Call to Worship John13:34
Jesus said: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another. On This Night… On this night, Christ the Lamb of God gave himself into the hands of those who would slay him. On this night, Christ gathered with his disciples in the upper room. On this night, Christ took a towel and washed the disciples’ feet, giving us an example that we should do to others as he has done to us. On this night, Christ our God gave us this holy feast, that we who eat this bread and drink this cup may here proclaim his holy sacrifice and be partakers of his resurrection, and at the last day may reign with him in heaven. Hymn What Wondrous Love Is This Text: American folk tune, c. 1811 Music: Walker’s Southern harmony, 1835 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 dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul, to bear the dreadful curse for my soul! When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down, when I was sinking down, sinking down. When I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown, Christ laid aside his crown for my soul, for my soul, Christ laid aside his crown for my soul! To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing. To God and to the Lamb, I will sing; to God and to the Lamb, who is the Great I Am, while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing, while millions join the theme, I will sing! Prayer of Confession Eternal God, whose covenant with us is never broken, we confess that we fail to do your will. Though you have bound yourself to us, we will not bind ourselves to you. In Jesus Christ you serve us freely, but we refuse your love and withhold ourselves from others. We do not love you fully or love as you command. In your mercy, forgive and cleanse us. Lead us once again to your Table and unite us to Christ, who is the bread of life and the vine from which we grow in grace. Worshipers may observe a moment of silent prayer. Response Take, O, Take Me as I Am Text and Music: John L. Bell, 1995 Take, O, take me as I am. Summon out what I shall be. Set your seal upon my heart and live in me. Repeat. Declaration of Forgiveness The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. May the God of mercy, who forgives all your sins, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the Holy Spirit, keep you in eternal life. Amen. Scripture Reading John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ Peter said to him, ‘You will never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’ Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ Jesus said to him, ‘One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.’ For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’ After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. The New Commandment When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’ The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper The Invitation and Words of Institution This is the Lord’s Table. He invites all who seek to know him, love him, and serve him to gather around it. Jesus invites all who seek a restored relationship to God and others to gather around it. Jesus invites you, the faithful, and you, the uncertain, weary, and hurting to gather around and share the feast which he has prepared. The Lord Jesus, on the night of his arrest, took bread, and after giving thanks to God, broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. Afterward he took the cup, saying: This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me. For whenever you eat the bread and drink the cup, you remember the Lord’s death until he comes again. Great Thanksgiving and the Lord’s Prayer The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. O Lord, our God, we thank you for your works of creation, for making us in your image, freeing us from the bonds of slavery, claiming us as your people and making covenant to be our God. You fed us with manna in the wilderness and led us to the land flowing with milk and honey. When we forgot you, and our faith was weak, you spoke through the prophets, calling us to turn to your ways. Therefore, we praise you, joining our voices with the heavenly choirs, and with all the faithful of every time and place, who forever sing to the glory of your name: Holy, holy, holy God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Remembering all your mighty acts, we take this bread and this wine from the gifts you have given us, and celebrate with joy the redemption won for us in Jesus Christ. Accept this, our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving as a living and holy offering of ourselves, that our lives may proclaim the One crucified and risen. Great is the mystery of faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ. By your Spirit, unite us with the living Christ and with all who are baptized in his name, that we may be one in ministry in every place. As this bread is Christ’s body for us, send us out to be the body of Christ in the world. Gratefully, we lift to you our prayers of intercession, for those with whom we share our lives, for those unknown to us, but fully known to you, for the sick and suffering, the hungry and homeless, the grieving, the lost. We lift our thanks and praise for unexpected blessings, small expressions of care and concern, contributions of all forms to advance your kingdom and bear your love, light, and liberty into the world. That we may be one, we pray as Jesus taught us, saying, 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. Communion of the People Friends, these are the gifts of God for the people of God. The body of Christ, given for you. Amen. Bread is received. The blood of Christ, shed for you. Amen. Wine is received. Prayer after Communion God of grace, your Son, Jesus Christ, left us this holy meal of bread and wine in which we share his body and blood. May we, who have celebrated this sign of love show in our lives the fruits of his redemption; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen. Hymn What Wondrous Love Is This And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on. And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on. And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be, and through eternity, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on; and through eternity I’ll sing on. Blessing Go in peace. As Christ loves you, love one another. Join us Sunday, April 1, at 11:00AM, when the service will conclude with the celebration of our Risen Lord. A recording of the service will be available later in the day. Kuhn Memorial Presbyterian Church Barboursville, West Virginia Palm/Passion Sunday March 28, 20213/27/2021
This time of worship calls for a spirit of excitement and celebration. Jesus is coming! The people shout, “Hosanna!” which means God save us! The events of Palm Sunday may be demonstrated by placing palm or other lightweight branches, and your coat, jacket, or sweater on the floor where you worship. This is the first century equivalent of the “red carpet” being rolled out for a dignitary. So – worship today is more question and reflection so that we allow ourselves to be a character within the events of Holy Week.
Call to Worship Humble and riding on a donkey, we greet you. Acclaimed by crowds and caroled by children, we cheer you. Moving from the peace of the countryside to the corridors of power, we salute you, Christ, our Lord. You are giving the beasts of burden a new dignity; You are giving majesty a new face; You are giving those who long for redemption a new song to sing. With them, with heart and voice, we shout, “Hosanna!” Hymn Hosanna, Loud Hosanna Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang. Through pillared courts and temple, the joyful anthem rang. To Jesus, who had blessed them, close folded to his breast, the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best. From Olivet they followed, mid an exultant crowd. The victor palm branch waving, and chanting clear and loud. The Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state, nor scorned that little children should on his bidding wait. Prayer of the Day We praise you, O God, for your redemption of the world through Jesus Christ. Today he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph and was proclaimed Messiah and King by those who spread garments and branches along his way. Let these branches be signs of victory, and grant that we, who carry them, may follow him in the way of the cross, that dying and rising with him, we may enter into your kingdom, through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns forever. Amen. Psalm Reading Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 A Song of Victory 1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever! 2 Let Israel say, ‘His steadfast love endures for ever.’ 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. 21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. 22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. 23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success! 26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. 27 The Lord is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar. 28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you. 29 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. The psalm pre-figures the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. Looking back in time, we can see how the life of Jesus reflects this text. The psalmist calls everyone, including us, to join the parade. What parades have you attended as a spectator? Have you ever been in a parade? What was being celebrated? What is being celebrated in the psalm? Gospel Reading Matthew 21:1-11 Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, “The Lord needs them.” And he will send them immediately.’ This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, ‘Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’ When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’ Jesus gave the disciples a task to do in preparation for his entry into Jerusalem: He told them to go into town and identify a donkey for him to ride upon. They were to tell the owner that Jesus needed it. Think about your own life, your gifts, abilities, and experiences- your mistakes and successes. Imagine someone coming to your door and saying that you have something Jesus needs for his kingdom. What could that be? How would you respond? I’ll close with the reflections of Holy Week by John Dominic Crossan and Marcus Borg: Prayers of the Faithful and the Lord’s Prayer Eternal God, we rejoice this morning in the gift of life, which we have received by your grace, and the new life you give in Jesus Christ. Especially we thank you for the love of our families, the affection of our friends, for strength and ability to serve your purpose today, the community in which we live, for the opportunities to witness to your gospel in word and deed. We rejoice in your healing energy that brings peace and comfort. God of grace, we offer our prayers for the needs of others, committing ourselves to serve them even as we have been served by Jesus Christ. Especially we are concerned for all those for whom we have been praying, those whose names are on our hearts, all those affected by the pandemic, those whose work places them in close proximity to the sick. We pray for the newly bereaved. We pray for those who have lost their jobs, and those who fear the worst. Relieve our anxiety, Lord, fill us with your peace, and sustain us in our daily needs. We pray for those whose lives are never easy: the homeless, the hungry, the poor, the troubled in body, mind, or circumstance. Give us compassion to understand, to care, and to give. We pray for your Church, here and around the world, and the faithful who may be separated today by distance, but gathered in your Spirit. We pray that our plans for returning to worship in our sanctuary will be accomplished. We pray as Jesus taught us, saying, 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but, deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen, Hymn “Hosanna in the highest!” That ancient song we sing. For Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heaven our king. O may we ever praise him, with heart and life and voice. And in his blissful presence eternally rejoice. Announcements On Sunday, April 4, we will receive contributions to One Great Hour of Sharing, this is the ecumenical OGHOS provides assistance in times of tragedy and suffering in the US and around the world. We will observe the most holy night of the Christian Year with the Lord’s Supper this Thursday – online – at 7 pm. Please supply your elements to be prepared. We will meet here in the sanctuary next Sunday, Easter, at 11 am when we will celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Masks and social distancing are expected. The session is preparing to make the church clean and safe for us. The service will also be recorded and available later in the day on our website. Blessing Beloved, God is our beginning and our end, our starting-point and our haven, accompanying us in every day’s journey, using our hands to do the work of creation, and our lives to bring others the new life Jesus, our Redeemer, gives to the world. Amen. Postlude CALL TO WORSHIP Barbara Chalfant and Amy Robinson
One: We serve the Creator, Many: who loves us into life. One: We follow Christ, Many: who loves us unto death. One: We listen for the Spirit, Many: who loves us into transformation. One: We worship God, Many: whose love knows no bounds. HYMN “For the Beauty of the Earth” Mark Miller 1 For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies: Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. 2 For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night, hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light: Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. 3 For the joy of ear and eye, for the heart and mind’s delight, for the mystic harmony linking sense to sound and sight: Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. 4 For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child, friends on earth, and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild: Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. 5 For thyself, best gift divine to the world so freely given; Agent of God’s great design, peace on earth and joy in heaven: Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. CALL TO CONFESSION Ed Thompson PRAYER OF CONFESSION Nellie Howard Holy God, we have heard your command to love you, to love our neighbor, and to love ourselves, yet we fall into patterns of shallow devotion, false kindness, and self-doubt. We have heard your call to do justice, to love kindness, to walk humbly with you, yet we’re drawn to safety, not justice; apathy, not kindness; pacing, not walking. Hear our prayers, O God. Forgive us for what we have done and for what we have left undone. Hear our prayers, O God, and move us to deeper trust and more faithful action. Amen ASSURANCE OF PARDON Ed Thompson One: Hear the good news: Christ is merciful to all who turn to him in repentance. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Many: Thanks be to God. PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Rocky Poole SCRIPTURE Luke 10:25-37 Maureen Wright CHILDREN’S TIME Susan Sharp Campbell SERMON Maureen Wright HYMN “There are Many Ways of Sharing” tune: NETTLETON There are many ways of sharing, But God's Spirit gives each one. There are different ways of caring; It's one Lord whose work is done. God, whose gifts are overflowing, May we hear you when you call; Keep us serving, keep us growing For the common good of all. We've been baptized in the waters! We've been given work to do. When you call your sons and daughters, You give gifts for serving you. God, we join in celebration Of the talents you impart. Bless each baptized one's vocation; Give each one a servant's heart. All are blest by gifts you give us; Some are set apart to lead. Give us Jesus' love within us As we care for those in need. Give us faith to make decisions; Give us joy to share your Word. Give us unity and vision As we serve your church and world. PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE Sarah Specht OFFERING CALL FOR THE OFFERING Nellie Howard OFFERTORY Susan Sharp Campbell PRAYER OF DEDICATION Nellie Howard HYMN “God, with Joy We Look around Us” tune: CWM RHONDDA God, with joy we look around us At your world's diversity. Folk of every kind surround us And you call your church to see: All are made in your own image! All are people whom you love! All are people whom you love! In the times we've hurt each other, Lord, we've hurt the ones you bless. Hating sister, cursing brother, We've denied what you express: All are made in your own image! All are people whom you love! All are people whom you love! God, you sent a Savior to us, Breaking walls that would divide. By your Spirit, now work through us As we witness side by side: All are made in your own image! All are people whom you love! All are people whom you love! CHARGE AND BENEDICTION Maureen Wright Resources: The Call to Worship and Prayer of Confession are from Call to Worship, volume 52. The Call for the Offering and Prayer of Dedication are from Call to Worship, volume 49. The Call to Confession and Assurance of Pardon and Prayer for Illumination are reprinted by permission of Westminster John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion, Year C, vol 2. The hymns, “There Are Many Ways of Sharing” and “God, with Joy We Look around Us,” are by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette and are used by permission of the author. Prelude
Call to Worship St. Columba, 521-597 Kindle in our hearts, dear God, the flame of love that never ceases, that it may burn in us, giving light to others. May we shine forever in your temple, set on fire with your eternal light, even your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen. Hymn The King of Love My Shepherd Is (Psalm 23) Text: Henry Williams Baker, 1868 Music: Irish Melody 1 The King of love my shepherd is, his goodness faileth never. I nothing lack if I am his and he is mine forever. 2 Where streams of living water flow my ransomed soul he leadeth, and where the verdant pastures grow, with food celestial feedeth. 3 In death’s dark vale I fear no ill with thee, dear Lord, beside me, thy rod and staff my comfort still, thy cross before to guide me. Prayer of the Day Holy One, you know our hearts. You have knitted our inmost being and you know our deepest desires, fears, and worries. Help us to journey during this Lenten season into a new awareness of your presence in our lives. Save us from our own temptations, so that we may more freely follow you. Amen. Ephesians 6:10-20 The Whole Armour of God Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak. The Morning Message Lent 4 Friends, I am preparing this message on March 11, 2021, an important date the world over. It was a year ago today that the World Health Organization declared a pandemic of catastrophic proportions, the result of Covid 19, a deadly Coronavirus. Unknown to me on March 11 of last year, I would be one of billions of people around the world who would line up to receive a coveted vaccine that promises to mitigate the effects of the virus should I contract it, maybe even preventing my death. My instructions for receiving the vaccine were to report to the old Sears building at the Huntington Mall at 2:30. I don’t know which vaccine I will receive, and side effects may follow. The worship service for this week had not yet been recorded, so keep your fingers crossed that it’s available by Sunday morning. This is the Sunday closest to St. Patrick’s Day. An old saying declares that “on St. Patrick’s Day, we’re all a little bit Irish.” Maybe your ancestors came to America from Ireland, like many of mine, and you’re more than a little bit Irish. I hope shepherd’s pie and soda bread are on your menu this week, regardless of your heritage. And, maybe you will spend some time thinking about what is often called “the land of Saints and Scholars.” And in those moments, I hope you will give thanks for the arrival of the Christian faith upon Ireland’s shores, because we Presbyterians have our roots deep in the Celtic Christianity of Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales. The story goes, that Patrick was a fifth century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. He was born in England to a wealthy Romano-British Christian family. At the age of 16, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Ireland. It is believed that he spent six years there as a shepherd, Isolated and lonely. It was during this time that he “found God.” God told Patrick to flee to the coast, where a ship would be waiting to take him back to England. After returning to his homeland, he studied for the priesthood, a process that took fifteen years. According to tradition, Patrick returned to Ireland to convert the Pagan Irish to Christianity. The primary belief system was based on observations in nature. Patrick incorporated existing symbols and rituals found in the Pagan faith to Christian symbols and practices. For example, Patrick used bonfires to celebrate Easter because the Irish honored their gods with fire. This practice still shows up in the liturgy of the Easter Vigil, the night before Easter. The sun, representing light in Irish tradition, was superimposed over the Christian cross. These symbols helped converts make the transition from the worship of many gods, to worshiping One God. On our first trip to Ireland, Ed and I visited Croagh Patrick, Patrick’s mountain, a pilgrimage destination for believers the world over. Pilgrims flock to Croagh Patrick every year on Reek Sunday, in July, some climbing the mountain, 2507 feet in elevation, barefoot, as an act of devotion. Patrick is Ireland’s patron saint. Following closely behind Patrick is St. Brigid of Kildare, Ireland’s most prominent female religious figure. Maybe we will lift up her ministry next year. Some features of Celtic Christianity are these: Listening for the heartbeat of God in all of life, not only in Scripture or the Church. The Gospel of John speaks of the light of God present in all creation. George MacDonald, who influenced the faith and work of C. S. Lewis, once wrote: “Then God shone forth from all the lowly earth. And men began to read there maker there.” In Celtic Christianity, all of life is sacramental. A second dimension of this faith is belief in the goodness of God in all people. We can simplify our understanding of this as thinking of Original Sin verses Original Goodness. Celtic Christianity celebrates the goodness of every child at his or her birth. My own faith is shaped by this belief. The third distinctive is that Celtic Christians claim two Scriptures: Creation and the Bible. We study the world as a text of Scripture that reveals God to us, and we study the Word of God in the texts of the Old and New Testaments. It is a feature of the Presbyterian Church to lift up Creation and environmental concerns world-wide in our common life and in our purpose. Stewardship of Creation Sunday, celebrated on or near Earth Day, is celebrated every year in April by the PCUSA. A fourth distinctive of Celtic Christianity is that we believe the Holy Spirit has a wildness to it. It is often represented as a Wild Goose, stirring in us as the winds blow our hair about, causing us to see the world through the eyes of God. In our Presbyterian hymnal we find “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy, like the wideness of the sea.” An adherent to Celtic Christianity, Rev. Dr. H. Stephen Shoemaker, has re-written it, “There’s a Wildness In God’s Mercy, Like the Wildness of the Sea.” In this past year, every corner of our personal and common lives have been disrupted in efforts to contain the death-dealing virus. Like Patrick, we have also been taken captive, confined to homes with restricted movement and contact with the human family. The consequences cannot all be explored in a single message, but I think isolation has been common to all of us, and its effects particularly damaging. Like many of you, we have very young grandchildren. We know full-well that kids grow up too fast, and our little ones live in North Carolina, so we feel their absence intensely. In these many months of Covid, I have held images and videos of our grandsons, captured on my iphone, tightly to my chest. I pray for the day that is safe to travel and we can hold not just their pictures, but, wrap our arms around the real things- two wiggly little boys. You may have similar prayers. This morning, the CEO of Pfizer, Albert Bourla, was interviewed by NBC. He is the son of Holocaust survivors, victims of evil, personified in a man with hateful and deadly intentions. You could hear the tears in his voice as he explained that his parents never spoke about the Holocaust and its devastations. Instead, they celebrated the gifts of God that were present in their lives. And now, their son is a renowned veterinarian, scientist, and business executive. Their son has become an integral figure in bringing hope and life and survival to all of us, God’s beloved children, in all our versions and varieties, colors and languages, all faiths, and even to those who claim no faith. Out of the horror of genocide has come the miracle of life. Yesterday, I caught a news clip of President Biden, leaving a press conference. At the end of the conference, a reporter shouted a question at the President about what would we, the US, do with leftover vaccine, should that happen. And he quickly responded, “We’re going to share it.” It is not a perfect analogy, but it’s a close one. As Patrick was taken captive and forced into slavery, we have been held captive by the Coronavirus. Following the stirring of God’s Holy Spirit, Patrick was led out of slavery to bear the good news of Christ to his native land. That faith has influenced generations, including ours, to seek the goodness of God, present at our birth, in and for everyone. Likewise, it is our fervent desire to make this lifeline, born of a vaccine, available to all the people of the earth. And finally, to be, as C.S. Lewis wrote upon his conversion from atheism to Christianity, of being Surprised by Joy. Joy in the truly remarkable ways the world has come together in a shared grief, for sure, but also in shared opportunities in creativity, science, humanitarianism, and myriad ways of reaching out to others. To share a renewed and refreshed faith. To be found by God, as was Patrick. As we near the end of Lent, may we prepare to celebrate release from our shared sentence and prepare to celebrate Christ bursting from his tomb, and his promise, that so, too, shall we. Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer God of mercy, grace, and love, the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ makes every day new. Especially today we thank you for the beauty of creation, the new creation in Christ and all gifts of healing and forgiveness, the sustaining love of family and friends, the fellowship of the faithful in your church. Merciful God, renew this weary world. Where do we even start to innumerate our problems as the pandemic wears on, in the ravages of nature that turn lives to chaos, decisions about when to return to what was our normal routine? Heal the hurts of all your children, stop any rude and judgmental comments from coming from our lips, and bring about your peace for all in Jesus Christ, the living Lord. We continue to pray for those facing the fear of Covid and any other health condition. We give you thanks and praise that you are restoring the health of many. We pray for an end to the suffering of our brothers and sisters here and everywhere. We pray for all who have died, that their “names will always be for a blessing.” We pray for those who govern the nations of the world, the people who live in countries damaged by strife and warfare, for those who work for peace and international harmony, those who devote themselves to the care of your natural world. We pray for all who worship you, dear God, though we may call you by different holy names. We pray for ourselves, that you might find us faithful today and on the day of your promised return. We pray in Jesus’ name and as he taught us, saying, Our Father…Amen.” Hymn The King of Love My Shepherd Is 4 Thou spread’st a table in my sight, thy unction grace bestoweth, and, O, what transport of delight from thy pure chalice floweth! 5 And so through all the length of days thy goodness faileth never, Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise within thy house forever. Blessing May the Three that are over you, the Three that are below you, the Three that are above you here, the Three Who are above you yonder, the Three Who are in the earth, the Three Who are in the air, the Three Who are in heaven, the Three Who are in the great, pouring sea- bless you. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Three in One and One in Three. Amen. Postlude Prelude
Call to Worship Lent calls us to journey, this and every day, following Jesus wherever he leads us. Lent calls us to journey: to the place God covenants with us, to receive the new life we are given. Hymn There Is a Redeemer Text and Music: Melody Green 1982 1 There is a redeemer, Jesus, God’s own Son, precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One. Refrain: Thank you, O my Father, for giving us your Son, and leaving your Spirit till the work on earth is done. 2 Jesus, my Redeemer, name above all names. Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, hope for sinners slain. Refrain. 3 When I stand in glory, I will see his face. There I’ll serve my King forever in that holy place. Refrain. Prayer of Confession God of mercy, you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost. We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We are misled by pride, for we see ourselves pure when we are stained, and great when we are small. We have failed in love, neglected justice, and ignored your truth. Have mercy upon us, O God, and forgive our sin. Return us to the path of righteousness through Jesus Christ our Savior. Response Take, O Take Me as I Am Text and Music: John Bell, 1995 Take, O take me as I am. Summon out what I shall be. Set your seal upon my heart and live in me. Repeat. Assurance of Forgiveness Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life is gone; a new life has begun. Know you are forgiven and be at peace. Amen. Old Testament Reading Psalm 32 The Joy of Forgiveness Of David. A Maskil. 1 Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’, and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah 6 Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them. 7 You are a hiding-place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. Selah 8 I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 9 Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you. 10 Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord. 11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart. Gospel Reading Matthew 4:1-11 The Temptation of Jesus Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ 4But he answered, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” ’ 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’ 7Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’ 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; 9and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ 10Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” ’ 11Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him. The Message for March 7, 2021 Lent 3 Let’s set the scene: The inhabited part of Judea stood on the central plateau which was the backbone of Southern Palestine. Between it and the Dead Sea there stretched a terrible wilderness, thirty-five by fifteen miles. It was called Jeshimmon, which means “The Devastation.” The hills were like dust heaps; the limestone blistered and peeling; the rocks were bare and jagged; the ground sounded hollow to the hoses’ hooves; it glowed with heat like a vast furnace and it ran out to the cliffs, which were about a thousand feet high, then swooped down to the Dead Sea. It was there that the Spirit led Jesus, where he stayed for forty days and nights and was tempted. Who has encountered such a scene? Maybe you’ve been to the Holy Land and have witnessed this yourself. Or maybe you’ve hiked the Rockies. Maybe you ventured into the desert of the American Southwest that glows with the sun. Or maybe the wilderness you encountered was an illness, a broken relationship, a lawsuit, trouble in school, moving across the country, or deployment in service to our country. Or something else. We have all experienced something of the wilderness. We have been tested and tried and worn. We may have even been tempted by evil. These are ways that we can identify with Jesus, Emmanuel, God-with-us. Sometimes our wilderness wandering leads to disaster. Other times, it can lead to new life and that’s what I want to share today. Joe and Mary met in the kitchen of a mutual friend on the night of a New Year’s party. They were cleaning up, bagging trash and washing dishes, because they got bored with the small talk in the living room. They just regular talked and found they had some things in common. They both liked to hike and they both enjoyed gourmet cooking. Joe invited Mary to join him on a hike when the weather warmed up in the spring. Mary said she’d love to but he should know that she has an 8 year old son and doesn’t normally leave him with a babysitter for a whole day. He was welcome to change his mind. Joe surprised himself by saying, “No problem. Bring him along.” Now, this was unusual because Joe had no children and he wasn’t sure he even liked kids. Now, he had just committed to spending a whole day with one. So, on a clear day in March, Joe, Mary and Josh drove to the Red River Gorge. Typically, Joe would hike along the ridges, but he worried about taking a little boy up where there were steep drop-offs. Instead, he took them on Rock Bridge Trail down to a beautiful waterfall. Long enough and a little challenging for an 8 year old. The trail’s turnaround point at the falls was a perfect place for the picnic lunch Joe had packed. The weather cooperated, cool and clear, with some of the trees just beginning to bud. Joe had hoped to see deer along the trail, but, the hikes he normally took were solitary and silent. Today’s hike was different, thanks to his companions and the running conversation. Joe found he really didn’t mind. Josh brought lots of energy and enthusiasm to the day. Josh had been hiking many times with his mom. He shared with Joe the three rules his mom had taught him for being in the woods: Rule one: Stay together no matter what. Rule two: Watch the light. The direction of the light helps you figure out where you are. Rule three is to mark the important parts of the trail. That’s how you know where you’ve been and it will help you find your way home. So, at a couple of places on the trail, when they made a turn, Josh built a cairn of rocks as other hikers had done before them, so they would remember the spot and know which way to turn when going home. Josh loved building cairns and Joe enjoyed helping him find just the right rocks, flat and smooth. And that was the day Joe fell in love with Mary and Josh. Joe couldn’t go to sleep that night. Loving someone was terrifying. He was not very good at it, according to his ex-wife. And it was complicated. Josh was looking for and needed a father. His father hadn’t been in the picture for over five years. Joe had no experience with children and Josh had needs and expectations as all children do. He needed a lot of love and support and guidance. Would Joe measure up? Would he fail at this relationship, too? But, Mary and Josh had fallen in love with Joe, too. And from that first spring day, the threesome spent nearly every Saturday together, doing ordinary things like making grilled cheese sandwiches, cleaning the garage, and playing in the park. This time of wilderness wandering has led to change for all of them. Joe thinks about Josh when making choices about almost everything. Which trails to hike, what television shows to watch, how to spend his money, are all influenced by the boy who now calls him, “Dad.” It isn’t always easy or fun or cozy. Life can be complicated, as we all well know. Joe goes to bed earlier these days, because Josh wakes early. On Saturdays, they let Mary sleep in while they eat Honey Smacks on the sofa. Joe doesn’t work 65 hours a week anymore. He turned down a promotion that would mean moving to a distant city. In these early days of life as a family of three, he wouldn’t even consider moving Mary and Josh from the job, school and friends they loved. Joe’s interests have changed so much. He actually takes time off a couple of times a month to have lunch with Josh at his school. He took a whole day off to go to the pumpkin patch with the third grade class in October. He’s quite popular with all the kids because most of the dads can’t show up during the school day. When Christmas came along, Joe wanted to choose the perfect gift. After all, this whole family celebration thing was a novel experience. So, he rented an RV, not to be used in December, but in the spring. Joe presented Mary and Josh with colorful guide books to state parks so they could all plan a trip together. They were delighted just thinking of the hiking and camping and fishing and campfire-building ahead of them. And then there was Josh’s gift to Joe: three washed rocks. He had collected them out of a local creek and washed them, scrubbing them in detergent and bleach water with a brush. “It was hard work,” Josh explained. Three smooth rocks of decreasing size, scrubbed to a shiny gleam. “I know how you love to hike, and I hoped this would remind you of some of the fun hikes we’ve taken.” Joe was unable to speak. He gave Josh a huge hug and they built a little cairn under the Christmas tree. Mary, Joe and Josh have experienced deep transformation over the past year. It has been full of new understanding and growth. Sometimes they feel like their hearts are being expanded. Memories are piling up like stones, each one fresh and meaningful. And sometimes hard. Sometimes we choose to venture into the unknown. We prepare for it. We anticipate the problem spots and we go prepared. Sometimes we wander aimlessly, running low on food and water, and make it home by the skin of our teeth. Sometimes we lose our way. Remember the rocks. They are not bread to be plundered by the wind, the rain or the wildlife. Picture the stones, one atop the other. One reminds us to stay together. One reminds us to watch for the light. And one reminds us to mark the important turns on the trail. Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer Gracious and loving God, We thank you for walking with us during these days of wilderness-walking and uncertainty. Remind us that though our circumstances change daily due to weather, Covid, and other factors, you remain unchanged, ever-present and ever loving. As Spring comes closer and the sun lengthens our days, awaken our hope in your promise of new life. This day we pray for all those struggling to put their lives back together following recent storms and all the damage they caused. Comfort those who have lost their homes and belongings. Bring solace and peace to those who have suffered the loss of loved ones. We pray for this community and our nation and other nations. May all who lead from positions of power, be inspired by your wisdom, compassion, and courage. We pray for innocent victims of violence and hardship of any kind. We pray for the little girl, and all children in harsh situations, whose sobs interrupted her virtual school classroom because she was suffering from hunger and poverty. Help us identify children and others in these circumstances and make the way clear to relieve them of their distress. We pray for those closest to us who are in any kind of illness or distress, for those who have endured loss, including the loss of loved ones. We pray for our church and its leaders as plans are made to return to the building for worship. May you give us all an extra measure of patience and optimism to cope with our challenges and embrace our opportunities. We pray as Jesus taught us saying, Our Father…Amen. Blessing Go now and live in the spirit of your baptism, even when you are led into wild and hard places. With repentance and trust, give yourselves to God, and with fasting and prayer, strengthen yourselves against the ways of the tempter. And may God enfold you in tender and lasting love. May Christ be beside you in times of struggle. And may the Spirit guide you whenever you stray. Postlude |
PastorCinda Harkless Archives
July 2024
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