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God's covenant: a blessing and a promise

Worship
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Romans 4:13-25
Mark 8:31-38
Second Sunday in Lent - B
James R. Wilson
Lectionary Worship Aids
Cycle B, Series IV
Call To Worship
Leader: Gather now for worship, all who would give praise to Almighty God!
People: God blessed Abraham and Sarah even when their age was against them.
Leader: God is truly Almighty and there is nothing the Lord cannot do.
People: God's promises are greater than any who would stand against them.
Leader: Indeed our God is wonderful and worthy of our praise and adoration.
All: Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Collect

O God, You blessed Abraham and Sarah, and even from their old age made a nation to be a blessing unto all nations. We hear Your message, Lord, that in Your power our work is never over. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Prayer Of Confession

Lord, as we have grown through the years we have often been tempted to feel it would be impossible for You to use our lives or do anything with us. We have even read of how You kept Your covenant with Abraham and Sarah but we doubt that You would or even could use our lives in such a special way. Forgive us, Lord, and use us as You will. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Hymns

"The God Of Abraham Praise"

"God Will Take Care Of You"

"All To Jesus I Surrender"
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 28 | OT 33 | Pentecost 23
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Christ the King Sunday
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Thanksgiving
34 – Sermons
80+ – Illustrations / Stories
24 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
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4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

The local community

Those who suffer

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.

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With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
-- Isaiah 12:3

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Freedom is such a lovely word, a compelling image. What is freedom? How would you define it? What does it mean to you? Webster's New World Dictionary defines freedom as being exempt from control or from arbitrary restrictions. Freedom is said to be the ability to choose or determine one's own actions.

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