United Methodist Church of Auburn, Maine

09/06/2026

With joy, welcome Peter & Fred Sanborn-Silvers. Mark Schlotterbeck & Caroline Young Coffin Special Music. Elaine Hemenway, Liturgist. Penny Price, Harp (no photo was taken)

09/06/2026

Join Us For Our Sept 6th 10:30 am Service

08/30/2026

Join Us For Our Aug 30th 10:30 am Service

08/30/2026

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF AUBURN
August 30th, 2026, 8:30 & 10:30 am, Season following Pentecost
All members of this parish form the ministry team in witness of Christ.
DEVOTION: Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c; Romans 12:9-21
What has God done for you in the past?
How do we live peaceably with others?
WE GATHER FOR WORSHIP
WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS: Rev. Steve Bascom, Pastor
UMC of Auburn Mission Statement
Our church is a *reconciling intergenerational Christian community
that intentionally welcomes all of God’s children. Its mission is to
embody Christ’s love through a commitment to serve God by fulfilling
the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of our congregation and of
our local and global communities.
PRELUDE: (Centering)
PRAYER OF GREETING:
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Leader: God be with you.
People: And also with you.
L: In the midst of the congregation I will praise you, O God.
P: Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to God’s
holy name!
L: I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name for ever
and ever.
P: Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and God’s greatness
is unsearchable.
All: Let us worship in joy!
*GATHERING HYMN: “How Great Thou Art” UMH #77
Caroline Young Coffin, Song-leader
As the Spirit guides, we invite you to come forward during any song
to light a candle for those you hold in prayer.
O Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder
consider all the worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Refrain
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee; how great thou art,
how great thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee;
how great thou art, how great thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander,
and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
and hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze; (refrain)
And when I think that God his Son not sparing,
sent him to die, I scarce can take it in;
that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
he bled and died to take away my sin; (refrain)
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow in humble adoration, and there proclaim,
my God, how great thou art! (refrain)
(Stuart K. Hine, 1953, renewed 1981 Manna Music, Inc., UMH, CCLI #2986523)
WE PROCLAIM TOGETHER
SCRIPTURE: Exodus 3:1-15 (p. 48, HT)
Paul Farnsworth, Liturgist
SPECIAL MUSIC: “Wade in the Water” George Mathews, Soloist
GRATITUDE FOR CITY MISSION:
SONG OF PREPARATION: TFWS #2129
“I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”
I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus—no turning back, no turning back.
2. The world behind me, the cross before me…
3. Though none go with me, still I will follow…
(Anonymous, TFWS, Public Domain)
MESSAGE: “What Will You Risk?”
Text: Matthew 16:21-28 (p. 17, NT)
WE RESPOND IN FAITH
OFFERING AND OFFERTORY:
We invite you to invest in God’s mission and ministry as it flows
through the United Methodist Church into human lives!
*DOXOLOGY: UMH #94
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the Source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power up-lifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
(Words: Thomas Ken, 1674; Music: Geistliche Kirchengesange, 1623, UMH, Public Domain)
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:
Holy and loving God, bring calm to our lives this day. At times, we look at
the problems of the world and feel that there is little difference we can make.
What can our offerings in this congregation do in the light of the turmoil,
hunger, disease, and pain in this world? At other times, we feel proud of
ourselves for our generosity. As we give these gifts this day, O Lord, help us
live in the tension between thinking we can do everything and fearing that we
can do nothing. We give in faith and with faith. In the name of Jesus, who
had nothing but possessed everything. Amen.
(Herb Mather, c2002 General Board of Discipleship, W&S, Adapted)
CELEBRATION AND PRAYER:
THE LORD’S PRAYER (UMH #895)
WE DEPART TO SERVE
*SENDING HYMN: “God of Grace and God of Glory” UMH #577
God of grace and God of glory, on thy people pour thy power;
crown thine ancient church’s story; bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour,
for the facing of this hour.
Lo! The hosts of evil ‘round us scorn thy Christ, assail his ways!
Fears and doubts too long have bound us;
free our hearts to work and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days,
for the living of these days.
Cure thy children’s warring madness, bend our pride to thy control;
shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, lest we miss thy kingdom’s goal,
lest we miss thy kingdom’s goal.
Save us from weak resignation to the evil’s we deplore;
let the search for thy salvation be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving thee whom we adore,
serving thee whom we adore.
(Words: Harry Emerson Fosdick, 1930; Music: John Hughes, 1907, UMH, Public Domain)
*BENEDICTION:
POSTLUDE:
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
OF AUBURN
439 Park Avenue, Auburn, ME 04210 (207) 782-3972
*A Reconciling Congregation
Rev. Steve Bascom, Sr., Pastor
(339) 440-3746 - [email protected]
Worship Schedule: Sunday
Worship Schedule: 8:30 & 10:30 am (w/livestream)

08/28/2026

Good afternoon parish,

Blessings of grace! I have returned from vacation and am catching up with parishioners and projects. Thank you for your patience, and thank you to all who assisted with worship services in my absence.

City Mission held its final dinner on August 26th with gratitude to the many who supported this work over the past quarter of a century! We will share more of its story in the weeks ahead, but I do want to thank Bill Reed and Nancy Craig for their recent leadership, and Penny Goodwin for documenting its story through picture-board and albums.

This Sunday at worship services, we will reflect on endeavors we give our lives to as followers of Jesus. We will also offer gratitude for the work of City Mission and pray for all who have been touched by its programs. Empire Grove (7 pm) Vespers services will be held for two more Sundays. The Rotary Club will hold a final breakfast on Wednesday at UMCA before moving to Central Maine Medical. I want to thank Jan Wilkinson, Donna Stewart, Peter Poliquin and others who have helped with catering during the past several years. Bless you!

Our monthly men's fellowship breakfast will be held on 9/12 this month due to Labor Day weekend. The church office will be closed on 8/31, 9/4 and 9/7. I am grateful to Rosemary Malpass for the September issue of The Beacon and look forward to her fresh approach as editor.

May the joy of Christ bless your latter days of summer!

Pastor Steve Bascom, UMCA

08/23/2026

Join Us For Our Aug 9th 10:30 am Service

08/23/2026

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF AUBURN
August 23rd, 2026, 8:30 & 10:30 am, Season following Pentecost
All members of this parish form the ministry team in witness of Christ.

DEVOTION: Exodus 1:8-2:10; Matthew 16:13-20
How does God care for Israel’s future through Moses?
What role does confession play in discipleship?

WE GATHER FOR WORSHIP
WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS: Caroline Young Coffin
UMC of Auburn Mission Statement
Our church is a *reconciling intergenerational Christian community that intentionally welcomes all of God’s children. Its mission is to embody Christ’s love through a commitment to serve God by fulfilling the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of our congregation and of our local and global communities.

PRELUDE (Centering): Ryan Slocum, Organist
(Kathy Gleason, Accompanist, 8:30 am)
PRAYER OF GREETING:

CALL TO WORSHIP:
Leader: God is good.
People: All the time!
L: In the midst of the congregation I will praise you, O God.
P: Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to God’s
Holy name!
L: I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name for ever
and ever.
P: Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and God’s greatness
is unsearchable.
All: Let us worship in joy!
(The Book of Worship, 1965, Alt., Adapted)

*GATHERING: “Come! Come! Everybody Worship” TFWS #2271
As the Spirit guides, we invite you to come forward during any song
to light a candle for those you hold in prayer.
Come, come, everybody worship with a prayer or song of praise!
Come, come, everybody worship! Worship God always!

Worship and remember to keep the Sabbath day.
Take a rest and think of God; put your work away! (Refrain)

Worship and remember the Lord’s unending care,
reaching out to love and help people everywhere! (Refrain)

Worship and remember your blessings great and small.
Give to God and offering; show your thanks for all! (Refrain)

Worship and remember that God is like a light,
showing us the way to go, ever burning bright! (Refrain)
(Geron Davis, c1983 Meadowgreen Music,/Songchannel Music Co., TFWS, Adapted, CCLI #2986523)

WE PROCLAIM TOGETHER
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 16:13-20 (p. 17, NT)
Kathy Brann, Liturgist

PROGRAM: “Revival Hymn-Sing”
Led by Caroline Young Coffin

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

OFFERING AND OFFERTORY:
We invite you to invest in God’s mission and ministry as it flows
through the United Methodist Church into human lives!

*DOXOLOGY: UMH #94
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the Source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power up-lifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
(Words: Thomas Ken, 1674; Music: Geistliche Kirchengesange, 1623, UMH, Public Domain)

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:
Here, Lord, we put our love into practice. These gifts we offer came from your love for us. Now, let them express our love for you, as they reach out to others with your love for them. Amen.
(Robert D. Ingram, c2010, W&S)

CELEBRATION AND PRAYER:
THE LORD’S PRAYER (UMH #895)

WE DEPART TO SERVE

*SENDING HYMN: “The Gift of Love” UMH #408
Though I may speak with bravest fire, and have the gift to all inspire,
And have not love, my words are vain,
as sounding brass, and hopeless gain.

Though I may give all I possess, and striving so my love profess,
but not be given by love within, the profit soon turns strangely thin.

Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control,
our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed; by this we worship and are freed.
(Words: Hal Hopson, 1972; Music: Trad. English Melody, c1972 Hope Pub. Co., UMH, CCLI #2986523)
*BENEDICTION:
POSTLUDE:
*Please stand as able.

08/21/2026

Greetings All,

May the joy of Jesus be with you! I look forward to being with you again soon. This Sunday, Caroline Coffin will lead a hymn-sing at each of the services. On Wednesday, August 26th, City Mission will hold its last outreach supper which will include recognition of those who have served and remembrance of the remarkable story over the past 30 years.

I will be back to the pulpit on August 30th.

Peace and grace,

Pastor Steve Bascom

08/15/2026

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF AUBURN
August 16th, 2026, 8:30 & 10:30 am, Season following Pentecost
All members of this parish form the ministry team in witness of Christ.

DEVOTION: Genesis 45:1-15; Psalm 133
How does Joseph forgive his brothers?
What are the gifts of family harmony?

WE GATHER FOR WORSHIP
WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Rev. Peg & Joseph Moser, Guest Officiants (8:30 am)
Megan Spiller, Christian Education Chair (10:30 am)

UMC of Auburn Mission Statement
Our church is a *reconciling intergenerational Christian community that intentionally welcomes all of God’s children. Its mission is to embody Christ’s love through a commitment to serve God by fulfilling the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of our congregation and of our local and global communities.

PRELUDE (Centering): Ryan Slocum, Organist
(Kathy Gleason, Accompanist, 8:30 am)
PRAYER OF GREETING: (Unison)
O God, you show us the way of servanthood. You have given us much so that we can bless others and not seek gratification for ourselves. Help us to seek your path and keep us in humility so that we can be the light of Christ in the world. In the name of the One who came to serve, we pray. Amen.
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Leader: God is good.
People: All the time!
L: Praise the Lord, for God is great indeed! Let us sing praises for
God’s glorious works.
P: We give glory, honor and thanksgiving to the Lord, who makes
and sustains all things.
All: Blessed is the Lord!
*GATHERING HYMN: “How Great Thou Art” UMH #77
As the Spirit guides, we invite you to come forward during any song
to light a candle for those you hold in prayer.
O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
consider all the worlds they hands have made, I see the stars,
I hear the rolling thunder, thy power throughout
the universe displayed.
Refrain
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee; how great thou art,
how great thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee;
how great thou art, how great thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander, and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur and hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze; (Refrain)

And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, sent him to die,
I scarce can take it in; that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
he bled and died to take away my sin; (Refrain)

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart. Then I shall bow
in humble adoration, and there proclaim, my God, how great thou art! (Refrain)
(Stuart K. Hine, 1953, c1953, renewed 1981 Manna Music, Inc., UMH, CCLI #2986523)

WE PROCLAIM TOGETHER
SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 5:1-10 (p. 207, NT) Marj Patrick, Liturgist
SPECIAL MUSIC: Joseph Moser, Sr. Soloist
SONG OF PREPARATION: “Are Ye Able” UMH #530
“Are ye able,” said the Master, “to be crucified with me?” “Yea,” the sturdy dreamers answered, “to the death we follow thee.”
Refrain
Lord, we are able. Our spirits are thine. Remold them, make us,
like thee, divine. Thy guiding radiance above us shall
be a beacon to God, to love, and loyalty.

Are ye able to remember, when a thief lifts up his eyes,
that his pardoned soul is worthy of a place in paradise? (Refrain)

Are ye able when the shadows close around you with the sod,
to believe that spirit triumphs, to commend your soul to God?
(Refrain)

Are ye able? Still the Master whispers down eternity,
and heroic spirits answer, now as then in Galilee. (Refrain)
(Words: Earl Marlatt, 1926; Music: Harry S. Mason, 1924, UMH, Public Domain)
UNISON PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION:
O God, your Word gives us counsel for our understanding. Assist us to receive it today. In the name of your son, our Lord, Amen.

MESSAGE: “Are Ye Able?” (8:30 am)
Text: Mark 10:35-45 (p.44, NT)
Joseph Moser, Sr.

MESSAGE: Megan Spiller, preaching (10:30 am)
Text: Matthew 15:10-28 (p. 16, NT)
Megan Spiller

WE RESPOND IN FAITH
OFFERING AND OFFERTORY:
We invite you to invest in God’s mission and ministry as it flows
through the United Methodist Church into human lives!
*DOXOLOGY: UMH #94
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the Source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power up-lifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
(Words: Thomas Ken, 1674; Music: Geistliche Kirchengesange, 1623, UMH, Public Domain)
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:
Gracious God, we offer you these gifts. Multiply them so that they might help build your kingdom on earth and be of service to the Body of Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
CELEBRATION AND PRAYER:
THE LORD’S PRAYER (UMH #895)

WE DEPART TO SERVE
*SENDING HYMN: “Amazing Grace” UMH #378
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now I’m found; was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear the hour I fist believed.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come;
‘tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil, a life of joy and peace.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.
(Words: John Newton, 1779; Music: 19th c, USA melody, UMH, Public Domain)
*BENEDICTION:
POSTLUDE:
*Please stand as able.

*Being a Reconciling Church means that we believe in the sacred worth of all human beings and as such, believe that all God’s children should be able to have full participation in the United Methodist Church, including ministry and marriage. We have officially affiliated with the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) and share its guiding principles.

Rev. Steve Bascom is on vacation until 8/26/26. For pastoral emergencies, please call him at: c(339) 440-3746.

Reminder: the church entrance doors will be locked at 10:40 am and unlocked during the postlude for safe sanctuary protocol.

Greeters/Ushers: NOW Committee
Prayer Team Coordinator: Janet Irish – [email protected]
Prayer Team Backup: Nancy Holler – [email protected]
Nursery Care Provider: Sharon Flowers
Monitors: Carla Daigle
Online Technician: Len Lednum
UMCA Website: www.auburnmethodist.org
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (207) 782-3972
Office Hours: M-F, 9 am to 12 n
Administrative Assistant: Carla Daigle
Telephone: c(339) 440-3746; h(207) 753-1275
Email: [email protected]

THIS WEEK:
City Mission, 8 am to 1 pm/Wednesday Dinner, 5 pm

United Methodist Church of Auburn
Sunday, August 16th, 2026
Season following Pentecost
Worship Schedule: 8:30 & 10:30 am (w/livestream)
Church School: 10:30 am (September-June)

UMCA Summer Schedule of Preaching
August 23rd – Hymn-Sing Led by Caroline Coffin
August 30th – Rev. Steve Bascom

Empire Grove Summer Schedule
Vespers – 7 pm
August 16th – James Mercurio
August 23rd – Mimi Wood Magee
August 30th – Tony Landsperg

Community Prayer Request Drive Up Station! For those times when prayer is needed for help or celebration, the United Methodist Church of Auburn is offering a Community Prayer Request drive up station located at the edge of their parking lot on Park Ave. All those in need of prayer are invited to dri...