Natalie's Grace Notes

  Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church September 20, 2020 Rev. Natalie Bowerman, Pastor Let us pray: An Equinox Prayer As we mark this time of equinox, may we find the balance we desire and need in our lives: – light and dark, – spirit and body, – mind and soul. At the Spring equinox may we recognize the promise of rebirth both within and all around us. At the autumn equinox may we recognize and give thanks for the blessings of the summer harvest and the fruits of our gardens. As we mark the equinox in either the northern or southern hemisphere let us wonder at the Mystery that is Life and open ourselves to the blessings of both dark and light. Amen. Our Gospel reading is Matthew 20: 1-16 The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard 20  “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.  2  He agreed to pay them a denarius [ a ]  for the day and sent them into his vineyard. 3  “About nine in the morning he went out and sa

  Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church Service of Worship September 13, 2020 Rev. Natalie Bowerman, Pastor   Let us pray: Dear God, on this day we read in our Gospel lesson that you call us to forgive others. In fact, not only do you call us to forgive, you call us to forgive over and over and over. While in theory we long to follow your lead, in practice it is so hard to let go of our grudges, debts, and resentments toward others. Help us. Open our hearts and minds this day. Help us to be more like you. Amen.   Our Gospel lesson comes from Matthew 18: 21-35: 21  Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22  Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. [ g ] 23  “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.  24  As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold [ h ]  w

  Sunday, July 12, 2020   Hello friend! My name is Natalie Bowerman! Effective July 1, I’m the new pastor at the Eastern Parkway UMC! It’s such a joy to be part of your church community. I put this together for you to give you a non-internet worship experience in this time of social distancing. This is all new for me, in coming weeks I’ll be playing with new ideas for how to make this as nice as can be for you. If you have any requests, or want to contact me for any reason, drop me a line! You can email me at pastornatalie4@gmail.com , and you can reach me by phone at (585) 355-7444. Shalom!   Psalm 119: 105-112 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to observe your righteous ordinances. 107 I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word. 108 Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your ordinances. 109 I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law.

  Worship at Eastern Parkway UMC Sunday, July 26, 2020   The theme of this week’s worship service is “callings”. I invite you to read the lyrics of “The Summons” by John Bell: Will you come and follow me if I but call your name? Will you go where you don't know and never be the same? Will you let my love be shown? Will you let my name be known? Will you let my life be grown in you, and you in me? Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name? Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same? Will you risk the hostile stare, should your life attract or scare? Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me? Will you let the blinded man see if I but call your name? Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same? Will you kiss the leper clean, and do such as this unseen? And admit to what I mean in you, and you in me? Will you love the "you" you hide if I but call your name? Will you quell that fear inside and never be the

  Service of Worship, Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church September 6, 2020 Rev. Natalie Bowerman, Pastor   Let us pray: Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ in his earthly life shared our toil and hallowed our labor:  Be present with your people where they work; make those who carry on the industries and commerce of his land responsive to your will; and give to us all a pride in what we do, and a just return for our labor; through Jesus Chris tour Lord, who lives and reigns with you , in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen .  ( Book of Common Prayer , pg. 259) Litany for Labor Day: Leader : Let us pray to the Lord of all creation, from who come life, work and purpose. Almighty God, when you lovingly formed us out of the dust of the earth, you breathed into us the breath of life and gave us work and purpose for living. C. You placed Adam in the garden of Eden to till and keep it. L : Through our work, you make us co-creators with you, s