February 25, 2018
Second Sunday in Lent
Prelude: “Menuet” from Suite Gothique Léon Boellmann
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn: #320 The Church of Christ In Every Age
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Choral Introit: Yes, Jesus loves me!
Call to Worship
One: We are invited to walk with God.
We are welcomed by God as people of the covenant.
All: How awesome to stand in the presence of our
Creator! We bring our praise to glorify God.
One: God calls us by name and gives us new names.
We are summoned to faithfulness and fruitfulness.
All: God not only speaks to us but listens.
God hears our cries and meets our needs.
One: Let the ends of the earth remember and turn to God.
Let the families of all nations worship the Creator.
All: We will pay our vows to the One who calls us.
We praise the God of all nations and all peoples.
One: Come let us worship together!
Opening Prayer (in unison)
In trust and confidence, we call on your name, almighty God, eager to know you more fully and serve you more faithfully. We have heard your amazing promises given to our ancestors in the faith. We seek your word for us in our day, for we want to grow strong in our faith as our ancestors did in theirs. As they gave you glory and praise, we gather to do the same. As they passed on their faith to new generations, we seek to teach and live in such a way that our children and their children will be drawn to minister in your name. Amen.
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession (in unison)
Merciful God, we confess that we have not been sincere Christians. We claim to follow Jesus but have not taken his path of sacrificial love. We profess to be disciples, but we are not willing to bear the cost of discipleship. We affirm the virtue of self-denial, but we indulge our selfish desires and seek earthly gain. Forgive us we pray. Free us for sincere repentance through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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 22:23-31
(Page 616 HS in pew bible)
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures –
Genesis 17:1-7,15-16
(Page 15 HS in the pew bible)
Children’s Message and Lord’s Prayer
(Children will leave for Sunday School and Youth Discussion Group)
*Hymn: #220 Go to Dark Gethsemane
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem: I Believe Mark Miller
I believe in the sun, even when it’s not shining. I believe in love, even when I don’t feel it. I believe in God, even when God is silent.
Emily Elliot, soprano soloist
*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 – Mark 8:31-38
(Page 53 NT in the pew bible)
Sermon: “Get Behind Me Satan!”
Reverend Dr. Diane Monti-Catania
Pastoral Prayer and Silent Prayer
Response: Yes, Jesus loves me!
Hymn: #192 Lord, the Light of Your Love Is Shining
Benediction
Response: Yes, Jesus loves me!
Postlude: “Chorale” from Suite Gothique Léon Boellmann
(* 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: Clare Rashkoff, Alice Kent & Sheryl Knapp.
Many thanks to:
Dick Taber for serving as lay reader
Erin Swett for leading our Youth Discussion Group
Becky Belcher Feen & Stephanie Tierney for ushering
Emily Elliot for the soprano solo in the anthem
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, the family & friends of: Gloria Buckley, Gordon Weekly, George Kieffer, Richard Hayes and Kelly Bannister, those among us who struggle with anxiety, depression and addiction.
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
Today: 11:15 am Un-birthday Celebration
3 pm Open Recital in the Meeting House
5 pm Music Committee Dinner in the Parish Hall Library
Tuesday: 12-1 pm Recovery Yoga in the Parish Hall
6-7 pm Community Yoga in the Parish Hall
Wednesday: 10 am-1 pm Lenten Dinner Cooking
6 pm Deacons’ Lenten Dinner
7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday: 10-11 am Kids’ Yoga in the Nursery
10-11 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 11:30 am Trustees’ Meeting
OPPORTUNITIES
OPEN RECITAL
The 37th Annual Open Recital under the auspices of the Al Sly Fund will take place in the Meeting House this afternoon
at 3 pm. Students in Kindergarten through high school have been recommended by their teachers to participate based on
their skill level, musicality and promise. We will also be treated by the 22 member Berkshire Children’s Chorus Junior
Choir. The program will end on a rousing beat provided by the 10 member Salisbury School Jazz Ensemble. The recital is
free and open to the public.