March 18, 2018
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Prelude: Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken H.Walcha
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn: #720 Jesus Calls Us
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Introit: O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee
Call to Worship
One: Let us gather to worship.
All: O God, we wish to see Jesus!
We come to worship, to pray, and learn.
One: We come looking for Jesus in Scripture lessons,
in our own life experiences, in helping our world,
in prayers for each other.
All: We seek to follow in the way of Jesus.
One: We lay bare before God and one another
our own wilderness journey filled with some gladness
and hope, with reluctance and sorrow, with fear and confusion.
All: O God, speak to us, show us, touch us with your presence!
One: Let our Lenten journey lead us to Jesus, so that we may
show forth in our lives, our faith community and our
world. Come let us worship together!
Opening Prayer (in unison)
As Jesus offered up prayers and supplications to you, O God, we cry out to you today. You know our losses and fears. You understand our suffering and pain. We wish to see Jesus, to know the healing touch felt by so many. We want to hear a reassuring voice. We long to see a new day when evil is overcome and wrong cannot prevail. Lift us up and draw us to yourself as we worship in this hour. Equip us for our daily living as we seek to be true to your covenant with us. Amen.
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession (in unison)
Have mercy on us, O God, according to your steadfast love. Wash us thoroughly from our iniquity and cleanse us from our sin. We know more of our own transgression than we have been willing to admit, even to ourselves. We cannot escape from the sin that clings so closely. By our actions and neglect, we have done what is evil in your sight. May your judgment help us to face the truth about ourselves. Then wash away the stain of our iniquity. Create in us clean hearts, and renew our spirits. We are ready for a new life. Hear us now as we turn to you with our silent confessions, seeking your mercy, forgiveness and grace.
Moment of Silent Prayer
Assurance of God’s Love
*Gloria Patri: #582 Glory to God whose goodness shines on me, and to the Son, whose grace has pardoned me, and to the Spirit, whose love has set me free. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.
Responsive Reading – Psalm 51:1-12
(Page 640 HS in pew bible)
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures – Jeremiah 31:31-34
(Page 899 HS in the pew bible)
Children’s Message and Lord’s Prayer
(Children will leave for Sunday School)
*Hymn: #722 Lord, Speak to Me That I May Speak
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem: Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed? Craig Curry
*Doxology: #607 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Christ, all people here below; praise Holy Spirit ever more; praise Triune God whom we adore. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication
Gospel Reading – John 12:20-33
(Page 130 NT in the pew bible)
Sermon: “Taking Delight in the Truth of the Psalms and Prophets, reflected in Jesus’ Compassionate Life”
Fr. Jerry Connors, Federal Chaplain, US Dept. of Justice
Pastoral Prayer & Silent Prayer
Response: Help me the slow of heart to move
Hymn: #744 Arise, Your Light Has Come!
Benediction
Response: In hope that sends a shining ray
Postlude: Lamb of God, Our Savior J.S. Bach
(* Please stand if able.)
Welcome Statement
We, the Salisbury Congregational Church, seek to love God with all our hearts, souls and minds and love our neighbors as ourselves.
This Church declares itself to be Open and Affirming to all for participation, membership, leadership and employment regardless of race, ancestry, class, gender identity, physical/mental ability or sexual orientation.
We further declare ourselves to be Affirming of each individual as a child of God, celebrating the total identity of each person.
As a declared Open and Affirming Congregation, we commit ourselves to work toward ending ignorance, fear, hatred, prejudice and discrimination against any person.
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
If you are visiting us today, Welcome!
Please sign our guest book and introduce yourself to our Pastor or to one of the Deacons. Fill out a welcome card in the pew to be put on our email list!
Please see an usher:
If you would like to use a hearing device
If you would like to bring your child to the Nursery
Please join us in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship following worship. All are welcome.
Today’s hosts are the Christian Action Committee.
Please join us after worship for a discussion with Fr. Jerry Connors in the Parish Hall.
Many thanks to:
Kathy Mera for serving as lay reader
Fr. Jerry Connors for offering the Sermon
Pat Palmer & Kevin Wolgemuth for ushering
Prayer List
Debbie Merwin, Jessica Whelton, Keith Grant, Ellie Owens, Jack Ritchie, Marian Ferguson, Jane Fitting, Libby Bishop, Miles Bishop, Chuck Carroll, Andrew Gunderson, Gail Weigel, Paula & Herman Blumberg, Harriet, Emily, Anne, Bill, Carolyn, Peter, Cheryl and those among us who struggle with anxiety, depression and addiction.
Family & friends of: Gloria Buckley, Gordon Weekly, George Kieffer, Richard Hayes, Kelly Bannister and Pam.
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
Today: 10:00 Guest Preacher – Fr. Jerry Connors
11-11:30 –Reflections of a Prison Chaplain
11:30 am Church Council Meeting
Tuesday: 12 pm Recovery Yoga in the Parish Hall
5:30 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal
6 pm Community Yoga in the Parish Hall
Wednesday: 6 pm Deacons’ Lenten Dinner
7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday: 10 am Kids’ Yoga in the Nursery
10 am Mommy & Me yoga in the Parish Hall
4:30 pm Women’s Bible Study
7 pm HousaTonics
Friday: 7:45 am Men’s Bible Study
Next Sunday: Palm Sunday
OPPORTUNITIES
EASTER LILY SIGN UP
You are invited to contribute an Easter lily in the name of a loved one and take the plant home with you after the Easter service. Donations are $15 for each plant. Please send a check, along with a form to the office, or to pay by credit card, please use the ‘Give Online’ button on the website by Friday, March 23rd.