Tell Me Something Good:
Grounding Ourselves in the Good News this Lent
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!
Gathering Music: Do the Next Thing (by Rob Duquette)
-Rob Duquette
Welcome: A Moment for Good News
Call To Worship:
L: The good news of the gospel is:
All: Manna in the desert, water turned into wine,
love after loss, forgiveness after pain.
L: The good news of the gospel is:
All: Release for the captive, hope for the hopeless,
mourning turned to dancing, and strangers turned to friends.
L: So come on in. There’s no time to waste!
This surprising good news is here for you.
All: Let us worship this good-news God.
Opening Hymn: Amazing Grace #649 vs. 1,2, 3 & 5
Call to confession
You may have heard, “All is fair in love and war,”
or “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”
But God says, “Forgive seventy times seven.” God says, “I am slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” God says, “Turn the other cheek.” God’s mercy catches us by surprise.
So with wonder and gratitude, let us go to God in prayer.
Let us be surprised by God’s grace all over again.
Friends, let us pray:
Prayer of confession
Loving God, somewhere along the way we picked up the message that in order to be faithful, we have to be serious.
We have to pray on our knees without ceasing.
We have to be somber in worship and quiet in our studies.
We have to check our wiggles and our questions at the door.
But then you say the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed—unruly and untamed. You turn water into wine—surprising and extravagant. And all of a sudden, we wonder:
Can we be like that mustard seed? Can we be faithful and unruly? Can we be playful and curious? Can we be messy and still be yours? We know the answer already.
The Spirit whispers: of course, of course, of course.
Forgive our doubt. Pull us closer into your embrace.
With faith like a mustard seed, we pray. Amen.
Words of forgiveness
God’s mercy is abundant and surprising. God’s love is expansive and unending. So if you ask, “Holy One, am I forgiven?” the answer is and always will be: of course, of course, of course. This is the good news of the Gospel. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Awakening: This Little Light of Mine (Traditional American Gospel) -Michelle Currie, Ada Goff, Rob Duquette & Jen Comeau & Congregation
1. Everywhere I go
2. Out there in the dark
3. All around this church
4. This Little Light of mine
Readings: John 2:1-11; Matthew 13:31-32 -Nancy Batchelor
Sermon: God Loves A Surprise Rev. Paula Norbert
Music: Meditative Instrumental
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
Offertory: Everything Must Change (by Bernard Ighner) -Michelle Currie & Rob Duquette -Michelle Currie
Doxology: Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God above ye heavenly hosts, Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication:
Closing Hymn: On Eagle’s Wings #43
Blessing:
Postlude: Go In Peace