Weekly Bulletin


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!