Order of Service
| Prelude | Chuck Parsons, organ | |
| Opening Prayer | Shawn Mai | |
| Confession & Forgiveness | Marty Jones | |
| Gathering Song | There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy #587 | Harry Johansen Chris Johansen, piano |
| Greeting | Shawn Mai | |
| Prayer of the Day | Marty Jones | |
| Psalm 122 | Harry Johansen Chris Johansen, piano | |
| Scripture | Luke 13: 1-9, 31-35 | Henrik Strandskov |
| Sermon | Marty Jones | |
| Hymn | Thy Holy Wings #613 | Shawn Mai Anne Parsons Chuck Parsons, organ |
| Creed | Shawn Mai | |
| Prayers of Intercession | Mercy Wetzig Abel Wetzig | |
| Lord’s Prayer | Marty Jones | |
| Closing Prayer | Shawn Mai | |
| Blessing / Benediction | Marty Jones | |
| Closing Hymn | My Life Flows On In Endless Song #838 | Shawn Mai Anne Parsons Chuck Parsons, organ |
| Postlude | How Can I Keep From Singing? | Chris Johansen |
Audio Recording – Full service
Prelude
Chuck Parsons
Welcome
Opening Prayer
God of the journey,
we wander through the wilderness,
worn from our growing pains.
As we learn your ways, help us to
follow your commandments,
discern your wisdom, and
proclaim your glory.
Confession & Forgiveness
We begin worship with recognition that we do not always live up to our highest ideals or values, and with trust that God’s love encompasses us always.
P: In the name of the Father, and of the +Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen
P: We confess our entanglements with justice, hurts, and greed – and God’s difficult, blessed vision of a very different way. We seek the face of God, confessing our sin.
Silence for reflection and self-examination.
Holy God,
we have sinned against you and each other. We pray for your forgiveness and healing. The good we want to do, we often fail to do. The harmful actions and thoughts we do not want, we turn to again and again. Deliver us, Gracious God. Save us, save our neighbors, save all your creatures from our lack of imagination and courage. Gird us for the challenges of change needed, called for, overdue. Guide our way in your way. Amen
P: We who were once far off have been brought near to God through the cross of Christ.
May we forgive one another as God in Christ has first forgiven us. Amen
Gathering Song – There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
1.
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
like the wideness of the sea;
there’s a kindness in God’s justice
which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows
are more felt than up in heav’n.
There is no place where earth’s failings
have such kindly judgment giv’n.
2.
There is welcome for the sinner,
and a promised grace made good;
there is mercy with the Savior;
there is healing in his blood.
There is grace enough for thousands
of new worlds as great as this;
there is room for fresh creations
in that upper home of bliss.
3.
For the love of God is broader
than the measures of the mind;
and the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
But we make this love too narrow
by false limits of our own;
and we magnify its strictness
with a zeal God will not own.
4.
‘Tis not all we owe to Jesus;
it is something more than all:
greater good because of evil,
larger mercy through the fall.
Make our love, O God, more faithful;
let us take you at your word,
and our lives will be thanksgiving
for the goodness of the Lord.
Text: Frederick W. Faber
Music: Calvin Hampton
Greeting
We gather in the triune name of sacred Love. May God’s peace be ever with you, Christ’s mercy near at hand, and may the Holy Spirit guide and encourage you in all circumstances and in every need. Amen
Prayer of the Day
God, by the passion of Jesus you transform a shameful death to be for us the means of life. As the mother bird spreads her wings to make space for all, may we continually work for a kingdom that is inclusive, accepting, and filled with unconditional positive regard. May we live our belovedness in ways that give life instead of being reactive to a world that struggles to understand your grace through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
Psalm 122
1 I was glad when they | said to me,
“Let us go to the house | of the Lord.”
2 Now our | feet are standing
within your gates, | O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built | as a city
that is at unity | with itself;
4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes | of the Lord,
the assembly of Israel, to praise the name | of the Lord.
5 For there are the | thrones of judgment,
the thrones of the | house of David.
6 Pray for the peace | of Jerusalem:
“May they pros-|per who love you.
7 Peace be with-|in your walls
and quietness with-|in your towers.
8 For the sake of my kindred | and companions,
I pray for | your prosperity.
9 Because of the house of the | Lord our God,
I will seek to | do you good.”
Scripture Reading – Luke 13: 1-9, 31-35
Repent or Perish
1There were some present at that very time who told him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus? 3 I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Silo′am fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Lo, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down; why should it use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Let it alone, sir, this year also, till I dig about it and put on manure. 9 And if it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”
The Lament over Jerusalem
31 At that very hour some Pharisees came, and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. 33 Nevertheless I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’ 34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! 35 Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”
Thanks be to God
Reflection – Marty Jones
Hymn – Thy Holy Wings
1.
Thy holy wings, O Savior,
spread gently over me,
and let me rest securely
through good and ill in thee.
Oh, be my strength and portion,
my rock and hiding place,
and let my ev’ry moment
be lived within thy grace.
2.
Oh, let me nestle near thee,
within thy downy breast
where I will find sweet comfort
and peace within thy nest.
Oh, close thy wings around me
and keep me safely there,
for I am but a newborn
and need thy tender care.
3.
Oh, wash me in the waters
of Noah’s cleansing flood.
Give me a willing spirit,
a heart both clean and good.
Oh, take into thy keeping
thy children great and small,
and while we sweetly slumber,
enfold us one and all.
Creed
In you, Father all-mighty, we have our preservation and our bliss.
In you, Christ, we have our restoring and our saving. You are our mother, brother, and Savior.
In you, our Lord the Holy Spirit, is marvelous and plenteous grace.
You are our clothing; for love you wrap us and embrace us.
You are our maker, our lover, our keeper.
Teach us to believe that by your grace all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well. Amen
~Julian of Norwich
Prayers of Intercession
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen
Closing Prayer
Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that you your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Benediction
Go with the strength you have.
Go simply
lightly
gently
Go in search of Love.
And know the Spirit of God goes with you. Amen
Hymn – My Life Flows On In Endless Song
1.
My life flows on in endless song;
above earth’s lamentation,
I catch the sweet, though far-off hymn
that hails a new creation.
Refrain
No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?
2.
Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear that music ringing.
It finds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?
[Refrain]
3.
What though my joys and comforts die?
The Lord my Savior liveth.
What though the darkness gather round?
Songs in the night he giveth.
[Refrain]
4.
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
a fountain ever springing!
All things are mine since I am his!
How can I keep from singing?
[Refrain]
Text & Music: Robert Lowry