April 6, 2003

Though we neglect
God's relationship with us,
God continues to pursue us.
God makes a new covenant with us,
a covenant
that seeps into the fibers of our hearts.
In the joy of God's salvation,
we follow Jesus,
dying to our old life
and bearing fruit of a new life.

April 6, 2003
Week 5 of Lent

Gathering in Christ's name

Leader: We gather in the presence of our ever-creating God.
People: As individual persons and as a gathered people,
we pray for the gift of new life.
Leader: Create in us a clean heart, O God.
People: Put a new and right spirit within us.
Leader: Let your new covenant be written on our hearts.
People: Let it seep into every fiber of our hearts.
ALL: God of new beginnings; fill us with joy and gladness.
We worship you and celebrate the gift of salvation. Amen

Hymns God of our strength HWB 36
When all Thy mercies HWB 72
Confession

Leader: God of justice and righteousness,
we confess that our hearts are not always open to you.
Our lives are hardened to your grace and unyielding to your call.
We know our transgressions; our sin is ever before us.
(pause for silent confession)
All: Lord Jesus Christ, let the soil of our hearts
be receptive to your good seed;
let your Word bear fruit in death and in life.
Leader: God is merciful and will not cast us away.
God will restore to us the joy of our salvation
and will bring forth abundant new life.
All: We trust this good news. Amen

Children's Story
Hymn For God so loved us HWB 167

Proclaiming God's Word

Scripture Jeremiah 31:31-34 Jan Parks
Hebrew 5:5-10; Charis Anderson
John 12:20-33 Joyce Hutchinson

Sermon "God shifts position"
Hymn Love is Always Following You (back of hymnal)

Responding to God's call

Joys and concerns
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord's Prayer
Offering
Announcements
Hymn I sought the Lord HWB 506
Benediction

Today

Worship Leader - Curt Massie
Sermon - Mel Janzen
Music - Dottie Scott
Nursery - Elaine Shinsky
Children's Story - Jeannine Denlinger
Offering - Ben Nissley

Announcements

The Hange family is on vacation April 6-12, in case of an emergency, please contact a member of the pastoral care team (Jan Parks, Lois Alderfer, Mel Janzen).

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

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

Next Sunday we are looking forward to the Youth leading us in our worship celebration of Jesus entering Jerusalem.

Prayers and Praises

VMBM: The region of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, N.C., has been recognized by the Mennonite Mission Network as the "City on a Hill" for 2003. Paul Godshall, pastor of Durham Mennonite Church, serves as VMBM's Urban Ministry Director in the Eastern Carolina District, which includes this year's "City on a Hill."

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.