February 25, 2024
Prelude: O Darkest Woe
Rist, arr. Callahan
Introit: Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts
Bernard of Clairvaux/Plainsong, Mode II
Lisa Phillips
Welcome
Presbytery Moment
Sheryl Kinder-Pyle
Call to Worship
[Psalm 22]
You who fear the Lord, praise him! For he did not despise our affliction.
He did not hide his face from us, but heard when we cried to him.
The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord shall praise him.
Before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, and we shall live for him.
Let us worship the LORD!
God, Bless Your Church with Strength!
Dalles/Elvey
God, bless your church with strength! Wherever we may be,
Upbuild your servants as we work in common ministry.
Urge us from fledgling faith to venture and to soar
Through open skies, to sing the praise of Christ whom we adore.
God, bless your church with life! May all our branches thrive,
Unblemished, wholesome, bearing fruit, abundantly alive.
From You, one holy vine, in freedom may we grow;
Sustain us in our mission, Lord, your love and peace to show.
God, bless your church with hope! Despite chaotic days,
May we in chaos shine to light a pathway through life’s maze.
May justice be our aim, and kindness ours to share,
In humbleness O may we walk, assured our God is there!
Confession
Covenantal God, you do not despise or ignore the cries of those in distress. Temptations to lose hope are all around us, and we feel stretched thin. From our human perspective, we do not understand why the path of faith so often includes pain, rejection, and waiting. Forgive us when we use the things of this world to give ourselves a false sense of security. Help us move from transactional relationships to loving commitment, even when that includes suffering. Teach us the good news that transcends death, and hope that endures. Amen.
Silence
Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days
Hernaman/American folk melody
As you with Satan did contend, and did the victory win,
O give us strength in you to fight, in you to conquer sin.
As you did hunger and did thirst, so teach us, gracious Lord,
To die to self, and so to live by your most holy Word.
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Gloria Patri (Hymn 579)
Greatorex
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
Word without end. Amen, Amen.
Children’s Message
The God of Abraham Praise (Hymn 488)
Hebrew melody/Daniel ben Judah
The God of Abraham praise, who reigns enthroned above;
The Ancient of Eternal Days, the God of love!
The Lord, the great I AM, by earth and heaven confessed,
We bow before your holy name, forever blest.
Your spirit still flows free, high surging where it will;
In prophet’s word you spoke of old and you speak still.
Established is your law, and changeless it shall stand,
Deep writ upon the human heart, on sea, or land.
You have eternal life implanted in the soul;
Your love shall be our strength and stay, while ages roll,
We praise you, living God! We praise your holy name;
The first, the last, beyond all thought, and still the same!
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Karen Bart
Old Testament: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
New Testament: Mark 8:31-38
Sermon: A Covenant of Suffering for Love
Focus: God transforms the secular motivation for covenant from acquisition, profit, and control to suffering relational love.
Response: In Suffering Love the Thread of Life
Johns/Gardiner
Lisa Phillips, Betsy Hammond, Steve Goodner, Jim Price
Pastoral Prayer & 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.
Call to Stewardship
Betsy Hammond
For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. -2 Corinthians 8:9
Offering: O How He Loves You and Me
Kaiser
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: Basse-Dance from Capriol Suite
Warlock, arr. Wolff
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