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St. James United Church
Weekly Service Bulletin - February 22nd, 2015
Lent 1 | Communion | Black History Month
221 Romaine Street, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 2C3 705-742-2222
stjamesunitedchurch.ca ● united-church.ca ● wondercafe.ca ● edge-ucc.ca
Our Mission is to Worship, Serve, Share, Love and Care in the Name of Jesus Christ
PRELUDE | WELCOME &
THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE CHURCH
INTROIT
WE GATHER
*GATHERING SONG
Come All You People (sung twice)
MV#2
Words, Music © 1986 World Council of Churches. Arrangement © 1995 by WGRG, Iona Community. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-723161.
A song from Zimbabwe
Come all you peo-ple, come and praise your Maker,
come all you peo-ple, come and praise your Maker,
come all you peo-ple, come and praise your Ma-ker,
Come now and wor-ship the Lord.
CALL TO WORSHIP, LENTEN CANDLE LITURY & OPENING PRAYER (responsive)
One:
We have come together this morning for renewal - in worship and as a
community of faith. we've greeted one another, laughed and hugged. But now
the time of reflection and stillness is upon us. It is the first Sunday in Lent the season for journeys of the heart. Be still. Listen.
All:
We are entering a holy time. The Lenten candles have been lit,
but over the next six weeks the light will slowly fade into darkness.
One:
For we are retelling the story of Jesus' betrayal and suffering and death.
We do this because we are reminded that even in death there is hope,
for and abundant life.
All:
God is in each and every one of us, quietly transforming us
and the world.
In his pain and suffering, Jesus speaks to every pain and loss
we have endured and offers the promise of transformation.
One:
Jesus is at the heart of our faith. He invites us to leave ordinary time and follow
along with him on the journey that brought him to the cross.
(the first Lenten Candle is extinguished)
All:
Loving God, as we journey through this season of Lent, give us strength and
courage to make the changes that are needed in our lives.
Open our hearts and minds to your steadfast presence
and help us to know your love. Amen.
THE LORD'S PRAYER (spoken)
VU#921
*HYMN
Long Ago, and Far Away
MV#195
Words and music Copyright 2000, Pat Mayberry; arr. Margaret Stubington, 2006. Reprinted under LicenSing Online #623941.
1.
Long ago and far away
Jesus lived and worked and prayed
healed the sick and the fearful and lonely
lived his life to show us God's way.
Stretched his arms out as he said
Fill the cup and share the bread
Remember me in love and joy and blessing.
2.
Jesus gathered the children around him
spoke of Love and the joy to be found
told them stories of wisdom and wonder
God's creation in all that's around. R
3.
Jesus called all his friends to be with him
share the bread and the cup once again
life to you I will offer it gladly
love will be with you right to the end. R
THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
(All loose money collected today will go the Benevolent Fund.)
THEME CONVERSATION
CHILDREN'S PRAYER
Jesus, you are the light of the world.
Fill my mind with your peace,
and my heart with your love. Amen.
WE REFLECT
POEM
Looking Toward Jerusalem (by Ann Weems)
Rev. Julie van Haaften
The journey to Bethlehem was much more to my liking.
I am content kneeling here, where there's an aura of angels
and ever-present procession of shepherds and kings
who've come to kneel to the Newborn - in whom we are newborn.
I want to linger here in Bethlehem in joy and celebration,
knowing once I set my feet toward Jerusalem,
the Child will grow, and I will be asked to follow.
The time of Light and Angels is drawing to a close.
Just when I've settled contentedly into the quiet wonder of Star and Child,
He bids me leave and follow.
How can I be expected to go back into darkness
after sitting mangerside, bathed in such light?
Continued ...
It's hard to get away this time of year;
I don't know how I'll manage.
It's not just the time...
the conversation along the way turns from Birth to Death.
I'm not sure I can stand the stress and pain;
I have enough of those already.
Besides, I've found the lighting on the road to Jerusalem is very poor.
This time around, there is no star...
The Shepherds have left; they've returned to hillside and to sheep.
The Magi, too, have gone, having been warned in a dream,
as was Joseph, who packed up his family and fled.
If I stay in Bethlehem, I stay alone.
God has gone on toward Jerusalem.
ANTHEM
GOSPEL READING
Matthew 6:16-21
Bob Heron
‘And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their
faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their
reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting
may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees
in secret will reward you. ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth
and rustconsume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not
break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
*HYMN
Throughout These Lenten Days and Nights
VU#108 vs. 1-3
Words: James Gertmenian © 1993 Hope Publishing Company. Musikalisches Handbuch, Public Domain. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-723161.
1.
Throughout these Lenten days and nights
we turn to walk the inward way,
where, meeting Christ, our guide and light,
we live in hope till Easter day.
2.
The pilgrim Christ, the Lamb of God,
who found in weakness greater power,
embraces us, though lost and flawed,
and leads us to his Rising Hour.
3.
We bear the silence, cross and pain
of human burdens, human strife,
while sisters, brothers help sustain
our courage till the Feast of Life.
REFLECTION
WE RESPOND
OFFERING &
OFFERTORY MUSIC
*SUNG OFFERTORY RESPONSE
What Can I Do?
MV#191
Words and music copyright © 2005 Paul Rumbolt and Michele McCarthy. Arrgmnt. copyright © 2005 Alan C. Whitmore. Reprinted under LicenSing Online #623941.
What can I do? What can I bring?
What can I say? What can I sing?
I'll sing with joy. I'll say a prayer.
I'll bring my love. I'll do my share.
*OFFERTORY PRAYER
WE GO FORTH
*HYMN
Throughout These Lenten Days and Nights
VU#108 vs. 4-5
Words: James Gertmenian © 1993 Hope Publishing Company. Musikalisches Handbuch, Public Domain. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-723161.
4.
And though the road is hard and steep,
the Spirit ever calls us on through
Calvary’s dying, dark and deep,
until we see the coming Dawn.
5.
So let us choose the path of One
who wore, for us, the crown of thorn,
and slept in death that we might wake
to life on Resurrection Morn!
*BLESSING
*SUNG BLESSING
We Are Marching
VU#646
Words, Music: South African traditional song. Translation, Arrangement: © 1984 Walton Music Corporation. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-723161
A South African Song written at the end of Apartheid
We are marching in the light of God,
we are marching in the light of God,
We are marching in the light of God,
we are marching in the light of God.
(the light of God.)
We are marching, (marching, we are marching,) oo-oo, (marching,)
we are marching in the light of God. (the light of God.)
We are marching, (marching, we are marching,) oo-oo (marching,)
we are marching in the light of God.
POSTLUDE