Online Text March 14, 2021

  Morning Worship Text
March 14, 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: “In the Garden”           Tyler Mills, guitarist
 -Miles, 1913, public domain

Focus

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 this place!


Call to Worship   

Voice 1: When we stand at the edge of fear and worry,
Voice 2: God invites us to step into the waters of faith and trust.
Voice 1: When we stand at the edge of the world's pain and need,
Voice 2: Jesus invites us to step into the land of humble service.
Voice 1: When we stand at the edge of our hunger and thirst:
Voice 2: the Spirit invites us to sit at the Table of grace.
 

— written by Thom Shuman, and posted on his excellent Lectionary Liturgies website. Visit that site for other great lectionary-based worship resources.


Invocation

Emmanuel, God-ever-with-us: you draw us near to your heart, so that, cradled in compassion, we might see the brokenness of all who are around us.
 

Jesus Christ, Teacher-beside-us: you draw us near to yourself, so that, by following you, we may discover the deep joy of serving the broken of the world.

Holy Spirit-breathing within-us: you draw near to us with your peace, so that, reconciled and restored to God, we may be the healers to a world shattered by despair.

God in Community, Holy in One: renew, restore and refresh us as we draw near to you in this time. Amen.
 

— adapted from a prayer written by Thom Shuman, and posted on his excellent Lectionary Liturgies website. Visit that site for other great lectionary-based worship resources.



Scripture: Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
    those he redeemed from trouble
And gathered in from the lands,
    from the east and from the west,
    from the north and from the south.

Some were sick through their sinful ways,
    and because of their iniquities endured affliction;
They loathed any kind of food,
    and they drew near to the gates of death.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he saved them from their distress;
He sent out his word and healed them,
    and delivered them from destruction.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
    for his wonderful works to humankind.
And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices,
    and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.

-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.


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: “One Bread, One Body”         FCC Louisville Band                               -Foley, 1978, Chalice Hymnal, p. 393

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

O God, we gather at your waters,
as a hot and bothered crowd gathers on the beach
on a sweltering, summer day.

We pray for our friends and neighbors, our families and neighborhoods...
(Pause)
Voice One: In the light of your grace,
Voice Two: Lord, consider our prayers.

O God, we drink at your fountain,
as a parched dog laps at the fresh,
running water of a bush creek.

We pray for our own needs..
(Pause)
Voice One: In the light of your grace,
Voice Two: Lord, consider our prayers.

O God, we await your refreshment,
as a tired worker watches for the change of shift.

We pray for all whose work has been changed by the pandemic...
(Pause)
Voice One: In the light of your grace,
Voice Two: Lord, consider our prayers.

Quench our thirst, satisfy our longings.
May we be refreshed and restored in you;
and teach us where to find the bucket and how to carry it
so that we might draw that water for those who most need it.

Voice One: In the light of your grace,
Voice Two: Lord, consider our prayers.

— written by Anita Monro and posted on the MAD-e-Lena blog. http://mad-e-lena.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: “Forever (We Sing Hallelujah)” WorshipLyricsvideos.com
Used with church license