Worship

Sunday, March 20, 2022

THE COMMUNITY GATHERS
IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD

GATHERING MUSIC
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“These Holy Mysteries” ~ Roger C. Wilson

PRELUDE
Joyce Rhodes, organ

“Cantilena” ~ Josef Rheinberger

CONGREGATIONAL CENTERING
Mark Eastland

THE SACRAMENT OF SILENCE

INSTRUMENTAL

Joyce Rhodes, organ

“Balm in Gilead” ~ arr. Eleanor Whitsett

WORDS OF WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sue Livingstone

*CALL TO WORSHIP
Sue Livingstone

L:  The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
P:  And also with you. 
L:  God offers us abundant and eternal life.
P:  We will love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength.                  
L:  God calls us to love one another.
P:  We will love our neighbor as ourselves.

*OPENING PRAYER (In Unison)
Sue Livingstone

God of power and might, your people have ever lived in the glory of your love. Fill us with your grace and peace, that we may know the richness of abundant and eternal life in your Spirit. Help us to love you with all our strength, and with all our mind, even as we love our neighbors as ourselves. For only in loving, Holy One, do we lead lives worthy of your calling, through Jesus Christ, our model and example, we pray. Amen.

*HYMN
Chancel Choir

        “I Love to Tell the Story” ~ UMH #156

CHILDREN DEPART FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
Parents are invited to accompany their children to Sunday School, sign them in, and return to the sanctuary for worship. After the worship service, parents are asked to return to the classroom and sign their children out.

THE COMMUNITY PROCLAIMS AND HEARS THE WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (In Unison)
Sue Livingstone

Guide us, O God, by your Word and Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READING
Sue Livingstone
Isaiah 55:1-9

Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.

Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

L: The Word of Life.
P: Thanks be to God. Amen.

HYMN
Chancel Choir

“Be Still, My Soul” ~ UMH #534

JOYS AND CONCERNS / THE LORD’S PRAYER
Mark Eastland

SCRIPTURE READING
Sue Livingstone
Luke 10:25-37

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.” But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

L:  The Word of Life.
P:  Thanks be to God. Amen. 

SERMON
Mark Eastland

A Journey from the Head to the Heart

THE COMMUNITY RESPONDS TO THE WORD

WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Sue Livingstone

The Spirit of God calls us together to share a common life for the purpose of witness and service to the world. With gratitude and love, open and generous hearts, let us offer our gifts with heartfelt commitment and praise.

OFFERTORY
Phyllis Weber, piano

“Whispering Hope”
~ Alice Hawthorne, arr. Jim Reeves

*DOXOLOGY

“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” ~ UMH #95

*HYMN
Chancel Choir

“Blessed Assurance” ~ UMH #369

*BENEDICTION
Mark Eastland

POSTLUDE
Joyce Rhodes, organ

“Marche Solennelle” ~ Rex Koury

• Stand as you are able