ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY FEBRUARY 25TH 2018-2ND SUNDAY OF LENT

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: 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

February 25th, 2018-2nd Sunday of Lent

(4 purple, 1 pink and 1 white candle are lit on Lenten triad)

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, MV 81

Call to Worship  

One: Come, friends, and hear once again what God has done for us.
All: God has been faithful through our days.
One: We come at different ages and stages, different generations,
All: and we serve and worship together.
One: God remembers all of us, from the baby entering the world to the people living in their twilight years.
All: God keeps God’s promises, no matter how young, no matter how old we may be.
One: Come and open your hearts to the God who will love and care for you through your entire life.
All: We come to worship God.

Opening Prayer

God, as we worship you today, open our hearts to those around us. May we see your faithfulness in each age and stage of our
neighbours. In this Season of Lent, may we remember the promises you made to all generations – past, present, and future.
Amen.

*Hymn  I, the Lord of Sea and Sky VU 509

Call to Confession

Lenten Tenebrae: Praying Our Confession with the Psalms

Lent 2—Psalm 22
One: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1a). There are many times in our lives…and so it is with confidence that we are able to lift our prayers of confession this morning. 
Let us pray: 
All: God of the Lenten Wilderness, you have been with us from the moment our hearts started beating. You have offered wisdom and guidance from the moment of our birth. You are with us now as we confess the ways we have failed to put our trust in you. When we are burdened with trouble, when our hearts ache and our minds reel, we so quickly doubt your presence. Forgive us. Help us remember that you are always there, like the stars over our heads, bright and constant. Help us embrace the healing power of your mercy for the things we have done wrong. Help us live merciful lives even when we have been wronged. Help us trust in you, as Sarah did, even when times are hard. 

Silent confession as second candle is extinguished. 

With every breath, we will praise your name. 
All: With every beat of our hearts, we will rejoice in your love. As we walk this Lenten road, we will celebrate the path you place before us. Amen. 

Written by Nora Vedress, Calvary U.C., Prince Albert, Sask. 

Gathering, Lent/Easter 2018, p.64. Used with permission. 

Sung Assurance: May God’s Sheltering Wings   (her, his) MV 214

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Genesis 17:1–7, 15–16 Covenant between Abram, Sarai, and God.

One: This is the witness of the Hebrew people. All: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 22  You have not hidden your face, O God. Pts 3 & 4 VU 746

*Hymn I Have Called You by Your Name MV 161

Opening the Word & the Lord’s Prayer

The Gospel Acclamation

Mark 8:31–38 Losing your life for the gospel will save it.

One: Herein is Good News.   All: Praise be to God.

Opening the Word 2

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

* Hymn      I Danced in the Morning VU 352

Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God

*Offering Prayer

God, you are the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the
end, and all that comes in between. Today, we give thanks for
those who came before and gave their gifts so that we could
have mission, ministry, and a physical place to worship today.
Bless the gifts that we offer to you so we will continue to build on the foundation laid by previous generations, and enable those who follow. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn Jesus Came, a Child like Me VU 583

*Commissioning

As we go, may we go wrapped in the knowledge that you promised
Abraham and Sarah a new future, and we are part of that future. 
You keep your promises throughout time. May we share those promises with the world.

*Choral Amen