Worship - January 22, 2006

One: For God alone, we are still; we wait in silence.
All: (sing) "Be still and know" (lyrics/chords, music/midi)
One: For God alone, we are still; we wait in silence assured of strength and healing.
All: If we put our trust and our hope in other than God, we are setting our hearts on vain hopes and worthless distractions
One: Trust therefore in God at all times and rejoice in the knowledge that we can safely reveal our most innermost thoughts within the safety of God's heart

by Moira B Laidlaw

For Children
"Reluctant prophet, waiting people"

Goal: to simply and actively tell the story of Jonah, playing up the dramatic elements which the children can act out:

            - God pointing one way, walking the other way
            - Getting on a boat
            - Stormy seas
            - "tossing," being "tossed" overboard
            - imagining the belly of the big fish
            - deciding to go God's way
            - telling the congregation (Ninevah) to repent
            - Being mad that they repented
            - God teaching a lesson
Make it fun.

Responsive Prayer of Confession

Leader: Have mercy on us, O God,
                     according to your unfailing love;
People: Blot out all our transgressions,
                     according to your great compassion;
Leader: Wash away all our iniquities
                     and cleanse us from our sin.
People: For we know our transgressions,
                     and our sin is always before us.
Leader: We have sinned against you
                     and have done what is evil in your sight.
    ALL: as sacrifice we bring our broken and contrite hearts.

(pause for silence)

Leader: God will create in each of us a pure heart.
             God will not take the Holy Spirit form us.
             God will restore to us the joy of salvation
                     and grant us willing spirits to sustain us.
    ALL: Praise to the God of mercy who loves and forgives us.

Hymnal #690
�1988, Ruth A. Yoder
26175 Woodridge Dr., Elkhart, IN 46517.

Litany

One: For Simon and Andrew, and for James and John, leaving
            their nets meant....
All: Leaving a comfortable place, leaving the safety and
            security of what they knew well.

One: But Jesus said, "Follow me!"
All: And "they left their nets and followed him."

One: For you and for me, leaving our nets might mean....
All: Venturing into a new area of ministry,

One: Or sharing my faith in a way that I haven't before,
All: Or letting go of some unhealthy pattern in my life with
            which I have become very comfortable.

One: But Jesus still says, "Follow me!"
All: And we respond...

by Larry M. Dentler, pastor
Bermudian Church of the Brethren, East Berlin, PA
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series"

Pastoral Prayer

written closer to the time (if not at the moment)

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

         When Jesus calls us, we may get "shifted," just like the disciples. Our directions may change, we may lay aside old nets and take up new ones. Even so, As God "shifts" us, so God "gifts" us. With all that God supples, we are able to respond - to be response-able, responsible for our the boat we float with the Lord.
         Part of that responsibility includes our finances. Now is the time for us to be faithful in this regard for the mission of this church. Are you ready and willing? If so, the ushers are waiting. Let�s go.

Benediction

Go,
     secure in the steadfast love of God
      rejoicing in the call of Jesus Christ
      strong in the power of the Holy Spirit.

by Moira B Laidlaw