March 15, 2009
MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 A.M.
The Third 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 Meditation on New Britain setting by Martin
CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS
THE CALL TO WORSHIP (based on Psalm 19) Harry Holz
Liturgist: The sky above us witnesses to God's creative wonders in our magnificent night sky; the song of the birds and the lengthening days witness to the beauty of God's creation.
People: The divine design, so visible in nature, is also revealed in God's plan for our lives.
Liturgist: For the law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple;
People: the laws of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes.
Liturgist: The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
People: More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
Liturgist: Let our lives reveal the fruitfulness of keeping these commandments of God.
ALL: May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer.
*HYMN 9 Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven
*THE PRAYER OF THE DAY and THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, and 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.
*ASCRIPTION OF GLORY 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 SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Grace Noelle Porter
daughter of Kimberly & Dale Porter
[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 Grace grows in our congregation, how will we show her that she is a child of God?
People: We will tell her 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 Grace?
People: We look to the day when she will sit with us at the Lord’s Table, declare faith in Jesus Christ, confirm the heritage which we will pass along to her, 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 Grace 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 Grace and her parents.]
THE INVITATION TO SUNDAY SCHOOL Rev. Robert J. Brink
*HYMN 45 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Exodus 20:1-17 Bible, page 65 Children’s Bible, page 101
THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (unison) Bible, page 1038
THE GOSPEL LESSON John 2:13-22 Bible, page 967 Children’s Bible, page 1513
THE SERMON “God’s Response – GRACE” Dr. Peay
THE ANTHEM The Promise of Peace Scott
Kimberly Porter, flute
THE CALL TO PRAYER and SILENT MEDITATION
THE PRAYER OF PEOPLE AND MINISTER
THE CHORAL RESPONSE TO PRAYER
THE OFFERTORY
Liturgist: Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2
THE ANTHEM Jubilate Deo Britten
*THE HYMN OF RESPONSE 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
ALL: You have given us everything, including the desire to thank you, and so we give you thanks and praise. You have asked us to fulfill the precept of generosity, Gracious God. May what we bring and the lives we lead be as sweet to you as honey. Amen.
*HYMN 334 (verses 1-4) Amazing Grace
*THE CHARGE and BENEDICTION
*THE POSTLUDE Nettleton Martin
*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.
Today’s Chancel flowers are given Steve, Cathy, Brian & Sean Denny in celebration
of Dick Denny’s and Gil Chrisien’s birthdays.
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 22 10:00 A.M.
We continue our Lenten sermon series as Dr. Peay addresses,
“Our Response – CONVERSION.”
Thomas Gregory is the organist.
Lee Jacobi directs the Choir of First Church.
Roxanne Trump-Miles directs the Junior Choir.