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Today’s guest speaker is Rev. Dave Mason.
All of the information normally found in our bulletin is below the video. Simply click on "Read More" to load the rest of the bulletin. You can use this to follow the service, as well as to pray our unison prayers. All joys and concerns that we know, as well as our continuing prayer list is within the Joys and Concerns. Announcements can be found at the bottom of this service.
Welcome and Morning Greeting
INTROIT: Hymn: “His Name is Wonderful” CALL TO WORSHIP: We seek a big enough God who has overcome all things. Jesus said, “If you would be my disciple, you must deny yourself and take up the cross.” We take heart knowing that “nothing can separate us from God’s love, which enables us to do all things.” This we do by the promise of faith guaranteed by God’s abounding grace. Amen.
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Good morning!
We're so glad that you've joined us today!
Lois did our lesson this week, and requested that we listen to this hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul."
Horatio G. Spafford wrote the text to this hymn. His son only son died of pneumonia. He then lost everything in the Chicago fire of 1871. He planned to travel with his wife and four daughters back to England. However, Spafford was detained with business at the last minute, and his family traveled without him. The ship they were on sank, killing all four of his daughters. When his wife reached Cardiff, Wales, Mrs. Spafford sent a telegram to her husband: "Saved Alone." Spafford immediately went to join her. The words were said to be written as he approached the area of the ocean where the ship carrying his daughters sank.
When we met together in person, we share our joys and concerns. Take some time to think about the last week. Who might you pray for? What prayer requests do you have? If you have any that you would like to share, you can add them as a comment below. When you are ready, pray the prayer below, including any prayer requests we may have.
Psalm 137
By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. 2 There on the poplars we hung our harps, 3 for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 4 How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?5 If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. 6 May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy. 7 Remember, Lord, what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell. “Tear it down,” they cried, “tear it down to its foundations!”8 Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is the one who repays you according to what you have done to us. 9 Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks. Opening Prayer: Loving God, we come from our own homes, our own lives, our own work, and become your people in this place. We see the kingdom of God among us. Guide our study and our fellowship, our laughter and tears, our faith and our uncertainties. Our faith is in you alone. Amen As defined, lament is a passionate expression of grief or sorrow, that may include wailing, moaning weeping, crying or a complaint. Israel has been taken captive by Babylon. Their daily lives are not the same. They have been removed from Jerusalem, from their temple. Yes, they remain the people of God, but that just isn’t enough. They lament. In their minds Jerusalem and the temple is where God lived. They think they have been separated from God. Their captives make fun of them and their God. “Sing us some of those silly songs that used to make you so happy”. The last two verses are a curse, and cannot be thought of as words of God. The psalmist laments and is expressing his anger. “If you’re not going to help us, them please destroy them.” As Christians, we found ourselves lamenting when 9-11 happened. Those events are forever imbedded in my mind. At 7:00 that evening, North Buffalo’s sanctuary filled with members and friends who came to pray and ask God “What was happening and why” Today we lament over the plague of covid virus and it’s variants. We lament both individually and as a group, both types of laments address God. Both describe the situation or complaint or crisis from which the lament emerges. Contemporary laments are moments in time that bring people together; school shootings, disasters in nature such as floods, hurricanes, horrific accidents, and public marches. Biblical laments are addressed to God. Contemporary ones are addressed to anyone who is able to make the requested change. Lament events may be the occasion when individual laments become communal ones. What happens to the community when the march or event is over. Paul answers that Question in Romans 12:4-5 . For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. He clearly states that when we follow christ, we don’t lose our identity by becoming part of a collective group. Instead, when we follow Christ, we contribute our strengths and depend on the strengths of others to balance our weaknesses. When one rejoices we all rejoice, when one laments we all lament. Lament gives us common ground. Closing Prayer We are grateful, holy God, that you give your children the gift of each other. May we be knit together, bear one another’s burdens, and express our shared sorrow in shared lament, remembering that we are not alone. Amen.
Today’s guest speaker is Rev. Don Austin.
All of the information normally found in our bulletin is below the video. Simply click on "Read More" to load the rest of the bulletin. You can use this to follow the service, as well as to pray our unison prayers. All joys and concerns that we know, as well as our continuing prayer list is within the Joys and Concerns. Announcements can be found at the bottom of this service.
Welcome and morning greeting
INTROIT: Hymn: “His Name is Wonderful” CALL TO WORSHIP: (Psalm 25) Lord, make me to know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth, and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all day long. Be mindful of Your mercy, O Lord, and of Your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to Your steadfast love remember me, for Your goodness’ sake, O Lord! Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way.
Good morning!
We're so happy you've joined us! Today is the first Sunday in Lent.
When we meet together in person, we share our joys and concerns with each other before we focus on our Sunday school lesson. Think about your needs and concerns right now, and if you like, you can share them in the comments. This is a time when our church is beginning to think about searching for a new pastor. It is a challenging and exciting time, but as we pray about finding the right pastor for the future, we should remember that we are all coworkers with Christ and with each other in sharing the gospel right now.
The prayer below may serve to guide us in our opening prayer. It is from the Vanderbilt University website. What is lament? From the dictionary, a lament is “a passionate expression of grief or sorrow,” and to lament is “to mourn.” Laments are directed toward someone who has the capacity to change the circumstances, or correct the injustice. Biblical laments are prayers. They can be spoken, sung, painted, or communicated in some other way to God. Lament is a response to a momentous occasion of grief over which we have no control. This is an important point. If the injustice or suffering that we lament is something over which we have control, we should do something. If we do nothing, the faithful response is to confess and repent, not lament. Lament is a response to the suffering, sorrows and injustices of our not-yet-redeemed world. In lament, there is hope.
Good morning!
We're so glad you've joined us today!
CHURCH JOYS AND CONCERNS
Birthdays: Gabriel Molla, Butch Ward, Bruce Burnfield, James O’Hara, Bryan Miles, Savannah Hathaway, Gavin Hathaway Anniversary: Dana and Billie Wilson Announcements - Congratulations to Don and Karen Hanes on a new Grandson, Cash Michael Posey born on 2/8/21. Lenten Bible Study: Finding Hope Through Prayers of Lament Biblical laments are prayers that can be spoken, sung, painted, or communicated in some other way to God. Lament is a response to a momentous occasion of grief over which we have no control. For Lent this year, we will have a weekly online Bible study centering on prayers of lament, based on the current Horizons Bible Study, Into the Light. Each Wednesday of Lent, starting on February 17, a new lesson will be posted online to the same page that has our Sunday School lessons and worship services. This will be available throughout the day. These will include scripture passages, a lesson, and an opportunity to practice lament. You may share your laments, as you choose. If you have questions, please contact Nellie Baker or Christine Welling. We added Cody Clifford (Lois Miller’s grandson) to our prayer list this week. He was taken by ambulance from the pediatrician’s office to Children’s Hospital with Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Please pray for Cody and his family as they learn to live with this new diagnosis. Doug Ward’s infection in his knee is clear doctor wants to wait until May 6th to do a total knee replacement. Roma Grose is home recuperating from her hip replacement. John West’s gallbladder surgery went well. Ed Horne is recuperating from back surgery, please pray this will take care of the pain he has been experiencing in his legs. Remember our continuing prayer list. Roma Grose, Ruth Hampe, Susan Schively, Jimmy Davis, Judy Donaldson, Margo Johnson, Melissa Pedigo, Aaron Blake, Lisa Phillips, Mickey Gubitti, Chip Rogers, Dixie Avoila, Dennis McWreath, Chuck Warlow, Chuck Dicks, Randy Moore, Margaret Knabenshue, Janet Schively, Mary Ann Durila, Patty Nagey, Dr. Craig Fox, Karen Eisiminger, Kelley Gump, Mary Ann McFeeley, Ed Horne, Donna West, June and Keith McGill, Dianna Donaldson, Chuck Montecello, Glenn Miles, Dave Cummings, Doug Ward, Mark Knabenshue, Rick McFeeley, Deron Wood, Susan Alberti, Bryan Dunn, Dana Wilson, Marge McWreath, Tim Knabenshue, Jack Burnfield, Debbie Rugg, Joyce Pastorchalk, Reba Flowers and Jackson Corwin (3 years old). When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns together. Consider your past week, and what joys and concerns you have. These might be for yourself, for someone else, or for a community. If you would like, you can share these in the comments so that we can all pray. The God of the universe invites us to talk with Him at anytime and anywhere about anything and everything (source). When you are ready, pray this prayer below (fromhere), including your requests and those that have been shared.
Today’s guest speaker is Rev. Dave Mason
All of the information normally found in our bulletin is below the video. Simply click on "Read More" to load the rest of the bulletin. You can use this to follow the service, as well as to pray our unison prayers. All joys and concerns that we know, as well as our continuing prayer list is within the Joys and Concerns. Announcements can be found at the bottom of this service.
Welcome and Morning Greeting
INTROIT: Hymn: “It Is No Secret” CALL TO WORSHIP: In times of trouble and distress, God is always present with us. When we call out, God hears us. The name of the oLd brings comfort to heavy hearts. In God’s name alone do we put our trust. The Lord will help those who seek God. God will answer the prayers of the people. Some take pride in their might and accomplishments. We will boast in God alone. We rise and stand on the righteousness of God. Let us worship God who is faithful, merciful and just!
INVOCATION
Hymn: “Sweet Hour of prayer” CALL OF CONFESSION: God is a healing God, a loving God, and a forgiving God. Let us confess our sins before God. PRAYER OF CONFESSION: Holy and awesome God, through your Son you revealed yourself as the divine Healer, as one who desires for us wholeness of body, mind and spirit. Unlike the crowds who surrounded Jesus, urgently turning to him to be made well, we are all too likely to try to heal ourselves. We mask our pain instead of facing our fears and loneliness. We confuse what we need with what we want, and we are unwilling to allow you to change our desires to reflect what you want for us. Forgive us, merciful God. Forgive our willingness to live apart from the transforming grace and power of your love. Strengthen our faith so that we may trust in your healing presence in our lives. Amen ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Jesus stands ready to heal and forgive us; all we need do is ask in faith. God’s mercy is limitless. Thanks be to God! In Jesus Christ we are forgiven! Passing the Peace L. The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. P. And also, with you. CHILDREN’S SERMON PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION SCRIPTURE LESSON Mark 1: 29 - 39 Jesus Heals Many
L: The Word of the Lord
P. Thanks be to God! SERMON: “Emptying Ourselves” Service of Ordination and Installation of Officers HYMN: “O Jesus, I Have Promised” APOSTLE’S CREED THE OFFERING (Offering plates located near the door) THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give God thanks and praise. CHURCH JOYS AND CONCERNS Birthdays: Hayden Shrader, Karen Hanes, Glen (Mikey) Hardin Anniversaries: John & Lois Miller, Frank & Nellie Baker, Dana & Billie Wilson Announcements - Session and Trustees will meet tomorrow evening at 7:00 PM. SYMPATHY: The Family of Donna Bryner and The Family of Lawrence Kelley Roma Grose had hip replacement last Monday. Ed Horne had back surgery this past Friday. John West will have gallbladder surgery tomorrow. Prayers for Jamie Anderson who has ocular cancer will have surgery on the 9th. Continued prayers for Roma Grose, Ruth Hampe, Susan Schively, Jimmy Davis, Judy Donaldson, Margo Johnson, Melissa Pedigo, Aaron Blake, Lisa Phillips, Mickey Gubitti, Chip Rogers, Dixie Avoila, Dennis McWreath, Chuck Warlow, Chuck Dicks, Randy Moore, Margaret Knabenshue, Janet Schively, Mary Ann Durila, Patty Nagey, Dr. Craig Fox, Karen Eisiminger, Kelley Gump, Mary Ann McFeeley, Ed Horne, Donna West, June and Keith McGill, Dianna Donaldson, Chuck Montecello, Glenn Miles, Dave Cummings, Doug Ward, Mark Knabenshue, Rick McFeeley, Deron Wood, Susan Alberti, Bryan Dunn, Dana Wilson, Marge McWreath, Tim Knabenshue, Jack Burnfield, Debbie Rugg, Joyce Pastorchalk and Reba Flowers. PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER Postlude Hymn: “Standing on the Promises” Charge and Benediction
We're very glad that you joined us today! If you need anything during this time, please contact a session member or email the church. If you have prayer requests or announcements, please contact Linda Miller. If you need food from our food pantry, please contact Becky Phillips.
Good morning!
We're so happy you've joined us today!
When we were able to meet in person, we shared our joys and concerns together. Take a few minutes to consider the past week, and what joys or concerns you have. These could be for yourself, a loved one, our community, our country or our world. Feel free to share any of these in the comments if you would like us all to pray for this as well. When you are ready, use the prayer below (from this website):
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