Sunday March 16, 2025 - Bulletin
March 16, 2025
The Second Sunday in Lent
CHIMING THE HOUR
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRAYER OF APPROACH
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 27)
One: The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
All: One thing I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life.
One: For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock.
All: Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me! "Come," my heart says, "seek his face!” Your face, LORD, do I seek.
One: I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
All: Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
*HYMN #488 The God of Abraham Praise
CALL TO CONFESSION
One: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In humility and faith let us confess our sin to God.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (UNISON)
Heavenly Father, the Pharisees came to your Son and tried to get him to flee for fear of Herod, yet he stood firm in order to do your work. Forgive us when we flee from your path and ignore your instruction. Gracious God, Jesus pointed out that those who work against your way can be cunning like a fox. Remind us that following you requires that we recognize those who would be crafty in turning us away from you. Forgive us when we don’t focus our lives on following the Gospel, and would rather listen to the foxes in the world. Your Son laments when we are not willing to accept his offer of shelter under his wings. Teach us to accept the ultimate safety and shelter of a life in Jesus Christ - safety not from trials but from defeat, shelter not from all physical storms, but from those spiritual storms which stir up thoughts against you. We ask these things in the name of our loving protector, Jesus Christ. Amen.
One: Now that we have confessed as a body, let us take the truths that have troubled our hearts to God silently. Let us not be worried about the awkwardness of silence, as we take some time to focus on speaking with our God.
SILENT REFLECTION
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
GLORIA PATRI # 579
PASSING OF THE PEACE
One: Since God has forgiven us in Christ,
let us forgive one another.
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
All: And also with you.
One: Let us share signs of peace with one another.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
MUSICAL OFFERING
EPISTLE READING Philippians 3:17-4:1
GOSPEL LESSON Luke 13:31-35
SERMON “What’s This About Hens?” Rev. Kirsty H. Dickson-Maret
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
*HYMN (Insert) “Jesus Lover of My Soul”
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it. Let us return to God the offerings of our life and the gifts of the earth. Let us offer them with joy in our hearts and a deep sense of gratitude.
OFFERTORY
DOXOLOGY
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (UNISON)
Gracious God, you taught us that our citizenship is in heaven, and that from there we are expecting our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. May the gifts of time, tithes and talent which we offer today help us to stand firm in the way of the Lord so that we might lead others to accept his offer of protection and love. Amen.
*HYMN # 84. “In the Cross of Christ I Glory”
CHARGE
BENEDICTION