Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
March 4, 2012
Worship 10:00 am              Sunday School 11:10am

Second Sunday of Lent

  Beginning with Praise (9:50 am)               "If you but trust in God"                576
  Announcements
  Prelude

  Call to Worship

*Hymn                            "The God of Abraham praise"                              162

*Opening Prayer  (ends with Lord’s Prayer)

  Scripture                             Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

  For Children                       "Oscar’s grandson"

  Scripture                                 Romans 4:13-25

  Sharing a joy, a concern, a word of testimony or praise
                                 (please be brief, and aware of God's listening presence)

  Unison Scripture                      Psalm 22:23-31                              (see insert)

  Hymn                              "O bless the Lord, my soul"                               600

  Pastoral Prayer

  Scripture                                   Mark 8:27-38

  Message              "Lord, I’m frightened, but … Amen" (mp3)
                                                        (sermon ends with this poem)

  Returning our Tithes and Offerings

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

*Hymn                             "Beneath the cross of Jesus"                                250

*Benediction

*Postlude

*Rise in body or in spirit

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship

One:     Pilgrims, we are invited to journey through this season of Lent

 All:     towards the One who calls us each by a new name.

One:     Disciples, we walk with Jesus wherever he leads us,

 All:     pulling our fears, our doubts, our longings behind us.

One:     Believers, we seek to trust the God who always surprises us,

Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
from Lectionary Liturgies
  

Opening Prayer

Though people may turn
their backs on us,
you do not hide
your face from us.
Though others may try
to take away our hope,
you assure us of
that future waiting for us.
You speak your name,
Inscrutable Creator,
and it is enough.

When we try to dictate
our fears to you,
you invite us to follow you
into self-denial and service.
As we struggle to shape
our lifestyle to yours,
you carry us with you
wherever we go.
You speak your good news,
Teacher of open hearts,
and it is enough.

Though we have done
nothing to earn them,
you pour out the gifts
of grace and mercy upon us.
When we stumble
over our lack of trust,
you set us back on our feet,
to follow you into the kingdom.
You speak your peace,
Breath of Holiness,
and it is enough.

God in Community, Holy in One,
it is enough that you hear us
even as we pray as we are taught,
Our Father . . .

Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
from Lectionary Liturgies
  

For Children
"Oscar’s grandson"

Place a sheet of poster board on a table at the entrance to the sanctuary and invite people to write (with magic marker in larger print) their names on it as they enter. Have ushers bring it forward at the beginning of the children’s time. Talk with them about how the name of (most) everyone in the room is on this board. Point out a few. If there has been a recent death, have that name written there beforehand and make note of it to the children, how we remember this person by name and how important they were to us. Speak several of the names listed and wonder why their parents gave them this name. If their names are there, point them out (if not, write them in) and ask if they know anything about their own names – why they were named, who named them, named after anyone, what their name might mean? No right or wrong answers.

If appropriate talk about your own name (obviously, you will need to heavily adapt the next few paragraphs, as well as the title): I was named after my grandfather. My parents wanted to honor my mother’s father, and so they gave me his name. What do you think his name was? (to which they will probably say “Pete” or “Peter”) No, my grandfather’s name was Oscar. Does that make sense? I was named for my grandfather Oscar (write that name down). No, Oscar is not my middle name. In fact, “Oscar” is not anywhere in my name. Of course, it might be helpful to know my grandfather’s last name. He was “Oscar Peterson.” Now do you understand? My first name came from his last name.

My mother always called me “Peter,” but at a certain age I decided I wanted to be known as “Pete.” It’s the same name, just a little different. Sometimes I write it as “Pete” (do so on the board), and sometimes – especially when it has to be ‘official’ – I write “Peter” (add an ‘r’ to the name on the board). In the Bible, there was a disciple of Jesus named “Peter.” He was also known as “Simon” (write down “Simon”), but Jesus liked the name “Peter,” and called him that. In the Bible, the word “Peter” means “rock” (write down “rock”). Jesus had some ideas about Peter being a rock of a guy.

In the Bible story we just heard, there were some other names mentioned. Was anyone listening? One of the names was “Abram” (write it down). Like the name “Peter,” “Abram” meant something. It comes from “Ab” or “Abba,” which means “father,” and “ram,” which means “exalted, lifted up, important.” Abram had a wife, whose name was “Sarai” (write it down), which means “princess” (someone who rules) or “mistress.” In the Bible story this morning, God made a promise to both Abram and Sarai, and in so doing slightly changed their names. The new names God gave them don’t really mean anything different. I think of it as the difference between Peter and Pete. Do you know what God changed Abram’s name to? … “Abraham” (write it down). How about Sarai’s name? … “Sarah” (write it down).

Abraham became the father, grandfather, great-grandfather (etc.) of many people, even though at age 99 he didn’t have any children yet. The Bible calls him a great father, even the father of faith. And Sarah, she “ruled” a big household … eventually. Of course, when God changed their names, they had a hard time believing that what God promised would happen.

What I want you to remember is that your name is on this board. Someone named you, and your name is important, because you are important. And you never know what God might do with you as you grow older. Please pray with me.

Thank you, God, for Richard, Rowan, Charles, Beth, Erin, Courtney (& any other children present). Thank you for their parents and loved ones who named them. May they grow and live out your promise in them. Amen.
  

Unison Scripture
Psalm 22:23-31
(Laughing Bird Version)

LORD, I’ll call on all who honor you to stand up and say so!
........All who trace their roots to Jacob will give you the glory!
........All who share the heritage of Israel will stand in awe of you!

LORD, you did not rubbish anyone
........or blame the victims for their suffering.
You did not turn away or slip off quietly;
........when I cried for help, you responded.

Whenever people gather to worship,
........my heart overflows and I sing your praises.
Out in the open for all to see
........I’ll do all that I promised.

At your table, God, the needy will feast;
........those who hunger for you will be fed till they burst with praise!
........They will be able to live it up, now and forever!

In every corner of the earth people will wake up to themselves
........and turn back to you, LORD.
Every race, nation, tribe and family
........will offer themselves to you in worship,
for you have the last word on everything;
........what you say goes.

Even the dead will bow down to you, LORD;
........those who are trampled in the dust will look to you in hope,
................and I will live for you and you alone.

Our kids and their kids will serve you, LORD;
........as we pass the message down from one generation to the next.
People not even born yet will hear the story;
........they will be told of what you have done to set us free

©2001 Nathan Nettleton www.laughingbird.net
    

Pastoral Prayer

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

When I Became a Christian
(a poem quoted at the end of the sermon)

When I became a Christian I said, Lord, now fill me in,
Tell me what I’ll suffer in this world of shame and sin.
He said, your body may be killed, and left to rot and stink,
Do you still want to follow me? I said Amen - I think.
I think Amen, Amen I think, I think I say Amen,
I’m not completely sure, can you just run through that again?
You say my body may be killed and left to rot and stink,
Well, yes, that sounds terrific, Lord, I say Amen - I think.

But, Lord, there must be other ways to follow you, I said,
I really would prefer to end up dying in my bed.
Well, yes, he said, you could put up with the sneers and scorn and spit,
Do you still want to follow me? I said Amen - a bit.
A bit Amen, Amen a bit, a bit I say Amen,
I’m not entirely sure, can we just run through that again?
You say I could put up with sneers and also scorn and spit,
Well, yes, I’ve made my mind up, and I say, Amen - a bit.

Well I sat back and thought a while, then tried a different ploy,
Now, Lord, I said, the Good book says that Christians live in joy.
That’s true he said, you need the joy to bear the pain and sorrow,
So do you want to follow me, I said, Amen - tomorrow.
Tomorrow, Lord, I’ll say it then, that’s when I’ll say Amen,
I need to get it clear, can I just run through that again?
You say that I will need the joy, to bear the pain and sorrow,
Well, yes, I think I’ve got it straight, I’ll say Amen - tomorrow.

He said, Look, I’m not asking you to spend an hour with me
A quick salvation sandwich and a cup of sanctity,
The cost is you, not half of you, but every single bit,
Now tell me, will you follow me? I said Amen - I quit.
I’m very sorry Lord I said, I’d like to follow you,
But I don’t think religion is a manly thing to do.
He said forget religion then, and think about my Son,
And tell me if you’re man enough to do what he has done.

from Cleaning Away the Rubbish by Adrian Plass
   

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

It is time to respond to the good news of Jesus with our tithes and offerings. As the plates are passed, ponder these ancient words of the apostle Paul, where he encouraged his young friend, Timothy, to: “…stir up the gift of God which is in you … For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7, NKJV)

Ushers, please guide our giving.
 

Benediction

As you go, be not crushed by this cross,
          beneath which we “fain”
                                   or “willingly” take our stand.
     Rather, allow the One who was crucified upon it
          to shift your very being
               from the way of death to the path of life.
     May its shadow extend over
          every aspect of your daily journey,
                not to depress you,
                but to impress,
                      to imprint upon you
                            the love of God in Christ Jesus.
     May you bear that self-giving love
          everywhere you go this week.
               Wear this radical love as if
                      it was your God-given name.
And all God’s “beloved” say: AMEN