February 25 – Always Close

Today, we ask for God’s guidance as we come together on this second Sunday of Lent, moving ever closer to Resurrection Day.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — He Leadeth Me

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Jan Wirtz
One: In Christ, God has given us a holy invitation.
All: We are invited to walk with God.
One: Turn to God, all the earth.
All: God not only speaks, but God also listens.
One: God hears our prayers, and God answers.
All: Let us exalt God with our praises!

*HYMN — Have Thine Own Way, Lord — #414

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Jan Wirtz
God, we turn to you in prayer this morning. Come, Holy Spirit, be with us in worship today. You alone are our Creator and our Savior, Dear God. We are hungry to know you more fully and to serve you more completely. We treasure the astounding promises which you fulfilled in the lives of our ancestors and which you are fulfilling in our lives.
God, we praise you for gathering us together here. We come, seeking your guidance and your blessing. Fill us with your Spirit. Make us instruments of your love and grace.
God, full of compassion; lead us and be our peace on the journey. Amen.

*RESPONSE — O How He Loves You and Me — #254

Oh, how He loves you and me,
Oh, how He loves you and me.
He gave His life, what more could He give;
Oh, how He loves you,
Oh, how He loves me,
Oh, how He loves you and me.

Jesus to Calv’ry did go,
His love for mankind to show.
What He did there, brought hope from despair.
Oh, how He loves you,
Oh, how He loves me,
Oh, how He loves you and me.

GOD’S WORD — Psalm 22:23-31 — Jan Wirtz

SPECIAL MUSIC — The Old Rugged Cross

GOD’S WORD — Mark 8:31-35 — Pastor Dan

SERMON — Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan

*HYMN — Wherever He Leads I’ll Go — #543

“Take up thy cross and follow Me, ”I heard my Master say;
“I gave My life to ransom thee, Surrender your all today”

Refrain:
Wherever He leads I’ll go, Wherever He leads I’ll go,
I’ll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads, I’ll go.

He drew me closer to His side, I sought His will to know,
And in that will, I now abide, Wherever He leads, I’ll go [Refrain]

It may be through the shadows dim, Or o’er the stormy sea,
I take my cross and follow Him, Wherever He leadeth me. [Refrain]

My heart, my life, my all I bring To Christ who loves me so;
He is my Master, Lord, and King, Wherever He leads I’ll go. [Refrain]

*BENEDICTION — Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE — Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross

March 13 Livestream – 2nd Sunday of Lent – Strong and Tender

Kyrie, eleison. Christ, have mercy. Thank you, Bob Meinz, for serving as our worship musician today. And thank you to Jan Abrams, Executive Director of Caring for Kids, Inc., who is delivering today’s Mission Moment.

WELCOME

PRELUDE

*CALL TO WORSHIP AND PRAYER OF INVOCATION
One: God desires to gather us together.
Many: God is present all around us.
One: To nurture is God’s nature.
Many: For our good, God moves.
One: To mother is one of God’s gifts.
Many: For our safety, God reaches.
One: God is our fortress.
Many: God is our strength.
One: Because of us, God is wounded.
Many: By God’s wounds, we are saved.
One: Through God, we receive comfort.
Many: In God, every soul finds peace and rest.
One: Let us pray together.
Many: God, you are our stronghold, and you are with us now. Gentle and Dynamic Spirit, breathe life into this sacred time of worship. Amen.

*HYMN – Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling – #389

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.
Refrain:
Come home, come home,
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!
Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?
Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.
Oh, for the wonderful love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me.

*CALL TO CONFESSION AND PRAYER OF CONFESSION
One: Let us offer our confession to God. Let us pray.
Many: O Wounded Healer, Mighty and Merciful God, nothing we say can undo damage that has been done. As you once wept over Jerusalem, we now weep over this world. O God, you see what we are doing with gifts which you have given us. Your prophets speak, yet we fail to listen. You desire to bless all creation with fullness of life, yet we fail to comply. Human lives are in chaos this day, yet we fail to respond. Beyond the horrific carnage of war, we long for peace that only you can give. Forgive us, O God, Creator and Lover of life. In Jesus’ name, have mercy. Amen.

*ASSURANCE OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS – Pastor Dan
Hear the good news. Our God has been faithful through all generations. Our God makes all things new. Through the mercy of our Savior Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Amen.

*RESPONSE – People Need the Lord – #527
People need the Lord, people need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams, He’s the open door
People need the Lord, people need the Lord
When will we realize people need the Lord?

CHRISTIAN ACTION – Caring for Kids, Inc. – Jan Abrams, Executive Director

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 27 – Pastor Dan

SPECIAL MUSIC

GOD’S WORD – Luke 13:22-24, 30-35 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord – #424
Teach me Thy way, O Lord; teach meTthy way!
Thy guiding grace afford; teach me thy way!
Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight;
Lead me with heav’nly light; teach me Thy way!

When I am sad at heart, teach me Thy way!
When earthly joys depart, teach me Thy way!
In hours of loneliness, in times of dire distress,
In failure or success, teach me Thy way!

When doubts and fears arise, teach me Thy way!
When storms o’erspread the skies, teach me Thy way!
Shine thro’ the cloud and rain, thro’ sorrow, toil, and pain;
Make Thou my pathway plain; teach me Thy way!

Long as my life shall last, teach me Thy way!
Where’er my lot be cast, teach me Thy way!
Until the race is run, until the journey’s done,
Until the crown is won, teach me Thy way!

*SENDING OUT – Pastor Dan
God sends us into the world to be living instruments of God’s peace.

*POSTLUDE