Ill health prevented my attendance, so as far as I can, I will let Rev.
John’s words speak for themselves.
Call to Worship
(Abingdon Worship Annual 2018)
God’s voice calls to
us, naming us in holy love. Christ’s voice chastens us, correcting us when we
lose our way. The Spirit’s voice sounds within us, drawing us back to the paths
of righteousness. God’s voice heals us, naming us as God’s own.
From generation to
generation, God names us and claims us.
Let heaven and earth
praise God’s holy name.
From our earliest
steps, Christ guides our wayward feet. Let all who draw breath come back
to the Lord.
From death to life,
the Spirit sets us free.
Let the faithful
rejoice in God’s holy covenant.
From generation to
generation, God names us and claims us.
Let heaven and earth
praise God’s holy name.
Hymn TIS 52: “Let
us sing to the God of salvation”
Opening Prayer (reduced)
Spirit of the ages,
as you called to Abram and Sarai, renaming them according to your purposes, call to us this
day. Open our ears to the sound of your voice….
Prayer of Confession (reduced)
God above every name,
when our vision dims, and we prefer human thoughts to your thoughts, heal our
eyes of faith.
Grace above every
grace, when our suffering closes us off from the joy on the other side of
suffering, grant us your strength to follow Christ in hope and promise.
Declaration of
Forgiveness
By saying no to
ourselves, and picking up our cross to follow Christ, we find ourselves. By
saying yes to the good news of God’s Spirit working within us, we find faith
and wholeness. God’s promises are sure; God’s love eternal.
Thanks, be to God!
The Peace
Let all who would
become Christ’s followers deny themselves and follow Christ in love and grace.
Let all who seek freedom pick up their cross and follow him, even when the road
is long. On this journey, let us turn to one another and share signs of grace
and peace. Peace be with you! And also with you!
(You may like to exchange a sign of peace with
those around you)
Offering Prayer
Bless us this day,
Eternal God, that we may be a blessing to a world in need. Bless our gifts and
our offerings in your name, that they may light the way home for those who have
wandered far and lost their way. As these gifts go forth to do your work, may
they help others hear you call their names and bring them peace. Amen
Hymn TIS 412: “God sends us his
Spirit to befriend and help us”
The First Reading: Romans 4:13-25
The Gospel Reading:
Mark 8:31-38
Just Who Is This Man?
“…there must have
been a good deal of speculation about who Jesus was. All of his activities,
separately and together with his disciples, had to have attracted the attention
of many. Certainly, we know the authorities took notice. Just who was this man,
Jesus?
Finding out exactly
who Jesus was brought the disciples more than even they had bargained for when
they answered Jesus’ call…Jesus had to continue his teaching to reveal to them
the true nature of his mission on earth and, by extension, the mission both for
the disciples and us as well. Just as Jesus in his healing ministry gradually
opened the eyes of the blind man at Bethsaida, so he gradually revealed to his
disciples and others the nature and implications of his journey and way. They
must be prepared to deny themselves, to abandon any thoughts of
self-centeredness…
What Jesus asks of
each of us is that we follow him, keeping our eyes on him who endured
everything for us. Wherever life's path takes us, we are to let his love and
his light, be our guide. How trusting and faithful are we? Can we do better?
Let us try during this Lent to be the disciples Christ calls us to be,
disciples who truly follow Jesus to the cross.
Then truly nothing in
this life can touch us for, as St. Paul says, "Whatever may happen, in
Christ we prevail. Neither death nor life, neither things present nor things
yet to come, shall be able to separate us from the love of God that is ours in
Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen
Hymn TIS 657: “God of Freedom, God of Justice” (Picardy)
Following the Prayers
of the People and the Lord’s Prayer…
Hymn TIS 456: “Your hand, O God,
has guided...”
Benediction
Hear the voice of God
calling your name.
We will follow where
God leads us.
Hear the voice of
Christ claiming you as his own.
We will live as
brothers and sisters in faith.
Hear the voice of the
Spirit sending you forth.
We will go where the
Spirit sends us.
Go forth, called,
named, and claimed by God.
Hymn TIS 780: “May light come into your eyes”
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