The Second Sunday in Lent
Again and Again, We are Called to Listen
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: Sometimes in the stillness of the quiet, if we listen, / We can hear the whisper in the heart / Giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, hope to despair. —Howard Thurman, Meditations of the Heart
Gathering Music: I’m Listening (Chris McClarney) -Michelle Currie
Welcome:
Call To Worship:
Leader: Creator God, We cannot hear the trees growing—seeds pushing up through the dirt into the sun.
All: And we cannot hear a single drop of rain, missing one in the many. We cannot hear the weight of people’s grief, a burden that so often is silent.
Leader: And we cannot hear when hearts are changed, but you can.
You hear it all.
All: So once again, we come to you with bowed heads and hopeful hearts, Asking that you would lend us your ears. Help us to hear as you hear so that we can live as you lived. We are listening. Amen.
Opening Hymn: Just A Closer Walk With Thee #835 vs. 1,2 &3
c a l l t o c o n f e s s i o n
Leader: Often the first step to change is listening.
We have to listen to those we’ve hurt.
We have to listen to creation as she cries.
We have to listen to the voice of the oppressed,
If we ever hope to make things right.
So today as we begin our prayer of confession,
We will start with a moment of silence—
A moment to listen. And then we will pray together trusting that God is always listening to us, And that God’s ears listen with love. So let us confess, silently and then together…
p r a y e r o f c o n f e s s i o n
(Pause for silence)
One: Listening God,
All: Take what is closed in us and open it.
Take what is distracted in us and settle it.
Take what is hurting in us and hold it. Take any and all parts of us that create distance from you.
One: For we are like Peter, O God. We argue what we don’t know. We fear what we cannot see. And we almost always speak sooner than we listen. So open us, settle us, hold us, and forgive us.
All: We long to hear you more clearly.
We long to know you more fully. With hope we pray,
And with gratitude we confess. Amen.
w o r d s o f f o r g i v e n e s s
One: My friends, we express our gratitude because we know
that God already has heard and forgiven us. No matter what
we have done or left undone, we are held in God’s hand.
So rest in this good news:
All: God invites us in. God meets us where we are.
God hears our prayers. God forgives us.
One: Thanks be to God for a love like that. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Readings: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Mark 8:31-38
-Nancy Batchelor
Sermon: Listen Deep Rev. Paula Norbert
Music: Meditative Instrumental (arr. Michelle Currie) -Michelle Currie
Musical call to Prayer: (two times) Michelle Currie
Hush now in quiet peace, be still your mind at ease.
The Spirit brings release, so wait upon the Lord.
Prayers of the People
Silent Prayers Pastoral Prayer
Offertory: -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: How Can I Keep From Singing?
#821 vs.1, 2 & 3
Blessing: The quiet strength of Christ,
the humble power of God, and the comforting
light of the Spirit, is yours today and always. Listen well, keep this close to your hearts and walk in peace…
Postlude: Go In Peace