Sunday Worship – March 17, 2019

SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT

  • LENTEN REFLECTION
    • On the Sundays of Lent this year we are engaging “The Seven Deadly Sins.” Desert “Father” and monastic theologian Evagrius of Pontus is credited with first drawing up a list of “offenses and wicked human passions,” but in the late 6th century, Pope Gregory the Great modified the list and ranked them based on the degree to which they “offended against love.” This morning’s “offense” is GREED.
    • GREED finds its origins in a feeling of deficiency. Fixating on what we lack turns our attention away from what we have, so we feel like we’re always barely scraping by. Many cultures deal constructively with GREED by engaging in what has been called “competitive generosity.” Certain Pacific Northwest Native Americans used to counter GREED through a tradition knows as the “potlatch.” In church circles, the term is better known as “potluck!”
    • The Apostle Paul picks up on this idea of “competitive generosity” in his letter to the Romans when he encourages them to “love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor” (12:10). If we would all do that, GREED just may become an “offense” of the past!
    • Use these moments before the ringing of the bell to greet your neighbor and consider: How does this morning’s “offense” negatively affect my life and the life of others?

PART 1: 

  • THE RINGING OF THE BELL
  • A LENTEN WELCOME
    • Pastor: We have each gone our own way. You have, and you have, and I have, too. We have each, at least once, failed utterly the sister or brother whom we loved beyond words, who believed in us beyond doubt and fear, and never stopped loving us.
    • People: We have each gone our own way. Lord have mercy.
  • PRELUDE:  “Ubi caritas” – Ola Gjeilo

PART 2: 

  • CALL TO WORSHIP – Ashia Stoess
    • Leader: We gather this day to worship our God, whose words and ways challenge us.
    • People: We come to worship our Creator, seeking to have our faith challenged into growth.
    • Leader: Our faith is rooted in our worship together.
    • People: Gathered together we find nourishment for our spirits in this growing season of Lent.
    • ALL: LET US WORSHIP GOD TOGETHER.
  • OPENING HYMN NO. 274:  “O God of Earth and Space” – LEONI
  • CALL TO CONFESSION
    • Leader: We come before you, O God, in the shadow of the cross, grateful for your great love for us.
    • People: As you came to us in Jesus, reveal yourself among us still.
  • PRAYER OF CONFESSION
    • Lord God, you know the ways of good and evil. You know the things that tempt us and the things that give us life. You know our nakedness, and you know our sins. We confess that we have disobeyed your word, denying your providence and care, and relying on our own cleverness. Have mercy on us, we pray; cover us with your grace, feed us with the bread of life, and re-create us in your image once again. Through Jesus Christ our Savior, hear our silent prayers of return …
  • KYRIE, Hymn No. 572
    • Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.
  • ASSURANCE OF PARDON
    • Our hearts are washed anew in the healing waters of God’s love.
      For the steadfast love of God endures forever …
      Through the Holy Spirit, God nourishes us into life.
      For the steadfast love of God endures forever …
      WHAT WONDROUS LOVE IS THIS?
  • CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE, Hymn No. 85
    • What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
      What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
      What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
      To bear the heavy cross for my soul, for my soul,
      To bear the heavy cross for my soul!

PART 3: 

  • TIME WITH THE YOUNGER DISCIPLES – Ashia Stoess

PART 4:  

  • MUSICAL OFFERING:  “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” – arr. Kurt Kaiser

PART 5:  

  • SCRIPTURE LESSON:  Luke 12:13-21
  • SERMON:  GREED: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH – Reverend Joel Weible, Pastor

PART 6: 

  • PROCLAMATION HYMN NO. 277:  “O God, Our Faithful God” – O GOTT, DU FROMMER GOTT
  • AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – from THE IONA COMMUNITY
    • With the whole church … We affirm that we are made in God’s image, befriended by Christ, and empowered by the Spirit.
    • With people everywhere … We affirm God’s goodness at the heart of humanity, planted more deeply than all that is wrong.
    • With all creation … We affirm and celebrate the miracle and wonder of life and the unfolding purposes of God, forever at work in ourselves and the world. Amen.

PART 7: 

  • TIME OF GIVING THANKS CELEBRATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
  • PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
  • PRESENTATION OF GIFTS, TITHES, AND OFFERINGS

PART 8: 

  • OFFERTORY:  “My Lord, What a Morning” – arr. R. Thygerson
  • DOXOLOGY
  • PRAYER OF DEDICATION (unison)
    • God of all true power and glory, we thank you that once again we travel with Jesus toward Jerusalem, not with a sword to challenge the powers of this world, but with Love to transform them. May these gifts be a sign of the offering of our whole selves in this season. Amen.

PART 9: 

  • CLOSING HYMN NO. 418:  “God, Bless Your Church with Strength!” – ICH HALTE TREULICH STILL
  • CHARGE AND BENEDICTION – Reverend Joel Weible

PART 10: 

  • THE RINGING OF THE BELL
  • POSTLUDE: “St. Patrick’s Breastplate” –  arr. C.V. Stanford

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