Worship Service February 28, 2021

 

2nd Sunday of Lent
Worship Leader: Kathy Soloski

Resources Used: Whole People of God; Gathering; pastorsings.com

Let us worship together as we read! You can follow along with the service which will be livestreamed on Facebook at 10AM Sunday morning.  

For those who are not on Facebook, we will be posting the video onto our YouTube channel early in the week.

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS, MINUTE FOR MISSION

CALL TO WORSHIP: 
Voices United #661 -  Come to My Heart

OPENING PRAYER:
All: God of ancient wisdom, present faith and future hope, we thank you for your covenant made with Abraham and Sarah and with all the generations that have followed.  In Jesus, you have shown us that even after death you are with us. May your stories live in us as beacons of hope and faith when times are difficult, that we may do your will and follow your way.    Amen.

LENTEN LITANY:
All: God, our Saviour, we praise & adore you. In your mercy, you have reached out to us & made us your covenant people. You have called us to new life in Jesus Christ. We want to be a faithful people, O God, yet you know our weakness. Our feet slip easily from your pathway. We trust in the mercy you have shown us in Jesus. Transform our wavering steps into solid conviction for Christ’s sake, we pray. Amen. 

HYMN: 
Voices United #120 - O Jesus, I Have Promised

PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
All: Sometimes we think we know better than God. How could God possibly know what the future might bring? How can anyone know us better than we know ourselves? How can the impossible happen? We know what’s real! In these times, O God, and in many others – forgive us. We follow Jesus when we think it’s easy. When there’s no risk involved, sure, we’ll do it. As long as there’s no real time commitment or anything... As long as Jesus doesn’t ask us to do anything difficult... In these times, O God, and in many others – forgive us. Amen. 

WORDS OF ASSURANCE:                         
One: God’s promises are real and true. Even when we don’t want to believe them because they might interfere with our daily living, God still offers them. God is patient with us.                             
All: And God loves us – always and unconditionally.  We are forgiven.  Thanks be to God! Amen. 

GOD’S WORD TO US:
Genesis 17:1-7 & 15-16                                                                                              Romans 4:13-25                                                                                                          Mark 8:31-38          

MESSAGE:
“The Game of Life”

OFFERING INVITATION  

PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
All: God, we have learned that when we give away, we are enriched; and when we let go, we receive.  Bless what we give and let go of this day, as you also bless us.  Amen.                        (Kate Crawford, First-St. Andrew’s U.C., London, Ontario)                 

JOYS AND CONCERNS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER                           

HYMN:   
Voices United #561 - Take Up Your Cross

BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH:
All: Love generously, care compassionately.
Love unselfishly, serve justly.   
Love faithfully, listen carefully.
Pattern our love on Jesus Christ, and know God’s blessing.  Amen.      (David Sparks, Okanagan Falls, B.C.)