March 21, 2021
“We pray best when we are no longer aware of praying.”
~ Cassian
“Prayer consists of Attention. It is the orientation of all the attention of which the soul is capable toward God.”
~ Simone Weil
“The one fixed pole in all the bewildering confusion is the faithfulness and dependability of God.”
~ Helmut Thielicke
“According to Jesus, nothing is too trivial [for prayer]. Everything about me – my thoughts, my motives, my choices, my moods – attracts God’s attention.”
~ Phillip Yancey
Prelude
Kevin McCullough
Call to Worship
As darkness gives way to light
and winter sleep to fresh beginnings,
We come today to be reminded of God’s love for us.
Like the green shoots of renewed life,
stirring beneath the soil,
We welcome an awakening of our call to be God’s love to others.
In this time of reflection and repentance,
We affirm our identity
as children of God.
~ written by Gill Le Fevre
Songs
Praise Band
Time for Kids
Shelley Ahn-Wong, Children’s Ministry Director
Scripture Lesson
Matthew 5:43-48
Message
Pastor Kate Conolly
“The Practice of Prayer”
Offering Prayer
God of love and relationship,
we give these offerings in gratitude,
rejoicing in the abundance of your gifts to us.
We give these offerings in faith,
trusting that you will provide for our needs.
We give these offerings in hope,
knowing you can use them to spread your love in this world.
And with these offerings, we give ourselves;
May we live with generous hearts, with open hands. Amen
~ written by Joanna Harader
Offertory
Praise Band
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Song
Praise Band
Sending Forth
Whatever wilderness the Spirit has brought you to:
walk in boldness, as a beloved child of God
walk in peace, under the shelter of the Most High
walk in faith, knowing Christ walks with you. Amen.
~ written by Joanna Harader
Postlude
Kevin McCullough