March 1, 2009
MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 A.M.
The First Sunday in Lent

(Please pass the red pew pads now. If you are a guest this Sunday, we would love
to greet you following the service or at coffee fellowship
in the Friendship Lounge and the Atrium.)

THE PRELUDE Blessed Ye Who Live In Faith Unswerving Brahms

CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS

THE CHURCH GATHERS

THE CALL TO WORSHIP Jennifer Nitschke

Liturgist: We come, alive to God’s dream of a rainbow world.
People: We come, each a fragment of possibility.
Liturgist: We come together to be a vision of beauty and grace.
People: We come together as God’s promise of hope.
ALL: We come to worship and praise the Living God!

*HYMN 263 This is My Father’s World

*THE PRAYER OF THE DAY and THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)

God of the covenant,
as the forty days of deluge
swept away the world's corruption
and watered new beginnings of righteousness and life,
so in the saving flood of Baptism
we are washed clean and born again.
Throughout these forty days,
unseal within us the wellspring of your grace,
cleanse our hearts of all that is not holy,
and cause your gift of new life to flourish once again.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Redeemer,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, and who taught us to pray:

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.

*RESPONSE Teach Me, O Lord, the Way of Thy Statutes

Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes,
And I shall keep it unto the end.

THE ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.

THE CHURCH HEARS THE WORD

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Genesis 9:8-17 Rev. Robert J. Brink Bible, page 7 Children’s Bible, page 12

THE INVITATION TO SUNDAY SCHOOL

THE PSALMODY (sung) Psalm 25 (sung to Martyrdom)

To Thee, O Lord, I lift my soul, The Lord is goodness, truth, and love,
In Thee, O God, I trust; God’s path the saints have trod;
Let vanity be put to shame, And children of the covenant
And languish in the dust. Still walk beside their God.

Make me know Thy paths, O God, Be mindful of Thy mercy, Lord,
And lead me in Thy way; The love from ages past;
To learn Thy saving truth my heart Forgive the weakness of my youth
Shall meditate each day. And bring me home at last.

THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON 1 Peter 3:18-22 Bible, page 1105 Children’s Bible, page 1740

THE GOSPEL LESSON Mark 1:9-15 Bible, page 910 Children’s Bible, page 1424

THE COMMUNION MEDITATION “The Human Condition – Searching” Dr. Peay

THE ANTHEM Lord, I’m Coming Home Martin

THE CHURCH OFFERS PRAYER AND THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

THE CALL TO PRAYER and SILENT MEDITATION

THE PRAYER OF PEOPLE AND MINISTER

THE CHORAL RESPONSE TO PRAYER

THE OFFERTORY

THE ANTHEM The Eyes of All Wait Upon Thee Berger

*THE RESPONSE HYMN 438 We Give Thee but Thine Own (verse 1)

THE INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE and PRAYER OF CONFESSION

With grace, O God, you promised that your covenant of love would stand forever. In despair, we confess that we have turned away from love and toward self-service. With grace, O God, you vowed that the flood would never again destroy the world. In despair, we confess that we flood your earth with pollution, spreading destruction to every corner. With humility, teach us to bow, bending down in repentance and rising up with joy. Set us in many-colored splendor as a living promise of returning holiness. Amen.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

Minister: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Minister: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

[The Minister continues the prayer, after “we sing forever to the glory of your name” we all say:]

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

[The Minister continues the Great Thanksgiving.]

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD and THE COMMUNION OF THE FAITHFUL

[The Deacons come during the Breaking of the Bread. We hold the bread and receive it together as a sign of our unity in Christ. We receive the cup as it comes to us as a reminder of our personal relationship with Christ.]

THE PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

THE CHURCH IS SENT FORTH TO LOVE AND SERVE

*HYMN 173 Lord, Who throughout These Forty Days

*THE CHARGE and BENEDICTION

*THE POSTLUDE Improvisation on Martyrdom

*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.

Today’s Chancel flowers are given by Jane Kolberg in anticipation of the glory of Easter.

CARE FOR CHILDREN

A nursery for infants and toddlers is available during the 10:00 a.m. service.
Sunday School for children 4 years through entering 8th grade.

Worship Preview for Sunday, March 8 10:00 A.M.

We will continue our Lenten observance as Dr. Peay explores,
“God’s Response – Covenant.”
Thomas Gregory is the organist.
Lee Jacobi directs the Choir of First Church.
Kim Williams directs the Jubilation Ringers.