March 30, 2003

When our sin
and the enticements of the world
bring us near the gates of death,

God's great love pursues us
and makes us alive in Christ.

Our response is thanksgiving
and doing the good works
for which we were created.

March 30, 2003

Gathering in Christ's name

Leader: We gather in worship to draw near to God.
Come with gratitude; come with your pain.
Come with your faith; come with your disobedience.
Come and draw near to God, who is rich in mercy.
People: We come before our merciful God,
seeking light for our darkness,
healing for all our diseases,
and life for our death.
All: Come let us worship our gracious God.

Hymns Come, Let us All Unite to Sing HWB 12
Wonderful Grace of Jesus HWB 150
Psalm 139 Jr. Youth
Confession
Children's Story
Worship Songs

Proclaiming God's Word

Scripture Numbers 21:4-9; John 3:14-21; Ephesians 2:1-10
Sermon "God's great love pursues us"
Hymn Love is Always Following You (back of hymnal)

Responding to God's call

Joys and concerns
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord's Prayer
Prayer for peace - Curt Massey
Prayer for those with special needs - Thelma Craig
Prayers from the congregation
Offering
Announcements
Hymn Guide My Feet HWB 546
Benediction

Today

Worship Leader - Roy Hange
Sermon - Maren Tyedmers Hange
Music - Jen Larson Sawin, Libby Showalter, Michelle Heatwole
Scripture Readers - Brad Miller, Eric Reinford
Children's Story - Miriam Nissley
Offering - Kim Flash

Announcements

You are invited to join Curt Massie and Kim Flash in a discussion over Peace and Justice issues at a brown bag lunch after church today.

We welcomed Lara Upton as a member at Charlottesville Mennonite Church on March 23, 2003.

If you are looking for Mennonite resources regarding the Iraq war or general peace and justice concerns or anything else check out the following web sites: www.mennoniteusa.com; www.thirdway.com; peace.mennolink.org

One way in which Mennonites have best experienced and expressed Peace has long been through song. The Fifth Annual Hymn Sing for Peace in Washington, DC will take place this year on May 3, 2003. We will meet and sing on the Reflecting Pool steps, in front of the Lincoln Memorial. This year, we will be graced with a prelude from the Eastern Mennonite High School Choir between 1:00 and 2:00 PM. Then, all will gather to sing from 2:00 PM until 3:30 PM.

Prayers and Praises

Mennonite Mission Network: Korea Anabaptist Center welcomes Mission Network educators Alan and Eleanor Kreider to South Korea for meetings in churches and seminaries April 3-23. Pray that the Kreiders may have strength for busy days, sensitivity to the variety of groups they will visit, and clarity in translating and discussing sensitive issues.

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; let us pray for safety and wisdom for all those involved in the Iraq war.