Order of Service / Lent 2 / March 16, 2025

*Gathering Hymn Open My Eyes, That I May See (#371 VU)

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: We come to church today,

All: as faithful disciples, following Jesus.

One: We come to church today, carrying burdens, whether visible or invisible,

All: seeking comfort, seeking grace, seeking community.

One: We come to church today, knowing that our hope lies in the merciful love of God, the salvation of Jesus Christ, and the mighty power of the Holy Spirit,

All: and so, we come, we connect, and we worship.

*Sandra jenkinson. Gathering LE  2025. Page 30.

Opening Prayer

*Opening Hymn God Is Here (#389 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Loving God, we know from the scriptures that we have abundant life through you. Yet we are told the opposite in today’s world: that we are playing a zero-sum game, that the criteria for success is having a high-paying job, and that we deserve wealth and good things only when we ourselves worked hard for it, no matter the circumstances or challenges or prejudices we endure. We succumb to this way of thinking. It permeates our culture and clouds our world view. As we raise our inner quarrel to you, we ask for your forgiveness and grace. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

*Aaron Palmer. Gathering LE 2025. Page 33.

Words of Assurance

One: God calls us to the Jesus Way—where love is abundant, and all are valued.

All: By God’s grace, we walk this path together.

One: In Christ, we are forgiven and set free.

All: Thanks be to God! Amen.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Time for God’s Children (VU#577)

I‘ve got faith like a mountain, I‘ve got faith like a mountain,

I‘ve got faith like a mountain, in-a my soul. (Hallelujah) x2

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Philippians 3:17-4:1 My dear friends, my joy, my crown, hold firm in God.

Psalm 27 (VU p. 754) God is my light and my salvation.

Luke 13:31-35 Jesus cries over Jerusalem as a hen over her chicks.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn Though Ancient Walls (#691 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)

Gracious God, we return to you a portion of what you have given to us. With it, we bring the gift of our love, our hearts, and our passion to work for justice and peace for all. Bless our gifts, bless our hearts, and equip us for the work to which you call us. We ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen.

*Bob Root. Gathering LE 2025. Page 36.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee (#560 VU)

*Commissioning

One: May the blessing of God give us strength for the journey;

All: may the Spirit of wisdom give us vision for the road;

One: may the love of Christ make us caring companions;

All: as together we go forth in the Lenten time.  Amen.

*Celebrate God’s Presence. Page 160.

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

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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