
Family of faith, there will be days when we withhold our
praise. There will be days when we dare not follow. There will
be days when we ignore God’s call, when we choose comfort
over courage and ourselves over others. But even on those
days, even on our worst days, we belong to God. Hear and
believe the good news of the gospel:
Nothing can separate us from God’s love. We are loved,
forgiven, and sent out to serve. Hosanna! Amen
Sermon: Seeking: Where are you headed?
Affirmation of Faith
We believe in a God who walks headfirst into the world’s
suffering, who lights a candle in the darkest night, who
pulls back the curtain so we can see the stars. We
believe in a God who does not shy away from the truth,
who is bold in seeking justice and humble in taking
power.
We believe in a God who sees our hurt and wraps love
around it, cocooning us in hope, tethering us to one
another. We believe in a God who is always carrying us
from the pain of the world into the hope of a new day.
That is where God is headed. That is where we follow.
May it be so. Amen.
*Hymn: “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” #278
Prayers of the People
The Sharing of Our Joys and Concerns
Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Offering
*Doxology #95—“Praise God, from Whom All
Blessings Flow”
*Offertory Prayer
*Hymn: “Lord, What a Parade!” Tune #73
Benediction
Response—“God Be with You till We Meet Again”-Zion
“Blessing Song”—Cresco
Postlude
Announcements
v Monday, April 3 – Items are due tomorrow for
the April Newsletter
v Thursday, April 6 – Maundy Thursday
Sacrificial Breakfast at 9:30 A.M. – 1st Church
Service & communion at 6:30 P.M – 1st Church
v Friday, April 7 - Good Friday
Good Friday Service at 6:30 P.M. – 1st Church
v Sunday, April 9—Easter
Zion worship at 8:30 P.M.
NO Sunday School
Cresco worship at 10:00 A,M.
v Monday, April 10 – Fair Stand Mtg. at 6:00 P.M.
v Wednesday, April 12 Bible study at 9:00 A.M.
Cresco UWIF at 1:30 P.M.
Trustees Meeting at 6:00 P.M.
v Thursday, April 13 – Choir Practice at 6:00 P.M.
Bible study at 7:00 P.M.
v Pastor Melissa’s contact info: Call/text-515-
290-0893
Email-melissa.warren@iaumc.net
Worship with us virtually as well! Go to
youtube.com and search for Cresco UMC.
Have a great week!
