March 3, 2013

This is the Third Sunday in Lent

Theme:Wondrous Love-- To Come in the Name of the Lord

"The Passion Story of Christ is a love story. It is the story of God sending his one and only son--the Holy Lamb of God--to redeem all of humanity in a sacrificial act of love so that we might be eternally united with the Creator of the universe. It is the story of Jesus who willingly came to give his life for [our} eternal souls."

 --Lloyd Larson, Narration to Wondrous Love: Suffering Servant, Crucified Christ, Risen Redeemer

Liturgist: 

Scripture: Mark 8:22-38
22 They came to Bethsaida. Some people[d] brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Can you see anything?” 24 And the man looked up and said, “I can see people, but they look like trees, walking.” 25 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Then he sent him away to his home, saying, “Do not even go into the village.”

27 Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” 30 And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.

36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Preparing for Worship

Chimes

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude 

Words of Preparation

Hymn of Praise: 

Call to Worship:

Invocation

The Lord's Prayer

Gloria Patri

A Time for Offering

Call to Offering

Offering Meditation

The Doxology

Prayer of Dedication

We Join in Prayer

Prayer Concerns & Celebrations

Morning Prayer                                                                                        

We Contemplate & Live God's Word

Children's Sermon           

Choir Anthem: "The Night before the Savior Died" from Wondrous Love (Larson)

Scripture:

Sermon             

Invitation to Discipleship

Hymn of Invitation: 

Gathering at the Lord's Table

Call to Communion

Hymn of Communion: 

Prayers of Thanksgiving

Words of Institution

Breaking Bread & Pouring the Cup

Musical Meditation

Partaking of the Lord's Supper

We Depart to Serve

Benediction

Parting Hymn: 

Postlude