for Sunday, 15 March 2009, #2

Liturgical Elements

We'll be using the projector and screen this week, but there will be bulletins also; just no inserts for the Psalm or hymn that's not in the Chalice Hymnal (except for the chant since those cards are already made up).

Call to Worship
How does God speak?
God speaks in many ways!

In the bountiful creation around us:
“The midnight skies tell of God’s glory,
the midday sun displays holy handiwork.
Each new day speaks God’s language,
and night after night knows more than it can tell.”

Yet it is the cross of Jesus
where God speaks most profoundly:

“For talk of the cross sounds absurd to those who think they are sophisticated,
but for us who are being saved, it is the power of God.”
Let the way we speak and the way we think
be acceptable in your sight
O God our strength and our redeemer. (Bruce Prewer)

Prayer of Approach
We thank you, most loving God,
for the opportunities offered in this your house of love,
opportunities which have been created by the grace of your crucified Son.
Do not allow us to be spectators,
but draw us into the soul of the music, prayers, psalms, and Bible readings.
Let us be ready to hear within, yet beyond us, that Living Word which surpasses all human sentences as the sunrise surpasses a candle.
Through Christ Jesus, your crucified Son.
Amen! (Bruce Prewer)

For the first scripture reading, Exodus 20:1-17, Lisa, as Liturgist, will start us off. Together, the congregation will read this scripture, which will be on the screen. Lisa, you will have the liturist's notebook as usual. (Of course, I realize that you might not receive this information before worship on Sunday. If you are reading this after worship, how did it go?) Also, Lisa, would you please stay up front after you do your prayer at the time of offering to lead us in the chant?

Ann, let me know, as late as Sunday morning, whether you'd rather invite or pray at the Table.

As always, contact me with questions, concerns, issues, knowledge, or good recipes.

Call to Worship & Prayer of Approach are adapted from Bruce Prewer's website.

for Sunday, 15 March 2009, #1

3rd Sunday in Lent
This week we shall be receiving a special offering for Chapman University, so liturgist Lisa, you'll want to make note of that. I did recently receive a newsletter from the Office of Church Relations at Chapman, so I'm going to copy it to include in the bulletins.

Lectionary

• Exodus 20:1-17 (The Ten Commandments)
• Psalm 19 (An individual Psalm of praise)
• 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (The foolishness and the power of God)
• John 2:13-22 (Driving the sellers & money changers out of the temple)

Worship Leaders

• Elder: Ann Willard
• Liturgist: Lisa Haley
• Music Leader: Lisa Haley
• Accompanist: Ann Willard
• Communion Provider: Ann Willard
• And making special guest appearances on the "Ann & Lisa Show": Gerry Brague as the Preacher and Phyllis Stowell in the part of the Travelogue Storyteller

Hymns

• Here, O Lord, Your Servants Gather; Chalice Hymnal 278
• Response for Psalm 19; Chalice Hymnal 731 (Once again, the hymnal does not include the entire Psalm reading from the lectionary, so there will be an insert with all the words or they will be on the screen, but the response from the hymnal.)
• We Thank God for the Laws that Guide Us; This hymn is from the web, words at this website. The suggested tune is St. Clement found on p. 250 of the Chalice Hymnal which is a tune I sort of know, but not well. It seems lovely. The words will be on an insert or thge screen. (And Ann...it's in G major!)
  
• These I Lay Down; Chalice Hymnal 391

That's all for now...I'll have the liturgy up as soon as I can, because I know two of you will be leaving for Chico on Friday. As always, use the links on to the right of this blog's webpage for further information. Let me know if you have any questions or comments.