March 14, 2004

I will arise and go to Jesus

When we become aware
of our hunger and thirst for God,
God calls us to arise and go to Jesus,
who satisfies our longings
with abundant spiritual foor and drink.

March 14, 2004
Lent week 3

Gathering in Christ's name

Call to worship based on Ps 63:1-8

Leader: The Lord is near!
God invites all who are thirsty to come to the waters.
God invites all who are hungry to eat what is good.
Come near to God. Eat! Drink!
Delight in God's abundance!
People: Thirsty and hungry, we come to worship today.
Right: Here we will drink in God's power and savor God's glory.
Left: Here we will celebrate God's unfailing love that is better than life.
Right: Here we will offer our gifts of praise and song.
Left: Here we will offer ourselves to God.
All: O God, you are our God!
We worship you, the God of our salvation.

Prayer of Invocation
Hymns Joyful, joyful.. HWB 71
Holy Spirit come with power HWB 26

Scripture Reading Isaiah 55:1-9

Confession/reconciling prayer of confession

All: God of abundant grace, hear our cry of repentance.
Though you invite us to come, buy, and eat,
we often choose what is not good for us.
Though you call us to listen to you so we may live,
we often ignore your voice and follow the ways of death.
We have sinned in thought, word, and deed.
We have looked to the gods of our neighbors.
Then in our hunger and thirst, we complain against you.
Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us. (Silence)

Assurance of God's grace

Leader: God is eager to satisfy us with a rich feast.
With thankful hearts,
accept God's lavish mercy and grace.
Today, receive the gift of salvation.
All: We will arise and go to Jesus.

Children's story
Hymn Lord I am fondly HWB 514

Proclaiming God's Word

Scripture Luke 13:1-9; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Sermon "A severe mercy and necessary boundaries"
Hymn You are salt for the earth HWB 226

Responding to God's call

Joys and concerns
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord's Prayer
Offering
Announcements
Hymn God be with you HWB 430
Benediction

Today

Worship Leader - Maren Tyedmers Hange
Music - Dottie Scott
Sermon - Roy Hange
Nursery - Nissley family

Announcements

Is there a song you would especially like to sing? Write it down and put it in the song suggestion box in the foyer.

Three Extraordinary Women of Jerusalem: Nahla Assali, Michal Sagi, and Nuha Khoury will talk about their lives, personal experiences and the hopes they share for a just peace.Thursday, March 18th they will speak at UVa. (Cabell Hall, 138) at 7 p.m. On Friday, March 19th, the Church of the Incarnation invites you to an 8:45 a.m. breakfast discussion with the three women in the Parish Activities Center. Check the foyer for more information.

Free tickets for the "Charlottesville Passion Play" presented by First Baptist Church are available starting March 15. Eight Performances will be held March 27&28, April 3&4 at 3:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Call the First Baptist Church office for reservations 296-6195.

Prayers and Praises

VMBM: Lalman and Rafina John traveled from Trinidad to Jamaica
last weekend to serve as fraternal delegates at the annual Jamaica Mennonite Conference. Lalman serves as pastor of Hope Mennonite Church in Esperanza, Trinidad. This was the first time he and Rafina traveled out of the country.

Mennonite Mission Network: The RAD (Reaching and Discipling) team in Jokkmokk, Sweden, helps students with conversational English at the local junior high school. Pray that through the rich relationships they have with Swedish young people, team members may point non-believers to Jesus.

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