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Prelude Welcome and Announcements *Call to Worship If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater. Those who believe in the Son of God have testimony in their hearts. This is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life. We gather knowing that we have eternal life. Let us worship together this Lord of life. Prayer of the Day Almighty God, your blessed Son before his passion prayed for his disciples that they might be one, as you and he are one. Grant that your church, being bound together in love and obedience to you, may be united in one body by the one Spirit, that the world may believe in him whom you have sent, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. *Hymn 41 O Worship the King, All Glorious Above, verses 1-3 Prayer of Confession Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being, whose face is hidden from us by our own sins, and whose mercy we forget in the blindness of our hearts: Cleanse us from all offenses, and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires, that with humble hearts we may draw near to you, confessing our faults, confiding in your grace, and finding refuge and strength, through Jesus Christ your Son. Amen. *Hymn Take, O Take Me As I Am Assurance of Pardon Hear the good news! Who is in a condition 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 and a new life is begun. Know you are forgiven and be at peace. Amen. First Reading Ephesians 1:11-23 Time for Young Disciples Reading from Scripture John 17:6-19 *Hymn O Worship the King, All Glorious Above, verses 4 and 5 Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Sharing Our Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Presenting Our Gifts of Tithes and Offering Offertory *Hymn 606 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication *Hymn 378 We Wait the Peaceful Kingdom *Blessing Go out into the blessing of a new week. As Christ prays for you, pray for one another. As Christ forgives you, forgive one another. As Christ loves you, love one another. And may the grace of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit go with you today and always. Amen. *Postlude Prelude
Welcome and Announcements *Call to Worship O Come let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For the Lord is our God; we are the Lord’s people; the flock that God shepherds. Prayer of the Day God of all power, you called from death our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep. Send us as shepherds to rescue the lost, to heal the injured, and to feed one another. with knowledge and understanding. through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen. *Hymn 39 Great Is Thy Faithfulness Prayer of Confession Merciful God, We confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy, forgive us, and call us back to your fold, that we may walk in your ways and delight in your will, to the glory of your name. *Hymn 698 Take, O Take Me as I Am Assurance of Pardon Ours is a gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He gathers us to him as surely as the shepherd rescues his wayward flock. I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. We are safe in the arms of God. Be at peace. Amen. First Reading Revelation 7:9-17 Time for Young Believers Gospel Reading John 10:11-18 The Morning Message *Hymn 803 My Shepherd Will Supply My Need *Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Joys and Concerns of the Church Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Presenting our Tithes and Offerings Offertory *Hymn 606 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication *Hymn 837 What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine (Leaning On the Everlasting Arms) *Blessing Go now, following the voice of the shepherd. Fear no evil, for God is by your side. Devote yourselves to the works of God, to words of mercy, to good deeds and to acts of love. And may God wipe every tear from your eyes; May Christ Jesus be your shepherd and all that you need; And may the Holy Spirit tend you with goodness and love all the days of your life. Amen. *Postlude Prelude
Welcome and Announcements Call to Worship Psalm 116 The Lord is gracious and merciful, and hears us when we call. The Lord has been good to you. The Lord has delivered my life from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling. We come with thanksgiving, and call on the name of the Lord. *Hymn 250 In the Bulb There is a Flower (Hymn of Promise) Prayer of Confession O God, whose presence is veiled from our eyes, when we do not recognize you, may our hearts burn within us, and when feeling is lost, may we cling in faith to your Word and the power of bread broken. We confess that we do not always live in the spirit of new life. We worry and grow discontent about our circumstances and deny the transforming power of the resurrection. Forgive us and call us back to the sacred walk you take with us, be it on the highway, or the quiet path. in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen. *Hymn 698 Take, O Take Me As I Am Assurance of Forgiveness Friends, in Jesus Christ we are called to a new way of life, one that overflows with hope, love, forgiveness and reconciliation. Let us walk forward together on this journey of faith, assured that our Lord never leaves us or forsakes us. Be at peace. Amen. First Reading 1 Peter 1:17-23 Time With Our Young Disciples Gospel Reading Luke 24:13-35 The Morning Message This is a favorite Scripture passage for many of us. My affection for it has been influenced by the beautiful Robert Zund painting of the scene which we have included in worship today. The setting is so lush and green. Fertile. The soil soft and worn as they tread it. The trees providing a cool canopy above them. Three friends moseying along, enjoying each other’s company. They could be any group of guys walking around Lake William at Barboursville Park. Maybe they’re walking off that biscuit they just had a Tudor’s. But they’re not just any trio of buddies. This is Jesus with two of his friends. Post-resurrection. They didn’t recognize him yet. We know what has happened in recent days in Jerusalem. Jesus of Nazareth, a prophet mighty in deed and word before the people, had been arrested and crucified. How they had hoped he was the one to rescue Israel, but the authorities had ordered his death. They had witnessed his crucifixion and had carried him to the tomb. The tomb, the women had found empty, and then the strange, unbelievable events surrounding their visit. They didn’t know what to make of it. When the stranger joined them, they recounted the events. Their hearts were heavy with grief and confusion. But, into their sad reverie, Jesus brought some good news. He recalled stories from Scripture, stories they would know by heart. Jesus reminded them that the Savior would suffer trials before his entrance into glory. Was not this the testimony of the law and the prophets? They walked and talked ‘til the sun was low in the sky. Close to their lodging place, they invited Jesus to join them for a meal and a night’s rest. And so he did, and though he was not the owner of the house, or the host of the meal, Jesus took bread and blessed and broke it. And they recognized him in the breaking of the bread. A friend of mine says that when she was growing up, she and her sisters shared the task of setting the table for meals. They were taught by their parents to set an extra place, for Jesus, the unseen guest at every meal. There is an expectation in that, an intimacy that says Jesus is familiar in a tangible way. He is family. He is friend. Sometimes, when a person is near death, they report that they see Jesus waiting for them, at the foot of the bed, or by the door, to take their hand and lead them into the next life. Their good and trusted friend has come for them. There is no fear. No hesitation. There is recognition. And that is a great comfort for them and for us. Can we know Jesus in that way? In a time when we send and receive “Friend” requests and “Like” requests with a tap on our iPhones, can Jesus be our friend? What kind of friend? Can we “Unlike” him when we disagree or when he “Likes” someone or some cause we don’t? Ruth is one of the saints in light now, but she lived 96 year on earth, before her friend, Jesus, led her into the Church Triumphant. One day when I was visiting her, she spoke of how Jesus became her closest and most reliable friend. Ruth was born in Massillon, Ohio. She came to Huntington and graduated from Huntington High School. She went on to Marshall College, where she would be a member of Kappa Theta Sorority. She served on the Pan Hellenic Council. She was a long-time supporter of one of our county political parties. Ruth had many friends. That was no surprise to me. Even in advanced years, she was beautiful, energetic, articulate, and social. She loved football…or at least she loved “that Tom Brady…um!” It is also no surprise that Ruth caught the eye and the heart of a handsome young man, Julian. They married and were blessed with a son and a daughter. Life was good. Julian worked for the US Post Office as a letter carrier, as they were called in those days. On October 24, 1950, while he was on the job, in Salt Rock, here in Cabell County, Julian was shot and killed. He was forty years old. Ruth was left to grieve his death and raise their children, who were not yet in school, the youngest still a babe in arms. Ruth says she was strolling her baby one day, a million thoughts running through her troubled mind. How in the world could she carry on, how could she raise her children without her husband? Would they even remember their father? She says she remembers praying that day as she walked, repeatedly asking, “What am I going to do?” And then she felt the warmth and comfort of a hand on her back. A hand she couldn’t see, but, knew, was the hand of Jesus. And in that moment, she heard him say, “I will be your friend.” And her burden was lifted. With that reassurance, Ruth did find strength and courage and everything needed to raise two faithful, healthy, accomplished children. She had a forty year career in one of our local businesses. She had a church family. She had friends. Jesus was her friend and I’m sure it was Jesus who took her hand and led her into the Church Triumphant. Jesus is always with us, though we may not see him, or hear him, or even acknowledge his presence. But we have evidence. How have you recognized him? In the breaking of bread on a Communion Sunday or in the breaking of an addiction? In seeing a solution to some problem? A break-through? When we are alone and scared, when the diagnosis is undesired, and we get a call or a handful of flowers from a neighbors garden? Have you recognized him when you’ve reached a milestone, succeeded at a difficult assignment, aced a high-set goal? Do we acknowledge his help when we learn something important? Or when healing comes? Or when a relationship is mended? Our old friend William Barclay included these words in his discourse on Luke 24: “It is not only at the Communion Table that we can be with Christ. We can be with him at the dinner table, too. He is not only the host in his church. He is the guest in every home.” And he leaves us with these verses by Fay Inchfawn: “Sometimes when everything goes wrong, when days are short and nights are long; when wash-day brings so dull a sky that not a single thing will dry. And when the kitchen chimney smokes, and when there’s not so odd as folks. When friends deplore my faded youth, and when the baby cuts a tooth. When John, the baby last, but one, clings round my skirts ‘til day is done, and fat, good-tempered Jane is glum, and butcher’s man forgets to come. Sometimes I say on days like these, I get a sudden gleam of bliss. Not on some sunny day of ease, He’ll come…but on a day like this!” *Hymn 240 Alleluia! Alleluia! Give Thanks *Affirmation of Faith Apostles Creed p. 35 *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings Offertory *Hymn 606 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication *Hymn 451 Open My Eyes, That I May See Meeting of the Congregation We meet for the purpose of electing Elders to the Class of 2024 and a Trustee to the Class of 2025. The nominees for Elder are Harold Bias, Betty Dennison, Tim Moore, and Judy Napier. The nominee for Trustee is John W. Thomas. *Blessing May the work of your hands bring Christ honor. May your speech and actions reflect the Word of Life. And may the service you offer be driven by the indwelling Spirit. Amen. *Postlude Prelude
Announcements *Call to Worship 1 Peter 1:3 By God’s great mercy, we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. *Hymn 238 Thine Is the Glory Prayer Living God, for whom no door is closed, no heart is locked, draw us beyond our doubts, til we see your Christ and touch his wounds where they appear in others. This we ask through Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen. First Reading John 20:19-25 Prayer of Confession We confess before God, the whole company of heaven, and our brothers and sisters in faith, that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and pray God Almighty to have mercy on us. *Hymn 698 Take, O Take Me As I Am Assurance of Forgiveness May God Almighty have mercy on us, pardon and deliver us from all sins, and keep us in everlasting peace. Amen. Time With Our Young Disciples Second Reading John 20:26-31 The Morning Message Let’s set the scene: the disciples had gathered in a familiar meeting place, very likely the upper room where they had observed the Passover meal and the room in which Jesus instituted the Last Supper. The room was locked up tight for fear of the Jewish authorities. Any footfall upon the stair, a knock, or command to open the door, could signal certain death for them. Then suddenly, Jesus is there with them. He gave them the customary eastern greeting, “Peace be to you.” A more accurate translation would be, “May God give you every good thing.” We can imagine both the shock and the profound peace that would wash over the disciples in that moment. Jesus must have anticipated their need to see for themselves that this man was truly their friend, the crucified one, Jesus. He shows them his wounds, his hands and his side. He lets them touch his body. Note, this is the same gesture Jesus will make for Thomas, but we never call these disciples doubters. Just an observation. And then Jesus commissions them for their life’s work, their magnum opus. “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Let’s place ourselves in that room: dark and stuffy, with the curtain covering the only window, everyone still as a stone, the snapping electricity of fear running through all of them. Rev. Marci Auld Glass writes that , “Jesus could have gone and sent other people, presumably people with more courage, people who weren’t hiding, or whomever. But, he’s sending his people. His friends. His disciples. The one who denied him three times in eight hours. The ones who loved him til the end. Even Thomas, who isn’t there at the moment, but who will get his chance in a bit.” This is great good news for us. These two thousand years later, we are called and sent, even with our human inadequacies and our brokenness. No research project, no finals, no certification test, no bar exam, no ordination exam required. Belief. Even shaky, “I’ll believe it when I see it” faith. That is qualification enough to bear the good news of the gospel into the world. Yes! On the other hand, I’m not sure I want to sign up for the insults and abuse Jesus suffered. But don’t we already know that the gospel doesn’t always take us down easy paths? But, hang on. Here comes help: After Jesus gives the faithful their instructions, he breathes on them. Two years of Covid precautions has me concerned about having someone breathe on me intentionally. But, that was the method. Jesus breathed. The Greek word for breath is “pneuma.” In Latin, it comes to us as “Spiritus.” You can see the relatedness of breath and spirit-without breath, we have no life, no spirit. What is the first thing every mother wants to hear the moment her baby enters the world? Her baby’s cry. That is the sign that air is filling the lungs, the heart is beating and blood is circulating through the newborn body as it should. “The risen Christ breathes, filling the disciples with his quickening, life-giving Spirit.” And what is the Spirit? We will hear more about that on Pentecost Sunday, but, here’s a start: “The Spirit is like wind, like fire, like a bird, like a breath-moving through every language and every culture of this world, bursting out of every category and defying every metaphor.” And it’s a good thing because the first task Jesus assigns is this: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. If you retain the sins of any, then they are retained.” I confess, it’s much easier to preach on the six verses at the end of this text- the ones about Doubting Thomas-than it is these curious words about forgiveness. But, let’s try. If you were to come talk to me about a situation that is troubling you, maybe a person who has hurt you, I would listen. I would ask if you are in danger. Then I would probably say something like, “The only person’s behavior you can control is your own. You can’t control anyone else. If you can’t reconcile your issues, it’s time to think of a way for you to make peace with this.” When we forgive people, we don’t do it in the hope that they will change. Well, maybe sometimes we do. But, realistically, we forgive so that we are no longer holding onto the pain, the anger, the fear that can damage our lives. I’ve wasted time in my life perfecting my grudges. It’s futile. It’s a practice that can suck the breath, the spirit, right out of you. It has me. I have referenced Rachel Held Evans several times in recent weeks. Rachel was raised in an evangelical Christian family. Her father was a pastor and professor at a Christian college in Tennessee. Her whole life and education was bathed in the climate of evangelical Christianity. She was grateful for that foundation, but, as she moved into adulthood, experiencing life outside that sheltered environment, getting married, having children, she began to ask questions of her faith, she began raising questions about and to God. She wrote a blog. She wrote NYT best sellers. She was a much-sought-after preacher. Rachel’s books and blogs are rich and humorous and insightful. She can make you laugh til you cry. She can be blunt. She can make the pages just sing with warmth and beauty. But, as she pushed the margins of her traditional faith, particularly the beliefs about women’s roles in the church, she suffered terrible, hate-filled insults. Her church condemned her work. Friends fell away. But, she clearly felt the breath of God on her as she was making these changes. She was on that not-so-easy path many of us fear when saying yes to Jesus. A few years ago, during an especially difficult time, Rachel took up a new practice for Lent. She turned her hate mail into Origami. This is what she said about it: “As much as I try to ignore the most vile of these messages, they can still be quite painful, and I think that’s okay. It’s important to grow thick skin, but I also want to keep a tender, open heart…which means unclenching my fists and letting some of these words hurt every now and again.” At the end of her Lenten journey, Rachel wrote: “What I learned, turning my hate mail into origami, is that we’re meant to remake this world together. We’re meant to hurt together, heal together, forgive together, and create together. And, in a sense, even the people who continue to hate me and call me names are a part of this beautiful process. Their words, carelessly spoken, spent the last 40 days in my home- getting creased and folded, worked over…stepped on by a toddler, read by my sister, stained with coffee…blacked out, thrown away, turned into poems, and folded into sailboats and cranes and pigeons that now sit smiling at me from my office window.” Jesus said, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven. If you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” I kinda doubt you and I have ever received the volume of hate mail Rachel Evans did. But, I’d bet we could all name someone or something, that hurt us or made us miserable. And, this is saying the quiet part out loud… I have been known to hang onto nasty emails and memos and evaluations for a long time. I used to pull them out of file folders and stew over them, maybe shed a few tears and vow …you get the drift. But, praise God from whom all blessings flow…it doesn’t last…when the risen Christ throws open the locked door of the heart, or the memory locked into the mind, and says, “Blow. Blow. Blow all of that stale, grudging, judging, lifeless air out. And breathe.” *Affirmation of Faith Apostles’ Creed p. 35 *Hymn 581 Gloria Patri Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings *Hymn 606 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication We are so filled with the joy of the resurrection that we offer these gifts of our time, abilities, and treasure to you, O God. May they be signs of hope, peace, life, and community to all in need of your gifts and grace. In Jesus’ name, who gave his life that we might live. Amen. *Hymn 268 Crown Him With Many Crowns *Blessing The risen Christ says: Peace be with you. May you be filled with all joy and hope in believing. We have seen the Lord! Alleluia! Amen. *Postlude Welcome and Announcements
*Call to Worship Alleluia! Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia! *Hymn 232 Jesus Christ Is Risen Today Prayer for Easter O Christ, in your resurrection, The heavens and earth rejoice, Alleluia! By your resurrection you broke open the gates of hell and destroyed sin and death. Keep us victorious over sin. By your resurrection, you raised the dead, and brought us from death to life. Guide us in the way of eternal life. By your resurrection you confounded your guards and executioners, and filled your disciples with joy. Give us joy in your service. By your resurrection you proclaimed good news to the women and apostles, and brought salvation to the whole world. Direct our lives as your new creation. God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead. for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. From the waters of death, you raise us with him and renew the gift of life within us. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ, and help us grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen. First Reading Luke 24:1-12 Time for Young Disciples Gospel Reading John 20:1-18 The Morning Message I heard the little “bing!” that announced I had a message on my phone. It was an SOS from dear friend. We met doing presbytery work and formed a fast and strong bond. “Help! The pastor’s sick, I’m writing a sermon, the session has met and approved me to officiate Communion. But, I need a Book of Common Worship and can’t find one anywhere in the church. I’ve never been on the other side of the Communion Table and I don’t know the right words to say!” The irony of this moment was rich. My friend is one of the most articulate people I know. She is gifted in many ways and communication is her strong suit. She has had more experience at public speaking than I’ll ever have. I’ve taken this call before and immediately sent her a link to the on-line resource. But, when I hadn’t heard from her in about thirty minutes, I sent a text. All was well. She just made a fast trip to the church to look for recorded service music they might use in worship. The organist had just been diagnosed with strep. Now, I had my own issues with worship this week. When Ed got back from his service Thursday night, he was decompressing from an unfortunate incident he witnessed. Holy Week marks the defining moments of the Christian faith. We have good news to tell. But, for awhile in recent days, it felt like the good news was getting kicked in the teeth. Now, I learned a long timw ago that this happens sometimes when we enter holy moments. We encounter a negative energy that gets in the way. So, I said as much to my friend and reminded myself as well as her that our task is a simple one. We just need to stick to Mary’s script: “I have seen the Lord!” To say, “I have seen the Lord!”is to point out resurrection in the midst of ruin, new life when all that seems visible is death; love in the face of hate; decency and goodness when that which is vitriolic and vile and vicious finds only more and more followers. Because, in the end, resurrection is not only the promise of life after death, which, is huge, but, it is also that the life-giving love of God will always move the stones away. Tombs are just that-containers for the dead. And there are enough tombs around us, dark dwelling places that fuel corruption and deception, racism, sexism, rejection, suspicion, fear. Two long years ago, we celebrated Easter in our homes because a deadly virus prevented almost all social interaction. It may have felt as though you were trapped in a tomb. Thanks to the efforts of many, many people and institutions and the public working together toward the goals of life and health and well-being, that stone is being rolled away. But, we have been changed. Rolling the stone away may reveal places that need further work. Those of you in education are aware of the impact Covid has had on students and families. I have heard some teachers say it may take years to catch up. It’s hard to see God’s work in this type of situation, but, it is possible. Sarah Bessey is a young comntemporary author and preacher. She speaks with clarity, frank honesty, and with a spirit of humility. She says out loud what most of us think but can’t quite say: that some days we are unwavering believers. But, sometimes we have doubts. Bessey writes, “And Jesus is-still, now, always-the resurrection and the life. And on the days when I believe this, I am certain we will also be resurrected and death will not have the final word and all tears will be wiped away and there will be no more night, no more hunger, no more wounding, no more loss, no more good-byes. On the days when I believe this, I believe death is a dawn and never the last word. On the days when I believe this, I know the miracle is that God knows the dark and never the last word. On the days when I believe this, I believe that ongoing hope of resurrection changes how we engage in our lives as they stand right now as we love and know and walk with God who brings life out of death, order out of chaos, healing out of sickness, wholeness out of brokeness. On the days when I believe this, I know God isn’t finished with this story yet. But, there are days when I don’t believe it. And on those, I have this: God With Us, Emmanuel. This Easter, it may be all some of us have. We can’t quite get to resurrection and life yet, but, in that place of exile, we can rest alongside God with us, which is our country of grace for today.” I’ve shared this before. When my grandson was on spring break last year, he spent a lot of time with his dad. Of course, the whole week was chronicled by iphone camera. We have pictures of Tad eating breakfast, playing with the dog, running in the park, and eating lumberjack-sized hamburgers at an outdoor café. Then there was this: Tad is singing from the backseat of the car: “Do you know the muffin man, the muffin man, the muffin man. Do you know the muffin man, who… Do you know the muffin man, who… He couldn’t quite get to the last line, so he says, “Sing it with me, Daddy!” “You mean, this one, Do you know the muffin man? That one?” “Yes! Yes! Sing that song with me!” And so he did and they sang it to the end. Together. Because that’s the way we open the shutters, cast off the pall, roll away the stone, hold hands, and make it to the country of grace for today. *Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed p. 35 *Hymn 580 Gloria Patri Special Music Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Living God, You have opened our eyes to see the glory of this new day; now open our lips to tell of the empty tomb; open our hearts to believe the Good News; and strengthen us in body and spirit to carry your message of hope into the world, In your mercy, heal the suffering, mend our brokenness, restore our relationships, save us from hostility and harsh judgments, show us our purpose, impart wisdom to those in the halls of governments, and bring peace to your world. We pray for ourselves, giving thanks for your sustaining love that has comforted us in our pain and blessed us with occasions of joy. We pray for those among us and those in our hearts who are need of healing- of body, mind, or spirit. We pray for the victims of violence everywhere, especially mindful of the tragic events this week in New York City. We grieve with our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and Eastern Europe who are victims of a cruel regime and seek intervention that leads to peace. 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 698 Take, O Take Me As I Am Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings *Hymn 606 Doxology *Hymn 826 Lift High the Cross Or Hymn 268 Crown Him With Many Crowns *Blessing Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! *Postlude Prelude
Welcome and Announcements Lenten Reading Tim and Amy Moore *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! God save us!” *Hymn 197 Hosanna, Loud Hosanna 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. First Reading Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 Prayer of Confession Holy and merciful God, in your presence we confess our failure to be what you created us to be. You alone know how often we have sinned in wandering from your ways, in wasting your gifts, in forgetting your love. By your mercy, help us to live in your light and walk in your ways, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. Hymn 698 Take, O Take Me As I Am Assurance of Forgiveness The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven and we may dwell in peace. Amen. Moments With Our Young Disciples Gospel Reading Luke 19:28-40 Morning Message It seems like we just get the Christmas decorations put away when Lent rolls around. We make a swift transition from the rich textures of color, scent, and sound, gifts and traditions, family and carols, to the austere season of Lent. In centuries past, Lent was strictly observed as a time of austerity. After Fat Tuesday, there would be no rich food, no parties, no weddings, no baptisms. In many of our liturgical churches, crosses and icons were draped in purple or black and no alleluias escaped the lips of even the best choir. Lent was a time of simplicity, and for those who wanted to take it even more seriously, Lent was a time of self-denial. One would “give up” some creature comfort or pleasure in order to identify with Jesus, who gave up everything, even his life and breath, for us. Some Christians adhere to this practice today. Rachel Held Evans was one of my favorite contemporary theologians and preachers. I urge you to read her work. Maybe some of us could read it together, for it’s very thought-provoking and tends toward the humorous. As a young married couple, Rachel and her husband, Dan, became disillusioned with their church. They were looking for a different way to practice the Christian faith that honored their emergent progressive theology. They acknowledged their deep love for the congregation. Rachel’s own parents were long-time members. Rachel’s father was a well-respected professor in a Christian college in the town of Dayton, Tennessee. He and Rachel’s mother were very active in the church’s life of faith. To leave the church was a heart-wrenching decision. In time, after visiting many different churches and denominations, Rachel, Dan, and several other young people, organized a new church, one they hoped emphasized the importance of love and de-emphasized identifying occasions of sin. They met on Sunday nights in the free apartment on the second floor of the local funeral home. They worshiped, tithed, reached out to the community in need, and eventually had the funds to rent a little store front place and there they established the church and gave it the name, The Mission. The following story is one Rachel wrote as she prepared for the first Palm Sunday they would celebrate in their storefront sanctuary. “The tradition of folding a palm frond into the shape of a cross powerfully illustrates the kingdom message of Jesus, as a symbol of royalty becomes a symbol of sacrifice. The victory of Jesus did not take the shape of forceful triumph, but of humility and that our citizenship in the Kingdom of God demands we do the same.” Which is why Rachel got really upset when she realized the palm fronds she bought weren’t the right size for folding. Dan took one look at the wilting potted palm she had brought home from BiLo and said, “I think they needed to be at least 21 inches long.” “Well, if you want to go out in the pouring rain to buy a $40 palm tree, be my guest,” she shot back. She writes, “I was determined to present a little cross to everyone at church in honor of Palm Sunday and the commencement of Holy Week. So the two of us spent the afternoon painstakingly folding the six-inch leaves into tiny green crosses. The meticulous nature of the work frustrated me, and as I struggled to make one particularly misshapen cross hold together, I couldn’t help but see a parallel between the unraveling little cross in my hands and the unraveling faith in my heart. The symbolism was depressing. I had lofty intentions when I decided to observe the church calendar this year, and things were going very well until Lent. Advent, Christmas and Epiphany had gone well. Unfortunately, Ash Wednesday fell on a day when I woke up unsure that God even exists, in a week when I felt betrayed by a group of Christians, and in a month full of writing deadlines and social commitments. Although I diligently kept my fast throughout the season, I felt as though I did a better job honoring the letter of the law than the spirit of the law. I’d hoped to get into a steady rhythm of daily prayer and reflection, but instead found myself feeling distant from God, distracted by work, and cynical about the Church. But the crumpled fronds and awkward crosses spread across my dining room table spoke not of holiness, but of imperfection. Messy, screwed-up, real-life imperfection. It took a few hours and a few completed crosses for me to realize that this is how it’s supposed to be. The symbolism was perfectly imperfect. Holy Week wasn’t perfect for the disciples. They betrayed, ran away, lied, despaired, and doubted. Holy Week wasn’t perfect for Jesus. He wept. He wondered if there were another way. He experienced the same agony and isolation that inspired the poet David to ask, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Holy Week wasn’t perfect for God, as he looks down on the messes we have made, the wars that we wage, and the imperfect representation of His Son that we clumsily project to the world. For most of us, Holy Week isn’t so holy. In fact, it’s more like the unholy mess spread across my kitchen table on a cold and rainy Palm Sunday afternoon. And maybe that’s how it’s supposed to be. Maybe Holy Week isn’t about perfection maintained, but about imperfection restored- an execution device transformed into a symbol of pardon, three denials transformed into three declarations of love, a tomb transformed into the birthplace of hope.” So, take your palm frond home with you. Tape it to your fridge or lay it on your nightstand. Leave it on the dashboard of your vehicle. Make it into a cross or give it away. However that simple green frond speaks to you, let it speak. And listen carefully to the voices crowded along the road that day long ago. The ones that shouted, “Hosanna! God save us!” Now that symbolism is beautiful. *Affirmation of Faith The Nicene Creed p. 34 *Hymn 580 Gloria Patri Celebrating the Sacrament of Communion Invitation to the Lord’s Table Great Prayer of Thanksgiving including the Lord’s Prayer Breaking of the Bread Communion of the People Prayer After Communion God, our help and strength, you have satisfied our hunger with this Eucharistic food. Strengthen our faith, that through the death and resurrection of your Son we may be led to salvation, for he is Lord today, tomorrow, and forever. Amen. Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings * Hymn 606 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts. Use us and what we have gathered, In feeding the world with your love, Through the one who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. *Hymn 196 All Glory, Laud, and Honor *Blessing The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. *Postlude Prelude
Welcome and Announcements Call to Worship Isaiah 43:19 Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Lenten Reading *Hymn 35 Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty Prayer of Confession Merciful God, we are a people prone to wander, tempted to satisfy our immediate desires, or the most efficient solution to our challenges, instead of seeking a wider view that would lift up a just, peaceful, and plentiful world for all. Holy One, remind us of your love and purpose for all your children. Restore all our relationships and guide us home. Amen. Assurance of Forgiveness Our God is loving, just, and merciful. God delivers us from sin and restores us by grace. Friends, I declare to you, in the name and by the power of Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven and we can be at peace. First Reading Psalm 126 Moments With Our Young Disciples New Testament Reading John 12:1-11 Morning Message In my very first week of seminary, in New Testament Survey, I was introduced to a new word and a new theological concept. Like any first week in any school, new words and concepts come at you so fast it’s like trying to drink from a fire hose. This was no exception. On that particular day, the word was kenosis. Every class began with a time of worship- prayer and a hymn or chorus. On this particular morning, my new friend and classmate, I’ll call her Sue, walked to the front of the room, boom box in hand. She was leading worship, and it would begin with a contemporary Christian song, “Broken and Spilled Out.” I had never heard it, but, this song had special meaning for Sue. It describes this gospel text in which Jesus and his disciples had gathered for a meal, and then, as an act of devotion, Mary broke a jar of sweet, expensive perfume and poured it over Jesus’ feet, drying it with her hair. It was an act of pure devotion. Some were shocked by it. It was too intimate a gesture. Judas ridiculed Mary, claiming that the perfume should have been sold and the money given to the poor. Like the perfume, Mary’s own life had been broken and spilled out before Jesus, only to be filled with a new life, following his example of humility, compassion, and love. Here she ministers to Jesus in an act of extravagant love. Likewise, Sue’s life was broken and spilled out through many years of ups and downs. She was no slacker. She gave and gave and gave til there was almost nothing left of her. Her physical and mental health were both suffering. She was in a spiritual desert. Sue’s life was wholly unsatisfying. She was headed toward disaster. It was in kneeling in humility before Jesus, admitting her failures, and seeking his mind and heart, that she found life. You see, what’s behind that type of problem is a kind of spiritual arrogance. We think we can do it all. And maybe we can do a lot, but we aren’t God. We need God and the people God places in our lives. Sometimes that’s a hard and painful lesson. It was for Sue until her life was broken and spilled out before God and God’s grace came spilling over her like a rushing waterfall. Which, on that first class meeting, left us all prepared to receive the word of the day: “kenosis.” Kenosis is a Greek word which describes the self-emptying of Jesus’ own will in order to be entirely receptive to God’s divine will. Paul writes: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death- even death on a cross.” Paul is urging the good people at the Church of Philippi to adopt a kenotic way of life. Why? Because there had apparently been conflict and it was damaging the church. The members were not imitating Christ. People bring baggage to church with them. Of course we do, because it is a safe place to lay down our burdens. Our church is often times our second home and family. Church folks may be the only family some people have. And have you ever known a perfect family? A family where everyone brushes AND flosses and never brings the car home on empty? Me neither. So, at the First Church of Philippi, there’s conflict and it is so serious that it threatens to fracture the fellowship. Oh, my. I could tell you some stories. I was once dispatched to mediate a church conflict. The plan was to work with the session two nights and the next week work with the congregation. Well, the first thing that happened was the session got into an argument about the interpretation of a Bible passage we were using for a devotion. This did not inspire confidence. The second night, the pastor had a heart attack. We were doomed. That situation could have been resolved satisfactorily, if everyone had taken Paul’s advice and emptied themselves of their tightly-held biases and taken on the mind of Christ. According to Paul, when Jesus emptied himself, he poured out his love. With an outpouring of love comes the other fruit of Spirit-joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The kenosis ethic invites us to imitate Christ, who took on a human body, growing and changing, feeling hunger and thirst, fatigue and pain, joy and love. This moment with friends comes at the end of Jesus’ time with them, indeed, he was in his final days on earth. Jesus was no doubt grateful for their hospitality. A good meal in good company. A gift. He welcomed the gentle anointing Mary provided. When Judas complained, Jesus told him to leave her alone- she was preparing him for his burial. Can we place ourselves in that scene? If you were one of the guests that night, what might you be feeling? Not only was the room filled with the scent of rich perfume, it was filled with memories, miracles, acts of compassion, confrontations with the powerful, acts of love. Their hearts must surely have been breaking at the notion of Jesus’ death. It should occur to us that to break something may be a desirable thing. Like breaking a piñata at a child’s party, or cracking an egg for breakfast. We hope how soon we can housebreak a new pet. We are relieved at the breaking of a habit. Athletes thrive on breaking records. In some cultures, breaking plates after a wedding is supposed to bring the newlyweds good luck. Those of us who follow Jesus hope to break the ways of sin that bring so much destruction upon God’s people. The promise of Easter is that, in his death and in his rising, Jesus has broken the powers of sin and death. Centuries before this night, the psalmist wrote, “May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.” About this psalm, theologian Frederick Buechner writes: “You never know what may cause them. The sight of the Atlantic Ocean can do it, or a piece of music, or a face you’ve never seen before. A pair of somebody’s old shoes can do it. Almost any movie made before the great sadness that came over the world after the Second World War, a horse cantering across a meadow, the high school basketball team running out onto the gym floor at the start of a game. You can never be sure. But of this you can be sure: Whenever you find tears in your eyes, especially unexpected tears, it is well to pay the closest attention. They are not only telling you something about the secret of who you are, but more often than not, God is speaking to you through them of the mystery of where you have come from and is summoning you to where, if your soul is to be saved, you should go next.” The same health issue that has me taking frequent sips of water standing at this pulpit, causes great problems for my eyes. They do not tear and this has damaged my vision. But, my doctor has me trying something new and I am hopeful. Last weekend, I had little Freya in my arms and she was fussy. It was naptime, but she couldn’t quite get there on her own. So, I claimed the rocking chair. And you know what happened. The combination of motion and squeaking worked its magic and soon Freya had wiggled herself to sleeping position, working her little blond head under my chin, her soft breath brushing my neck. I closed my eyes, just enjoying the silence, the sweetness, and I must have fallen asleep, too. You know, it’s amazing what God can do when we’re not looking. I woke to find something wet slipping down my cheek. A breakthrough. *Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed p. 35 * Hymn 580 Gloria Patri Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings *Hymn 606 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication Gracious, loving, and abundant God, we praise you for the gifts presented today and for the intentions of your people in giving. Bless and multiply the effectiveness of our offerings. May they equip the saints for their ministry and be a comfort to those in need. Amen. *Hymn 702 Christ Be Beside Me *Blessing The cross…we will take it. The bread…we will break it. The pain…we will bear it. The joy…we will share it. The gospel…we will live it. The love…we will give it. The light…we will cherish it. The darkness…God will perish it. From Stages On the Way: Iona Community, Wild Goose Worship Group *Postlude Prelude
Welcome and Announcements Lenten Reading *Call to Worship Psalm 32 Happy are those whose sin is forgiven, And in whose spirit, there is no deceit. Therefore, let all who are faithful offer Prayer to the God of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go, As you trust in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous; Shout for joy, all you upright in heart. Let us worship God! *Hymn 410 “God Is Calling Through the Whisper” Prayer God of light and truth, you are beyond our grasp or conceiving. Before the brightness of your presence the angels veil their faces. With lowly reverence and adoring love we acclaim your glory and sing your praise, for you have shown us your truth and love in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen Call to Confession We come to a time to consider how far we have wandered from God. Have we turned from responsibility to seek petty pleasures and self- gratification? Or do we consider ourselves above blame, looking down on those others mired in the pigpens of life? Wherever we are, whoever we may be, there is much to confess. Confession O God, our Rock and Redeemer, hear our confession. We worship idols of our own making; when temptation overtakes us we submit to its charm. We find it easier to grumble at hardships than to praise you for mercies we receive day by day. We test you in every way. Yet you promise that you will not test us beyond our endurance. Forgive us when we take advantage of your loving nature, and restore us to communion with you. (a time of reflection and pertinence) Let God’s people say, Amen Take, O Take Me as I Am Assurance of Pardon God is faithful, and will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing will provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. Christ is the foundation of our salvation; therein lies assurance that we are forgiven of sin. Thanks be to God! New Testament Reading 2 Corinthians 5:16–21 Time With Our Young Disciples Gospel Reading Luke 15:1–3, 11b–32 Morning Message “Who is the Prodigal?” Jim Musgrave *Affirmation of Faith Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. *Hymn 643 “Now Thank We All Our God” Sharing Our Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings *Doxology *Prayer of Dedication Almighty God, from whom all blessings flow, may you find us ever-thankful for the abundance of your gifts. Accept this offering as a sign of our thanks and praise. May they serve to strengthen our commitment to know, love, and serve you this and every day. Amen. *Hymn 774 “There Is Now a New Creation” *Commission and Blessing Stay near to God in the week ahead, be faithful in your times of prayer. Live as ambassadors of Jesus Christ every day; rejoice when a sister or brother returns home to God. We have been reconciled to God and one another through Jesus Christ; God’s love and compassion will be with us always. Now, may grace mercy and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be yours now and forever. Amen. Postlude Prelude
Welcome and Announcements Call to Worship Someday, the house of God will stand on the highest mountain. People will come from every place to learn how to walk in God’s path. God will show us what is fair and put an end to our fighting. People will turn their old weapons into new tools for mutual benefit and blessing. Come, people of God. Let us walk in the light of the Lord. Lenten Reading Jon and Caroline True *Hymn 441 Hear the Good News of Salvation Prayer of Confession Holy God, you have called us to love you with heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. But, if we are honest, we know that sometimes we hurt each other and fail to keep our promises to you. Forgive us, God of grace. Teach us, day by day, to turn away from what is wrong and to turn to you in faith, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Hymn 698 Take, O Take Me As I Am Assurance of Forgiveness Hear the good news: We are dead to sin and evil and alive to God in Jesus Christ. Friends, I urge you to walk in his light- forgiven, reconciled, and free! First Reading Isaiah 55:6-15 Time With Our Young Disciples New Testament Reading Luke 13:1-9 Morning Message *Affirmation of Faith Apostles’ Creed p. 35 *Hymn 580 Gloria Patri Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings *Hymn 606 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication Thank you, Lord, for your many gifts-for the world’s helpers, peace and security, recreation and rest, friends and family, life and health. We thank you for your Son, Jesus, who came to embody your love and compassion for the world, calling us into lives of joyful service. Amen. *Hymn 443 There Is a Redeemer *Blessing May God bless you and keep you safe. May God smile on you with grace. May God watch over you always and give you peace. Amen. *Postlude Prelude
Welcome and Announcements Call to Worship Matthew 4:4 One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. And also with you. Let us worship God. Lenten Reading Hala Mosrie *Hymn 450 Be Thou My Vision Prayer of Confession Holy and merciful God, in your presence we confess our failure to be what you created us to be. You alone know how often we have sinned in wandering from your ways, in wasting your gifts, in forgetting your love. By your loving mercy, help us live in your light and abide in your ways, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. Hymn 698 Take, O Take Me As I Am Assurance of Forgiveness The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen. Old Testament Reading Psalm 27: 1-8, 13-14 Moments With Our Young Disciples New Testament Reading Luke 13:31-35 Morning Message Luke is still my favorite gospel… it is the gospel of prayer, of healing, of women. In this text Jesus uses a beautiful feminine image for himself…a mother hen. Pastor Janet Hunt says when she reads this text she recalls a frightening moment in her life. She was in college and was on a road trip with her mother. They had stopped at a deserted rest stop and Janet jumped out of the car and headed to the rest room. Her mother waited in the car. As she sat, she glanced up to see a man emerging from behind the building. She says her mother found the man’s facial expression menacing. When Janet emerged from the ladies room, she caught a glimpse of the man lurking near her. She quickened her pace, anxious to reach the safety of the car. What she saw next was a surprise and may have saved her life. Her mother opened her car door, got out and stood with her eyes fixed on the man’s face as he walked right behind Janet. She stared him down and he came no further. Janet was able to get into the car and they made a fast exit. Mothers put themselves in harm’s way to protect their young. How many news clips have we seen recently of mothers guarding and guiding their children out of Ukraine, out of harm’s way? They are inspiring and heart-breaking at the same time. Mothers will expose themselves to all sorts of dangers to make sure the one they love is safe. It doesn’t matter how old their child is. A mother’s instinct is to care for her children before herself. And so it is that in today’s reading, Jesus compares himself to a mother hen who will do whatever it takes to protect those baby chicks from the menacing fox. Like the mother hen who gathers her young under her outstretched wings. Twice I’ve seen a fox. Once I was driving to a conference center in rural Jackson County and on the long bumpy access road, I saw a pretty little red Pomeranian dog run across a field and into a ditch beside the road, where it popped its pretty little red head up to check me out. It was only after I had driven a distance down the road that it dawned on me that it was no one’s pet, but a fox. The second time was just a few weeks ago on my way home from church. And at first glance, I thought once again that this was a dog, though it wasn’t so small, cute, or colorful. It was sort of gray and brown and straggly looking, stalking something in the weeds along the road that runs by the riverbank. A hen is no match for a fox, is she? And yet, Janet Hunt says, that’s the way of the gospel. The gospel always chooses the way of love and humility and sacrifice over power and domination. The gospel calls us to summon courage to stand up in the face impending danger. The way of the gospel is to choose a path because it it is the right thing, not necessarily the safest or the most innovative, lucrative or powerful choice. Or, as my old yoga instructor used to say, “All that’s gold does not glitter.” Jesus could have chosen another image, another creature, as his image here. He could have chosen the great majestic eagle like the one mentioned in the words of Exodus 19:4. “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagle’s wings and brought you to myself.” Or this one from Isaiah 40: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Why would Jesus choose a mother hen? A hen and her brood would be a common image in that day and time. The people to whom Jesus spoke would be familiar with it and would know for sure that chickens are frequent victims of foxes. They may have lost some of their own chickens that way. But here’s something else to consider: The life and ministry of Jesus is focused on the vulnerable. Much of his ministry is spent engaged with people who are suffering from serious mental, physical, or spiritual illness. These are people who are well-acquainted with failure and grief and rejection and loss of hope. People who need protection. Jesus does not hold his gifts to his vest or use them for his own enrichment. Jesus doesn’t just bless the strong or the pretty or the well to do. Jesus gives and gives and gives, to everyone, sometimes to the point of exhaustion. Like a mother… Chickens are smarter than I knew. Apparently, they can anticipate and plan and they are capable of worrying. Just like a mother…According to Janet Hunt, this is what one source says: “Neuron organization in chicken brains is highly structured and suggests that, like humans, chickens have evolved to an an impressive level of intelligence to help improve their survival.” So, Jesus chooses the smart, self-sacrificing chicken as his model. And you and I are playing the role of those little chicks, who seem intent on ignoring the efforts of the one who would save us from all those threats beyond our mother’s protective embrace. And it’s here that the whole picture comes together for me. We enter this story as that brood of chicks…scattered, distracted, and unaware of the threats and dangers always lurking near and unaware of how that grieves the heart of God. The lament of Jesus over Jerusalem is also his lament over us. It would seem that Jesus is saying to us that we can all be loved, protected and cared for if we would only let Jesus draw us in, draw us closer, so close that we can feel his heart beating, his breath on our cheeks. But what would that require? We have three TVs. One on each floor. And yesterday, they were all set on WV Public Television. Because for some reason, we wanted to catch as much of the last day of the legislative session as we could. Yes. We are that nerdy at 167 Iroquois Trail. Most of the day we were predictably irritated. Robert’s Rules didn’t make it any more palatable. There were some reasonable bills being considered. But, first there was considerable posturing, preaching, and pontificating. What a mess. Close to 11pm, there was a moment in which one of the retiring Senators was recognized for his service. After several good, commendable remarks, the senator took a moment to respond. I didn’t catch it all, but, among his parting words were these I’ve paraphrased: “Be kind to one another. We need each other. One mind doesn’t have all the answers. I can say I love you all. You are all my friends, even if we disagree. The love of money and power isn’t gonna gets us into heaven. It doesn’t make a darn bit of difference what we do for ourselves, but it can make a huge difference to do for those who can’t do for themselves. We haven’t suffered, but there are plenty around us who are suffering. We need to reach out a hand and lift them up. That’s what matters. That’s what we’ve been put on earth to do.” Well said. That’s putting the hay and oats down where the sheep and goats can get at it. Real power, it seems to me, finds its origin in clinging to power’s source. For us, that’s Jesus. Real power, it seems to me, finds its purpose in imitating the source’s behavior. For us, that means, we love God and we love one another, and we do unto others as we want others to do unto us. It’s been a long time since I’ve driven my kids to school or ferried them around on long trips, or moved them into a dorm. But even today, years hence, I often pray that there will be a work mom or a neighborhood mom who will keep a watchful eye on them like I would do, to stand between them and danger, and to cheer them on as they spread their own wings. *Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed p. 35 *Hymn 580 Gloria Patri Intercessions for Lent Jesus, remember us when you come into your kingdom. As we journey with you toward Jerusalem, may we be aware of both crises and opportunities in this life of discipleship. Increase in us our capacity to empathize, to work for peace, to forgive as you have forgiven us. Hear now our prayers for the world, our neighbors, and ourselves: For your church around the world, we ask for new life. For all who carry out ministries in your church, we ask grace and wisdom. For those who have accepted the spiritual disciplines of Lent, we ask inspired discipleship. For Christians of every land, we ask unity in your name. For Jews and Muslims and people of other faiths, we ask your divine blessing. For those who cannot believe, we ask your faithful love. For governors and rulers of every land, we ask your sober guidance. For people who suffer and sorrow, especially your sons and daughters in Ukraine, we ask your healing peace. Holy God, Your Word, Jesus Christ, spoke peace to a sinful world and brought humanity the gift of reconciliation, by the suffering he endured. Teach those who bear his name to follow the example he gave us. May our faith, hope, and charity turn hatred into love, conflict to peace, and death to eternal life. We lift our prayers to you now for the health and well-being of our church members, families, and friends in their particular circumstances. Silence. As the pandemic wears on, save us from weariness, but, strengthen us to seek health and wholeness here and everywhere. We lift our prayers with the confidence of the children and God, saying, Our Father…Amen. Presenting Our Tithes and Offerings *Hymn 606 Doxology *Prayer of Dedication Blessed are you, O God, giver of all things. Through your goodness, we have these gifts to share. Use us and what we have gathered, in serving the world with your love and compassion, through the one who gave himself for us, Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. *Hymn 187 Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us *Blessing Go now, and live before God in openness and integrity. Set your minds on the ways of God, not clinging to your own life, but taking up your cross to follow Jesus. And may God give you a share in the eternal covenant; may you be found faithful when Christ comes again in glory; and may the Holy Spirit strengthen you in faith and courage, and lead you in the way of righteousness. Amen. *Postlude |
PastorCinda Harkless Archives
July 2022
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