March 8, 2009
MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 A.M.
The Second 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 Pavane arr. McChesney
Jubilation Ringers

CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS

THE CALL TO WORSHIP David Moore

Liturgist: We come, aware of God’s dream of faithful mercy.
People: We come, each a fragment of possibility.
Liturgist: We come together to be a community of holy servants.
People: We come together as God’s promise of blessing.
ALL: We come as the Lord’s free, gathered, covenant people.

*HYMN 24 The God of Abraham Praise

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

God of all times and places, God of the Covenant, in Jesus Christ, lifted up on the cross, you opened for us the path to eternal life. Grant that we, being born again of water and the Spirit, may joyfully serve you in newness of life and faithfully walk in your holy ways; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever and who taught us to say:

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 they statutes
And I shall keep it unto the end.

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

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Charles Richard Wills
son of Julie & Christopher Wills

[The Minister addresses the Parents and the Congregation and then:]

THE COVENANT OF BAPTISM

Minister: What can we affirm about our children?
People: That they are made in the image of God and are children of God by creation.
Minister: As Charles grows in our congregation, how will we show him that he is a child of God?
People: We will tell him about Abraham, the father of our faith; about Sarah the mother of Isaac; about Moses, who led our ancestors out of bondage; about Ruth’s example of faithfulness; about the Jewish hope for a Messiah; about Jesus Christ the Savior; and about the history of the Church as the people of God.
Minister: What will we expect of Charles?
People: We look to the day when he will sit with us at the Lord’s Table, declare faith in Jesus Christ, confirm the heritage which we will pass along to him, and come as an adult to full commitment to God’s will and work.
Minister: In presenting your child for baptism, you announce your love for Jesus Christ, your eagerness to participate in the life of Christ’s body, the church, and your commitment to live as Christ’s disciples in the world. Is this your desire?
Parents: It is.
Minister: Do you parents assume your primary responsibility for modeling the Christian faith and teaching these expectations?
Parents: Yes, we happily accept this serious duty.
Minister: Members of this Church, as of the whole Church of Christ, do you pledge to work toward creating a nurturing environment for Charles and all our children?
People: Yes, we do, for they belong to us as well.
Minister: With joy, we celebrate together the gift of God’s grace in Christ. May God be with us.
People: God help us. Amen.

THE BAPTISM AND RECEPTION OF THE CHILD

[Following the blessing, a representative of the Board of Christian Education makes a presentation to Charles and his parents.]

THE INVITATION TO SUNDAY SCHOOL Rev. Robert J. Brink

*HYMN 47 Great Is Thy Faithfulness

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 Bible, page 12 Children’s Bible, page 21

THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Romans 4:13-25 Bible, page 1027 (responsive by verse)

THE GOSPEL LESSON Mark 8:31-38 Bible, page 919 Children’s Bible, page 1438

THE SERMON “God’s Response – Covenant” Dr. Peay

THE ANTHEM The Road to Jerusalem Gross

THE CALL TO PRAYER and SILENT MEDITATION

THE PRAYER OF PEOPLE AND MINISTER

THE CHORAL RESPONSE TO PRAYER

THE OFFERTORY

Liturgist: Ascribe to the Lord the honor due his Name; bring offerings and come into his courts. Psalm 96:8

THE ANTHEM God’s Son Has Made Me Free Grieg-Overby

*THE RESPONSE HYMN We Give Thee but Thine Own

We give Thee but Thine own, what e’er the gift may be:
All that we have is Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee.

*THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION

Liturgist: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Liturgist: God of mercy, we praise you that in love you have reached across the abyss of our sin and brought us into your embrace. We thank you for the sacrifice of your Son on the cross, for the breaking of his body for our sakes, and for the spilling of his blood to seal us in the covenant of your love. By your Spirit, give us the grace of repentance, and guide us in ways of righteousness. Take our humble offerings as tokens of our commitment to follow Jesus Christ, our crucified and risen Lord.
ALL: Amen.

*HYMN 511 Hymn of Covenant
[The choir sings the first verse, congregation joins in second and third.]

*THE CHARGE and BENEDICTION

*THE POSTLUDE Theme and Variations on Leoni

*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.

Today’s Chancel flowers are given by George & Sharon Nortman in loving memory of their parents,
Leroy & Carol Bach and Walter & Gwendolyn Nortman.

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 15 10:00 A.M.

Dr. Peay continues his Lenten Sermon Series
Searching for Meaning and Hope with God’s Response – Grace.
Thomas Gregory is the organist.
Lee Jacobi directs the Choir of First Church.