February 29, 2004

No matter who we are or
where we have wandered,
God calls us to arise and go to Jesus,
who hears our cries, knows our temptations,
and delivers us, offering salvation to all.

February 29, 2004
Lent week 1

Gathering in Christ's name

Call to worship (based on Psalm 91)

Leader: The Lord is our refuge and fortress, a safe shelter in trouble.
Left: When we fear the terrors of the day or night,
Right: God provides a hiding place.
Left: When we wander from the path,
Right: God hears our cries.
Left: When we call on the name of the Lord,
Right: God delivers us and shows us salvation.
All: The Most High God is our refuge,
our God in whom we trust.
Let us worship the God of our salvation.

Prayer of Invocation

Hymns Praise, I will praise you Lord HWB 76
How great thou art MH 535

Scripture Reading Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Children's story Lois Alderfer
Hymn What a friend we have in Jesus MH 337
Prayer of confession

All: God of deliverance,
we confess that we are tempted by many things.
False hopes and illusions of status and power distract us.
Our fears threaten to overwhelm us,
and we do not always trust in your care.
Forgive us for trying to find safety in the work of our hands
and in the accumulation of many possessions.
Take away our doubt and fear
and our hesitance to confess your name.
Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us. (Silence)
Assurance of God's grace
Leader: The Lord hears our cries.
When we wander from the path,
God rescues us with a mighty hand and outstretched arm.
Receive the gift of salvation.
All: We will arise and go to Jesus.

Proclaiming God's Word

Scripture Luke 4:1-13; Romans 10:8b-13
Sermon "Mardi Gras in Reverse"
Hymn Guide me O thou great Jehovah HWB 582

Responding to God's call

Joys and concerns
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord's Prayer
Offering
Announcements
Hymn Come, come ye saints HWB 425
Benediction

Today

Worship Leader - Maren Tyedmers Hange
Music - Dottie Scott, Steve Akers
Sermon - Roy Hange
Nursery - Maughlin family

Announcements

You are invited to a Missions Celebration at Park View Mennonite Church on March 13 at 7 p.m. Come enjoy stories, music and video celebrating the work of Mennonite Mission Network and Virginia Mennonite Board of Missions. Children of all ages are especially invited to hear missions stories.

Peter Steinke, a Lutheran pastor and counselor, will give a public address on "Tending to Mission in a Time of Anxiety" at 7:30pm Tuesday, March 2 in Martin Chapel at EMS.

Roy Hange will be attending a conference "Healthy Congregations Facilitator Training" with Peter Steinke at EMU, March 1-3. Roy will also be one of the speakers at an Orthodox-Mennonite Conference on March 5-6 in Reading, PA.

Plan now to attend the Spring Auction of the VMRC Auxiliary on Friday, March 19, in VMRC's Detwiler Auditorium. A light meal is available at 5:00; Daphna Creek sings at 6:00 and the AUCTION begins at 6:30. Wonderful items are for sale! Proceeds will help purchase a wheel chair accessible van to transport residents.

Prayers and Praises

VMBM: Last month the Mennonite pastors in Trinidad led an Elders' Seminar at Charlieville Mennonite Church for all elders and other persons in leadership in the four Mennonite churches. Richard Keeler noted that this was the first church-wide full-day training seminar conducted by the national church without outside resourcing.

Mennonite Mission Network: Pray for Burton Buller and Wayne Gehman, producers at Mennonite Media, as they work on finishing a TV documentary, "Fierce Goodbye," about the aftermath of suicide and the church's response.

Pray for the local services for people in need: Love Inc., Shelter for Help in Emergency, Food Bank and the Salvation Army.