Sunday, April 3, 2022 - How do you have courage when your fears are very real?
Theme: How did Jesus live through….. Fear vs. Courage
(How do you have courage when your fears are very real?)
Hymn Great Are You, Lord (In Person Only)
Welcome
Awakening to God’s Presence (In Person Only)
Hymn 475 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (In Person Only)
(first verse only)
Come, thou Fount of every blessing; tune my heart to sing thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above;
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, mount of God’s unchanging love!
Prayer for God’s Guidance
Luke 18:9-14 Common English Bible Translation
Jesus told this parable to certain people who had convinced themselves that they were righteous and who looked on everyone else with disgust: “Two people went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself with these words, ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like everyone else - crooks, evildoers, adulterers - or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week. I give a tenth of everything I receive.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He wouldn’t even lift his eyes to look toward heaven. Rather, he struck his chest and said, ‘God, show mercy to me, a sinner.’ I tell you, this person went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. All who lift themselves up will be brought low, and those who make themselves low will be lifted up.” (Question: Have you ever feared not being accepted?)
Hymn All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly (In Person Only)
Luke 18:15-17
People were bringing babies to Jesus so that he would bless them. When the disciples saw this, they scolded them. Then Jesus called them to him and said, “Allow the children to come to me. Don’t forbid them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people like these children. I assure you that whoever doesn’t welcome God’s kingdom like a child will never enter it.” (Question: What are the things hold you back from experiencing God’s grace and help you to know it?)
Luke 18:31-34
Jesus took the Twelve aside and said, “Look, we’re going up to Jerusalem, and everything written about the Human One by the prophets will be accomplished. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. He will be ridiculed, mistreated, and spit on. After torturing him, they will kill him. On the third day, he will rise up.” But the Twelve understood none of these words. The meaning of this message was hidden from them and they didn’t grasp what he was saying. (Question: What do you fear most in life?)
Special Music Rise Up (In Person Only)
Luke 18:35-39
As Jesus came to Jericho, a certain blind man was sitting beside the road begging. When the man heard the crowd passing by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus the Nazarene is passing by.” The blind man shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, show me mercy.” Those leading the procession scolded him, telling him to be quiet, but he shouted even louder, “Son of David, show me mercy.” (Question: What gives you courage to handle difficult situations?)
Luke 18:40-43
Jesus stopped and called for the man to be brought to him. When he was present Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, I want to see.” Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” At once he was able to see, and he began to follow Jesus, Praising God. When all the people saw it, they praised God too.
(Question: How are you changed by acts of courage whether your own or someone else’s courage?)
Offering Ourselves to God
During this time let us reflect upon the words from the Brief Statement of Faith
In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
Special Music (In Person Only)
The Lord’s Supper
Invitation
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
May the God of all new things be with you.
And also with you!
Let us offer our hearts to the One who restores us to new life.
May we empty them of all that holds us back, so God may fill the emptiness with grace.
May our hearts overflow with praise to God.
May joy and laughter resound in our words and lives.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors;
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom and the power
and the glory, forever. Amen
Words of Institution
Distribution of Elements
(The congregation is invited to eat the bread after the prayer and drink the cup when received. The cup can be placed in holders on the pew in front of you.)
Prayer after Communion (unison)
Closing Hymn 838 Standing on the Promises (In Person Only)
(first verse only)
Standing on the promises of Christ my king,
through eternal ages let his praises ring;
glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.
Benediction
Hymn List
475 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
509 All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly
614 Great Are You, Lord
838 Standing on the Promises
Lent Sermon Series: How did Jesus live through…
April 10th – Domination vs. Liberation
Easter Sunday
Theme: The Power of the Resurrection: How you can make the most of your life
Sunday, April 24th
Recognition of Seniors