A More Light Congregation

Bethany Presbyterian Church

This Week in Worship

Archive - Lent 2017

Prayer of Preparation

Catch us, O God, in our aimless scurrying from you and others and hold us close to you.

Hold our hearts to the beat of your grace and create in us a resting place,

a kneeling place, a tiptoe place where we can listen for your whispered summons and be attentive to your healing love.  Amen.


Call to Worship

One: Come to this place.  

All: Be with each other.  

One: Share in love.  

All: Experience the Christ of faith.  

One: Know that God cares for you,  

All: That we are bound together

One: Through the Holy Spirit which is a beautiful living thing.  Take this time and experience of worship and use it to become more than you are right now. You are a gift. Use and share the gift.


Prayer of Confession

Revitalizing God, your power goes far beyond our own, and yet still we act as though the pains of this world have final claim upon us.  We give in to the despair and hopelessness of death, not trusting in your ability to call forth new life from the tombs of our lives.  Forgive us for doubting your power to raise up new life in the midst of all the deaths we experience.  Forgive us for wanting to limit you to “the last day” or “the world beyond this one”, not trusting you to move and act among us, within us, through us.  Forgive us, and open our eyes to the wonder of new life sprouting into being in our very midst.


Response: Hymn #414




Assurance of Forgiveness

“Come out,” Jesuus calls, and his word unbinds us from the oppressive weight of our past and pushes away the rocks that close us off from love. We are made free in the spirit of God, and forgiven. Amen.


Preparation for the Word: Hymn #458


Scripture  

John 11:1-45

Hymns

#475 “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

#286 “Breathe On Me, Breath of God”

#377 “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”


April 2, 2017                                                                                                                 Worship Notes

Celebration of Holy Communion

Sermon by Reverend Kathryn Pyke

"Jesus In Action"

Prayer of Preparation

God of life and love, we invite you to breathe upon us in this time of worship so that our parched and barren souls may be revived with your Spirit.

Give to us your energy, your life, and your strength that we might be filled anew.

Amen.


Call to Worship

One: Welcome! There are many places we could be this morning, but we have chosen to be here:

All: where we learn how to live in God's Kingdom.  

One: Welcome to this place—full of music, of words, of prayer— yet also filled with danger:

All: where we encounter a Wisdom we cannot always understand.

One: Welcome to God's House, the most dangerous place in town:

All: where we talk about and with God, and are reduced to silence so we may hear the call to discipleship.


Lenten Prayer

The time for healing is now

The time for healing broken bodies

     (silence)

The time for healing broken hearts

   (silence)

The time for healing broken minds

   (silence)

The time for healing broken relationships

   (silence)

The time for healing  broken communities

   (silence)

The time for healing is now.

Give us the strength so, like Jesus, we can be agents of healing. Amen.


Response: Hymn #414




Preparation for the Word: Hymn #458

Scripture  

John 9:1-41

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March 26, 2017                                                                                                                Worship Notes

Fourth Sunday in Lent

Sermon by Reverend Kathryn Pyke

"Now I See"

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Hymns

#187 “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”

#36 “For the Fruit of All Creation”

#749 “Come! Live in the Light!”

Be still, and know that I am God

Be still, and know that I am God

Be still, and know that I am God

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path

Prayer of Preparation

Loving God, we gather this day drained by another week.

We are like a parched desert, empty and in need of replenishment.

Visit us with your presence, saturate us with your Spirit,

and bathe us in your streams of living water

that our lives might acknowledge and worship you. Amen!


Call to Worship

One: We’ve come to worship God, who makes streams flow from rock,

who turns the parched earth into springs of water, who sends the rain from heaven

and makes the wilderness blossom and flourish.

All: As the deer thirsts for flowing streams, so we thirst for You, O God.

One: Come, let’s worship our life-giving God, who pours out living water on all who thirst.


Lenten Prayer

The well is so deep

And the water is so far away

From our parched hands

Our parched throats

Our parched souls . . .

     (silence)

Drawing

Consuming

Repeated drawing

Repeated thirsting

Drawing again!

     (silence)

God, only you can break this cycle

Of filling our souls

With things that can never

Fully satisfy.

     (silence)

Lead us to

Living Water

And quench the thirsting

Of our souls.  Amen.

Hymns

#182 “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”

#48 “Rain Down”

#321 “The Church’s One Foundation”

Scripture  

John 4:5-42

March 19, 2017                                                                                                                 Worship Notes

Third Sunday of Lent

Sermon by Reverend Kathryn Pyke

"Pulling Up Tent Stakes"

Silent Prayer

Gracious God, today begins a period of inner reflection and examination. The days stretch out before me and invite me inward to that silent, holy space that holds your Spirit. This special time beckons me to see my life through Christ's eyes and the truth and reality of your love incarnate. Give me the grace to enter the space of these days with anticipation of our meeting. And, when I open my soul to your presence, let your loving kindness flow over me and seep into the pockets of my heart. I ask this for the sake of your love.  Amen.


Call to Worship

Earth to earth,

     Ashes to ashes,

From dust we were created,

     And to dust we shall return.

From the dust and ashes of our lives,

     Create again, O Lord.

Create in us clean hearts, O God,

     And renew your free spirit within us.


Prayer of Confession

O God of life, we confess the ways we turn away from the fullness of life that you offer.

     (Silence)

God of love, we confess the hatred we hold in our hearts.

     (Silence)

God of compassion, we confess our indifference.

     (Silence)

God of justice, we confess that our lives are linked to oppressive systems.

     (Silence)

God of peace, we confess the violent movements of our hearts, the violent realities of our world.

     (Silence)

Holy God, we confess our sins to you.

     (Silence)


Assurance of God's Forgiveness

When we are joined to Christ, the past is finished; everything has become new. Every day our life is given back to us with hope. Accept the forgiving, renewing action of God in your life – and fully live. Amen.


Prayer of Consecration

Most holy Lord, we come to your table hungry for hope and healing. Come to us through this bread and wine. Strengthen us in body, mind and spirit to do your will in the world. As we gather at your table, make us, who are many, one with you. Draw our hearts and minds into such communion with you and with one another that we may be living signs of your love in the world. Through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, we pray. Amen.

Scripture  

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

(The Message) (NRSV)

Hymns

#701 “Lord, Prepare Me”

#501 “Feed Us, Lord”

#414 “Be Still and Know That I Am God”

#215 “What Wondrous Love is This”

March 1, 2017                                                                                                                    Worship Notes

Ash Wednesday

Service of Communion and Imposition of Ashes

Meditation by Reverend Kathryn Pyke

"Coming Back to God"

Prayer of Preparation

Loving God, as we step into Lent, help us to pause and breathe in your presence.  Open our eyes and ears, that we might be refreshed and renewed in your Spirit.  Amen.


Call to Worship

One: Lent calls us to journey, this and every day, following Jesus wherever he leads us.

All: Lent calls us to journey:  to the place where God covenants with us, to receive the new names we are given.

One: Lent calls us to worship together, to tell future generations the good news.

All: Lent calls us to practice justice, to bring God's hope to all people.

One: Lent calls us to faithful living, to trust the One who gives us life.

All: Lent calls each of us to take up our cross,  to trust the One who bears it with us.

One: Lent calls us to journey with God.

All: Let us worship God, who walks with us, this and every day.


Prayer of Confession

God, we come with hesitant steps and uncertain motives to sweep out the corners where sin has accumulated, and uncover the ways we have strayed from Your truth. Expose the empty and barren places where we don’t allow you to enter. Reveal our half-hearted struggles where we have been indifferent to the suffering of others. Nurture the faint stirrings of new life, where your spirit has begun to grow. Let your healing light transform us into the image of Your Son. For You alone can bring new life and make us whole.  Amen.


Assurance of Forgiveness

The loving promise of God is that we are all beloved children of God – accepted just as we are. Breathe in this promise and allow it to fill you so you may claim this new identity. Amen.

Hymns

#505 “I Come with Joy”

#724 “O Jesus, I Have Promised”

"Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley"

March 5, 2017                                                                                                                   Worship Notes

First Sunday of Lent

Celebration of Holy Communion

Sermon by Reverend Kathryn Pyke

"Filling the Gap"

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Prayer of Preparation

God of life and love,

we invite you to breathe upon us in these moments,

so that our parched and barren souls

may be revived with your Spirit.

Open our hearts that we may be filled anew

with your energy, strength and love.  Amen.


Call to Worship

One: There is something more,

All: Or something missing,

One: That sends us searching in the dark,

All: Looking for answers,

One: Risking a question.

All: We are drawn here

One: Because God touched us,

All: Gave us hope,

One: Whispered our name.

All: Here in this place,

One: We journey toward grace

All: And know the "something more"

One: Is revealed in the love of Jesus' face.


Lenten Prayer

Blow, wind of God,

Blow away the tight rules that hold me back from trusting, risking, loving.

(silence)

Blow away my sin that stands in the way of encountering my neighbors.

(silence)

Ready me for birth . . . Prepare me for risk . . .

(silence)

Equip me with courage and vision for the new thing that waits around the corner . . .

(silence)

We cannot choose the stories we have inherited But we can choose the stories that we become. Amen.

Hymns

#49 “The God of Abraham Praise”

#414 “Be Still and Know That I Am God”

#458 “Thy Word Is a Lamp unto My Feet”

#829 “My Faith Looks up to Thee”

#722 “Lord, Speak to Me”

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March 12, 2017                                                                                                                 Worship Notes

Second Sunday of Lent

Sermon by Reverend Kathryn Pyke

"Pulling Up Tent Stakes"

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Be still, and know that I am God

Be still, and know that I am God

Be still, and know that I am God

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path

Procession of the Palms


Call to Worship

One: Jesus is coming!

All: From the mountainside, from the seaside, from the homes of the rich and the company of the poor, from the bedside of those who are sick.

One: Jesus is coming!

All: Along dusty roads,  with a ragged band of travellers.

One: Jesus comes to Jerusalem,  Jesus comes to worship.  Will we greet him with Hosannas?


Prayer of Confession

God of the cross, tottering down the streets of Jerusalem on a donkey,  You are not the savior we expect.  Your power doesn’t look like the power we want our God to have.  Your wisdom makes no sense to us.  We are happy to join the crowd, waving branches, but not so sure we want to follow you through this Holy Week: into the temple courts, into the upper room, into the Garden of Gethsemane, to the high priest’s house, to the assembly of elders, to Pilate, to Herod, to the place of The Skull, to the foot of the cross.  

     (silence)

We need you to go with us on this journey.  Grant us clear vision, courageous hearts, persistent steps.

     (silence)

Even though we know what this week will bring, we sing:  Hosanna, hosanna.  Save us, we beseech you!  Amen.


Response: Hymn #414




Preparation for the Word: Hymn #458

Scripture  

Matthew 21:1-11

Hymns

#197 "Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”

#223 "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross"

#263 "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name!"

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April 9, 2017                                                                                                                     Worship Notes

Palm Sunday

Sermon by Reverend Kathryn Pyke

"Running Into Jesus"

Be still, and know that I am God

Be still, and know that I am God

Be still, and know that I am God

April  14, 2017

Good Friday

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path

Hymn - #219 "They Crucified My Lord

Evening Prayer

Crucified and Sovereign Jesus, we confess that we have been untrue to you. Like Peter, we have denied  you, stood with our neighbors and acted as though we never knew you. You did not leave us, even when we betrayed your love and sacrifice. We break our promises, but your word is never broken. Forgive us for being weak in the face of adversity and conflict, for fleeing when the going gets tough, for forsaking you. You must have the last word – and it is “Father, forgive them.”

     (silence)


Jesus in Gethsemane

Mark 14:26-31

Response - “Jesus Remember Me”  #227

Jesus is arrested

Mark 14:32-42

Response - “Jesus Remember Me”  #227


Chancel Drama: "I Ran Away"

Members of the Sanhedrin Council, the accused and witnesses

Questioning of Matthew, Rebecca, and Eli


Response - “Were You There”  #228 verses 1 & 2

Naomi, the witness

Questioning of Simon Peter and Andrew


Response - “Were You There”  #228 verses 3 & 4

Questioning of Mary

The Council’s response to all those gathered for this meeting


Response - “Were You There”  #228 verse 5


Affirmation of Faith

Christ Jesus, you hung upon a cross and died for us so that we might live for you.  Your body was broken and your blood shed so that we might be healed and made whole.  You were faithful unto death so that we might be faithful unto life.  Your last command was that we might love one another - one family together from every tribe and nation.  A new creation united through your sacrifice, redeemed by your blood, healed by your love, united by your covenant of peace. In your death, may we find life.


Hymn  “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” #223

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