Ordinary Lives Can Be Holy
March 6, 2022
Order of Worship
Let us be as open vessels that God’s spirit may enter.
The Community Gathers: Experience God’s presence in the assembly. Please greet one another with joy and welcome new friends into our community of love.
You are welcome here…come and worship!
Focus: “Of all the things he could’ve chosen to be done “in remembrance” of him, Jesus chose a meal. He could have asked his followers to do something impressive or mystical–climb a mountain, fast for forty days, or have a trippy sweat lodge ceremony–but instead he picks the most ordinary of acts, eating, through which to be present to his people. He says that the bread is his body and the wine is his blood. He chooses the unremarkable and plain, average and abundant, bread and wine.” ― Tish Harrison Warren, Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life
Welcome: The liturgical season of Lent developed over the centuries as a time of deepened reflection. Originally a period of preparation for baptisms on Easter Eve, it later became a time for all Christians to take stock of their lives and examine how the connection to their faith was progressing–or not–and to recommit to a life of goodness. This year we will indeed open up and take stock. But rather than feel guilty (a popular Lenten pastime) about what we haven’t accomplished in our lives and faith, we will spend some time questioning how our culture’s obsession with achievement and perfection actually keeps us from the true depths of life and faith. This Lent, we are invited to nurture our souls and embrace our ordinary, holy lives which are indeed ‘good enough’ in the eyes of our God who loves us without condition.
Gathering Music: Good Enough (Marcia McFee/Marsha Moors/Chuck Bell)
-Michelle Currie
Call To Worship:
One: We may be entering this season arid, dry from pain and injustices.
Many: And yet, God is still hydrating our spirits.
One: We may be wandering, feeling as if we have no direction.
Many: And yet, God is guiding us in the wilderness.
One: We may be fearful, wondering what comes next.
Many: And yet, God is surrounding us with peace.
One: We may begin our Lenten journey spiritually arid, aimless, and anxious.
Many: But the Spirit of Strength will never leave our side.
Opening Hymn: Be Not Afraid *See Lyric Insert
1. You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst
You shall wander far in safety though you do not know the way
You shall speak your words in foreign lands and all will understand
You shall see the face of God and live.
*Refrain:
Be not afraid I go before you always, come follow me and I will give you rest
2. If you pass through raging waters in the sea you shall not drown
If you walk amid the burning flames you shall not be harmed
If you stand before the powr’ of hell and death is at your side know that I am with you through it all. *Refrain
3. Blessed are your poor for the kingdom shall be theirs
Blest are you that weep and mourn one day you shall laugh
And if wicked tongues insult and hate you all because of me, blessed, blessed are you. *Refrain
Opening Prayer: Based on Psalm 91
Holy One, Our Refuge and Shelter,
we call out to you,
sometimes in praise, sometimes in distress–as life goes.
Whether we perceive it or not, you are there.
Open us this day to your presence
in the smile of a friend, in the call of a bird–
in the simple and good enough moments that fill our days.
Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Awakening: All Good Gifts (by Stephen Schwartz) -Michelle Currie
Scripture: Psalm 32, Luke 4:1-13 -Anne Murray
Meditation: -Rev. Paula Norbert
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
Words of Invitation The Bread and The Cup
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Music: Instrumental ~ The Lord’s Prayer (by Arnold Strals) -Michelle Currie
Musical call to Prayer: (two times) Hush now in quiet peace, be still your mind at ease. The Spirit brings release, so wait upon the Lord. Michelle Currie
Prayers of the People
Silent Prayers Pastoral Prayer
Closing Music: Abide With Me *See Lyric Insert
1. Abide with me fast falls the even tide. The darkness deepens Lord with me abide
When other helpers fail and comforts flee, help of the helpless O abide with me.
2. Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day, earth’s joys grow dim its glories pass away. Change and decay in all around I see, O thou who changest not abide by me.
3. Hold thy the cross before my closing eyes, shine through the gloom and point me to the skies
Heaven’s morning breaks and earth’s vain shadows flee, in life in death O Lord abide by me.
Benediction:
“Blessed are you who realize there is simply not enough–time, money, resources. Blessed are you who are tired of pretending that raw effort is the secret to perfection. It’s not. And you know that now. Blessed are you who need a gentle reminder that even now, even today, God is here, and somehow, that is good enough.”
(A blessing from Good Enough)
And now, may the God who loves all of creation, especially the ordinary parts, and Jesus, our companion along this crooked path called life, and the Holy Spirit, who loves to improvise in surprising ways, go with you, dwell among you, and give you joy. Amen.
Postlude: Good Enough
God is still here and somehow, this faith is good enough *Repeat 2x
Musical Interlude ~
God is still here and somehow, this faith is good enough. *Repeat 2x
Worship Materials Marcia McFee © www.worshipdesignstudio.com/goodenough. Used and adapted with permission.
“Good Enough” theme song by Marsha Charles, Marcia McFee, Chuck Bell. Used with permission of Worship Design Studio.
“A Blessing for a Joyfully Mediocre Journey” from Good Enough: 40’ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie. Used with permission. Purchase the book at www.katebowler.com/goodenough.
Our Scripture Readings:
Psalm 32
32:1 Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
32:2 Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
32:3 While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.
32:4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
32:5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
32:6 Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.
32:7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. Selah
32:8 I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
32:9 Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you.
32:10 Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the LORD.
32:11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
Luke 4: 1-13
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’”
Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’”
Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
A Word of God that is still speaking,
Thanks be to God.