Sunday, March 7, 2021
Third Sunday in Lent
PRELUDE
“Invocation”
[by Henry Kihlken]
Rebecca Nelson, Organ
WELCOME FROM THE PULPIT/CENTERING MOMENT
Jan Everhart Hartliff, Pastor
CALL TO WORSHIP
Julius Hastings, Liturgist
Leader: Called by Christ,
People: We gather as one.
Leader: Blessed by God’s wisdom,
People: We gather to learn.
Leader: Amazed by God’s love,
People: We gather to worship.
HYMN
“God the Sculptor of the Mountains” (verses 1 and 3)
The Faith We Sing #2060
[John Thurburg; Amanda Husberg]
God the sculptor of the mountains, God the miller of the sand,
God the jeweler of the heavens, God the potter of the land:
you are womb of all creation, we are formless; shape us now.
God the dresser of the vineyard, God the planter of the wheat,
God the reaper of the harvest, God the source of all we eat:
you are host at every table, we are hungry, feed us now.
CHILDREN’S TIME
Alan Cook
PASTORAL PRAYER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE ~ Unison prayer of confession
Our God, when we set up barriers that prevent others from knowing the truth of your love, forgive us and break down those walls. When we set up barriers in our own minds and lives that keep us from knowing the truth of your love, break down our walls with grace. When we are confused by the world’s wisdom, break through our muddled minds and shine the clarity of your teachings. Draw us ever closer to you, to one another, and to the beauty of your wisdom and love.
RESPONSE
“Lord, Listen to your Children Praying”
The Faith We Sing #2193
[Ken Medema]
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit in this place;
Lord, listen to your children praying,
send us love, send us power, send us grace.
SCRIPTURE READING
Julius Hastings
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
SERMON
“Seeking the Common Good”
Jan Everhart Hartliff
WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY
“How Beautiful”
[by Twila Paris]
Jennifer Alcover, Soprano
Rebecca Nelson, Piano
PRAYER OF DEDICATION AND INVITATION TO THE TABLE
Jesus invites to the table all who seek wisdom, comfort, and a renewed relationship with God. In the United Methodist Church we serve an open communion; all are welcome. Today we commune from the safety of our homes, knowing that we are one body in Christ and one community in service.
THANKSGIVING AND CONSECRATION
SHARING OUR COMMUNION
COMMUNION HYMN
“In Remembrance of Me”
Faith We Sing #2254
[Ragan Courtney; Buryl Red]
In remembrance of me, eat this bread.
In remembrance of me, drink this wine.
In remembrance of me, pray for the time
when God’s own will is done.
In remembrance of me, heal the sick.
In remembrance of me, feed the poor.
In remembrance of me, open the door
and let your neighbors in, let them in.
Take, eat and be comforted;
drink and remember, too
that this is my body and precious blood
shed for you, shed for you
In remembrance of me, search for truth.
In remembrance of me, always love.
In remembrance of me, don’t look above,
but in your heart look for God,
do this in remembrance of me.
PRAYER AFTER RECEIVING
Pastor: You have given yourself to us, O Lord.
People: Now we give ourselves for others.
Pastor: Your love has made us a new people.
People: As a people of love, we will serve you with joy!
BENEDICTION
SONG OF DISMISSAL
“Shalom to You, Now”
United Methodist Hymnal #666
Shalom to you now, shalom my friends.
May God’s full mercies bless you my friends.
In all your living, and all your loving,
Christ be your shalom, Christ be your shalom.
POSTLUDE
“God Be With You Till We Meet Again”
Rebecca Nelson, Piano