Bethel Presbyterian Church
First Sunday in Lent
February 25, 2007
11:00 a.m.
GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
PRELUDE Lift Thine Eyes
Laura Dailey, Marilyn Gaffin & Mary Ann Hensley
CALL TO WORSHIP
We who dwell in the shelter of the Most High
Abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
We shall say to the Lord,
“Our refuge and our stronghold, our God in whom we put our trust.”
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN #263 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise St. Denio
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
As Lent unfolds before us, great God, we see how far we have to go to Jerusalem. The road is long, our sins are heavy, and our burdens hold us down. we can’t imagine new life, Easter life, because our current lives are filled with bad choices and failed efforts. Our transgressions are ever before us. Meet us in our weakness. Take up our sins. Ease our burdens. Carry us on the way. Bring us to Jerusalem, at last. Show us a love that is stronger than death, a love no tomb can hold. Amen.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
Thanks be to God,
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
MUSIC Knowing You
Julie Bunch, Jim Condon, Laura Dailey, Marilyn Gaffin & Mary Ann Hensley
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
FIRST LESSON Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
ANTHEM The Lord is My Shepherd Mary Ann Hensley & Phil Walsh
MINUTE FOR MISSION Living Waters Laura Dailey
SECOND LESSON Luke 4:1-13
SERMON And the Devil Said . . . Rev. Bill Shenk
*HYMN #81 Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days St. Flavian
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – from A Brief Statement of Faith
We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God's image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community. But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God's commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God's condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still. Amen.
MUSIC Just A Little Talk with Jesus
Julie Bunch, Jim Condon, Mary Ann Hensley & Phil Walsh
SHARING OF CONCERNS AND PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
MUSIC Homeward Bound
Laura Dailey & Mary Ann Hensley
OFFERING
*DOXOLOGY Praise God, from whom All Blessings Flow Hymn #592
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN #84 In the Cross of Christ I Glory Rathbun
*CHARGE AND BLESSING
BENEDICTION May the Road Rise to Meet You
Julie Bunch, Laura Dailey, Marilyn Gaffin & Mary Ann Hensley
*POSTLUDE
