April 7, 2019
Fifth Sunday of Lent
Prelude: My Heart is Ever Yearning J. Brahams
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn: #451 Open My Eyes, That I May See
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Introit: O God, you are the Anointing One
Call to Worship
One: God’s spirit is moving among us; give thanks!
Our God is about to do a new thing in our midst.
All: How good it is to be chosen by God;
we gather to sing our praises and thanks.
One: God has done great things for us; we are glad!
Now God is pointing us toward a new day.
All: We are waiting to hear what God would have us do; we are ready to risk new behaviors to be faithful.
One: Into the wilderness of our lives comes living water. Into the sorrow of our days comes cause for joy.
All: Forgetting what lies behind, we greet our future; we press on, responding to the upward call of Christ.
Prayer of Invocation (in unison)
Powerful God, we give thanks that you have called us to be your people. In our times of gloom, you have sent your light. When we are weary and discouraged, you lift us up. In our thirst for meaning and purpose, you bring us to living water in Jesus Christ. Set before us now the joy of discovery and a vision of the future possibilities. Unite us in friendship with one another, with Christ as our center and inspiration. Amen.
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession (in unison)
O God, whose call to compassion in Christ Jesus we have so often chosen to ignore, we confess that we settle for lesser goals while you summon us to embrace the realm of heaven. We weary of looking beyond our own interests to the well-being of our sisters and brothers. We can see the wasteful acts of other people and struggle to reform our own. We moderate our generosity, even while you pour out life itself for the healing of us and all creation. We need forgiveness, O God. Do a new thing within and among us. 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 126
(Pg. 704 in the Hebrew Scriptures in the pew Bible)
Reading from Hebrew Scriptures: Isaiah 43:16-21 (Pg. 823 in the Hebrew Scriptures in the pew Bible)
*Hymn: #215 What Wondrous Love Is This (vs. 1 & 2)
Sacrament of Communion
The cut bread on the communion plate is gluten free.
The communion wine is non-alcoholic.
Communion Prayer (in unison)
In this time of looking back, O Lord, we are more prepared to look forward. In remembering all you have done for us, we are better able to look to the future. We give thanks that your mercy has revived and encouraged us that we might go forward in love and forgiveness. For this time of renewal and hope, we give you our humble praise. Amen.
Service of Welcome Pastoral Search Team
*Hymn: #215 What Wondrous Love Is This (vs. 3 & 4)
(Children will leave for Sunday School)
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem: He That Shall Endure to the End Mendelssohn
*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 12:1-8
(Pg. 129 in the New Testament in the pew Bible)
Sermon: “Extravagance Now!” Pastor John Nelson
Pastoral Prayer, Silent Prayer & Lord’s Prayer
Response: O God, you are the Anointing One
*Hymn: A Woman Came Who Did Not Count the Cost
(insert)
Benediction
Response: #600 Amen
Postlude: Toccata Theodore Dubois
(* 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 join us in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship following worship. All are welcome. Today’s host is the Christian Action Committee.
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:
Lorna Edmundson for serving as our lay reader
Sarah Morrison & Jim Hussey for serving as ushers
Prayer List
Sean Clegg, Bolton Hull, 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, Elizabeth
CALENDAR
Today: 11:30 am Trustees Meeting
Monday: 1 pm Salisbury Duplicate Bridge
Tuesday: 5:30 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal
Wednesday: 9 am Music Committee Meeting
6 pm Lenten Dinner
7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday: 4:30 pm Women’s Bible Study
5:30 pm Deacons’ Meeting
7 pm HousaTonics
Friday: 7:45 am Men’s Bible Study
The Church Covenant
We covenant with God and with one another to walk together in God’s holy ways. We unite for the worship of God and for continued striving to know and to do God’s will and for the service of God and humanity. We acknowledge this Church to be part of the universal fellowship of all those in every age and nation who are united by the Holy Spirit of God in Christ, and we dedicate ourselves to serve this fellowship according to our strength, ability and opportunity.
OPPORTUNITIES
SILVER LAKE SUMMER CAMP
Registration for the 2019 Summer Camp Session at Silver Lake Conference Center is open! A link is available on our e-blast to view the brochure and pick your week. There are also copies of the brochures on the marble table in the Parish Hall.
EASTER LILY DEDICATION
You are invited to contribute a Easter lily in memory of a loved one and take the plant home with you after the Easter service. Donations are $15 for each plant. You may send a check, along with the form, to the church office, or pay online. The deadline for purchasing Easter lilies is this Friday, April 12.