For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength. 1 Corinthians 1:25

March 4, 2018 Third Sunday in Lent Welcome Joanna Sanferrare * Call to Worship L: The world finds no proof of God. P: But the heavens tell of God’s glory. L: God’s message is foolishness to the world. P: But God’s folly trumps human wisdom. L: The freedom of the world brings us death. P: But obedience to God’s ways brings life. L: We gather in the name of Christ crucified. P: The Word made flesh brings life to God’s people! *Song “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” UMH # 301 Birthday Pennies - All are invited to share a birthday or anniversary celebration with a small donation that goes to Heifer International, a mission organization working to eliminate world hunger. Children’s Message Joys and Concerns - We will lift up our prayer requests and respond to each prayer saying, “Lord, hear our prayer.” Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer UMH 894 The congregation will respond with the Lord’s Prayer as found in the hymnal.

*Song “The Old Rugged Cross” UMH # 504 Scripture Lesson 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Nancy Hartmann Message “A Fool’s Hope” Pastor Matt Offering - Through this collection, members of Merrimacport UMC support the life of our church and our ministries. If you are visiting with us we appreciate any gift that you feel moved to make, but please do not feel that you have to. Your presence with us this morning is your gift to us. *Response of Praise UMH #95 Please stand as the usher brings forward the offering and we sing together. *Prayer of Dedication The wisdom of the world tells us to hoard what we own, O God, while you invite us to share what we have with those in need. Accept these gifts for your purposes, that we may be your servants in the world. Holy Communion *Song “Open the Eyes of My Heart” Video *Sending Forth We proclaim the crucified and risen Christ, who is the power and wisdom of God. May Christ strengthen us and give us wisdom. Go forth in the name of Christ! Amen! Join us downstairs after worship for coffee, food and conversation.. All are Welcome!

Every Wednesday in Lent - 7:00 pm BIBLE STUDY WILL MEET ON WEDNESDAY March 7 and March 21 at 10 a.m. Topic: Peter Learning from the Lord. All are welcome! SECOND SUNDAY COMMUNITY LUNCH will be Sunday, March 11 from 12 - 1 p.m. Come and Enjoy some homemade soup. This month free will offering will benefit Our Neighbors Table. UNITED METHODIST WOMEN will meet on Monday, March 26 at 6:30 p.m. At the home of Beryl Pudester - McKenna, 18 High Street. ’ Mission Gift: Towels for Emmaus House. TO THIS WEEK’S SUNDAY SERVANTS: Worship Leader: Joanna Sanferrare Liturgist: Nancy Hartmann Music: Leonard Bachelder Audio/Visual: Terry Hanley Indoor Greeter: Kay Hanley Refreshments: Kay Hanley Wednesday, March 7, 2018 Time: 7-830pm Place: First UMC, North Andover, MA New Hymnal Project Join UMC Hymnal Revision Committee Member, Rev. Nelson Cowan (First UMC North Andover, MA) for an evening of learning more about the UMC's new hymnal project, slated to be published in 2020. Lenten Bible Study Every Wednesday in Lent - 7:00 pm Beginning February 14th (It’s not too late to join. Just let Pastor Matt know you are interested).

1 Corinthians 1:18-25 1:18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1:19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." 1:20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. 1:22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 1:23 but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 1:24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1:25 For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.