Service for 5th Sunday in Lent

                                                   March 21, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.

 

Two historic orders of service guide Christian worship—the Mass, and the synagogue. In

today’s service David H. Williams’ On the Passion of Christ is “the sermon.”  In order to

present the cantata as composed, a unit, today’s service follows the order of the synagogue.

 

IN SILENCE                                                                                              American author Flannery O’Connor

            A God you could understand would be less than yourself.

 

PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP                                                                    from Psalm 126: 1-4

 

Lord God: surprise and restore us; do great things and mighty acts,

so that those who plant through tears will harvest abundant shouts of joy.

 

PRELUDE                                        Ah, Dearest Jesus                                         arr. R. Haan

                                                O Sacred Head, Now Wounded                               arr. R. Haan

 

WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, REGISTRATION

 

CHIMES & LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP (responsively left and right)                            from Chalice Worship

 

            We gather to worship with many needs,

                 and in many morning moods.

            Some are ready to shout:

                 “Make a joyful noise to the Lord…”

            Some echo the psalmist’s anguish:

                 “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord, hear my voice…”

            Some look for guidance and direction from the Word of God:

                 “More to be desired…than gold…

                 sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb…”

            Some long to be close to God:

                 As a deer longs for flowing streams, my soul longs for you, O God.”

            God stands ready and able to respond to our needs.

                 In that assurance, let us worship God.

 

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 98                                           O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

 

*CONFESSION  OF WHO WE ARE                                                                   Carlos Wilton

 

            Holy God of life returned,

            when we fail to see the way,

            when we think it’s too hard to love, to heal, to care,

            we turn our backs on you.

            Forgive our unjust angers, our selfish desires, our nagging fears and doubts.

            Free us to live in you, for the sake of your risen son, Jesus.

                                        (time for silent, personal confession) Amen.

 

*ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS & THE PEACE

            The Psalmist writes, “Count yourself blessed.  How glad you must be—

            You get a fresh start, your slate’s wiped clean.”

                 We count ourselves blessed—that in Jesus, God holds nothing against us.

 

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

                 Peace be with you.

                          (worshipers share words and gestures of the peace of Christ)

 

PSALM 126

 

WORD WITH THE YOUNG

 

OFFERING OUR LIVES TO GOD’S PURPOSES

     OFFERTORY                     What Wondrous Love Is This                              arr. R. Haan

 

PRAYERS OF THANKS AND ASKING, THE LORD’S PRAYER              Hymnal p. 16

 

CHORAL CANTATA                On the Passion of Christ                       David H. Williams

                                                           1. The Last Supper

            Scripture                                                                           John 17:1-5 & 20-26 (NRSV)

                                                                                                                          Pew Bible p. 105

                                                        2. The Betrayal

      Scripture                                                                                       John 19:9-18 (NRSV)

                                                                                                                    Pew Bible p. 107

                                                      3. The Crucifixion

*CHARGE & BLESSING

 

POSTLUDE                                      O Love, How Deep                                        arr. P. Manz

                                  (Note that some will be seated and others depart in joy and silence.)

 

                                                        WORSHIP LEADERS

Liturgists

Ed Cotter, Rev. William Leety, Rev. Michael Ludwig

Word with Children

Rev. Michael Ludwig

Musical Leadership

Steve Wedell, Viola

Soloists: Jim Andres, Tenor

Fred Shaffer, Baritone

Chancel Choirs

Sarah Shaffer, Choirmaster

Nancy Deeth, Organist/Pianist

Concerned Deacon

James Boakye-Dankwah

Head Usher

Marie Waah

 

                                                  IN MEMORIAM

 

                                                             Betty J. Stillwell

                                             November 28, 1922 ~ March 15, 2010

 

                                                “I am the resurrection and the life.

                                 Those who believe in me, though they die, will live.”

                                                                  -John 11:25