Bulletin

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FEBRUARY 23 ORDER OF WORSHIP

PRELUDE

WELCOME

SONG
“I’m Gonna Eat at the Welcome Table”

CALL TO WORSHIP *                                             
One: At the feet of our Lord
All: forgiveness was found.
One: In the heart of our Lord
All: forgiveness is found.
One: Sought and given
All: forgiveness is released.
One: Help us today to find our hearts burning–with a fiery love and devotion to Christ
All: so that, kneeling at his feet, we may hear the tender whisper of his call.
One: Let our worship of God begin.

OPENING SONG *
“There Is a Balm in Gilead” (#501)
Refrain: There is a balm in Gilead
to make the wounded whole;
there is a balm in Gilead
to heal the sin-sick soul.

Sometimes I feel discouraged,
and think my work’s in vain,
but then the Holy Spirit
revives my soul again. [Refrain]

If you cannot preach like Peter,
if you cannot pray like Paul,
you can tell the love of Jesus,
and say "He died for all!" [Refrain]

Don't ever feel discouraged,
for Jesus is your friend;
and if you lack for knowledge
he'll ne'er refuse to lend. [Refrain]

CALL TO CONFESSION *
One: Jesus said that we should love each other as he loves each of us.
All: God rejoices at our love and compassion for others.
One: Sometimes we let prejudice and fear get in our way.
All: But when we truly confess our sins, God will forgive us.
One: In that confidence, let us come before God confessing our sins, first together and then in silence. 
All: Let us praise God who forgives and restores us to life. 
One: Let us pray:

PRAYER OF CONFESSION *
All: Jesus, forgive us when we don’t do enough to make the world a kinder place. When we have failed to welcome you with open arms, when we have been poor hosts and sought personal glory at your expense, when we have failed to love enough and forgotten how to forgive, gather us at your feet and cleanse us with your grace. Make us humble in your service, guide us to make the right choices, grant us courage to stick to the task as your people for your people.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON *
One: Hear the good news, in this world of fear and hurt, God is with us, offering healing balm and comforting peace. We are loved by God, even though we are imperfect.
All: In Jesus Christ we are all forgiven. Amen.

GLORIA *
Glory to God, whose goodness shines on me,
and to the Son, whose grace has pardoned me,
and to the Spirit, whose love has set me free.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.

PASSING THE PEACE *

OFFERING

DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise Christ, all people here below;
praise Holy Spirit evermore;
praise Triune God, whom we adore.
Amen.

CHILDREN’S TIME

SONG
“Siyahamba”

SCRIPTURE (Luke 7:36-50)

SERMON

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
One: So much of our world is weeping, Lord. So many people have nothing to offer but tears. In the actions of a woman weighed down with love and with nothing to give but herself and her reputation, we glimpse the meaning of grace.
All: So much of our world is dismissive, Lord. So many people offer nothing but judgement and rejection.  In the reaction of a man heavy with pride and quick to condemn we understand why we need your healing.
One: Today, Lord, we lay at your feet the tears and the torment of our world for there they will find comfort.
All: Today, Lord, we lay at your feet the indifference and the contempt of our world for there they might be changed.
One: Today, Lord, we lay at your feet all the hope and the dreams of our world for there they may begin to take shape.
All: Today, Lord, we lay at your feet all the rejection and the contradiction of our world for there it may begin to understand.
One: Today, Lord, we lay at your feet ourselves and all we might be in the world for there we find direction. All of our world is loved by you, Lord. So many people. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ who taught us to pray saying…

LORD’S PRAYER
All: 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.

CLOSING SONG *
“Take My Life, and Let It Be” (#609, verses 1-2, 5-6)
Take my life, and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in ceaseless praise,
let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my will, and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee.

CLOSING MESSAGE *

POSTLUDE

*Rise in body or spirit