Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

In this Lenten season, O God, we come before you, asking for courage to open our eyes. We want to see ourselves as you see us: the empty and barren places, the halfhearted struggles, the faint stirrings of new life. We come, trusting your grace, waiting for your illuminating word, longing for your healing light. Do not let us be blind to your presence.  Shine upon us, O God, and make our paths clear, for we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Welcome

Introit     Tre Giorni     Giovanni Pergolesi

Call To Worship 2

ONE: Come nearer to God; return from the far country, from self-exile, from selfish desire. God awaits our return.

ALL: God meets us on the way; God's arms are open to welcome us.

ONE: God welcomes the lost and celebrates our return.

ALL: Let us worship our God, whose lavish love awaits our homecoming, who rejoices when the lost is found.

Hymn 183    Come to Me, O Weary Traveler

Prayer of Confession 2

Loving God, all the fancy words in the world, expressed in eloquent prose, decorated with emotion, spoken with conviction, cannot compete with a heartfelt 'sorry' when all other words fail. There are times when we are all too aware of our limitations, conscious of sin, and the distance it creates between us. Sometimes 'sorry' is all the heart can bear to say aloud. It is only you who can read and understand the language of our hearts, only you who can translate our 'sorry' into the prayer we would have prayed, if we had the words within us. Then you forgive, and having forgiven surround us in an embrace of love, drawing us close to your heart, as it was always meant to be. Thank you, Loving God, that you listen to hearts, as well as voices. Thank you.

Response Hymn 434

Restore in us, O God,

the splendor of your love;

renew your image in our hearts,

and all our sins remove

Assurance of Forgiveness 3

ONE:     Scripture says that those who are in Christ are a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, the new has come! Hear then Christ's word of grace to us: 'Our sins are forgiven.'

ALL:     Thanks be to God.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 205

Ubi caritas et amor

ubi caritas Deus ibi est.

Ubi caritas et amor, ubi caritas Deus ibi est.

Scripture: Romans 5:12-21

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem     Lasciatemi morire!     Claudio Monteverdi

Sermon     "What Does Lent Have to do With Grace?"  Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 649        Amazing Grace

Invitation to the Offering

It is a joy and a blessing to be called by Christ – as we all are. Answering the call is not easy, however, and asks of us, as it did of Jesus, a commitment to giving of ourselves, to allow the reign of God to be manifest in our lives and in our world.  Knowing that God can use gifts of any size in any form, we invite you to give as you are able.  You are invited to come and put your offerings in this basket on the table now, or later this morning, and you are welcome to continue mailing your offerings to the church.  Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory   Sonata for Mandolin and Cembalo in C minor    Ludwig van Beethoven

Prayer of Dedication 4

Let us dedicate these offerings to God's use, with prayer. Loving God, these offerings we receive today are both material and non-material. Some of our offerings are promises from us to you. Take our offerings in whatever form they are, and turn them into something beautiful for someone in need. Take our offerings and turn them into examples of your love. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Prayers of the People

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 195    When Twilight Comes

Pastoral Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Postlude     "Hold Out Your Light"     Traditional Spiritual     Arr. McNeil

Announcements

1 Marlene Kropf, Words for Worship Arlene M. Mark

2 John Birch faithandworship.com

3 Cheryl Lawrie

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

In this Lenten season, O God, we come before you, asking for courage to open our eyes. We want to see ourselves as you see us: the empty and barren places, the half-hearted struggles, the faint stirrings of new life. We come, trusting your grace, waiting for your illuminating word, longing for your healing light. Do not let us be blind to your presence. Shine upon us, O God, and make our paths clear, for we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Welcome

Introit     Adoramus te Christe          Theodore Dubois, Arr. N.A.M/Hal Hopson

Call To Worship 2

The words God speaks are the life and sustenance of all that exists. The life Jesus gives is the re-creation and renewed birth of all that is broken and worn. The Spirit's stirring in our souls is the inspiration for creativity, compassion, joy, and community. Life-giving, life-restoring, life-fulfilling God; may our whole lives be worship. In all things, may we seek to connect with and to reflect your love and your hope. Let us worship God!

Hymn 7    Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth

Prayer of Confession 3

Loving God, all the fancy words in the world, expressed in eloquent prose, decorated with emotion, spoken with conviction, cannot compete with a heartfelt 'sorry' when all other words fail. There are times when we are all too aware of our limitations, conscious of sin, and the distance it creates between us. Sometimes 'sorry' is all the heart can bear to say aloud. It is only you who can read and understand the language of our hearts, only you who can translate our 'sorry' into the prayer we would have prayed, if we had the words within us. Then you forgive, and having forgiven surround us in an embrace of love, drawing us close to your heart, as it was always meant to be. Thank you, Loving God, that you listen to hearts, as well as voices. Thank you.

Response Hymn 434

Restore in us, O God,

the splendor of your love;

renew your image in our hearts,

and all our sins remove

Assurance of Forgiveness 4

ONE:     Scripture says that those who are in Christ are a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, the new has come! Hear then Christ's word of grace to us: 'Our sins are forgiven.'

ALL:     Thanks be to God.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 205

Ubi caritas et amor

ubi caritas Deus ibi est.

Ubi caritas et amor, ubi caritas Deus ibi est.

Scripture: John 3:1-17

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem    Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord     Paul Baloche

Sermon     Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 292        As the Wind Song

Invitation to the Offering

It is a joy and a blessing to be called by Christ – as we all are. Answering the call is not easy, however, and asks of us, as it did of Jesus, a commitment to giving of ourselves, to allow the reign of God to be manifest in our lives and in our world.  Knowing that God can use gifts of any size in any form, we invite you to give as you are able.  You are invited to come and put your offerings in this basket on the table now, or later this morning, and you are welcome to continue mailing your offerings to the church.  Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory   Panis Angelicus     Fr. Lambilotte, Arr. N.A.M.

Prayer of Dedication 4

Let us dedicate these offerings to God's use, with prayer. Loving God, these offerings we receive today are both material and non-material. Some of our offerings are promises from us to you. Take our offerings in whatever form they are, and turn them into something beautiful for someone in need. Take our offerings and turn them into examples of your love. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Welcome to the delight that is this table.  Our Lord's table.  Welcome to the table where the love of God meets Humanity.  We welcome everyone to this table, no matter your church background, your knowledge of biblical ideas, no matter your sexual orientation or gender truth, no matter your mood.  Wherever and whoever you are you are welcome here, you belong, you are worthy.  

“This is for you, but it may change you from one who is anxiously concerned about their own redemption into one who knows that Christ's body is the earth and all who walk upon it, are one in Him.  Into knowing that we are not redeemed by our being good but by our being connected.  Into knowing that daring to eat at the table of Jesus Christ has unimaginable consequences.

So come, come to be made whole, and to participate in the work of making us one with God and each other.

Preparation of the Table

LEADER: The Lord be with you

PEOPLE: And also with you

LEADER: Lift up your hearts

PEOPLE: We lift them up to the Lord

LEADER: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

PEOPLE: It is right to give our thanks and praise

ONE: We give you thanks, O God, for making your love evident since the very beginning of time when you spoke the word which replaced the darkness of chaos with life-giving light. A light which has nurtured generations of people, and plants and creatures, great and small. A light which also revealed the fear and powerlessness caused by corrupt and evil actions. And so you spoke the Word which would once and for all dispel the darkness of chaotic lives. Through your love for the world the Word became flesh and lived among us full of grace and truth. The angels caroled glory to you in the highest heavens and peace to all people on earth, and we join with them and with all people to praise your holy name saying together:

ALL:     Holy Lord, God of endless love, heaven and earth are surely full of your glory. The angels sang of it - we have been lavished with it. Blessed is he who was born that we might have life. Glory to God and on earth peace to all people.

ONE:      Holy God, as the travelers with their treasures were overwhelmed with joy on finding Jesus, so we also are overwhelmed on finding out the depth of his love for us. For Jesus showed just how beloved we are to him, by loving us and giving himself for us. On that night when he gave himself up for us, as he sat at the table and broke bread with his friends, he said: 'Take and eat; this is my body which is broken for you. Remember me each time you do this.' After they had eaten, he took the cup, and said: 'Remember me as you drink from this, for it is my life, poured out for you—the beginning of a new relationship with God.'

Send the power of your Holy Spirit upon these gifts of bread and wine, O God, that we may experience the presence of the Word-made-flesh - Jesus Christ. Breathe your Spirit in us that we may be one body with him - living out his ministry in the world today and every day. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Words of Institution

Sharing of the Cup and Bread

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Generous God, You are the source of all life, creating and sustaining every living thing. You are the source of all food, material and spiritual, nourishing us in both body and soul. You are the light that goes before us, shining into the darkness. May we be filled with your breath nourished by your food renewed by your living water and sustained by your love.

Prayers of the People

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 440    Jesus, Lover of My Soul

Pastoral Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Announcements

1 Marlene Kropf, Words for Worship Arlene M. Mark

2 The Minor Keys blog

3 John Birch faithandworship.com

4 Cheryl Lawrie

5 Rev. Bob Gibson London Conference of te Unted Church of Canada

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

Good morning! Let us begin with prayer: “O God, we joyously come together to worship, realizing we need not summon you into our midst, for you are here. We need not call you into the secret places of our hearts, for you are there. We need our eyes of faith to be opened, that we may see you; Our ears to be unstopped, that we may hear you; Our minds to be sensitive, that we may know you; Our hearts to be tender, that we may receive you. Grant each one a blessing, O Lord, as each has need, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.”

Welcome

Introit     Ah, Holy Jesus     Craig Courtney

Call To Worship 2

Come, all who are thirsty says Jesus, our Lord, come, all who are weak, taste the living water that I shall give. Dip your hands in the stream, refresh body and soul, drink from it, depend on it, for this water will never run dry. Come, all who are thirsty says Jesus, our Lord

Hymn 479    Ho, All Who Thirst

Prayer of Confession 3

Loving God, all the fancy words in the world, expressed in eloquent prose, decorated with emotion, spoken with conviction, cannot compete with a heartfelt 'sorry' when all other words fail. There are times when we are all too aware of our limitations, conscious of sin, and the distance it creates between us. Sometimes 'sorry' is all the heart can bear to say aloud. It is only you who can read and understand the language of our hearts, only you who can translate our 'sorry' into the prayer we would have prayed, if we had the words within us. Then you forgive, and having forgiven surround us in an embrace of love, drawing us close to your heart, as it was always meant to be. Thank you, Loving God, that you listen to hearts, as well as voices. Thank you

Response Hymn 434

Restore in us, O God,

the splendor of your love;

renew your image in our hearts,

and all our sins remove

Assurance of Forgiveness 4

ONE:     Scripture says that those who are in Christ are a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, the new has come! Hear then Christ's word of grace to us: 'Our sins are forgiven.'

ALL:     Thanks be to God.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 205

Ubi caritas et amor

ubi caritas Deus ibi est.

Ubi caritas et amor, ubi caritas Deus ibi est.

Scripture: John 4:5-42

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem    Hold us Together     Josiah Bassey

Sermon     #itshappening! Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 81        Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

Invitation to the Offering

It is a joy and a blessing to be called by Christ – as we all are. Answering the call is not easy, however, and asks of us, as it did of Jesus, a commitment to giving of ourselves, to allow the reign of God to be manifest in our lives and in our world.  Knowing that God can use gifts of any size in any form, we invite you to give as you are able.  You are invited to come and put your offerings in this basket on the table now, or later this morning, and you are welcome to continue mailing your offerings to the church.  Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory   Son of God, Son of Man     Jay Althouse

Prayer of Dedication

Let us dedicate these offerings to God's use, with prayer. Loving God, these offerings we receive today are both material and non-material. Some of our offerings are promises from us to you. Take our offerings in whatever form they are, and turn them into something beautiful for someone in need. Take our offerings and turn them into examples of your love. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Prayers of the People

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 475    Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Pastoral Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Announcements

1 Harry Yoder, Prayers for Everyday

2 John Birch faithandworship.com

4 Cheryl Lawrie

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

Almighty and everlasting God, in whom we live and move and have our being, you have created us for yourself, so that our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Grant unto us purity of heart and strength of purpose, so that no selfish passion may hinder us from knowing your will, and no weakness prevent our doing it. In your light may we see life clearly, and in your service may we find purpose, for your mercy's sake. Amen.

Welcome

Introit      Show Me the Way, O Lord        Jay Althouse

Call To Worship 2

ONE:      Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt God's name together.

ALL: We will bless the Lord at all times; God's praise will always be on our lips.

ONE:      When we wander afar, God welcomes us back.

ALL: When we cry out in despair, God hears and delivers us from all our troubles.

ONE:     Taste and see that the Lord is good.

ALL:     ALL: Happy are we when we take refuge in God's care.

Hymn 424    Out of the Depths

Prayer of Confession 3

Loving God, all the fancy words in the world, expressed in eloquent prose, decorated with emotion, spoken with conviction, cannot compete with a heartfelt 'sorry' when all other words fail. There are times when we are all too aware of our limitations, conscious of sin, and the distance it creates between us. Sometimes 'sorry' is all the heart can bear to say aloud. It is only you who can read and understand the language of our hearts, only you who can translate our 'sorry' into the prayer we would have prayed, if we had the words within us. Then you forgive, and having forgiven surround us in an embrace of love, drawing us close to your heart, as it was always meant to be. Thank you, Loving God, that you listen to hearts, as well as voices. Thank you

Response Hymn 434

Restore in us, O God,

the splendor of your love;

renew your image in our hearts,

and all our sins remove

Assurance of Forgiveness 4

ONE: Scripture says that those who are in Christ are a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, the new has come! Hear then Christ's word of grace to us: 'Our sins are forgiven.'

ALL:     Thanks be to God.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 205

Ubi caritas et amor

ubi caritas Deus ibi est.

Ubi caritas et amor, ubi caritas Deus ibi est.

Scripture: John 9:1-41

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem    Amazing Grace - My Chains Are Gone

Sermon    How's Your Sight?     Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 490        Wash, O God, Your Sons and Daughters

Invitation to the Offering

It is a joy and a blessing to be called by Christ – as we all are. Answering the call is not easy, however, and asks of us, as it did of Jesus, a commitment to giving of ourselves, to allow the reign of God to be manifest in our lives and in our world.  Knowing that God can use gifts of any size in any form, we invite you to give as you are able.  You are invited to come and put your offerings in this basket on the table now, or later this morning, and you are welcome to continue mailing your offerings to the church.  Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory   When You Prayed Beneath the Trees     Lloyd Larson

Prayer of Dedication

Loving God, these offerings we receive today are both material and non-material. Some of our offerings are promises from us to you. Take our offerings in whatever form they are, and turn them into something beautiful for someone in need. Take our offerings and turn them into examples of your love. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Prayers of the People

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 793    O Christ, the Healer

Pastoral Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Announcements

1 Minister's Service Book, ed. by J.D. Morrison

2Arlene M. Mark, Words for Worship

3 John Birch faithandworship.com

4 Cheryl Lawrie, Hold this space

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

Holy God, Creator of Life, you call us out of our dark places, offering us the grace of new life. When we see nothing but hopelessness, you surprise us with the breath of your spirit.  Call us out of our complacency and routines, set us free from our self-imposed bonds, and fill us with your spirit of life, compassion, and peace, in the name of Jesus, your anointed one, we pray. Amen.

Welcome

Introit       Jesus, Priceless Treasure          J.S. Bach

Call To Worship 2

We have gathered as God's people to delight in God's presence, to experience God's healing, to receive God's grace. Let us be reconciled and renewed as we worship our God through Christ in the Spirit. Let us worship God!

Hymn 403    Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty

Prayer of Confession 3

Loving God, all the fancy words in the world, expressed in eloquent prose, decorated with emotion, spoken with conviction, cannot compete with a heartfelt 'sorry' when all other words fail. There are times when we are all too aware of our limitations, conscious of sin, and the distance it creates between us. Sometimes 'sorry' is all the heart can bear to say aloud. It is only you who can read and understand the language of our hearts, only you who can translate our 'sorry' into the prayer we would have prayed, if we had the words within us. Then you forgive, and having forgiven surround us in an embrace of love, drawing us close to your heart, as it was always meant to be. Thank you, Loving God, that you listen to hearts, as well as voices. Thank you.

Response Hymn 434

Restore in us, O God,

the splendor of your love;

renew your image in our hearts,

and all our sins remove

Assurance of Forgiveness 4

ONE: Scripture says that those who are in Christ are a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, the new has come! Hear then Christ's word of grace to us: 'Our sins are forgiven.'

ALL:     Thanks be to God.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 205

Ubi caritas et amor

ubi caritas Deus ibi est.

Ubi caritas et amor, ubi caritas Deus ibi est.

Scripture: John 11:1-45

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem    Wondrous Love     Trad. American Hymn     Arr. Benjamin Harlan

Sermon    "God will unbind" Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 796        We Come to You for Healing, Lord

Invitation to the Offering

It is a joy and a blessing to be called by Christ – as we all are. Answering the call is not easy, however, and asks of us, as it did of Jesus, a commitment to giving of ourselves, to allow the reign of God to be manifest in our lives and in our world.  Knowing that God can use gifts of any size in any form, we invite you to give as you are able.  You are invited to come and put your offerings in this basket on the table now, or later this morning, and you are welcome to continue mailing your offerings to the church.  Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory   Come Alive     Craig Bray

Prayer of Dedication

Let us dedicate these offerings to God's use, with prayer. Loving God, these offerings we receive today are both material and non-material. Some of our offerings are promises from us to you. Take our offerings in whatever form they are, and turn them into something beautiful for someone in need. Take our offerings and turn them into examples of your love. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Prayers of the People

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 792    There is a Balm in Gilead

Pastoral Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Announcements

1 Nancy Johnson, Wonderings through life and other such nonsense

2Arlene M. Mark, Words for Worship

3 John Birch faithandworship.com

4 Cheryl Lawrie, Hold this space

Chimes

Opening Prayer

We praise you, O God, for your redemption of the world through Jesus Christ. Today he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph and was proclaimed Messiah and king by those who spread garments and branches along his way. Let these branches be signs of his victory, and grant that we who carry them may follow him in the way of the cross, that, dying and rising with him, we may enter into your kingdom; through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Welcome

Introit       Hosanna filio David     Tomas Luis de Victoria     Arr. Richard Proulx

Call To Worship 1

ONE: We come to prepare for the holiest of weeks.

ALL: We will journey through praise, with joy on our lips; we will travel through betrayal and death, cradling hope deep in our hearts.

ONE: Jesus leads us through this week, and we will follow, for he is the life we long for, he is the Word who sustains us.

ALL: We wave palm branches in anticipation, we lay our love before him, to cushion his walk.

ONE: Setting aside all power, glory, and might, he comes: modeling humility and obedience for all of us.

              ALL: Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is the One who brings us the kingdom of God.

Hymn 197    Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

Prayer of Confession  2

ONE: We sing, we wave our branches, we shout 'Hosanna.' Then, we turn away, to go back to our old ways, our old lives, our old sins. But God is in the business of granting forgiveness and filling us with new life. Let us confess to the One who comes to fill us with grace.

ALL: With eager hearts and open hands, Holy One, we welcome Jesus, until he refuses the power we offer him, choosing to become our servant. We pick up the faith we had laid on the ground before him, and put it back on the shelf where it belongs. Our pride keeps us from being able to follow him all the way to Calvary. Hosanna, Steadfast God, save us! Help us to let our fears, our doubts, our faithlessness slip from our lives to fall at your feet, so we may stand with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who comes in your name, in your glory, in your grace to save us. Let us continue our confession in silence.

    (silence)

    ALL: Amen.

Response Hymn 434

Restore in us, O God,

the splendor of your love;

renew your image in our hearts,

and all our sins remove

Assurance of Forgiveness 2

ONE: Tell the daughters of despair, proclaim it to the sons of sadness:

ALL: Christ has come to save us! Hosanna! We will give our thanks to God, who comes to bring us grace, hope, life.  Hosanna in the highest. Amen!

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 205

Ubi caritas et amor

ubi caritas Deus ibi est.

Ubi caritas et amor, ubi caritas Deus ibi est.

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11  

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem    Hosanna (Praise Is Rising)     Paul Baloche and Brenton Brown

Sermon    "A Roller Coaster Week" Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 198     Ride On! Ride On in Majesty

Invitation to the Offering  3

As individuals, what we have to give doesn't amount to much in the light of all you have given to each of us and in the face of so much need. Put together as a congregation, what we offer you here in love becomes more, not simply added together, but somehow multiplied in its usefulness. Help us to help each other and our wider communities by considering our gifts to you, of money, time, talent and energy.  Amen.

Offertory     Adoro Devote     attrib. St. Thomas Aquinas

Prayer of Dedication 4

May the offerings brought this day be used as seeds, planted faithfully and nurtured lovingly so that God's way may be realized anew in this world. Grant us the humility we need to plant and then tend your precious garden. Bless what we give and bless what we keep, that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Sacrament of Holy Communion  5

Welcome to the delight that is this table.  Our Lord's table.  Welcome to the table where the love of God meets Humanity.  We welcome everyone to this table, no matter your church background, your knowledge of biblical ideas, no matter your sexual orientation or gender truth, no matter your mood.  Wherever and whoever you are you are welcome here, you belong, you are worthy.  

“This is for you, but it may change you from one who is anxiously concerned about their own redemption into one who knows that Christ's body is the earth and all who walk upon it, are one in Him.  Into knowing that we are not redeemed by our being good but by our being connected.  Into knowing that daring to eat at the table of Jesus Christ has unimaginable consequences.

So come, come to be made whole, and to participate in the work of making us one with God and each other.

Preparation of the Table

LEADER: The Lord be with you

PEOPLE: And also with you

LEADER: Lift up your hearts

PEOPLE: We lift them up to the Lord

LEADER: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

PEOPLE: It is right to give our thanks and praise

ONE: We give you thanks, O God, for making your love evident since the very beginning of time when you spoke the word which replaced the darkness of chaos with life-giving light. A light which has nurtured generations of people, and plants and creatures, great and small. A light which also revealed the fear and powerlessness caused by corrupt and evil actions. And so you spoke the Word which would once and for all dispel the darkness of chaotic lives. Through your love for the world the Word became flesh and lived among us full of grace and truth. The angels caroled glory to you in the highest heavens and peace to all people on earth, and we join with them and with all people to praise your holy name saying together:

ALL:     Holy Lord, God of endless love, heaven and earth are surely full of your glory. The angels sang of it - we have been lavished with it. Blessed is he who was born that we might have life. Glory to God and on earth peace to all people.

ONE:      Holy God, as the travelers with their treasures were overwhelmed with joy on finding Jesus, so we also are overwhelmed on finding out the depth of his love for us. For Jesus showed just how beloved we are to him, by loving us and giving himself for us. On that night when he gave himself up for us, as he sat at the table and broke bread with his friends, he said: 'Take and eat; this is my body which is broken for you. Remember me each time you do this.' After they had eaten, he took the cup, and said: 'Remember me as you drink from this, for it is my life, poured out for you—the beginning of a new relationship with God.'

Send the power of your Holy Spirit upon these gifts of bread and wine, O God, that we may experience the presence of the Word-made-flesh - Jesus Christ. Breathe your Spirit in us that we may be one body with him - living out his ministry in the world today and every day. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Words of Institution

Sharing of the Cup and Bread

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Generous God, You are the source of all life, creating and sustaining every living thing. You are the source of all food, material and spiritual, nourishing us in both body and soul. You are the light that goes before us, shining into the darkness. May we be filled with your breath nourished by your food renewed by your living water and sustained by your love.

Prayers of the People

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 196    All Glory, Laud and Honor

Pastoral Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Announcements

Postlude     Fantasie on Humbly I adore thee     Fred Matthews

1 Thom Shuman

2 Thom Shuman, Lectionary Liturgies blog

3 the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand

4 Katherine Hawker Liturgy Outside