top of page

This Week at First

Live Services

9 AM Contemporary

10:30 AM Traditional


What does “sacrifice” mean to you? Do you think of ancient rituals from the Old Testament? Do you think of the sacrifice made by those who defend our freedom? And do you consider what is an appropriate sacrifice for you to make to your God? This week we will look at the sacrifice Hannah made to God in 1 Samuel 1:4-20. We will also revisit last week’s Gospel reading of Mark 12:38-44.


See you Sunday.


Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jim


1 Samuel 1:4-20


4 On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters; 5 but to Hannah he gave a double portion,[a] because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb.  6 Her rival used to provoke her severely, to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb.  7 So it went on year by year; as often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat.  8 Her husband Elkanah said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”

 

9 After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the Lord.[b] Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord.  10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly.  11 She made this vow: “O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite[c] until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants,[d] and no razor shall touch his head.”

 

12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth.  13 Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk.  14 So Eli said to her, “How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.”  15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord.  16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.”  17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.”  18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” Then the woman went to her quarters,[e] ate and drank with her husband,[f] and her countenance was sad no longer.[g]

 

19 They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. Elkanah knew his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her.  20 In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I have asked him of the Lord.”

 


Mark 12:38-44


Jesus Denounces the Scribes

38 As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces,  39 and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets!  40 They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

 

The Widow’s Offering

41 He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums.  42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.  43 Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.  44 For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”









9am Service:




10:30am Service:





Organ and Tissue Donor Sunday: “Right Reasons” are always a good starting point, whether we are referring to our personal relationships or our commitment to our church or our community. We will examine our reasons for what we do from the perspective of Ruth (Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17), the Psalmist (Psalm 127) and Jesus (Mark 12:38-44).


We will also hear from our Administrative Assistant, Heidi Reinbold on the life-giving gift represented by organ and tissue donations.


See you Sunday.


Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jim


Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17


Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor

3 Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, I need to seek some security for you, so that it may be well with you.  2 Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with whose young women you have been working. See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.  3 Now wash and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.  4 When he lies down, observe the place where he lies; then, go and uncover his feet and lie down; and he will tell you what to do.”  5 She said to her, “All that you tell me I will do.”


The Genealogy of David

13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the Lord made her conceive, and she bore a son.  14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin;[a] and may his name be renowned in Israel!  15 He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him.”  16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse.  17 The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David.



Psalm 127


Psalm 127

God’s Blessings in the Home

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

1 Unless the Lord builds the house,    

those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the Lord guards the city,    

the guard keeps watch in vain.

2 It is in vain that you rise up early    

and go late to rest,

eating the bread of anxious toil;    

for he gives sleep to his beloved.[a]

3 Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord,    

the fruit of the womb a reward.

4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior    

are the sons of one’s youth.

5 Happy is the man who has    

his quiver full of them.

He shall not be put to shame    

when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.


Mark 12:38-44


Jesus Denounces the Scribes

38 As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces,  39 and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets!  40 They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

 

The Widow’s Offering

41 He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums.  42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.  43 Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.  44 For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”









9am Service:



10:30am Service:





All Saints’ Sunday: Psalm 24 asks, “Who Shall Stand in God’s Holy Place?” This will be our question too as we celebrate All Saints’ Sunday and remember those who have gone before us. Our Scriptures will be Psalm 24 and Revelation 21:1-6.


See you Sunday.


Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jim


Psalm 24


Entrance into the Temple


Of David. A Psalm.

1 The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,    the world, and those who live in it;2 for he has founded it on the seas,    and established it on the rivers.

 

3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?    And who shall stand in his holy place?4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,    who do not lift up their souls to what is false,    and do not swear deceitfully.5 They will receive blessing from the Lord,    and vindication from the God of their salvation.6 Such is the company of those who seek him,    who seek the face of the God of Jacob.[a] Selah

 

7 Lift up your heads, O gates!    and be lifted up, O ancient doors!    that the King of glory may come in.8 Who is the King of glory?    The Lord, strong and mighty,    the Lord, mighty in battle.9 Lift up your heads, O gates!    and be lifted up, O ancient doors!    that the King of glory may come in.10 Who is this King of glory?    The Lord of hosts,    he is the King of glory. Selah



Revelation 21:1-6


The New Heaven and the New Earth

21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.  2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

“See, the home[a] of God is among mortals.He will dwell[b] with them;they will be his peoples,[c]and God himself will be with them;[d]4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes.Death will be no more;mourning and crying and pain will be no more,for the first things have passed away.”

 

5 And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  6 Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.  











9am Service:



10:30am Service:



Palmyra First UMC

717-838-2551

520 E. Birch St., Palmyra, PA

©2022 by Palmyra First UMC. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page