Worship service – March 19, 2023 – “Answered Prayer”

Knock, knock.” “Who’s there?” When a knock-knock joke is left hanging, with no answer, it’s unsatisfying, as we expect something – almost anything – to be said in response. When we pray, and don’t feel like God is answering, it is also unsatisfying. Today, Pastor Linda discusses how God does answer prayer, perhaps in ways that we do not expect.

Our services are being held with in-person attendance at 10 a.m. Sunday morning.  Today’s service is provided below in its entirety in video format.  Note that closed captioning is available when “CC” appears in white at the bottom of the video panel. Click the CC to see the text; as it is done with an automated service, there may be errors in transcription.

Our Scripture Reading is 1 Samuel 1:10-17. The First book of Samuel is from our Old Testament, and tells the story of Israel’s history from about 630 BC, to the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. It starts before the birth of Samuel. Hannah was unable to have children, which was devastating for a woman at that time. In the presence of the priest Eli, she makes a deal with Yahweh that if she could have a son, she would raise him as a nazirite, consecrated to God. She has a son, Samuel, who grows up in the temple under the tutelage of Eli. Samuel becomes one of the judges of Israel. Upon request of the people to have a king, Samuel anoints Saul. The story continues with Saul not following Samuel’s guidance, then becoming replaced as king by David, who had his own issues with not following God’s way.  This is a pivotal chapter in the history of Israel.  Today’s reading focuses on the prayer of Hannah, Samuel’s mother, and how God answered her petition.

Good Morning Morgan Hill featured an interview by “Wanda Warbler” (Wanda Garrett) of guest “Hannah” (Janet Braslin) about Hannah’s petition to God to have a child, and how God answered her prayer..  This episode of Good Morning Morgan Hill is brought to you by Janet Tuttle’s Pied Piper Pest Removal Service..

Rev. Dr. Linda Holbrook
Rev. Dr. Linda Holbrook

The message today from Pastor Linda is “Answered Prayer.”

Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is the one true Church whose faith we support with our prayers, our presence, our giving, our witness and our service.
Our offering is given to the mission and ministry of MHUMC.  Remember our gifts come from us, as the people of God, for the work of God, to the Glory of God in the world.

Make a donation

I invite you to give generously, as we worship God through sharing our gifts, tithes, and offerings.

Today is UMCOR, or United Methodist Committee on Relief, Sunday. The UMCOR Sunday offering underwrites UMCOR’s administrative costs. This offering allows UMCOR to use 100% of all funds given to humanitarian response and recovery efforts directly to communities in need. These gifts ensure UMCOR can respond swiftly to disasters around the world and as a source of hope and healing for those left most vulnerable. You may give directly to UMCOR online here; please be sure to credit MHUMC in the online donation form.  You may also write a check to the church, designating “UMCOR” in the memo line.

Weekly Announcements:
See this week’s announcements and bulletin notes here.

 


Credits and copyrights

  • “Sweet Hour of Prayer” words by William Walford, music by William  B. Bradbury.  Public domain.  CCLI song #32273, CCLI License #2718708.
  • “I’ll Praise My Maker While I’ve Breath” words by Isaac Watts, alt. by John  Wesley;  music attr. to Matthaus Greiter, harm. by V. Earle Copes. Words public domain, music © 1964 Abingdon Press (admin. by Music Services, Inc.).  CCLI song #3430325, CCLI License #2718708.
  • “Seek Ye First” words and music by Karen Lafferty.  ©1972 CCCM Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.); Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.).   CCLI song #1352, CCLI License #2718708.
  • “The Family Prayer Song” words and music by Morris Chapman.  © 1995 Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.). CCLI song #1680466, CCLI License #2718708.
  • “This Little Light” traditional spiritual, arr. by Joel Raney. © 2014 Hope Publishing Company.
  • “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love” words and music by Peter Scholtes.  © Music: 1966 F.E.L. Publications. Assigned 1991 The Lorenz Corporation (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.).   CCLI song #26997, CCLI License #2718708.
  • “May You Run and Not Be Weary” words and music by Paul Murakami and Handt Hanson.  © 1991 Changing Church Forum, Inc.. CCLI song #807099, CCLI License #2718708.
  • All other text on this page © The United Methodist Church of Morgan Hill.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.