March 16, 2003

When our future looks barren,
God appears
with promises of life and fruitfulness
beyond our wildest imaginings.
We grow strong in faith
as we trust God's promises.

March 16, 2003
Week 2 of Lent

Gathering in Christ's name

Leader: You who fear the Lord, praise God!
You who share the faith of Abraham and Sarah, give glory to God!
Stand in awe of God, all you offspring of Israel!
People: For God does not hide from us, but hears us when we cry.
Come, let us worship our faithful God.
ALL: Pursuing God,
you are the one who continues to seek us all our lives long.
Meet us here in our worship today.
Let us hear your promises of life and fruitfulness. Amen

Hymns
Drama
Psalm 22:23-31
Confession
Children's Story
Hymn

Proclaiming God's Word

Scripture Genesis 17:1-16; Romans 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38
Sermon "A Stack of Covenants"
Hymn

Responding to God's call

Joys and concerns
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord's Prayer
Offering
Announcements
Hymn
Benediction

Today

Worship Leader - Maren Tyedmers Hange
Sermon - Roy Hange
Music - Jeff Myers, Michelle Heatwole
Nursery - Elaine Shinsky

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.

A SERVICE OF PRAYER FOR PEACE will be held today, March 16 at St. Mark Church at 7:00 p.m. This will be a time to gather together, sing, hear from scripture and pray for Saddam Hussein, leaders of our nation and others, the people of North Korea, Iraq, Israel and Palestine. To pray for safety for all and an end to terror and the conditions that nurture it.

A CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR PEACE will be held on Sunday, March 16, 7:00 p.m. at the downtown mall.

The WALK FOR LIFE, a fundraiser for the Pregnancy Centers of Central Virginia will be held Saturday, April 12, 2003. For more information contact Maren.

Prayers and Praises

VMBM: At the end of January, six young people were baptized at the Mennonite church in Lushnje, Albania. Both church services met at the same time and about 75 people were present. Prior to their baptism, each person shared their testimony of how they came to know the Lord.

Mennonite Mission Network: Praise God with Byrdalene and Willis Horst, mission workers in Argentina, for the completed audio cassettes produced by Argentine Bible Society with recordings of Bible texts in the Pilagá language. Cassettes are being distributed to pastors and church leaders in an area where the culture is basically oral and the literacy level is low.

Pray for Love Inc. as they continue to rebuild their services to those in need in the community after a challenging fall and winter. Listen to God to see how we can be part of these efforts.

Let us not cease to pray for Peace, for safety for all those directly involved: civilians in Iraq, soldiers. Pray for a change of heart for
those in leadership that God may get through their hardened hearts.