March 24, 2019
Third Sunday in Lent
Prelude:Elevation I Marcel Dupre
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn: #435 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Introit: #456 Listen, God Is Calling Swahili hymn
Call to Worship
One: Come into the sanctuary and look around.
Behold the beauty and splendor of God’s people.
All of us – rich and poor, employed and unemployed
and desperately hanging on.
All: Behold the beauty and splendor of God’s people.
One: We believe God’s steadfast love is better than life,
so let our lips praise God as long as we live.
All: We also often doubt God’s love.
We often doubt that God will really provide
when it matters.
One: But this is what matters today:
God said, “Come all who are thirsty, come to
the water, and you that have no money, come, buy and eat.” All of us – rich and poor, employed and unemployed and desperately hanging on.
All: So with faith – both bold and timid – let us worship God!
Invocation
O God, we are used to being judged by standards we cannot live up to – good looks and perfect families and money for whatever we want. We know these are false values, but we also want to fit in. Let our hearts be changed in our hour of worship. Teach us, inspire us, convict us that your ways are better than our ways and your thoughts are more useful than our thoughts. By the example of Christ’s life we pray. Amen.
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession (in unison)
We have been tempted, loving God, to go our own way without reference to eternal truths. We seek our own gratification rather than the well-being of all your children. We compare ourselves to others and find their failures but seldom discover our own shortcomings. We seek to build our lives by our own limited design rather than by your larger purposes.We engage in immorality in the name of freedom and become enslaved by our selfish ambitions. The ground on which we stand is crumbling under our feet. O God, forgive us and grant us a firmer foundation. 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.
Reading from Hebrew Scriptures:Isaiah 55:1-9
(Page 838in the Hebrew Scriptures in the pew Bible)
Partnership Celebration & Lord’s Prayer
(Children will leave for Sunday School & Youth Group)
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem: Wilt Thou Not Turn Again, O God Philip Diettrich
*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 13:1-9
(Page 92 in the New Testament in the pew Bible)
Sermon: The Capacity to be Called
Reverend James deBoer
Pastoral Prayer & Silent Prayer
Response:#456 Listen, God Is Calling Swahili hymn
*Hymn:#761 Called as Partners In Christ’s Service
Benediction
Response:#456 Listen, God Is Calling Swahili hymn Postlude:Forty Days and Forty Nights
Paul Heinlein, arr. Wyton
(* Please stand when 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 join us in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship following worship. Today’s hosts are Linda Estabrook & Sue Bucceri. 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:
Reverend James deBoer for leading Worship
Clare Rashkoff for serving as our lay reader
Sharon Tingley & Caleb May 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 & Alain
The Lead Deacons on call this coming week will be
Cynthia LaPier (413-229-0180) &
Clare Rashkoff (860) 435-0585
CALENDAR
Monday: 1 pm Salisbury Duplicate Bridge
Tuesday: 5:15 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal
Wednesday: 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 and will meet on Thursdays March 28 and April 11. 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.
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.