Theme: "No's" That Mean "Yes"!
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series VII, Cycle B
Call To Worship (Psalm 19:1-4)
One:
The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
All:
Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
One:
There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;
All:
yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
Collect
Lord of history, in times of calm, in times of crisis, your law does not change. God of time, though we cannot help but be filled with fear when there is war and rumor of war, we ask for your perspective that we might remember your purpose -- to draw all nations to your holy hill, to become one through the cross in Christ Jesus. Always and everywhere you seek to draw our attention to your Son's death and resurrection, so we might acknowledge our own death, that we might dedicate our hearts and minds to you in anticipation of our destiny of joy. Accept our fears and hopes, and our prayers for others, as we gather to worship you this day. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession (based on Mark 10:19-22)
Lord, we already know the commandments. We have kept them since our youth. We don't murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness, defraud, and we honor our parents. Please don't tell us we lack one thing. We're not ready to sell what we own and give the money to the poor. We have many possessions. Don't send us away grieving. Let us off easy. Amen.
Hymns
Thy Word
Lamp Of Our Feet
Nearer My God To Thee
Third Sunday In Lent
Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Theme: Is This Simple Enough?
Call To Worship
Lord, we come to your house, the only true sanctuary in a world that is always troubled. We come, not because this conflict is any more special in your eyes -- certainly your care and tears are given for all the conflicts around the world that we have not even noticed -- no, we come because we can no longer ignore our need for your saving grace, your wisdom, and your action. Descend into our midst, O Spirit of God, as we gather together to worship you this day, as we ought to have done every day. Amen.
Collect
Got it, Lord! Christ, and him crucified. We look. We see. Praise Jesus! Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, we gather in your name to proclaim what is foolishness to some, but salvation meant for all -- we proclaim the cross, and Jesus crucified upon that cross. The sun is setting upon the world. The stars are coming out. In the darkness your light is shining. We offer no sign but the cross, no worldly wisdom but a tomb, no power except in loss, no hope that makes sense to those who are stumbling, but to those who will reach out in love we proclaim beyond that cross an empty tomb and a risen Lord. Descend, Lord, and dwell among us as we meet to worship you and praise your holy name. These things we pray as your gathered people. Amen.
Hymns
Lord, Listen To Your Children Praying
Alas, And Did My Savior Bleed
When I Survey The Wondrous Cross
Third Sunday In Lent
Gospel Lesson: John 2:13-22
Theme: Don't Water This Down
Call To Worship (Psalm 19:14)
All:
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Collect
Overthrow my assumptions, afflict me when I'm too comfortable, send my structures down crashing when I build a world for my benefit without thought to your service. All I have I offer to you and to your people. Thanks for the reminder, Christ Jesus, my Lord! Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, as we watch the scenes of your ministry unfold, we pray that we will look not through a window, but into a mirror, as we see ourselves condemned, convicted, pardoned, and redeemed. We confess our sins and pray for your grace. Amen.
Hymns
We Gather Together
Beneath The Cross Of Jesus
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
One:
The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
All:
Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
One:
There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;
All:
yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
Collect
Lord of history, in times of calm, in times of crisis, your law does not change. God of time, though we cannot help but be filled with fear when there is war and rumor of war, we ask for your perspective that we might remember your purpose -- to draw all nations to your holy hill, to become one through the cross in Christ Jesus. Always and everywhere you seek to draw our attention to your Son's death and resurrection, so we might acknowledge our own death, that we might dedicate our hearts and minds to you in anticipation of our destiny of joy. Accept our fears and hopes, and our prayers for others, as we gather to worship you this day. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession (based on Mark 10:19-22)
Lord, we already know the commandments. We have kept them since our youth. We don't murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness, defraud, and we honor our parents. Please don't tell us we lack one thing. We're not ready to sell what we own and give the money to the poor. We have many possessions. Don't send us away grieving. Let us off easy. Amen.
Hymns
Thy Word
Lamp Of Our Feet
Nearer My God To Thee
Third Sunday In Lent
Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Theme: Is This Simple Enough?
Call To Worship
Lord, we come to your house, the only true sanctuary in a world that is always troubled. We come, not because this conflict is any more special in your eyes -- certainly your care and tears are given for all the conflicts around the world that we have not even noticed -- no, we come because we can no longer ignore our need for your saving grace, your wisdom, and your action. Descend into our midst, O Spirit of God, as we gather together to worship you this day, as we ought to have done every day. Amen.
Collect
Got it, Lord! Christ, and him crucified. We look. We see. Praise Jesus! Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, we gather in your name to proclaim what is foolishness to some, but salvation meant for all -- we proclaim the cross, and Jesus crucified upon that cross. The sun is setting upon the world. The stars are coming out. In the darkness your light is shining. We offer no sign but the cross, no worldly wisdom but a tomb, no power except in loss, no hope that makes sense to those who are stumbling, but to those who will reach out in love we proclaim beyond that cross an empty tomb and a risen Lord. Descend, Lord, and dwell among us as we meet to worship you and praise your holy name. These things we pray as your gathered people. Amen.
Hymns
Lord, Listen To Your Children Praying
Alas, And Did My Savior Bleed
When I Survey The Wondrous Cross
Third Sunday In Lent
Gospel Lesson: John 2:13-22
Theme: Don't Water This Down
Call To Worship (Psalm 19:14)
All:
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Collect
Overthrow my assumptions, afflict me when I'm too comfortable, send my structures down crashing when I build a world for my benefit without thought to your service. All I have I offer to you and to your people. Thanks for the reminder, Christ Jesus, my Lord! Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, as we watch the scenes of your ministry unfold, we pray that we will look not through a window, but into a mirror, as we see ourselves condemned, convicted, pardoned, and redeemed. We confess our sins and pray for your grace. Amen.
Hymns
We Gather Together
Beneath The Cross Of Jesus
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
