March 17, 2019
SecondSunday in Lent
Prelude: Grave from Sonata # 2 Felix Mendelssohn
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn:#36 For the Fruit of All Creation
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Introit: In The Bulb There Is a Flower Natalie Sleeth
Amaya Godshall, soloist
Call to Worship
All: We gather in Worship of Creator,
Who has given us the power to be called
His children, and the blessing of our place in
Creation!
One: When I know my place, I respect the place of others
~ all my relations.
All: When we understand that humans are just part of
the created universe, we have a better
understanding of our place.
One: I am part of all Creator has made, and I come to this
holy place to praise and worship Him!
Prayer of Invocation (in unison)
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. It turns problems into gifts, failures into successes, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. It can turn an existence into a real life, and disconnected situations into important and beneficial lessons. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.Let us pray.
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession (in unison)
God, you are Love: You formed us in our mother’s womb and brought us to this hour. Join us together in a fellowship of compassion and justice, rejoicing with those
who are honored, suffering with those who have lost so much. May the gifts You have given us be activated for the good of all people and all creation. Embrace us in Your creating, redeeming love. May we live what You have made us to be: Your eyes that see what You see; Your ears that hear what You hear; Your feet that carry us to places most in need; Your hands that work for healing, justice and reconciliation; and hearts on fire with Your Love for each blessed person and each creature You have made. Amen.
Moment of Silent Prayer
Assurance of God’s Love
Gloria Patri: #581 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, world without end. Amen, amen.
Responsive Reading – Psalm 27
(Page 619 in the Hebrew Scriptures in the pew Bible)
Reading from Hebrew Scriptures:
Genesis 15:1-12, 17 & 18
(Page 14 in the Hebrew Scriptures in the pew Bible)
Children’s Message & Lord’s Prayer
(Children will leave for Sunday School)
*Hymn: #370This Is My Father’s World
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem: Surely the Lord Is In This Place Carl F. Mueller
*Doxology:#607 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Christ, all people here below; praise Holy Spirit ever more;
praise Triune Godwhom we adore. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication
Gospel Reading: Luke 13:31-35
(Page 93 in the New Testament in the pew Bible)
Sermon Bryan Nurnberger
Pastoral Prayer & Silent Prayer
Response:#313 Lord, Make Us More Holy
*Hymn:#269 Lead O, O King Eternal!
Benediction
Response:#313 Lord, Make Us More Holy
Postlude: Fugue in C from Sonata #2 Felix Mendelssohn
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 join us in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship following worship. All are welcome.
Please see an usher if:
You would like to use a hearing device
If you would like to bring your child to the Nursery
Many thanks to:
Bryan Nurnberger for leading Worship
John Estabrook for serving as our lay reader
Becky Belcher & Michael Voldstad for serving as ushers
Prayer List
Gail Weigel, Jean Gallup, Roberta Fay, J. Kevin Carroll, Siddhi, Evan Adsit, Marty Sorenson, Franny Yerkes, Terry Roy & family, Petee Robinson, Leonard Kaufman, Dick Taber,Tom Splaine, Joe K., Peter & Linda, Paula & Herman, Anne & Bill, Jan & John Hazard, Pauline
The family & friends of Laura Hawks
The Lead Deacons on call this coming week will be
Karin Noyes & Kathy Mera
CALENDAR
Today: 11:30 am Church Council Meeting
5 pm Torrington Dinner
Monday: 1 pm Salisbury Bridge Club
Wednesday: 10:30 am Lenten Soup Making
6 pm Lenten Dinner
7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday: 4:30 pm Women’s Bible Study
7 pm HousaTonics
Friday: 7:45 am Men’s Bible Study
OPPORTUNITIES
BIBLE STUDY
Women’s Bible Study has resumed on Thursday afternoons. The Reverend Rich Reifsnyder will be leading the group beginning at 4:30 pm in the Parish Hall Library.
Men’s Bible Study meets on Friday mornings at 7:45 am in the Parish Hall.
Everyone is welcome to join both groups.
WHAT IS GOD CALLING YOU TO DO?
In this time of transition in the life of Salisbury Congregational Church, we invite you to get involved! Please share with the Nominating Committee your talents, interests, and availability. Please take a moment to respond to a short survey so that we can get in touch with you. You may also fill out the paper form that is available at the church office or at the service on Sunday.
If you are willing to serve on a Board or Committee, great! If you are willing to provide food, work with children, contribute flowers, provide a ride to a neighbor in need, thank you!
If you are not sure what you can provide, but would like to help, a member of the Nominating Committee would be happy to chat with you about the needs of the church to find the right fit for you.
Thank you for your stewardship of our congregation!
YOU ARE INVITED
The Deacons’ Lenten Dinners are a gift for all–a gift of a meal prepared with love; a gift of coming together to talk, share, and laugh; a gift of time out of our everyday routines so we can reflect on all that we have in common.
Please come! Take a break! Enjoy Community! All are welcome–congregation members, their families and friends. We will be serving a simple meal of hearty soup, salad, bread, and dessert made and served by the Deacons and other volunteers. All you need to do is show up with your appetite.
Please indicate the names of all attendees, any dietary restrictions and ages of children you are bringing. Dinners will be limited to 25 attendees per week.