Bulletin for Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019
Seventh Sunday after Epiphany/Baptism
(Portions of the service that are in BOLD are to be said by all.
All points marked * those who are able are invited to stand.)
Approach
Gathering song VU #271 – “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy”
Welcome, lighting the candle and Announcements
Call to Worship
One: The enemy: love them, the oppressor: walk the mile with them, the Master: turn the other cheek to them.
All: This doormat faith seems too much to bear in a world where those who bully always seem to win.
One: The enemy: imbalance them with love, the oppressor: shame the law that oppresses, the Master: turn the cheek as an equal.
All: This rebellious faith seems too much to bear in a world where those who bully are loved back to justice by the bullied. But this is heaven’s revolution and we are called into it. Come let us worship love’s rebel, Jesus.
* Opening Hymn MV #94 – “Love Knocks and Waits”
Prayer of Approach and Confession
Holy Jesus, You call us into a life that others have told us is easy, but it is not. You challenge us to forgive, to love our enemies, to bless those who curse us. We want the easy way, but You have given us the hard path. Grant us the patience and endurance to journey with You, to allow ourselves at times to stumble, to live into the hard way so that we might fully experience Your love, grace, and peace in this world, by becoming a people full of love and grace and forgiving others. In Your name we pray. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Passing the Peace
* Hymn VU #450 – “Here at This Font”
Baptism: February 24 2019 Baptismal Insert
The Word
Scripture Reading: Genesis 45:3-11, 15 Luke 6:27-38
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon – “Risking Relationship”
(a quiet time for your personal reflection and prayer)
Anthem – “The Greatest of These”
The Response
* Offering / Response: “These Gifts We Bring”
These gifts we bring with grateful hearts,
To reconcile, make new,
Gather us in grace, show us the way,
To live our lives in Truth
To share Your love in all we do.
Offering Dedication
Prayers of the People/Pastoral Prayer:
* Closing Hymn VU #417 – “God, as We Rise to Leave”
* Commissioning / Benediction
* Response (tune VU #374)
Lead me, Lord, I will follow.
Lead me, Lord, I will go.
You have called me, I will answer.
Lead me, Lord, I will go. (repeated
***
Patrick Woodbeck, Minister Laura Steidl, Music Director
Myrna Hagues, Organist Pat Todd, Liturgist
Gina Grant, Custodian
Welcome Ministry: Edna Cechvala, June Kaan, Gwen Polak
