Service for the Lord’s Day, 2nd Sunday in Lent

February 17, 2008:  10:30 a.m.

 

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

 

PRELUDE                        Meditations on “Beautiful Savior”                       C. Moklebust

                                                 My Song Is Love Unknown                             C. Moklebust

 

WELCOME, REGISTRATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

CHIMES & LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

 

CHORAL INTROIT

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                            from Call to Worship

           

We’re gathered to receive a blessing from the Lord.

                 We come also seeking to be a blessing to others.

            Where does our help come from?

                 Our help comes from the Holy One who made heaven and earth.

 

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 371                                                        Lift High the Cross

                                               

*CONFESSION OF WHO WE ARE                                                       on John 3:1—17/wrl

 

            Nicodemus came to Jesus by night.

 

            Lord Jesus:  we often come to you in darkness of our own making,

                 when we fail in kindness or love,

                 when relationships break, or we break under burdens.

            Forgive our part in darkness, in spreading its dominion

                 with part-truths and full lies.

            Open us to the love you have already given us and the world in Jesus Christ.

(time for silent, personal confession)  Amen.

 

*RESPONSE #572                                                                  Lord, Have Mercy Upon Us

 

 

*ASSURANCE OF WHOSE WE ARE & THE PEACE             John 3:16 (The Message)

 

            This is how much God loved the world:  He gave his Son, his one and only Son.

            And this is why:  so that no one need be destroyed;

                        by believing in him anyone can have a whole and lasting life.

     God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an

accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was.

He came to help, to put the world right again.

            Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted!

                 Thank God! 

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

                 Peace be with you.

(Worshipers express God’s peace in word and gesture)

 

PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

 

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON                                                       Genesis 12:1—4 (NRSV)

 

ANTHEM                                          Ah, Holy Jesus                        J. Cruger/C. Courtney

 

WORD WITH THE WISE

 

LESSON FROM THE GOSPEL                                                       John 3:1—17 (NRSV)

 

SERMON                                                                                                          Nico’s Night”

 

RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

OFFERING OURSELVES TO JESUS

OFFERTORY                      The Water Is Wide       Scottish Folk Song/G. Martin

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

                          Chris Blanda, Sarah Folsom, Angie Mintor

           

HYMN # 438 (stanza 1)                                                   Blest Be the Tie that Binds

           

PRAYERS OF DEDICATION, THANKS AND ASKING

THE LORD’S PRAYER (traditional)                                                  Hymnal P. 16

 

GO IN GOD’S NAME TO THE WORLD GOD LOVES

 

*HYMN # 234 (Psalm 121)                                                       I to the Hills Will Lift My Eyes

 

*CHARGE & BLESSING

 

POSTLUDE                             Lift High the Cross (#371)                                   arr. L. Smith

 

Next Sunday’s Scriptures:  Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5:1-11; John 4:5-42.  Website prayers this week are contributed by Deacon Fred Connell.

 

 WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

 

WORSHIP LEADERS

Liturgists

Rev. William R. Leety

Word with Children/ Sermon

Rev. William R. Leety

Musical Leadership

Overbrook Belles

Chancel Choir

Sarah Shaffer, Choirmaster

Nancy Deeth, Organist