Rev Ed Sunday-Winters – Service
Hal Parker – Musical Director
Andrew Koehler – Piano
Roy MacNeil – Violin
Priscilla Bonney-Smith – Flowers
Sunday Service
2nd Sunday in Lent
March 5, 2023
10:00am
Scripture: John 3:1-17
Sermon: “Sent to Save” by Rev. Ed Sunday-Winters
*Hymn: #208 (New Century Hymnal) God Loved the World
*Hymn: #347 (New Century Hymnal) Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ
*Hymn: #530 (New Century Hymnal) God Our Autho
Prelude: Preludio Adagio from Sonata No. 10 – Arcangelo Corelli (Piano and Violin)
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship
One: From the safety and comfort of home, God called Abram to go from all he knew to embrace a future yet to be revealed.
All: “Go from,” God says, and our hesitant hearts place one foot in front of the other to trust God with the unknown.
One: By night, Nicodemus came seeking greater insight into the teachings of God for the journey set before him. Jesus called him out of the shadows and towards a life born anew.
All: “Go towards” God says, and a new life awaits us. We reach towards a God who has not come to condemn the world but to offer a salve that can heal all wounds.
One: We fear the unknown and that which we lack in understanding. “How can this be?” we proclaim with Nicodemus. And yet, God’s call is one that urges us to go with our whole self into that unknowing, trusting that God will provide a way.
All: Love calls us forth into lives of transformation, born anew into new paths of faith. Though we do not know where we are going, God has promised to never leave us alone. Let us worship the One who will show us the way.
Opening Prayer
*Gloria Patri #36
Glory be to the Creator, and to the Christ and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
*Hymn: #208 (New Century Hymnal) God Loved the World
Prayer of Confession and Grace
One: O God, we all too often wish to go our own way, maintain control, and rely on our own strength rather than trust that you will provide. Forgive us in our unwillingness to live by faith or to not trust you with providing all that we need for the journey.
All: May God’s mercy surround our weaknesses with grace for restoring us to hope everlasting.
One: Friends, the call of God does not leave us isolated and condemned on a road of uncertainty, fear, and mistakes made. God’s unending love and compassion is for all whose burdens are heavy and whose weary journey brings tears. May the tender arms of God carry you forth in strength.
All: God has not come to condemn, but to offer a healing salve for our wounds. We welcome God’s healing and salvation through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture: John 3:1-17
Anthem: “Meditation from Thais” – Jules Massanett (Piano and Violin)
Sermon: “Sent to Save” by Rev. Ed Sunday-Winters
A Time of Silence
Offertory
*Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen.
*Unison Prayer of Dedication
O God who calls us to go out into the world with generosity, may these gifts call us from our lives of comfort and towards a faith journey that embraces your love, justice, and compassion for a world in need of your healing. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.
Communion
*Hymn: #347 (New Century Hymnal) Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer (using “debts:” turn to the bottom of page #271 in the green hymnal)
*Hymn: #530 (New Century Hymnal) God Our Author and Creator
*Benediction by Rev. Ed Sunday-Winters
*Musical Benediction
“We are Building a New World” (tune of “We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder”, #500 NCH),
“We are building up a new world, We are building up a new world, We are building up a new world, Builders must be strong!”“Rise, shine and give God glory, Rise, shine and give God glory, Rise, shine and give God glory, Children of the Light.”
Postlude: Allegro in F Major from Sonata III – George Frideric Handel