GATHERING
GREETINGS
If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. (Mark 8:34-35)
ANNOUNCEMENTS: 2nd Sunday of Lent
PRELUDE Patty Bell
*PRAISE MUSIC: “Pass It On” UMH 572
CALL TO WORSHIP–LENT
Leader: Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these?
All: The Lord, our God. He is the maker of heaven and earth.
Leader: He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
All: We praise you, o Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
Leader: Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
All: We worship you, Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
—Adapted from Isaiah 40:26-28.
OPENING PRAYER
Father, you know us and you love us. You have called us to be your followers, and we ask you today to help us answer that call—not with lip
service only, but with all our lives. The path we must follow doesn’t
promise to be easy, but we know it will ultimately lead to life more abundant. Remove all fear and doubt from our minds and help us say only “yes”. We love you, Father, and we want to follow you. Thank you for using us to further your kingdom. May we answer your call with obedience. Amen.
HYMN: “O God, Our Help In Ages Past” UMH 117
TIME WITH THE YOUTH
PRAYERS AND OFFERING
CONFESSION AND PARDON
Most merciful God, we your Church confess that often our spirit has
not been that of Christ. Where we have failed to love one another as he
loves us, where we have pledged loyalty to him with our lips and then
betrayed, deserted, or denied him, forgive us, we pray; and by your Spirit
make us faithful in every time of trial; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ. But Christ suffered and died
for us, was raised from the dead and ascended on high for us, and continues to
intercede for us. Believe the good news: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are
forgiven!
In the name of Jesus Christ you are forgiven! Glory to God. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Joys and Concerns
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING
* PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING: “Doxology” UMH 70
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost’ as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Genesis 12:1-4a PB, pg. 9OT
EPISTLE LESSON: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 PB, pg.145NT
GOSPEL LESSON: John 3:1-7 PB, pg. 89NT
THE MESSAGE: Pastor Vicki Lerdahl
HYMN RESPONSE: “How Can We Name A Love” UMH 111
SENDING FORTH
*CIRCLE SONG: “Sanctuary” Renew 185
Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true; with thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for You.
*BLESSING