Order of Service / Second Sunday in Lent / February 25, 2024

 

*Gathering Hymn God Is Here (#389 VU)

Welcome

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: We who fear the marvels of creation

  All: have come to praise the Creator.

One: Our Creator does not hide from the hardship and suffering of our world.

All: In the midst of suffering, our Creator finds ways to satisfy the hungry and provide deliverance to the oppressed.

One: From generation to generation,

All: we come to celebrate our Creator, who seeks goodness for all creation.

*Seasons of the Spirit L/E 2021, page 38.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

God of the journey, You call us to step forward and take a path of trust. You call us to walk the way “less travelled.” You promise that you will remember even if we forget. We come today seeking insight into your ways and guidance for our Lenten journey. Amen.

*Beth W Johnston. Gathering L/E 2012, page 26.

*Opening Hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (#333 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Today, God, we receive the words of your son: “Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” We have tried to pick up the cross and found that it leaves splinters in our hands, it is heavy in our arms, it bothers old wounds. And so we have set it down “for just a minute” or begun to let it drag along the ground. Yet we truly desire to be your disciples, though at first we did not understand the cost, did not understand what we might lose in exchange for gaining your kin-dom. Cover our hands with your healing salve, strengthen our arms with your own, and tend to our old wounds, Gracious God, that we might pick up the cross and follow. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

*Tori Mullin. Gathering L/E 2024, page 33.

Words of Assurance

One: On the journey of Lent, we seek a spirit of discernment and wisdom.

All: We move toward relationship with God.

One: We follow Jesus and know new life.

All: We seek the Spirit and know new insight.

One: We move toward God and know grace.

  All: We are forgiven. Thanks be to God.

* Éric Hébert-Daly. Gathering L/E 2024, page 34.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Time for God’s Children (I’ve Got Peace like a River, VU 577)

I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got joy like a fountain,

I’ve got joy like a fountain in-a my soul, Hallelujah

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Romans 4:13-16 God’s promise rests on grace and faith

Psalm 22:23-31 (VU 746, P 3&4) You have not hidden your face, O God.

Mark 8:31-38 Those who lose their life for the gospel will save it.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn My Faith Looks Up to Thee (#663 VU)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (#581 VU, v. 2 | When We Are Living)

Through all our living, we our fruits must give.

Good works of service are for offering.

When we are giving, or when receiving,

We belong to God, we belong to God.

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Loving God, we come before you today in humility, acknowledging the gifts you give us. We ask that you now receive our gifts, the fruits of our labours, our hands, and our hearts. May they be used to glorify your name. Amen.

*Rosemary Godin. Gathering L/E 2024. page 35.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn Jesus Christ Is Waiting (#117 VU | vs. 1,3,5)

*Commissioning

One: May Jesus, the one who overcame temptation, lead us through the wilderness of our lives, even when it means taking up the cross and following him,

  All: so that we may follow him faithfully from suffering to redemption, from death to life. Amen.

*Alwin Maben. Gathering L/E 2022. page 36.

*Commissioning Song May God’s Sheltering Wings (#214 MV)

May God’s sheltering wings, her gathering wings protect you,

May God’s nurturing arms, her cradling arms sustain you,

And hold you in her love, and hold you in her love.

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