March 9, 2003

When our lives
are flooded with
change and spiritual restlessness,
God loves us
and invites us to a new start.
In love,
God makes an unfailing promise
to continually renew the earth.
We turn toward God and trust God.

March 9, 2003
Week 1 of Lent

Gathering in Christ's name

Leader: We gather in the presence of a God who promises:
"When I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow is
seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is
between me and you and every living creature. As long as
the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat,
summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease."
People: With unfailing love, God remembers us.
Leader: God seeks us and leads us in truth.
People: Praise belongs to our God.
All: Come, let us worship the God of our salvation.

Worship Songs
Drama God invites a fresh start
Hymns I will sing of my Redeemer HWB 344
Love is always following you (back of hymnal)
Children's Story
Hymn God of Our Life HWB 486

Proclaiming God's Word

Scripture Genesis 9:8-17
Sermon "God remembers us"
Hymn Great is thy faithfulness HWB 327

Responding to God's call

Joys and concerns
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord's Prayer
Offering
Announcements
Hymn The Lord Lift you up HWB 948
Benediction

Today

Worship Leader - Roy Hange
Sermon - Maren Tyedmers Hange
Music - Dottie Scott, Libby Showalter, Michele Heatwole
Nursery - Stevens family
Drama - Middler Sunday School class

Announcements

Please check the bulletin boards in the back of the church for a Love Inc. display and also for information on Mennonites and the possible US war against Iraq.

Ted and Lee, will be performing in Charlottesville at First United Methodist Church, 101 Jefferson East Street, in the fellowship hall at 7pm on March 30th. This event is open to the public and donations are accepted at the door.

Karla Stoltzfus, Wilma Gingerich, Elaine Zook Barge and Jason Meyers-Benner will be sharing about their experiences on the recent MCC-sponsored Colombia Learning Tour at Community Mennonite Church on March 9, 2003 at 7:30 PM.
The focus of the trip was to understand the impact of US military aid (our tax dollars) on Colombia and to learn about the peace-building efforts of the Anabaptist churches of Colombia.

Prayers and Praises

VMBM: Karen Brunk's neighbor, an elderly Jamaican man, recently underwent cataract surgery by a medical missions team. This man, who "frets" if Karen doesn't come home at the proper time, can now see when she comes and goes. Previously he would smile and wave only after Karen called out to him.

Mennonite Mission Network: Pray for Kuaying Teng, minister of Asian ministries for Mennonite Mission Network, as he encourages Asian churches in the United States to become involved with overseas missions, especially in the Pearl River Delta region (Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan) and Southeast Asia (Laos, Thailand, Vietnam).