WELCOME
Grace United Church
Wainwright, Alberta
Sunday, March 20th, 2011
2nd Sunday of Lent
Minister: Rev. Anne McGrath
(At this sign “*”, please stand if able)
THE GATHERING FOR THE WORD
SINGSPIRATION
WELCOME / ANNOUNCEMENTS
BIRTHDAYS / ANNIVERSARIES
The Birthday Song – See end of Page 6 of Bulletin for Words
LIGHTING OF THE PEACE CANDLE
PASSING OF THE PEACE
WE APPROACH GOD
*CALL TO WORSHIP
One:Come, all that have entered into this space from faraway lands, different cultures, and from places of divergent perspectives and opinions.
All:Come, let us find our home in the spacious and accepting heart of God and see within it our soul’s longing and future.
*OPENING HYMN Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - #333 VU
PRAYER OF APPROACH
One:God of goodness and life, we gather in the hope and beauty of this day, to be further opened along the pathways of faith you set before us.
All:Holy One, be our journey and destination.
One:Question our safe decisions, prod our imaginings, and walk boldly beside us into the unknown, yet promise-filled future.
All:Holy One, be our journey and destination. Amen.
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THE BIRTHDAY SONG
A happy birthday to you, a happy birthday to you,
May you feel Jesus near, every day of the year.
A happy birthday to you, a happy birthday to you,
May God bless you this coming year.
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Stewards dream a holy vision of new relationship to God, to the earth, and to all others.~Stewardship thoughts by Barbara Fullerton.
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JUNIOR CHOIR
CHILDREN’S TIME
EXTINGUISHING OF LENTEN TRIAD CANDLE
Prayer (All):O God, we confess that we have put our hope in many things – our families, our jobs, our friends and our possessions. Help us to focus ourselves and put our trust in you. Give us the courage to make our choices ones that are rooted in you. May your constant love go with us as we put our hope in you. Amen.
*CHILDREN’S HYMN
Come, Let Us Sing of a Wonderful Love - #574 VU
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)
Looking out on the many challenges of life, O God, is often like seeing an impassable mountain or a wide, deepening sea hindering our way forward. Often we remain discouraged and stay where we have always been. We confess a disbelief in our own hearts – the place you live and know so well – not listening for or seeing life-giving possibilities in the major decisions we need to face and make. And so we confess our timidity; the fear of failure, the fear of another’s conflicting opinion or discouraging response. We confess fear of dying, even if it is for the sake of truly living. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
One:Friendsin Christ, the God who calls us to take bold steps outward, is the One who journeys closely within. In God, there is welcome, courage, companionship, constant forgiveness, and renewed strength.
All:Thanks be to God!
WE HEAR THE WORD
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
HEBREW SCRIPTURELESSON Genesis 12: 1-4a
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RESPONSIVE READING Psalm 121, Page 844 VU
EPISTLE LESSON Romans 4: 1-5, 13-17
*HYMN Breathe on Me, Breath of God - #382 VU
*GOSPEL LESSON John 3: 1-17
A WORD IN OUR TIME
*HYMN To Abraham and Sarah - #634 VU
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
OFFERTORY SENTENCE
God calls and blesses us like Abram of old. Though most of us cannot leave our country as Abram did to follow God’s call, let us offer our money for God’s work: locally, through the work of this church; and nationally and globally, through our gifts to the Mission and Service Fund.
OFFERTORY HYMN What Can I Do? - #191 MV
DEDICATION OF OFFERING
Use these gifts, O God, to speak of what we know and to testify to what we have seen in Christ. May they become a blessing that others may know that you love the world so much that your dream for us is not to perish, but to live. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
*CLOSING HYMN Faith of Our Fathers - #580VU
BLESSING
One:God is your guardian, your shade. God remains by your side. By day the sun will not harm you, nor the moon at night. God enfolds your comings and goings, now and into unknown yet hopeful futures. Friends, go from here in peace to love and serve the God of all grace in all whom you meet along life’s winding and unfolding roads.
All:Thanks be to God. Amen.
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BENEDICTION
THREEFOLD AMEN
I AM WALKING A PATHOF
BLESSING, BOLDNESS, FAITH-#221 MV
Assisting With This Service
Greeters & Ushers: Norma Elliott and Clara Berg
Readers: Lois Leggett
Playing Piano for this Service: Sachiko Nakagawa
Coffee Makers: Marguerite Franklin and Maxine Marchand
Choir Director: Lois Leggett Junior Choir Pianist: Doug Morgan
Church Office: 842-3870Church Email:
Church Web Page: