CHURCH SERVICES at the UNITED CHURCH of LUDLOW are shared ELECTRONICALLY Contact unitedchurch@tds.net or call 802-228-4211 for more information. _________________________________________________________________________ If you are comfortable attending in person, please join us. The doors open at 9:45 am, and worship begins at 10:00 am. We follow procedures to minimize the risk of exposure. Please read and follow those procedures for the safety of all. If you are not able to attend in person, a simultaneous Zoom stream is available. Send an email to unitedchurch@tds.net to get Zoom access. _________________________________________________________________________ ANNOUNCEMENTS We wish to thank Rev. Christine Boardman for leading our worship service this morning and throughout the Lenten Season A Warm Welcome to All Visitors If any member of the congregation may be of service to you, please contact the church office at 802-228-4211 or unitedchurch@tds.net. Regarding Individuals in the Hospital or Sick at Home It would be greatly appreciated if you know of individuals or family members in the hospital or sick at home, to kindly inform the church office at 802-228-4211 or unitedchurch@tds.net. Upcoming Meetings/Events Executive Board Meeting - Wednesday, April 28, 7:00 pm Weekly Offerings Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending on March 21 were $1165. The costs for each week are $1,320 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks). Please continue to mail your offerings to our Receiver of Offerings, Anne Oakes, at 145 Merrill Road, Ludlow, Vermont 05149. Altar Guild Linda Alexander and Carol Wu provide our Altar Guild services. Prayer Concerns We continue to keep the following in our prayers: Lorraine Fitzgibbons, James Almond, Arthur Marin, Kathy Doyle, Rick Doyle, Mindy Doyle, Judy Edwards, Jean Eggleston, Carolyn Gauthier, Sheila Kafer, Susan Kneebone, Ginny Kottkamp, Anne Oakes, Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder, and Evelyn Verro. Celebrations Brenda Dansingburg celebrates a birthday on March 30th Bernie and Loren Stolp celebrate an anniversary on April 4 Nancy Hagge celebrates a birthday on April 5 Bob and Sally Watts celebrate an anniversary on April 5 Sally Watts celebrates a birthday on April 9 Let’s Say Thank You in a Big Way Have you ever noticed when you arrive at the church in the winter, the driveway is always plowed? For as many years as we can remember Wayne Hammond has plowed the parking area at our church. He has never charged us for his services. It is his donation to the church. We think it is way past time to thank him for his generosity. Let’s put together a gift basket for him with gift certificates, gift cards, homemade goodies, jams, syrups or whatever else you think would be appropriate. You can leave it in the church in the designated box on the table in the social hall or call George or Linda and they will come to you to pick it up. ECCO Lenten Bible Study in March Diane Holme invites you to a Lenten Bible Study organized by the ECCO group, continues today and next Sunday at 12:30 pm. To join the Bible Study Group click the following link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82274055795?pwd=UVZJRzlhcXVoYWdvbmFJREJTSDNEZz09 or join the meeting using your Zoom App with Meeting ID: 822 7405 5795 and Passcode: 810856 or using your phone, the one tap mobile number is +13017158592,,82274055795#,,,,*810856# _________________________________________________________________________ March 28, 2021 10:00 A.M. Service of Worship Sixth Sunday In Lent Palm Sunday PRELUDE (All are encouraged to use the prelude as a quiet time of meditation in preparation for the worship service which follows.) ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GREETING The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13: 13) And also with you. CALL TO WORSHIP Cry out, people of faith; rejoice and praise God! If we did not sing praise, the very stones would cry out! Cry out, people of faith; for your Savior draws near to Jerusalem. Hosanna! God saves! Blessed is the One who comes in God’s name. Blessed is Jesus Christ, who did not turn back for fear of the Cross. Praising God who loves us, and lets us share Christ’s sufferings and face our path of faith with courage and hope. Hosanna! God saves! Blessed is the One who comes in God’s name. SOLO "The Holy City" Weatherly and Adams INVOCATION As crowds of people welcomed Jesus when he rode into Jerusalem, acclaiming him as their ruler, so we welcome you, Creator, Christ and Spirit. Above all human powers and dominions, you lay rightful claim to our lives. We have come to share the way of the Cross wherever it might lead us. Amen. PRAYER OF CONFESSION Let us confess before God our tendency to profess our faith when we feel enthusiastic and deny our faith when we are afraid or unwilling to risk our lives. O God, we are like the people of Jerusalem so long ago. We are hungry for a hero. We crave some glimpse of greatness and the spectacular. You call us into a world of suffering and ask us to stand for peace and justice and speak out for those who have little power and influence. Forgive us when we feel inadequate and weak, indifferent and silent in the face of horror. Bring to us your Presence of wisdom, courage and love creating a world of promise and hope. Amen. SILENCE ASSURANCE OF PARDON READING OF SCRIPTURE Hebrew Testament Isaiah 50:4—9a Psalm 31: 1-16 pp.764-765 response 1 GLORIA 70* Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen. Gospel Lesson Liturgy of the Palm and Passion SERMON “Where have we been and where are we going?” HYMN * 292 What Wondrous Love Is This JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. LORD’S PRAYER (“trespasses”) PRAYER RESPONSE Hymnal, No. 473 Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness; Make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only, That makest me dwell in safety. CALL TO OFFERING OFFERTORY SOLO “The Crucifixion” S. Barber DOXOLOGY * At the Presentation, Hymn 95* Old 100th Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. PRAYER OF DEDICATION * BENEDICTION AND BLESSING* BENEDICTION RESPONSE DISMISSAL Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE * All who are able may stand. We appreciate our soloists, Lisha Klaiber and Janice Edwards, for sharing their gifts of music this morning. May HOLY WEEK be a time of prayer and reflection. Read the Bible passages from John18-19 as we await the coming of EASTER. _________________________________________________________________________ Lyrics to the Hymns and
Responsive Reading for the March 28 Service HYMN * 292 What Wondrous Love Is This What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul, what wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul, to bear the dreadful curse for my soul. What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul, what wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this, that caused the Lord of life to lay aside his crown for my soul, for my soul, to lay aside his crown for my soul. To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing, to God and to the Lamb, I will sing; to God and to the Lamb who is the great I AM, while millions join the theme I will sing, I will sing; while millions join the theme I will sing. And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on, and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on; and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be, and through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on, and through eternity I’ll sing on. Psalm 31: 1-16 pp.764-765 response 1 CHURCH SERVICES at the UNITED CHURCH of LUDLOW are shared ELECTRONICALLY Contact unitedchurch@tds.net or call 802-228-4211 for more information. _________________________________________________________________________ If you are comfortable attending in person, please join us. The doors open at 9:45 am, and worship begins at 10:00 am. We follow procedures to minimize the risk of exposure. Please read and follow those procedures for the safety of all. If you are not able to attend in person, a simultaneous Zoom stream is available. Send an email to unitedchurch@tds.net to get Zoom access. _________________________________________________________________________ ANNOUNCEMENTS We wish to thank Rev. Christine Boardman for leading our worship service this morning and throughout the Lenten Season A Warm Welcome to All Visitors If any member of the congregation may be of service to you, please contact the church office at 802-228-4211 or unitedchurch@tds.net. Regarding Individuals in the Hospital or Sick at Home It would be greatly appreciated if you know of individuals or family members in the hospital or sick at home, to kindly inform the church office at 802-228-4211 or unitedchurch@tds.net. Upcoming Meetings/Events Executive Board - Wednesday, March 24, 7:00 pm Weekly Offerings Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending on March 14 were $735. The costs for each week are $1,320 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 2 weeks). Please continue to mail your offerings to our Receiver of Offerings, Anne Oakes, at 145 Merrill Road, Ludlow, Vermont 05149. Altar Guild Linda Alexander and Carol Wu provide Altar Guild services. Prayer Concerns We continue to keep the following in our prayers: James Almond, Terry DeYoung, Arthur Marin, Kathy Doyle, Rick Doyle, Mindy Doyle, Judy Edwards, Jean Eggleston, Carolyn Gauthier, Sheila Kafer, Susan Kneebone, Ginny Kottkamp, Anne Oakes, Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder, and Evelyn Verro. Celebrations Dalene Behrens celebrates a birthday on March 22nd Brenda Dansingburg celebrates a birthday on March 30th Let’s Say Thank You in a Big Way Have you ever noticed when you arrive at the church in the winter, the driveway is always plowed? For as many years as we can remember Wayne Hammond has plowed the parking area at our church. He has never charged us for his services. It is his donation to the church. We think it is way past time to thank him for his generosity. Let’s put together a gift basket for him with gift certificates, gift cards, homemade goodies, jams, syrups or whatever else you think would be appropriate. You can leave it in the church in the designated box on the table in the social hall or call George or Linda and they will come to you to pick it up. ECCO Lenten Bible Study in March Diane Holme invites you to a Lenten Bible Study organized by the ECCO group, which continues today and next Sunday at 12:30 pm. To join the Bible Study Group, click the following link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82274055795?pwd=UVZJRzlhcXVoYWdvbmFJREJTSDNEZz09 or join the meeting using your Zoom App with Meeting ID: 822 7405 5795 and Passcode: 810856 or using your phone, the one tap mobile number is +13017158592,,82274055795#,,,,*810856# _________________________________________________________________________ March 21, 2021 10:00 A.M. Service of Worship Fifth Sunday In Lent PRELUDE (All are encouraged to use the prelude as a quiet time of meditation in preparation for the worship service which follows.) ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GREETING The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13: 13) And also with you. CALL TO WORSHIP Let us gather to worship. O God, we wish to see Jesus! We come to worship, to pray, and learn. We come looking for Jesus in Scripture lessons, in our own life experiences, in helping our world, in prayers for each other. We seek to follow in the way of Jesus. We lay bare before God and one another our own wilderness journey filled with some gladness and hope, with reluctance and sorrow, with fear and confusion. O God, speak to us, show us, touch us with your presence! Let our Lenten journey lead us to Jesus, so that we may show Jesus forth in our lives, our faith community, and our world. Amen. HYMN * 153 Thou Hidden Source of Calm Repose INVOCATION God of the journey, you invite us, the church, “to accept the cost and joy of discipleship” and “to be your servants in the service of others.” In so doing, may your presence be our guide and Jesus our model. May we respond to you in loving faithfulness. Amen. PRAYER OF CONFESSION God, you seek us and we flee. You offer us an easy yoke, and we tie ourselves with cares and burdens. You forgive us, and we hoard our complaints against our brothers and sisters. Give us conversion that turns us into the light; teach us a repentance alive in works of love; lead us into the narrow path; guide us through the valley of the shadow. Call us to follow Jesus Christ and in his way to live and suffer, die and rise again. Amen. SILENCE ASSURANCE OF PARDON READING OF SCRIPTURE HEBREW TESTAMENT Jeremiah 31:31-34 PSALM 51:1-17 pp.785-786 Response 2 GLORIA 70* Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen. THE GOSPEL LESSON John 12:20-33 SERMON “We wish to see Jesus” HYMN * 592 When the Church of Jesus JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. LORD’S PRAYER (“trespasses”) PRAYER RESPONSE Hymnal, No. 473 Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness; Make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only, That makest me dwell in safety. CALL TO OFFERING OFFERTORY DOXOLOGY * At the Presentation, Hymn 95* Old 100th Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. PRAYER OF DEDICATION * God, there are many who “wish to see Jesus.” In joy and celebration of the many gifts that we share, we ask you to bless all of our offerings. May Jesus shine in all the world. Amen. CLOSING HYMN * 586 Let My People Seek Their Freedom BENEDICTION AND BLESSING* BENEDICTION RESPONSE DISMISSAL Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE * All who are able may stand. Lyrics to the Hymns and Responsive Reading for the March 21 Service HYMN * 153 Thou Hidden Source of Calm Repose Thou hidden source of calm repose, thou all-sufficient love divine, my help and refuge from my foes, secure I am if thou art mine; and lo! from sin and grief and shame I hide me, Jesus, in thy name. Thy mighty name salvation is, and keeps my happy soul above; comfort it brings, and power and peace, and joy and everlasting love; to me with thy dear name are given pardon and holiness and heaven. Jesus, my all in all thou art, my rest in toil, my ease in pain, the healing of my broken heart, in war my peace, in loss my gain, my smile beneath the tyrant's frown, in shame my glory and my crown, In want my plentiful supply, in weakness my almighty power, in bonds my perfect liberty, my light in Satan's darkest hour, in grief my joy unspeakable, my life in death, my heaven in hell. HYMN * 592 When the Church of Jesus When the church of Jesus shuts its outer door, lest the roar of traffic drown the voice of prayer, may our prayers, Lord, make us ten times more aware that the world we banish is our Christian care. If our hearts are lifted where devotion soars high above this hungry, suffering world of ours, lest our hymns should drug us to forget its needs, forge our Christian worship into Christian deeds. Lest the gifts we offer, money, talents, time, serve to salve our conscience, to our secret shame, Lord, reprove, inspire us by the way you give; teach us, dying Savior, how true Christians live. CLOSING HYMN * 586 Let My People Seek Their Freedom “Let my people seek their freedom in the wilderness awhile, from the slave pens of the Delta, from the ghettos on the Nile”: So God spoke from out of Sinai, so God spoke and it was done, and a people crossed the waters toward the rising of the sun. “Let my people seek their freedom in the wilderness awhile, from the aging shrines and structures, from the cloister and the aisle”: so the Son of God has spoken, and the storm clouds are unfurled, for God’s people must be scattered to be servants in the world. When we murmur on the mountains for the old Egyptian plains, when we miss our ancient bondage, and the hope, the promise, wanes; then the rock shall yield its water and the manna fall by night, and with visions of a future shall we march toward the light. In the maelstrom of the nations, in the journeying into space, in the clash of generations, in the hungering for grace, in the agony and glory, we are called to newer ways by the Lord of our tomorrows and the God of earth’s todays. PSALM 51:1-17 pp.785-786 Response
CHURCH SERVICES at the UNITED CHURCH of LUDLOW are shared ELECTRONICALLY Contact unitedchurch@tds.net or call 802-228-4211 for more information. _________________________________________________________________________ If you are comfortable attending in person, please join us. The doors open at 9:45 am, and worship begins at 10:00 am. We follow procedures to minimize the risk of exposure. Please read and follow those procedures for the safety of all. If you are not able to attend in person, a simultaneous Zoom stream is available. Send an email to unitedchurch@tds.net to get Zoom access. _________________________________________________________________________ ANNOUNCEMENTS We wish to thank Rev.. Bruce Bishop for leading our worship service, this morning. _________________________________________________________________________ A Warm Welcome to All Visitors If any member of the congregation may be of service to you, please contact the church office at 802-228-4211 or unitedchurch@tds.net. Regarding Individuals in the Hospital or Sick at Home It would be greatly appreciated if you know of individuals or family members in the hospital or sick at home, to kindly inform the church office at 802-228-4211 or unitedchurch@tds.net. Upcoming Meetings/Events Executive Board Meeting - Wednesday, March 24, 7:00 pm Weekly Offerings Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending on March 7 were $4540. The costs for each week are $1,320 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 2 weeks). Please continue to mail your offerings to our Receiver of Offerings, Anne Oakes, at 145 Merrill Road, Ludlow, Vermont 05149. Altar Guild Linda Alexander and Carol Wu provide our Altar Guild services. Prayer Concerns We continue to keep the following in our prayers: James Almond, Terry DeYoung, Arthur Marin, Kathy Doyle, Rick Doyle, Mindy Doyle, Judy Edwards, Jean Eggleston, Carolyn Gauthier, Sheila Kafer, Susan Kneebone, Ginny Kottkamp, Anne Oakes, Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder, and Evelyn Verro. Celebrations Lee and Sheila Kafer celebrate an anniversary on March 18th Dalene Behrens celebrates a birthday on March 22nd ECCO Lenten Bible Study in March Diane Holme invites you to a Lenten Bible Study organized by the ECCO group, continuing for the following three Sundays at 12:30 pm. (March 14, 21, and 28) Contact the Church Office for the Zoom Link for these meetings. _________________________________________________________________________ March 14, 2021 10:00 A.M. Service of Worship FOURTH Sunday IN LENT PRELUDE (All are encouraged to use the prelude as a quiet time of meditation in preparation for the worship service which follows.) ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GREETING The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13: 13) And also with you. CALL TO WORSHIP * (Please Stand.) It is good to give thanks to you, O God, To declare your steadfast love in the morning; For you have made us glad by your work; At the works of your hands, we sing for joy. HYMN 57* O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing OPENING PRAYER* CONFESSION OF SIN If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1: 8-9) Let us confess our sins before God and one another. God of everlasting mercy hear our prayer today, as we bring our lives before you. We come as people who dwell on the past. We want to face your new day with life and hope in our hearts, but many times the events of our own lives weigh us down. We forget to forgive one another. We dwell on our own past mistakes. We refuse to bury dead issues and worn-out memories. Free us, free us from ourselves, God, so that we might walk new pathways, alive with grace. . . SILENCE (observed for reflection and prayer) ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS The Good News in Christ is that God offers us life at every moment, forgiving us, and inviting us to the freshness of new beginnings. May God be praised for this gracious and loving gift. READING OF SCRIPTURE Isaiah 60: 1-3 PSALM 1 page 738, Response 2 GLORIA 70* Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen. THE GOSPEL LESSON Luke 16: 19-31 SERMON “True Belief” HYMN 514* Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. LORD’S PRAYER (“trespasses”) PRAYER RESPONSE Hymnal, No. 473 Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness; Make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only, That makest me dwell in safety. OFFERTORY SENTENCE OFFERTORY DOXOLOGY At the Presentation, Hymn 95* Old 100th Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. PRAYER OF DEDICATION* HYMN 568* Christ for the World We Sing BENEDICTION AND BLESSING* BENEDICTION RESPONSE DISMISSAL Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE * All who are able may stand. _________________________________________________________________________ Lyrics to the Hymns and Responsive Reading for the March 7 Service HYMN 57 O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise, the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his grace! My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim, to spread through all the earth abroad the honors of thy name. Jesus! the name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease; 'tis music in the sinner's ears, 'tis life, and health, and peace. He breaks the power of canceled sin, he sets the prisoner free; his blood can make the foulest clean; his blood availed for me. He speaks, and listening to his voice, new life the dead receive; the mournful, broken hearts rejoice, the humble poor believe. Hear him, ye deaf; his praise, ye dumb, your loosened tongues employ; ye blind, behold your Savior come, and leap, ye lame, for joy. In Christ, your head, you then shall know, shall feel your sins forgiven; anticipate your heaven below, and own that love is heaven. HYMN 514* Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross; lift high his royal banner, it must not suffer loss. From victory unto victory his army shall he lead, till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the trumpet call obey; forth to the mighty conflict, in this his glorious day. Ye that are brave now serve him against unnumbered foes; let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in his strength alone; the arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own. Put on the gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer; where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the strife will not be long; this day the noise of battle, the next the victor's song. To those who vanquish evil a crown of life shall be; they with the King of Glory shall reign eternally. HYMN 568* Christ for the World We Sing Christ for the world we sing, the world to Christ we bring, with loving zeal; the poor, and them that mourn, the faint and overborne, sin-sick and sorrow-worn, whom Christ doth heal. Christ for the world we sing, the world to Christ we bring, with fervent prayer; the wayward and the lost, by restless passions tossed, redeemed at countless cost, from dark despair. Christ for the world we sing, the world to Christ we bring, with one accord; with us the work to share, with us reproach to dare, with us the cross to bear, for Christ our Lord. Christ for the world we sing, the world to Christ we bring, with joyful song; the newborn souls, whose days, reclaimed from error's ways, inspired with hope and praise, to Christ belong. CHURCH SERVICES at the UNITED CHURCH of LUDLOW are shared ELECTRONICALLY Contact unitedchurch@tds.net or call 802-228-4211 for more information. _________________________________________________________________________ If you are comfortable attending in person, please join us. The doors open at 9:45 am, and worship begins at 10:00 am. We follow procedures to minimize the risk of exposure. Please read and follow those procedures for the safety of all. If you are not able to attend in person, a simultaneous Zoom stream is available. Send an email to unitedchurch@tds.net to get Zoom access. _________________________________________________________________________ ANNOUNCEMENTS We wish to thank Christine Boardman for leading our worship service, this morning and throughout Lent and Easter Sunday. _________________________________________________________________________ A Warm Welcome to All Visitors If any member of the congregation may be of service to you, please contact the church office at 802-228-4211 or unitedchurch@tds.net. Regarding Individuals in the Hospital or Sick at Home It would be greatly appreciated if you know of individuals or family members in the hospital or sick at home, to kindly inform the church office at 802-228-4211 or unitedchurch@tds.net. Upcoming Meetings/Events Executive Board Meeting - Wednesday, March 24, 7:00 pm Weekly Offerings Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending on February 28 were $1225. The costs for each week are $1,320 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks). Please continue to mail your offerings to our Receiver of Offerings, Anne Oakes, at 145 Merrill Road, Ludlow, Vermont 05149. Altar Guild Linda Alexander and Carol Wu provide our Altar Guild services. Prayer Concerns We continue to keep the following in our prayers: James Almond, Terry DeYoung, Arthur Marin, Kathy Doyle, Judy Edwards, Jean Eggleston, Carolyn Gauthier, Sheila Kafer, Susan Kneebone, Ginny Kottkamp, Anne Oakes, Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder, and Evelyn Verro. Celebrations Jean Eggleston celebrates a birthday on March 11th Lee and Sheila Kafer celebrate an anniversary on March 18th ECCO Lenten Bible Study in March Diane Holme invites you to a Lenten Bible Study organized by the ECCO group, starting this Sunday, and continuing the following three Sundays at 12:30 pm. (March 7, 14, 21, and 28) To join the Bible Study Group click the following link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82274055795?pwd=UVZJRzlhcXVoYWdvbmFJREJTSDNEZz09 or join the meeting using your Zoom App with Meeting ID: 822 7405 5795 and Passcode: 810856 or using your phone, the one tap mobile number is +13017158592,,82274055795#,,,,*810856# _________________________________________________________________________ March 7, 2021 10:00 AM Service of Worship Third Sunday of Lent Communion Sunday PRELUDE (All are encouraged to use the prelude as a quiet time of meditation in preparation for the worship service which follows.) ANNOUNCEMENTS SHARIING OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS GREETING The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13: 13) And also with you. CALL TO WORSHIP* (Please stand) We gather this day to worship our God, whose words and ways challenge us. God invites us to lose our selfishness to find ourselves. God calls us to be fools in the world to show forth the wisdom of Christ. God urges us to empty ourselves to discover life’s fullness. God bids us to be obedient to a divine will so we might know true freedom. We come to worship our Creator, seeking to have our faith challenged into growth. We root our faith in worship, seeking to find nourishment for our spirits in this growing season of Lent. HYMN 368 * My Hope Is Built INVOCATION (Unison) Thankful are we for all the blessings of this life; love, freedom, bounty and beauty. We celebrate the many ways you have come to us sharing our common life. We celebrate this day our spiritual ancestors and the teachings of Jesus. Be close to us as we seek to follow Jesus in the shadow of the cross and as we commune with you and your whole human family. May your divine care for us always empower us to care for all of Creation. Keep close as we walk in the way that brings life. Amen. PRAYER OF CONFESSION: In this season of Lent we reflect on those things that lead us away from the life we desire. We focus on whatever we do that oppresses and enslaves others who, like us, are created in the image of the divine. And now we seek the grace that frees us to live in faithfulness to holy love. SILENCE ASSURANCE OF PARDON The God of who brought the Israelites out of Egypt, is the power that frees us from our sin. Live in the grace of God’s love as you walk in the way of Jesus and surely you shall find mercy at the end of that road. Amen. READING OF SCRIPTURE OLD TESTAMENT Exodus 20: 1-17 PSALM 19 pp. 750-751 Response 1 GLORIA 70 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen. THE GOSPEL LESSON John 2:13-22 SERMON “Captured by Sin” INTRODUCTION TO OUR OFFERING Our tokens offered here are but symbols of our lives of sacrifice lived every day. May we give ourselves to the world as a holy offering acceptable to you, O God, our rock and our redeemer. Amen. OFFERTORY DOXOLOGY * At the Presentation, Hymn 95* Old 100th Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, you heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. PRAYER OF DEDICATION * Receive these gifts, Holy One. Sanctify them by your Spirit and drive away any ill motives. Accept, we pray, our humble offering. Amen. COMMUNION HYMN 617 * I Come with Joy A CALL TO COMMUNION THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER THE LORD’S PRAYER (trespasses….) THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION SHARING THE BREAD AND WINE PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION CLOSING HYMN 670 * Go Forth for God BENEDICTION AND BLESSING * BENEDICTION RESPONSE DISMISSAL Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God POSTLUDE * All who are able may stand. _________________________________________________________________________ Lyrics to the Hymns and
Responsive Reading for the March 7 Service HYMN 368 * My Hope Is Built My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. Refrain: On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand. When darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. (Refrain) His oath, his covenant, his blood supports me in the whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way, he then is all my hope and stay. (Refrain) When he shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in him be found! Dressed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne! (Refrain) COMMUNION HYMN 617 * I Come with Joy I come with joy to meet my Lord, forgiven, loved and free, in awe and wonder to recall his life laid down for me, his life laid down for me. I come with Christians far and near to find, as all are fed, the new community of love in Christ's communion bread, in Christ's communion bread. As Christ breaks bread and bids us share, each proud division ends. The love that made us makes us one, and strangers now are friends, and strangers now are friends. And thus with joy we meet our Lord. His presence, always near, is in such friendship better known; we see and praise him here, we see and praise him here. Together met, together bound, we'll go our different ways, and as his people in the world, we'll live and speak his praise, we'll live and speak his praise. CLOSING HYMN 670 * Go Forth for God Go forth for God; go to the world in peace; Be of good courage, armed with heavenly grace, In God's good Spirit daily to increase, Till in his kingdom we behold his face. Go forth for God; go to the world in peace. Go forth for God; go to the world in love; Strengthen the faint, give courage to the weak, Help the afflicted; richly from above God's love supplies the grace and power we seek. Go forth for God; go to the world in love. Go forth for God; go to the world in strength; Hold fast the good, be urgent for the right, Render to no man evil; Christ at length Shall overcome all darkness with his light. Go forth for God; go to the world in strength. Go forth for God; go to the world in joy, To serve God's people every day and hour, And serving Christ, our every gift employ, Rejoicing in the Holy Spirit's power. Go forth for God; go to the world in joy. _________________________________________________________________________ |