Worship Text February 28, 2021

Morning Worship Text
February 28, 2021 


The Season of Lent: A Time to Prepare Our Hearts for Easter

Before we begin, gather a candle or small light, your Bible, a cross,  a piece of bread and a cup of juice or water. Place them at the center of a calm area in your home and gather comfortable seating for all who will join you. Place your phone, tablet  or computer where you can see and hear it. You may want to connect a charger, rather than rely on battery. Since we are in the season of Lent you may want to add a purple cloth to your worship center.


Welcome


Musical Mediation: “Work Up This Morning “            Janie Taulbee, pianist
-African American Spiritual, Chalice Hymnal, 623, public domain


Focus
Hope nonetheless. Hope despite.
Hope regardless. Hope still.

Hope where we had ceased to hope.
Hope amid what threatens hope.
Hope with those who feed our hope.
Hope beyond what we had hoped.

Hope that draws us past our limits.
Hope that defies expectations.
Hope that questions what we have known.
Hope that makes a way where there is none.

Hope that takes us past our fear.
Hope that calls us into life.
Hope that holds us beyond death.
Hope that blesses those to come.
~ written by Jan L. Richardson, and posted on The Painted Prayerbook. http://paintedprayerbook.com/


Lighting the Christ Candles  We light our candles or lights.

Voice One: In the beginning, God said,
Voice Two: Let there be light, and there was light!
Voice One: We light these candles today,
Voice Two: Because God is with us in this time and in all these places!

Call to Worship  
Voice One: Pilgrims, we are invited to journey through this season of Lent
Voice Two: Towards the One who calls us each by a new name.

Voice One: Disciples, we walk with Jesus wherever he leads us,
Voice Two: Pulling our fears, our doubts, our longings behind us.

Voice One: Believers, we seek to trust the God who always surprises us,
Voice Two: Whose promises take on flesh and blood in the good news called Jesus.

— adapted from a prayer written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies blog. http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com/


Invocation

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples, and you say to us: "Take up your cross."
We will follow you, O Christ, into this time of worship,  into the needs of the world, into the truth of our lives, into the pain of our hearts, into the presence of God.  Amen.

— adapted from a prayer written by Brian Woodcock, in Traveling to Easter with Jesus as our Guide, posted on the website of Patmos Abbey—The Order of Saint Columba. http://www.patmosabbey.org/

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

    Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
    He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.  For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” 

-New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Special Music: “God of Abraham”                         Bill Srsic, soloist
-Lyon, 1770, public domain


Meditation


Invitation to the Table The bread and cup and placed on the table for the Lord’s Supper.


Prayer of Communion Elders this month are Linda Blair and Kathy Sharp.
 

Words of Institution  We break the bread and lift the cup as the words are spoken.

The Lord's Supper We share in the bread and cup as we hear the music.





Communion Mediation: “More Love to Thee”    Rev Dean Phelps, guitarist/ soloist
-Prentiss/Diane, 1869, public domain


Prayer of Thanksgiving: The Lord’s Prayer


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.


Prayers of the People:
 

God, our Great Shepherd,
Though people may turn their backs on us,
you do not hide your face from us.
Though others may try to take away our hope,
you assure us of that future waiting for us.
You speak your name, God, our Creator,
and it is enough.

When we try to dictate our fears to you,
you invite us to follow you into self-denial and service.
As we struggle to shape our lifestyle to yours,
you carry us with you wherever we go.
You speak your good news, Teacher of open hearts,
and it is enough.

Though we have done nothing to earn them,
you pour out the gifts of grace and mercy upon us.
When we stumble over our lack of trust,
you set us back on our feet, to follow you into the kingdom.
You speak your peace, Breath of Holiness,
and it is enough.

God, Our Healer, as we speak the names of those we know who are
    suffering,        worried,        celebrating,
    struggling,        learning,        grieving,
    striving,         reaching,        growing
    
God in Community, Holy in One,
it is enough that you hear us,
And respond from the depths of your holy heart.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

— adapted from a prayer written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies blog. http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com/





Challenge for Discipleship


Blessing     We speak in unison.


The Light that was in one place and at one time, is now in all places and all times, for God has placed the light in us.   We abide in peace!  And we go forth into the world as children of God!



Postlude: “Your Grace Is Enough”         Worship lyric videos
-church license