Service for the Lord’s Day

2nd Sunday in Lent: March 4, 2007  10:30 a.m.

 

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

PRELUDE         Shall We Gather at the River - Near to the Heart of God        arr. M. Hayes

                                                         The Old Rugged Cross                     G. Bennard/M. Hayes                            

 

CHIMES, WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

           

CHORAL INTROIT # 322                                                                  Spirit of the Living God

            LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

 

*CALL TO FAITH AND WORSHIP                     response to phrases of Psalm 27 (NRSV)/wrl 

Hear, O Lord when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me.

                 We gather to cry aloud to God, or to whisper or keep silence

                       knowing God is gracious, and eager to answer.                    

Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help.

     We come before a God angered by injustice and fraud

                      a God who promises to keep faith even when we do not.

Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path.

     We live to learn, often from mistakes;

                      sometimes from more blessed times of seeking what’s right.

 

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

     So we worship--to remember and to peer into our living and beyond,

                      for glimpses of God’s goodness.

 

*HYMN # 258                                                                                               Praise Ye the Lord

 

*CONFESSION OF WHO WE ARE                                                     from Seasons of the Spirit

God of mercy, we are people easily given to despair.

When we look to the future, we often see ends, not beginnings.

 

We get entangled in world problems and have trouble hoping.

            We grow accustomed to sighing, and evade your call to new life.

 

Forgive lack of faith which drives us to despair and desperation.

Restore in us a trust in your power to make all things new,

          even though we find that unimaginable.

(time for silent, personal confession) Amen.

 

*ASSURANCE OF WHOSE WE ARE & THE PEACE                

 

Christ forgives and makes us new!

     We trust in God’s promise of new and abundant life.

The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

     Peace be with you. (worshipers share words and gestures of God’s peace)

           

PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

LESSON FROM THE GOSPEL                                                        Luke 13: 31-35 (NRSV)

 

ANTHEM                                The Shepherd Became a Lamb                                  M. Hayes                               

 

WORD WITH CHILDREN

 

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON                                                                      Psalm 27 (NRSV)

 

SERMON                                                                                                               “Fear Factor”

 

RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

AN OFFERING OF OURSELVES TO GOD’S PURPOSES

Offertory                                See How He Dies!                                                R. Lau        

*Prayer of Dedication

         

PRAYERS OF THANKS AND INTERCESSION, LORD’S PRAYER

 

GO IN GOD’S NAME

 

*HYMN # 527                                                                                     Near to the Heart of God

 

*CHARGE & BLESSING                                                                                                 

 

*CHORAL RESPONSE  # 586                                                                                        Amen

 

POSTLUDE                                     To God Be the Glory                   W. Doane/E. Broughton                               

*Congregation stands as able

Next Week’s Scriptures: Isaiah 55: 1-9; Psalm 63: 1-8; 1 Corinthians 10: 1-13; Luke 13: 1-9

 

WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

 

WORSHIP LEADERS

Liturgists 

Rev. Jonathan C. Siehl

Sermon

Rev. William R. Leety

Word with Children

Betsy Maurath

Musical Leadership

                                                      Westminster and Chancel Choirs

Sarah Shaffer, Director

Nancy Deeth, Organist/Pianist