Congregations of St. Mark’s and St. David’s
United Church of Canada
Port Hawkesbury/Port Hastings, NS
Office: 625-2229, Fax 625-3597, e-mail: stmarksuc@gmail.com
Blog: http://ourcontactonline.blogspot.com/
Presbytery Website: inverguyunited.ca
Ministers: The Whole People of God Minister: Nan Corrigan D.M.
Minister of Music: Al Fougere
April 2nd, 2017-5th Sunday of Lent
Announcements The Work of Church and Community
WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD
Greeting
One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And with your spirit.*Introit Love Us Into Fullness v 1, twice MV 81
Call to Worship Based on Psalm 130
One: Wait and watch for God!All: Even when we feel in the depths of death and despair?
One: Wait and watch for God!
All: Even when life seems like a night that never ends?
One: Wait and watch for God! In God there is constant love and kindness.
All: We will wait and watch with hope.
One: Waiting, watching, filled with hope, we come to worship.
Opening Prayer
Gracious God, in the midst of death, you offer life.In the midst of despair, you offer hope.
In the midst of confusion and uncertainty,
you offer a new way of seeing things,
a new way of understanding things.
Help us to remember this always. Amen.
*Hymn The Day of Resurrection VU 164
Lenten Triad Candle Lighting Prayer of Confession & Pardon
Light the first four candles from the Christ candle. Actions led by child or other leader.One: Take a moment to think of the things that you want to hide from God. (pause)
One: Think of things you are ashamed of. (pause)
One: Think of things you have said, or done, or thought, that you wish you could change. (pause)
One: Think of how these things keep us cooped up, hiding, stale.
Now, in a moment of silence, ask God to forgive you. (pause)
Light the 5th candle after the silence.
One: The good news is, God does forgive you!
(Quickly open up—actions to show being set free)
All: The same God who breathed life into the dry bones and gave Lazarus new life,
One: breathes new life into us and invites us to start again.
All: Thanks be to God!
Sung Assurance: Love Us Into Fullness v 1, twice MV 81
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
Ezekiel 37:1–14 The valley of the dry bones.
One: This is the witness of the Hebrew people. All: Thanks be to God.Psalm 130 Out of the depths I cry. VU 853
*Hymn We Are Marching VU 646
Opening the Word & The Lord’s Prayer
The Gospel Acclamation
John 11:1–45 The death of Lazarus. A Reading in 4 parts
One: Herein is Good News. All: Praise be to God.WE RESPOND IN FAITH
* Hymn Just a Closer Walk with Thee Printed
Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God
*Offering Prayer
In hope we offer these gifts:hope for a peaceful and fair world;
hope for an equal distribution of
food, medicines, natural resources, and love;
hope for the well-being of Mother Earth;
hope for many future generations.
In hope we bring these gifts
as hope for a peaceful and fair world. Amen.
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
One: Spirit of God, All: Spirit of God, breathe new life.WE GO TO SERVE GOD
* Hymn Lord of the Dance-I Danced in the Morning VU 352
*Commissioning and Blessing
Go in peace, and wait upon your God.Know that, whatever happens, you are in God’s care and protection,
and that God will watch over you always.
No matter what may befall you, you are not alone.
