The 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: stmarks1@eastlink.ca
Ministers: Whole People of God
Minister: Nan Corrigan D. M. Music Director: Al Fougere
March 3rd, 2013
3rd Sunday of Lent
Humans are made to be in relationship with God. We are spiritual beings. Some might scoff at the notion and deny their experiences, and some don’t seem to care one way or the other. Some hope for and welcome experiences with God, and some, usually referred to as mystics, seem to be especially attuned to the divine. We live in busy times, and children, youth and adults alike can find it difficult to take time to reflect on and meditate on a relationship and experience of God.
Lent is a journey that is grounded in the reality of human life; and Psalm 63 speaks to this. It also speaks of a more personal relationship with God and trust in that relationship. The invitation this week is to experience the gift of enduring love as we continue in Lent. In what ways might people be inspired to feed a relationship with God? Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc.2012 Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFUSION Lent.Easter 2013 p. 59
Lent is a journey that is grounded in the reality of human life; and Psalm 63 speaks to this. It also speaks of a more personal relationship with God and trust in that relationship. The invitation this week is to experience the gift of enduring love as we continue in Lent. In what ways might people be inspired to feed a relationship with God? Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc.2012 Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFUSION Lent.Easter 2013 p. 59
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 Tune: O WALY WALY/GIFT OF LOVE (VU372)
Let us press on to know the Lord;
as sure as dawn God will appear.
Like gentle show’rs, to us God comes;
as rains of spring water the earth. (based on Hosea 6:3)
Written by John Moses, Trinity U.C., Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Gathering, Lent/Easter 2013, page 9. Used with permission.
* Call to Worship
One: God calls us to travel through the season of Lent
where the promise of newness of life unfolds.
During this time, we are called to wilderness wandering
All: where our burdens and brokenness are revealed.
One: We are called to venture through unknown lands
All: to face our deepest fears.
One: We are called to a dry and weary land
All: where our souls thirst for living water.
One: Come join the Lenten journey with the God who is about to do a new thing!
*Prayer of Approach
We come to this place, thirsting for life-giving water. Your invitation to abundant life, O God, constantly beckons us. Yet, there are times when we do not hear your voice calling us. Help us to turn to you, to seek you in all of creation. We know that your thoughts and your ways are not always ours. But we ask for your wisdom and guidance, so that day by day, we may grow more like you. In the name of the One who quenches our thirst we pray. Amen. Huron-Perth Presbytery Writing Team, Prayers for Lent
*Hymn Just as I Am
Prayer of Confession (back of bulletin)
God Accepts Us—A Lenten Candle Liturgy Sung Response
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
Isaiah 55:1-9 Come, buy wine and milk without money!
One: This is the witness of the Hebrew people. All: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 63:1–8 I long for you, O God. VU 781
* Hymn Peace Is Flowing Like a River Printed
Peace is flowing like a river,
flowing out of you and me.
Flowing out into the desert,
Setting all the captives free.
God’s love is flowing like a river,
flowing out of you and me.
Flowing out into the desert,
setting all the captives free.
God’s healing’s flowing like a river,
flowing out of you and me.
Flowing out into the desert,
Setting all the captives free.
God’s peace is flowing like a river,
flowing out of you and me.
Flowing out into the desert,
Setting all the captives free.
Opening the Word/Children's Time & The Lord’s Prayer
The Gospel Acclamation
Praise to you Lord, King of eternal glory.
Luke 13:1-9 The parable of the barren fig tree..
One: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. All: Thanks be to God.
Reflection
WE RESPOND IN FAITH
* Hymn You Satisfy the Hungry Heart VU 478
Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God
* Offering Prayer
The fruit of the earth is ours, the sun upon our land, the water on our lips, the bread that we eat; all graciously given, all gratefully received. Here we ponder what we have, here we share what we have to give, here we pray a blessing on all these good things within the love of God. Amen.
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
One: Be as water, All: Be as water for our thirsty souls, O God.
WE GO TO SERVE GOD
* Hymn On Eagle’s Wings
* Commissioning and Benediction
All: God I will bless you as long as I live. I will lift up my hands and call on your name. In the sanctuary we have praised you, on holy ground we have walked with you, we have been fed and nurtured and go now with thankful hearts.
One: The blessing of God – Creator, Redeemer, and Spirit – be yours now and always.
* Choral Amen
