We strive to be a congregation rooted in the participatory worship of God, where personal relationships are nurtured and all persons are encouraged to creatively and meaningfully express their unique gifts and stories in the worship experience. While our expression of worship looks a little different in this season, we are so glad to be able to participate together via Livestream.
This worship guide is meant to be a companion to the Livestream service. You can join us live at 11am on Sunday morning, or watch the recorded service later, following along with the words to Hymns, etc. in a separate window, or print this guide out if you like!
Worship: Sunday, March 29 | Lent five
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP: “Deliver Us” (Peterson)
CALL TO WORSHIP: “Returning to the Soil” (Cherwien)
Every fall, we cut our garden to the ground: perennials, herbs, shrubs, roses.
We cut our garden to the ground, for the winter must come.
The flowers have bloomed and gladdened the days of many.
The herbs have refreshed and healed.
The roses have given fragrance and color to our home.
It is not cruelty that we cut our garden to the ground:
it is simply the right time.
And so the stems are cut and returned to the soil, and the stems will become soil and nourish the next generation of flowers, just as the leaves that fall become soil and nourish the next generation of leaves.
When our winter approaches it is not cruelty that we are returned to the soil.
It is simply the right time.
It is simply the right time.
And our stories, our songs, our lives will nourish the next generation in the great cycle of life that turns about us.
HYMN #281: “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
V. 1: Love, divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heaven to earth come down,
fix in us Thy humble dwelling;
all Thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love Thou art;
visit us with Thy salvation;
enter every trembling heart.
V. 2: Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit
into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit,
let us find the promised rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
end of faith, as its beginning,
set our hearts at liberty.
V. 3: Come, Almighty to deliver,
let us all Thy grace receive;
suddenly return, and never,
never more Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
pray, and praise Thee without ceasing,
glory in Thy perfect love.
V. 4: Finish, then, Thy new creation;
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see Thy great salvation
perfectly restored in Thee:
changed from glory into glory,
till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before Thee,
lost in wonder, love and praise.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy Name.Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
ANTHEM: “The Tree Song” (Medema)
V. 1: I saw a tree by the riverside one day as I walked along, Straight as an arrow and pointing to the sky growing tall and strong. “How do you grow so tall and strong?” I said to the riverside tree. This is the song that my tree friend sang to me:
Chorus: I’ve got roots growing down to the water, I’ve got leaves growing up to the sunshine, and the fruit that I bear is a sign of the life in me.
I am shade from the hot summer sun-down, I am nest for the birds of the heaven. I’m becoming what the Lord of Trees has meant me to be: A strong young tree.
V. 2: I saw a tree in the wintertime when snow lay on the ground, Straight as an arrow and pointing to the sky, and winter winds blew all around.
“How do you stay so tall and strong?” I said to the wintertime tree. This is the song that my tree friend sang to me: [Repeat Chorus]
V. 3: I saw a tree in the city streets where buildings blocked the sun. Green and lovely I could see it gave joy to ev’ryone: How do you grow in the city streets?” I said to the downtown tree. This is the song that my tree friend sang to me: [Repeat Chorus]
HYMN #272: “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love” (ST BRENDAN’S)
V.1: We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord. We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord. And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.
Chorus: And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
V. 2: We will walk with each other; we will walk hand in hand. We will walk with each other; we will walk hand in hand. And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land.
[Repeat Chorus]
V. 3: We will work with each other; we will work side by side. We will work with each other; we will work side by side.
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride by our love, by our love, Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
V.4: All praise to the Father, from whom all things come. And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son. And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one.
[Repeat Chorus]
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
praise Him all creatures here below,
praise Him above ye heavenly hosts,
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
Today is first day of watching.
It was comforting to see the video of
Various areas in the church. Made me feel more connected.
The service is nice.
Thanks!
Helen Davidson