Introit

“When Jesus Wept” by William Billings

Drew Seminary Choir

When Jesus wept
A falling tear
Of mercy flowed beyond all bounds
When Jesus groaned
A trembling fear
Seized all the guilty world around.

Call to Worship

One: God has shown us what is good, and what then is required of us?
All: To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.
One: Jesus says: Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the One who sent me.
All: The Spirit says, “Come.” Let each one who hears the Spirit say, “Come,” for all are welcome here.
One: Let us worship God!

Hymn of Welcome

“Great is Thy Faithfulness” UMH #140

Scripture

Luke 4:18-22 (NIV)

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because God has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor
God has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind
to set the oppressed free,
19     to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.

Sermon

Bishop Schol

Sung Response

Table Liturgy

Invitation

Passing of the Peace

As beloved children of God, may we welcome each other with signs of peace and joy.

A Lenten Thanksgiving

One:  God is with us.
ALL:  Thanks be to God.
One:  May we tear open our hearts to God.

One:
Moses was with God on Mt. Sinai, forty days, and he neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

It rained for forty days and night and when it stopped Noah sent out a dove who returned with an olive branch.

Led by the Holy Spirit, Jesus went into the wilderness where, for forty days, he was tempted by the devil.

Fasting, floating, fierce denying, forty days.

Promises placed.  Covenants come. God approaches again and again.
For all that God has done and has yet to do in and through and with us,
we give God thanks and praise this Holy Name.

“Sanctus”

One:

Jesus called us to the words of the prophet … Is not this the fast that we choose? To share our bread with the hungry, to set free the prisoners, love the lonely and house the homeless? Then our light will shine forth like the dawn and when we call out, God will answer, “Here I am.”

On the night before he was killed, Jesus took bread, after he had given thanks and blessed it, he broke it saying, “This is my body given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

After dinner Jesus took the cup, gave thanks and passed it to them, saying “This is the cup of the new covenant. It is the cup of justice and peace poured out for all. Drink this in remembrance of me.”

The fast tried us.  The temptation overcame us. We could not hold on. Jesus was taken to the cross. For that mystery that is God’s faithfulness in us and our faithfulness in God, we praise God and sing in hope,

“Memorial Acclamation”

Jesus gathered the disciples around the table and told them to remember. Jesus gathers us around a table and calls us to remember. This bread made from stones. This cup poured from rainbows. The body of Christ made whole in this wilderness.Come, Holy Spirit, make this holy food for these forty days.  As we eat, as we drink, we remember, and we choose the fast that Jesus begs. Let us all say together, AMEN.

Sung Lord’s Prayer

Music During Communion

“Without Seeing You” TFWS #2206

Blessing

Bishop Schol

Sending Forth

“Still Have Joy”

After all
After everything I’ve seen
Thank God I still
Still, still have joy!

Through the storm
And the rain, Through heartache, yes and pain
Thank God I still
Still, still have joy!

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Worship Notes:

Call to Worship from: http://www.welcomingresources.org/liturgies.htm

Table Liturgy: Tanya Linn Bennett © 2016 used by permission