Worship - March 18, 2006

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
March 18, 2007
Worship 10:00 am, Sunday School 11:10 am

The Fourth Sunday of Lent

"God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing." (2 Corinthians 5:19 from The Message)

Servanthood as Relationship

Morning Praise (9:45 am)
Announcements
Prelude

Call to Worship

*Hymn "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" 37

*Opening Prayer

Scripture Ecclesiastes 3:1-9

Blessing a child and her family

Bell Ringers "Jesus loves me" Bradbury
"Jesus Loves Even Me" Bliss

Sharing a joy, a concern, a word of testimony or praise

Song                                "Take, O take me as I am"                   (see insert)
                                                                       (sound clip)
                   (Our younger children leave for bell practice & Sunday School)

Pastoral Prayer

(preface to singing this hymn)
Hymn "Far, far away from my loving father" 139

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory (Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

*Response (chorus to) "I am a Servant" (see insert)

*Dedication

Scripture 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Message "An unexpected welcome"

*Hymn "Love divine, all loves excelling" 592

*Benediction

*Postlude

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 32)

Happy are those whose sins are forgiven.

Happy are those to whom God attributes no wrong, those in whose heart there is no deceit.

When we keep silent about our wrongdoings, our lives disintegrate with worry and guilt;

when we struggle to hide from God, the heaviness in our hearts consumes our strength.

But when we seek your truth, O God, and acknowledge our sin, we experience your forgiveness.

Let all people reach out to you in prayer, O God, and know your protection and strength.

Surrounded by your grace-filled presence and filled with your undeserved forgiveness, we sing your praise; we shout for joy.

Stubbornness melts away and tempers are controlled when we listen for God�s word and follow God�s direction for our lives.

When we fail to listen, and persist in following other than God�s way, our hearts are hardened and our lives tormented.

But when we put our trust in God, we are surrounded and filled with God�s steadfast love.

Rejoice and shout for joy all those who are upright in heart.

paraphrase and format by
Moira B. Laidlaw, from Liturgies Online

Opening Prayer

God of steadfast love, you give us so many reasons to rejoice - the best reason of all is having been brought so close to you in Jesus . Through him you enable us to be new people - part of your new creation. And you have entrusted us with the task of continuing to give shape to this new creation by commissioning us as ambassadors of Christ. By aligning our hearts with yours, we can speak the words to others which you have spoken to us in Christ: "You are loved. You are forgiven. You are saved." We praise you and adore you, O God, as we offer this prayer in Jesus� name. Amen

by Moira B. Laidlaw
from Liturgies Online

Pastoral Prayer

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

Preface to singing
"Far, far away from my loving father"

A familiar story told through music - that�s the setting for our next hymn. The words date back to the nineteenth century, where they were combined with an old southern folk melody. As we sing, we each wonder, "am I all that far removed from the �prodigal son� of whom Jesus spoke? How far have I wandered from my loving Father?" ... Imagine yourself, just now, in a small wooden chapel somewhere in Appalachia, (Organ begins playing quietly) with a pump organ in the background, and penitent hearts gathered all around. Sing this simple song and make this story your own.

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

As you return your offering, ponder these encouragements, written by someone to whom Pastor Pete turns for a good word when he needs it. Listen:

Let go of big things and embrace little things.
Ignore loud things and listen for quiet things.
Put aside obvious things and seek out hidden things.
Forget easy things and learn hard and ancient things.
Stop saving your life and start losing it.
Let your thinking and believing become doing and serving.
Quit trying to arrive and become at home on the journey.
Lose your road maps and find a wise guide to walk with you.

Love the idea of God with all your heart, soul, mind, body, life, work, and strength. And while you're at it, try loving other people as much as you love yourself. You won't be able to do either of these, but trying will be very good for you.

Do these things all of your days and forever. Do these things and live.

Ushers?

quote from Gordon Atkinson,
pastor of Covenant Baptist Church,
San Antonio, TX
see www.reallivepreacher.com

Dedication

We acknowledge, O God, that giving money away is foolish in our present economy. Through our giving this day, we claim that we have different priorities. In giving, we find strength to walk in your light through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

by the Rev. David S. Bell
Director of the Center for Christian Stewardship
General Board of Discipleship
The United Methodist Church

Benediction