ORDER OF WORSHIP
FEBRUARY 18, 2024 10:30 AM
FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
If you have individual prayer requests, please write them on prayer cards in the pews and bring them up or give them to an usher during the prelude.
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 25)
Leader: To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
PEOPLE: Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.
Leader: Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation;
PEOPLE: Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
Leader: According to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness' sake, O LORD!
PEOPLE: Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
Leader: He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
PEOPLE: All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
INVOCATION
God of wilderness and water, your Son was baptized and tempted as we are. Guide us through this season, that we may not avoid struggle, but open ourselves to blessing, through the cleansing depths of repentance and the heaven-rending words of the Spirit. Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “O Love, That Wilt Not Let Me Go” Red #531
CALL OF CONFESSION
We humans are so proud of ourselves and our accomplishments, but they pale in comparison to God’s accomplishments in creation and in his love for all. Let us confess our sins together.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Great God of Creation, forgive our sins, even in your sight as we attempt to do what we may think is best, but never really know. Help us to see a better path, a brighter way, through the example of Jesus. This we pray in his name. Amen
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
By the love of God and the Glory of Christ we are forgiven. Amen
**HYMN OF PRAISE “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” Red #517
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from the Heidelberg Catechism, 1562)
I believe that the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything within, who still upholds and rules them by his eternal counsel and providence, is my God and Father because of Christ his Son.
I trust him so much that I do not doubt he will provide whatever I need for body and soul, and he will turn to my good whatever adversity he sends me in this sad world.
He is able to do this because he is almighty God; He desires to do this because he is a faithful Father.
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
God of our salvation, your bow in the clouds proclaims your covenant with every living creature. Teach us your paths and lead us in your truth, that by your Holy Spirit, we may remember our baptismal vows and be keepers of your trust with earth and its inhabitants. Amen..
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING Genesis 9: 8-17 Cathy McCarty
EPISTLE READING. 1 PETER 3: 18-22
GOSPEL READING Mark 1: 9-15
SERMON MESSAGE My Covenant with You John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
And Lord we pray for those in our own hearts whose names you already know, for their own healing and comfort, in your name and that of our redeemer Jesus Christ, who taught to pray, saying:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
May what we offer here be of our own hearts and dedicated to the service of our faith and our mission to others as they become the blessings and hope that others need and pray for in their own lives. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen
OFFERTORY “Be Still and Know”
**DOXOLOGY Traditional Red #809
PRAYER OF THANKS
Lord God, we thank you for these gifts. As we follow in faith, may we find ways to honor you by giving of our treasure, our time and our talents to glorify you and our Lord Jesus
Christ. Amen.
**CLOSING HYMN “Lord, Let Us now Depart in Peace” Red #842
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “We Are God’s People” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955
Comments