The Celebration of the Gospel
February 21, 2016 —Second Sunday in Lent
“How often I have wanted to gather your children
as a hen gathers her brood,
but you were not willing.”
— Luke 13.34
_______We Gather as the Body of Christ_______
GREETING
PRELUDE Holy, Holy, Holy — John B. Dykes, arr: Don Wyrtzen
[As we listen to the music we quiet our minds and bodies,
listen for our hearts’ deepest desires,
and become present to the Holy One who is lovingly present for us.]
* CALL TO WORSHIP adapted from Psalm 27
[Though evildoers oppose us, we are not afraid, for no matter what happens we will be with God. God cares for us. So we seek to be close to God, and follow God’s way. ]
Leader: God is my light and my salvation;
of whom should I be afraid?
All: Though violence rise all around me
I will not be drawn into fear.
One thing I asked of God, that will I seek after:
to live in the presence of God all the days of my life,
to behold the grace of God,
and to inquire in God’s temple.
I believe that I shall see the goodness of God
in the land of the living.
Wait for God;
be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for God!
* SONG Bless the Lord, My Soul Black hymnal # 2013
(10:30) CHILDREN’S TIME
___________We Attend to the Word___________
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Pastor: The grace of God is with you.
Congregation: And also with you.
Trusting in God’s tender mercy, let us confess our sin to God with one another.
God of love, help us to see ourselves with the eyes of love,
to see all that is in us that is loving,
and all that is not loving.
By the grace you show us in Christ,
forgive us, heal us, and perfect your love in us.
SILENT PRAYER … THE WORD OF GRACE
RESPONSE Bless the Lord, My Soul Black hymnal # 2013
PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of love you are our only strength, our only refuge, our only hope. Amid all the voices of fear in this world we turn to you for your grace. Speak to us and bring us safely under your wing. We pray in the name of Christ, our gentle savior. Amen.
NEW TESTAMENT Philippians 3.17 – 4.1
[Paul urges us to stand firm in the faith and not succumb to materialistic values. We are capable of this because “our citizenship is in heaven:” we are not individual, materialistic beings, but the People of God.]
Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
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GOSPEL Luke 13.31-35
[Jesus, threatened with violence, steadfastly continues his non-violent work of healing. He laments people’s rejection of God’s love, and the true community and home that God offers us.]
At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
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SERMON
SONG Goodness Is Stronger than Evil Black hymnal #2219
CALL TO PRAYER
Take time to be holy, speak of with thy Lord,
abide in God always, and feed on God’s Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
forgetting in nothing God’s blessing to seek.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
[Anyone who wishes may share a prayer concern at the microphone.]
PASSING THE PEACE
(10:30) THE WORD IN SONG
Shepherd and Friend Michael Helman (Bells of St. Matthew’s)
___________We Share at Christ’s Table_________
OFFERING OUR GIFTS Rock Of Ages Tune: TOPLADY, arr: Thomas Hastings
* COMMUNION SONG Make Me a Chanel of Your Peace Black hymnal # 2171
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord is with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is good to give God thanks and praise.
God we thank you, for you create us in love,
you judge the forces of oppression and set us free from all that binds us,
and you lead us toward your Realm of peace and justice.
You are our only power, our only security, our only food.
So at your invitation we come to your table to receive the gift of life,
with all Creation singing your praise.
[sung]
Holy, Holy, holy One, God of power, God of love,
All Creation shines with your presence. Praise to you! Hosanna on high.
Blessed is the one comes in your name.
Praise to you! Hosanna on high.
Blessed are all who come in your name, and blessed is Jesus, your Christ.
In the face of fear he chose love;
in the face of violence he chose peace.
Though he was given death he only gave life.
You raised him from the dead and still he gives us life.
[The Blessings and Covenant….]
With gratitude we remember your mighty acts in Jesus Christ.
We offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
as a living and holy sacrifice
in union with Christ’s offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery at the heart of our faith.
Christ the Lord has died, and Christ is risen.
Christ will come again in love.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and cup
that they may be for us the Body and Blood of Christ.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us, that we may be the Body of Christ,
trusting in your grace, moved by your Spirit,
following in your way of healing and peace,
in the name and the companionship of Christ,
to your eternal glory.
Praise to you, O God! Amen.
Praise to you, O God! Amen.
THE PRAYER OF JESUS
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
SHARING THE HOLY MEAL [Everyone is welcome at the table of Christ’s self-giving love.
The bread is wheat-, soy- and dairy free. We dip the bread in the juice.]
PRAYER OF BLESSING
Gracious God, we thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us. You have filled us with your Spirit and shown us your Way; you have promised to keep us and to go with us. Lead us to be people of peace, people of healing, people of grace in this world, in the name and Spirit of Christ. Amen.
______We Are Sent in Ministry to the World_____
THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD
* SONG We Belong to God Blue hymnal #356 vv. 1, 3
* THE BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
RESPONSE Please stand and sing to your neighbors:
May the grace and peace of Christ be with you my friends.
Go and share the love of God, love that never ends.
POSTLUDE Toccata On “RATHBUN” arr: Austin C. Lovelace
[During the postlude there are people ready to pray with you at the candles in the corners.
Following worship please join us for fellowship and refreshments.]