The Service of Shadows-The Tenebrae service of light to darkness 2017

A dramatic reading based on a harmony of the Gospels.

Readers:

Narrator, Jesus, Disciples, Pharisee, Judas, Chief Priests, Peter, Pilate, Crowd

Opening: It was the week we now call Holy Week. It was the week that Jesus, who had turned his face toward Jerusalem, entered the city. It was the week of the Passover feast and the city was swollen with people. The faithful followers of God had come to worship. Jesus, also faithful to God, entered with his disciples. We too enter with him into this fateful week as witnesses. Who will we be? How will we see Jesus? What will we say? Why will we still follow? Or will we walk away? “Stay with me…watch with me…will you too abandon me?”

Narrator:

1. Sunday Jesus Enters Jerusalem

Narrator: When they were approaching Jerusalem at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said…

Jesus: Go into the village ahead of you there you will find a colt. Untie it and bring it. If anyone asks why you are doing this; tell them, ‘the Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’”

Narrator: The disciples did just as Jesus had asked and it came to pass just as Jesus had said. They brought the colt to Jesus and he sat on it. As the entered Jerusalem, many people spread their cloaks along the road. They cut down leafy branches and were shouting Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the coming of our kingdom David. Hosanna in the highest heaven! Jesus entered the city and straight way went to the Temple. As it was late he went with his disciples to Bethany. And so ended the first day.

Extinguish 1^st candle

2. Monday Jesus Enters the Temple

Narrator: Now Jesus wandered to the city the next day and came to the Temple. He began driving out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves and he would not allow anyone to carry anything into the temple.

Jesus: Have you not heard. DO you not know. Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations?’ But, you have made it a den of robbers.”

Narrator: Now the chief priests and the scribes heard about what happened at the temple. They had been looking for a way to kill Jesus because they were afraid of him. They were angry at his teachings. They were frustrated with his followers. Jesus was a nuisance and he had to go.

Extinguish 2^nd candle

Hymn Ah Holy Jesus, How have you offended. v.1,2 #93

3. Tuesday Jesus Teaches his Disciples

Narrator: A new day dawned and Jesus and his disciples again traveled around and through the city. Along the way, Jesus was questioned about his authority to teach and speak the things he does. He spoke in parables about vineyards and taxes. Each time the authorities listened to Jesus speak they wanted to arrest him. They didn’t because they were afraid of the crowds. Jesus came to the Temple and began teaching. He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many people came putting money into the treasury. The rich put in large sums of money. A poor woman came and put in two copper coins. Jesus called his disciples over to tell them…

Jesus: Truly, I tell you this poor widow has put in more than all those other people have done. All of those have given out their abundance; but she has given out of her poverty using all she had to live on. Let us go now.

Disciples: Look at these large stones of the temple!

Jesus: Not one of these will be left upon another. All will be thrown down.

Disciples: When will this be Lord?

Jesus: Beware no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am He.’ Nation will rise up against nation and kingdom and kingdom. This is but the beginning of the birthpangs. As for yourselves, beware. They will hand you over to the councils and you will be beaten in the synagogues. The good news must first be proclaimed to the nations. When they bring you to trial, do not worry. Say whatever is given to you at the time, for it is not you to speak, but the Holy Spirit…Be alert. I have told you everything.

Extinguish 3^rd candle

Hymn Go to Dark Gethsemane v. 1,2 #97

4. Wednesday Judas Decides to Betray Jesus

Narrator: This day was the day that the fate of Jesus was set in motion. It was two days before the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus and kill him.

Pharisee: Not during the festival. There is a crowd here and they might riot if we act now.

Narrator: Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray Jesus. Judas chose to betray the best friend he ever had. He made the decision that Jesus was no longer the one he expected him to be.

Judas: Jesus has failed me. Jesus is useless. Jesus is never going to be king. Jesus will never overthrow the government. Jesus is letting money go to waste by letting a woman pour expensive oil all over him. Jesus is not doing his job. Jesus is betraying his promise to the people. It is time for him to go!

Narrator: He was turning his back on the son of man and no one could change his mind. He had no idea that his plan would lead to the cross. He just wanted him out of the way. It was time for another to fight for the kingdom.

Chief Priest: Judas you are such a fine man to come to us today. You will be greatly rewarded for your efforts. We are quite pleased you have made the right decision to bring Jesus to us and turn him over to the rules of the Law.

Narrator: From that moment forwarded Judas began to look for a way to betray Jesus.

Extinguish 4^th candle

5. Thursday Jesus has his Last Meal with the Disciples

Narrator: This was the first day of Unleavened Bread; the day when the Passover lamb was slaughtered.

Disciples: Where do you want us to go to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?

Narrator: Jesus gave them instructions to follow as they entered the city. The disciples set out and found everything the way Jesus had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. In the evening they all gathered. Jesus got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. He poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him,

Peter: “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus: “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

Peter: No! You shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus: “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

Peter: Lord, then, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!

Jesus: Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.

Narrator: Jesus knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. When the disciples heard Jesus say one of them would betray him. Jesus said it would be the one who he gives bread to after he has dipped it. They began to be distressed.

Disciples: Surely it isn’t I?

Judas: Surely, not I, Rabbi?

Jesus: You have said so.

Narrator: And Judas immediately got up and went out. And it was night.

Anthem Adult Choir Face the Cross Scott & Ruth Elaine Schram

Narrator: After the meal was finished they went out to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus prayed while the others were not far off.

Jesus: My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me.

Narrator: Three times when he came back he found his disciples asleep.

Jesus: Are you still sleeping? Look the hour is and the son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer.

Judas: The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.

Narrator: A crowd had come carrying swords and clubs. With Judas were the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the temple. The men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested him. The disciples deserted him and fled.

While Jesus was being questioned, and accused of blasphemy at the home of the High Priest, Peter was in the courtyard not far off. Three times he was recognized. First by a servant woman and then by two of the bystanders. “Surely you are one of them,” they said. Each time Peter denied he was with Jesus. And on the third time he began to curse and he swore an oath. At that moment, the cock crowed for the second time and Peter remembered the words of Jesus, “Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.” And, he broke down and wept.

6. Friday Jesus is Crucified

Narrator: On Friday Jesus was brought before Pilate, the governor, by the entire council. The council accused Jesus in front of the governor saying,

Chief Priests: This fellow has been leading our people to ruin by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman government and by claiming he is our Messiah-their king.

Pilate: are you the King, the Messiah?

Jesus: It is as you say.

Pilate: This is not a crime.

Chief Priests: He is causing riots against the government everywhere he goes.

Narrator: It was the custom of the governor at this time of the Festival to release a prisoner of the choice of the crowd.

Pilate: I ask you people who would you want released, Jesus or Barabbas?

Crowd: Barabbas

Pilate: What should I do with Jesus?

Crowd: Crucify him!

Pilate: Why, what crime has he commited.

Crowd: Crucify him! Crucify him!

Narrator: Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified.

Solo Were you there When they Crucified My Lord? Ed Satterfield.

Narrator: The soldiers took Jesus and mocked him. They dressed him in a purple robe. They spat on him. They gave him a scepter and yelled at him and spat on him. They struck him and whipped him. They placed a crown of thorns on his head. Then they led him out to the place of the skull; also known as Golgotha. Jesus stumbled and fell along the path as he carried his cross.

They nailed Jesus to the cross and lifted him up. Alongside him were two prisoners, one on his right and one on his left. Darkness covered the land. The curtain of the temple tore in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. Jesus cried out, “Eloi, Eloi, lama, sabachthani?” which means, My God, My God why have you forsaken me? Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, “It is finished.” and he breathed his last.

Loud Slam-7^th candle extinguished-lights out abruptly.

Return to Light

Return to light

L: The true light that enlightens everyone came into the world through Christ

P: Though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.

L: In him was life, and his life was the light of all.

P: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.

*Closing Hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling v. 1,2,4 #376

*All: Truly he was the Son of God

Leave quietly…

The sanctuary is stripped bare

Bulletin August 2, 2015 Ordinary Time

(MPC) (All are invited to sing):

Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here.

Come bow before him now, with reverence and fear.

In him no sin is found; we stand on holy ground.

Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here.

Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place.

He comes to cleanse and heal, to minister his grace.

No work too hard for him; in faith receive from him.

Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place.

Choral opening-(NMPC)-Joyful, joyful we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love; Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, Opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the gloom of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day.

Call to Worship

L:Be joyful in the Lord!

P:We come to God with a song in our hearts

L: Enter God’s gates with thanksgiving

P: We enter and call upon God’s name

L: The Lord is good

P: The Lord is good

L: we hear God’s voice call our name

P: God who made us, claims us

L: We go into this hour of worship knowing,

P: we are God’s people and the sheep of God’s pasture.

L: Shout for joy to God of all the earth!

P: Alleluia! Praise the Lord!

Opening Prayer

Hymn #487 When Morning Gilds the Skies

Time with Children

Prayer of confession

Sometimes, O God, it is so hard to come to you in prayer. Our thoughts desire you, our mind is reminded of you, but, deep within we hurt, we are ashamed, we suffer, and we cannot bring the words we need to say before you. Show us that we need not be afraid. You are not the big daddy with a bad stick, you are the God of great wonder and love. Help us to receive your love through your son Jesus Christ, fresh and new, as if for the first time. Make a new path for us and we will follow, Amen.

Expression of faith

Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. In him all things in heaven and earth were created, all that is seen and all that is unseen. Christ is before all things, the one in whom all things hold together. Christ is the head of the body, the head of the Church. In Christ all things were reconciled to God. Glory to you, firstborn of all creation. Amen. (from Colossians 1:15-20)

Readings: Psalm 16:5-11,

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Special Music Jill Cathey

Sermon: Celebration!

The Lord’s Supper (NMPC&MPC)

Hymn of Preparation #514 Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ

Communion

Hymn #412 Eternal God, Whose Power Upholds 1,2,4

Bulletin June 28, 2015 Ordinary Time-Going off Lectionary for the next few weeks.

The Choral Call to Worship (MPC) (All are invited to sing):

Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here.

Come bow before him now, with reverence and fear.

In him no sin is found; we stand on holy ground.

Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here.

Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place.

He comes to cleanse and heal, to minister his grace.

No work too hard for him; in faith receive from him.

Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place.

Choral opening-(NMPC)-Joyful, joyful we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love; Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, Opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the gloom of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day.

Call to Worship:

L: How marvelous are God's works!

P: God has made all that lives; the heavens and earth declare the goodness of God

L: God has made all the creatures that crawl and the birds that sing.

P: God’s hands are open and give provision in due season. When God sends forth his Spirit, they are created.

L: God renews the face of the earth. God’s Spirit revives the creatures and puts in them a new heart.

P: God gives breath to all that lives

L: Let us rejoice and sing!

P: Let us praise God from whom all good things come. Let us worship!

*The Hymn #469 Morning has Broken

A Prayer for Fathers

The Prayer of Confession: O God, we confess today we’d rather be somewhere else. We’d rather be fishing, or at the beach, or sleeping late. But, instead we are here, praying, singing, listening to your Word. Forgive us when we stray. Forgive us when we lose interest in you and your church. Revive our spirits that we might see you in all our lives and in all our ways. Refresh our hearts that in you we find our delight, and the source of our joy. Through Jesus Christ, who laughed with the children, and sang with the people, and who loved all creation. Amen.

*The Gloria Patri

* An Expression of Faith: I believe in truth as a living Reality, not captured in theory or a creed, but revealed to those who love; the truth of Jesus, the Spirit of truth, the truth of God.

Because I believe I trust, not blindly but open eyed and bold as a child climbing into a mother’s lap; the truth of Jesus, the Spirit of truth, the truth of God.

Because I believe I serve, not as a slave that serves a tyrant but like farmers reaping a harvest; the truth of Jesus, the Spirit of truth, the truth of God.— © B D Prewer 2001

The Readings: Psalm 30; Ezekiel 37: 1-14

Special Music (MPC) by Jill Cathey

Sermon: Dry Bones

*Hymn #326 Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart

Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

The Presentation of Tithes and Offering

Offertory

*The Doxology and Offertory Prayer

*The Closing Hymn #118 The Day of Resurrection!

This unison benediction is for both churches NMPC&MPC (NMPC follows the unison benediction with the usual-‘Lord bless you and keep you’)

* The Benediction: May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand. Amen

Bulletin June 21, 2015 Ordinary Time-Going off Lectionary for the next few weeks.

The Choral Call to Worship (MPC) (All are invited to sing):

Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here.

Come bow before him now, with reverence and fear.

In him no sin is found; we stand on holy ground.

Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here.

Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place.

He comes to cleanse and heal, to minister his grace.

No work too hard for him; in faith receive from him.

Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place.

Call to Worship:

L: God is our strength and our source of salvation

P: Out of habit we turn to God when life is hard or we are bored

L: We turn to God who loves us and fills us with good things

P: A new habit forms as we remember the God of glory

L: Father of us all, creator and sustainer, Light of the world

P: In all things and all times we rejoice and sing, we give God all our praise!

*The Hymn #293 This is My Father’s World

A Prayer for Fathers

The Prayer of Confession: O God, we come to you bored with routines, tired of the same thing day in and day out. Even sitting in pews wears us out. We come to you hoping you have something new for us, but we are so caught up in drudgery we cannot see the light of your face. Forgive our inability to see you or hear you. Forgive our worn-out selves. Show us where your Word gives new hope and new energy. Reignite us by your Holy Spirit. Pull us up out of our routines and revive us with your Joy. Lead us into new life in Jesus Christ. Amen.

*The Gloria Patri

* An Expression of Faith: Apostle’s Creed

The Readings: Psalm 130; 1 Samuel 16: 1-5

Special Music (MPC) by Jill Cathey

Special Music: (NMPC) Nancy (don’t know last name) and family

Sermon: Men of Faith

*Hymn #280 Amazing Grace

Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

The Presentation of Tithes and Offering

Offertory

*The Doxology and Offertory Prayer

*The Closing Hymn #339 Be Thou My Vision

Bulletin June 14, 2015 Ordinary Time-Going off Lectionary for the next few weeks.

The Choral Call to Worship (MPC) (All are invited to sing):

Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here.

Come bow before him now, with reverence and fear.

In him no sin is found; we stand on holy ground.

Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here.

Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place.

He comes to cleanse and heal, to minister his grace.

No work too hard for him; in faith receive from him.

Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place.

Call to Worship:

L: Come people of God, let us gather together in the house of the Lord

P: We gather in the place where we bless God’s name and receive God’s love.

L: We turn off our cell phones, we shut down our tablets, we stop for a moment of rest.

P: We tune our ears to a new sound, the whispers, the prayers, the songs, the voice of God

L: We give ourselves this hour

P: To Christ who gave himself for us. Yes! we worship God!

Prayer of Invocation

*The Hymn #285 God, You Spin The whirling Planets

The Prayer of Confession: We come to you O God, knowing we have crossed you in our ways of life. We have passed over the needy and reached out to help ourselves. We have looked beyond the suffering and indulged in our own desires. We have crossed you even as you have brought us across the divides and opened us to new life. Help us to see you, to know you and to move into the new ways of living for you and others by the power of your Holy Spirit. In Christ’s name. Amen.

*The Gloria Patri

* An Expression of Faith: We believe in God beyond us, maker and sustainer of all life and all creation. We believe in God beside us, Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. We believe in God within us, the Holy Spirit of Pentecostal fire and life giving breath of the church. Amen (Robert Close)

The Readings: Psalm 135:1-7; Joshua 3:13-17

Special Music (MPC) by Jill Cathey

Anthem: (NMPC)

Sermon: Crossings

*Hymn #466 O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing

Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

The Presentation of Tithes and Offering

Offertory

*The Doxology and Offertory Prayer

*The Closing Hymn #281 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

*The Benediction:

Bulletin June 7, 2015 Ordinary Time-Going off Lectionary for the next few weeks.

Choral opening-(MPC&NMPC)-Joyful, joyful we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love; Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, Opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the gloom of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day.

Call to Worship

L:Welcome to this place:

P:where children and seasoned citizens sit side by side,

L: where heaven and earth embrace in peace,

P: where God has been, is, and always will be.

L: Welcome to this place, as we gather with all of God's children:

P: where we find God's love,

L: where we hear the tender voice of Jesus,

P: where the Spirit teaches us new songs.

L: Welcome to this place, where all is made ready by our God:

P: where we bring our hunger, and find food;

L: where we our brokenness, and find healing;

P: where we bring our very selves, and find acceptance (source unknown)

Opening Prayer

Hymn #288 I Sing the Mighty Power of God

Sacrament of Baptism (NMPC-only)

Hymn following Baptism #492 Baptized in Water v.1,3

Time with Children

Prayer of confession

Everybody else does it, Watching God, and we confess that we do as well. We listen to those whose promises are sold to the highest bidder. We idolize celebrities as if they were teachers of ethics. We long for that one person who will make everything right, once again, once and for all.
Is it any wonder we are a disappointed people, God of Hope? Forgive us for turning our backs on you, even as you continue to stretch out your arms to us. Forgive us for trusting in those who prove to be false, rather than having faith in your love. Forgive us, and fill us with the spirit of faith which is given to us in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen. (Thom Shuman)

Expression of faith

Q. 1. What is your only comfort, in life and in death?

A. That I belong--body and soul, in life and in death--not to myself but to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for all my sins and has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil; that he protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit his purpose for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him. (Heidelberg Catechism q-1)

Readings: Psalm 139:13-18,

Exodus 2:1-10

Special Music Jill Cathey

Sermon: Waters of Life

Hymn #316 Breathe on Me, Breath of God

The Lord’s Supper (NMPC-only)

Hymn of Preparation #329 Break Thou the Bread of Life

Communion

Hymn #391 Take My Life v. 1,2,3,6

Bulletin May 31, 2015 Fifth Sunday-music Sing and Church Picnic

announcements The MPC website can be found at: http://www.makemiepresbyterianchurch.org/

Choral opening-(MPC)-Joyful, joyful we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love; Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, Opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the gloom of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day.

Gathering words-read in unison

Come into God’s gates with Thanksgiving and into God’s courts with praise! Let us praise God together for all the wonderful works for the children of God. Let us worship God!

opening prayer-unison

Almighty God, your mercies are without number, and your goodness is forever. We give you thanks this day for all the gifts you have poured out upon us. We rejoice in the many ways you have given us to express our love, our joy and our concerns. May we lift our hearts to you today in song and praise. May we hear your Word and go out to be your people when we go from this place. Amen.

opening hymn Praise Ye the Lord #482

A Reading-Enter! (see below)

A festival of singing

This is My Father’s World #293 (2 verses)

O Beautiful for Spacious Skies #564 (2 Verses)

I Sing a Song of the Saints of God #364 (2 Verses)

Prayer of Commitment:

O God, help us to be faithful in every little duty as well as in large things, not stopping to count the cost. May we not be afraid of trying to do the things which seem impossible, nor shrink from doing the things that are disagreeable. Forgive our neglect and fears and direct our paths towards your righteousness. May we in everything we do, have some small part in bringing in the Kingdom of God through the love and mercy of Christ Jesus. Amen. (portion of prayer from 1926 hymnal)

Hymn of Faith Expression Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine # 341 (2 Verses)

Readings: Psalm 65:5-13; Matthew 14:13-21

Special Music (MPC) Jill Cathey

Anthem (NMPC) All Creatures of Our God and King #455

Sermon-12 baskets

Hymn Come Thou Fount #356

The usual here: Prayers of People and Offering etc…

Closing Hymn Let All Things Now Living #554

The Reading-Enter!

Come! Enter with me!

Enter and open the windows,

Tear open the shutters, push the cobwebs away,

Let the breeze, the wind, the air fill this place.

Enter! Open the doors, break open the locks, don’t be afraid

Let the doubt and certainties, let the fears and failings get swept away,

Let the rhythm of songs, let the refrains of praise lead the way.

Come! Enter with me!

Come men and women, girls and boys,

Come neighbors and shop keepers, come vacationers and strangers,

Let the refrain of summer,

the sun, the sea, the sounds of birds

open our eyes, fill our nostrils, and unplug our ears.

Let the whole world find the way to enter here!

Come! Enter with me!

Let the sounds, the rhythms, the refrains of life’s love

-the God who sets us free-

Ring true for you and me.

Come! Enter with me!

The place is clear, the space is safe, the sound is sacred.

Let refrain of worship, glory and honor, prayers and wonder, be from the beginning and forever our way of life to be.

Come! Enter with me!

Bulletin May 24, 2015 Pentecost/Memorial Day

Call to Worship

L: The day of Pentecost is here

P: The birthday of the church has come

L: The day of Pentecost is here

P: The day when divided tongues united all

L: The day of Pentecost is here

P: The day when the wind of faith swooped into our hearts

L: The day of Pentecost is here

P: The day when the flames and fire of God’s love consumed our lives.

L: The day is here!

P: Let us rejoice and sing; let us worship God!

Hymn There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit #398

Moment of Remembrance-Memorial Day

Hymn My Country, ‘Tis of Thee #561

Prayer of Confession

God of every nation and all things, your Spirit came to us in the rush of a wind. Your Spirit fills us and equips us. We remember today those who have fallen through battles and wars. We give thanks for those who gave their lives. We confess we have not used your power to promote peace and justice. We confess we have not loved enough nor are we learning to love enough. Our world is struggling with prejudice and we ask forgiveness for our part in it. Use your Spirit’s power to stir us from placidness and move us into action for your Kingdoms’ sake. Amen.

Expression of Faith

We believe in God who gave us life and in the Son who renewed us, and brought us back to the fullness of unity with God. We believe in the Holy Spirit who came through rushing wind, and with the flames of fire binding all together. We believe the Holy Spirit is still at work within us in this age. We trust that it is by the Spirit we are called into lives of purpose and given the tools we need to do the work of ministry. We might not understand the work or even the people we are to serve. We might not fully understand the Spirit and the Spirit’s power. Yet, we hold fast to the promise of God that it is the Spirit who gives us courage and fills us with confidence. We give gratitude to God who empowers us by the Holy Spirit to serve Christ in our daily routines and to live holy and joyful lives. Amen.

Readings: Psalm 104:24-34 Acts 2:1-12

Sermon: Spirit Work

Hymn Spirit # 319

Hymn Lord, You Give the Great Commission v. 1,2,5 #429

For All the Saints-a Memorial Day poem/thought

For all the Saints who from their labors rest

That in thy name oh Jesus, they be ever blest.

Your soldiers Lord they lived and died

protecting those from every side

Their lives they gave oh God most high

keeping watch by day and night

Your people first they were and

then to you they gave their souls

as they fought the fight from coast to coast

to bring again the peace of earth

to which creation was once had known.

For all your saints who from their labor rest

may we who live today give honor to their names.

May we who live today remember all their faces

and say their names so in our pause this day

we may know their lives were not in vain.

For all your saints who from their labors rest

soldiers of the world, not just of this place,

have given to those who trusted them

to do the work to end the strife of pain and hate,

to bring a place where flowers grow

and love is stronger than the foe.

Help us oh God not to forget those who went before

and fought for all you taught to love and honor and obey

the kingdom rules given on a mountain so far away;

To love the stranger, widow, orphan and to walk in God’s ways.

And so today in honor of all the saints who from their labors rest

we will your people be and never to forget

we too shall lift our hearts and brave we shall be

and with the force of love, peace will cover the land and sea.

And creation in harmony will find its rest indeed.

Bulletin May 17 Easter 7

Prelude

Choral Call to Worship (tune found hymn #106) MPC only

Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia! Give praise to His name. Come, let us praise the living God, Joyfully sing to our Savior. Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia! Give praise to His name.

Call to Worship

L: From comfortable pews, from tricycle seats, from easy chairs in front of TVs:
P: God gathers us in, giving us the words with which to proclaim the gospel.
L: At kitchen sinks, at laptops and blackboards, at nursing stations:
P: Christ calls us to share in serving all creation.
L: In communities gathered to pray, in memories of those who served, in families grilling in the backyard:
P: The Holy Spirit fills us with God's joy. Thom Shuman

Hymn: Come, Christians, Join to Sing #150

Mission Focus: Shepherd Program (NMPC only)

Prayer of Confession

How foolish we are, Calling God, to think we could be happy when we sit in comfortable seats, and scoff at your call to discipleship; or run down the easy streets of sin, rather than following Jesus; or idolize the celebrities and superstars, and not see you in those who wait on us in stores, restaurants, and sport arenas. Forgive us, Author of Life. Keep us from our silly selfishness as we seek to become those branches children can climb on; as we hope to provide shade for fellow pilgrims; as we long to be continually nourished by the Living Water of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen. Thom Shuman

Expression of faith

We bless you, God! You raised Jesus Christ from the dead, and in so doing you gave us a new birth, a life of hope -- a gift that is imperishable, perfect and unfading. Our lives are now in your Realm. We trust that you save us for your purposes, which you will reveal in your time. Therefore we are willing to suffer in practicing our faith, for the sake of praise and glory and honor when Christ is revealed. We have not seen you, but we love you; and we rejoice with indescribable and glorious joy. Alleluia!

Amen. 1 Peter 1:3-9 Steve Garnaas-Holmes

Readings: Psalm 1,

Special Music Jill Cathey

Acts 1:15-17 & 21-26

Sermon: Divine Dice

Hymn Give Thanks, O Christian People #552

Hymn Stand Up and Bless the Lord # 491

Bulletin May 10 Easter 6

Prelude

Choral Call to Worship (tune found hymn #106) MPC only

Call to Worship

L: And Jesus said, "Come!"
P: To all mothers and all children: he said, "Come!"
L: to the motherless and the childless: he said, "Come!"
P: to all who long to be mothered: he said, "Come!
L: Come unto me all ye who labor and are heavy-laden,
P: and I will give you rest.
L: Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
P: for I am gentle and humble of heart
and you will find rest for your souls." Carol Penner

Hymn: Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above # 483

Litany to Honor Women

Prayer of Confession

God without favorites, from every nation you accept all of your creation, fathers, mothers, children, sisters, brothers, cousins, and all things living. Yet, we are filled with refusal to accept all who you call your own. We refuse to open our hearts to our own families, our own children, our own siblings. We need the forgiveness and spiritual healing that you offer us in Jesus the Christ. Free us from the anguish and strife within us, that we may be free to worship you with great joy and, bearing witness to Christ,
crucified and raised from the dead. Create in us new hearts for love and courage for service. Amen.

Expression of faith- We believe in God, Creator of all things, heavenly father and mother, Soul of infinite love, wisdom, and power, ruler of all that is and all that is to come, who is mystery, yet revealed. We follow Christ, God's chosen one, who loved and served humbly, who healed the broken and included the outcast, who chose to suffer rather than harm for the sake of the healing of all Creation, who gave his life for our redemption, and who was raised by God to new life.
In his teaching, in his death and resurrection, and in his presence with us in all circumstances, he reveals God to us. He calls us to serve him for the sake of proclaiming God's grace. Amen. Steve Garnaas-Holmes

Readings: Psalm 98,

Special Music Jill Cathey

1 John 5:1-6

Sermon: God’s Kids-that’s Us

Hymn Wherever I May Wander # 294

Hymn We All are One in Mission # 435

The Litany:

A litany to honor women

P: We walk in the company of the women who have gone before, mothers of the faith both named and unnamed, testifying with ferocity and faith to the spirit of wisdom and healing.
L: They are the judges, the prophets, the martyrs, the warriors, poets, lovers and saints who are near to us in the shadow of awareness, in the crevices of memory, in the landscape of our dreams.

P: We walk in the company of Deborah,
L: who judged the Israelites with authority and strength.

P: We walk in the company of Esther,
L: who used her position as queen to ensure the welfare of her people.

P: We walk in the company of your whose names have been lost and silenced,
L: who kept and cradled the wisdom of the ages.

P: We walk in the company of the woman with the flow of blood,
L: who audaciously sought her healing and release.

P: We walk in the company of Mary Magdalene,
L: who wept at the empty tomb until the risen Christ appeared.

P: We walk in the company of Phoebe,
L: who led an early church in the empire of Rome.

P: We walk in the company of Julian of Norwich,
L: who wed imagination and theology, proclaiming “all shall be well”.

P: We walk in the company of Sojourner Truth,
L: who stood against oppression, righteously declaring in 1852, “ain’t i a woman!”

P: We walk in the company of the Argentine mothers of the Plaza de Mayo,
L: who turned their grief to strength, standing together to remember “the disappeared” children of war with a holy indignation.

P: We walk in the company of you mothers of the faith,
L: who teach us to resist evil with boldness, to lead with wisdom, and to heal.

Amen.

Bulletin May 3, 2015 Easter 5 NMPC

Prelude

Choral Call to Worship

same as before

Call to Worship

L: God is love,

P: and those who abide in love, abide in God,

L: and God abides in them.

P: The love of God transforms us and people everywhere. Let us worship God!

Hymn: #285 God, You Spin the Whirling Planets

Prayer of confession

God of wonder and love. We struggle to live in your love. Day after day we are troubled by the life that swirls around us. We feel helpless to act or to share your love when there are so many filled with harmful and hurtful ways. Open our minds and our hearts that we might seek to serve you in those we meet along the way. Forgive us when we are silent when we ought to speak. Forgive us when we speak yet do not act. Forgive us when we refuse to grow in you. Turn us toward your love that our lives might be changed for your glory. Amen.

Expression of faith

We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God:

preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed

and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted,

eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain

and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.

Readings: Psalm 22: 25-31, Acts 8:26-40

Sermon: The Hardest Question

Hymn preparation for the Lord’s Supper

#517 We Come as Guests Invited

Lord’s Supper

Closing hymn #358 Help Us Accept Each Other

Bulletin April 26, 2015 Easter 4 (Good Shepherd Sunday)

Prelude

Choral Call to Worship (tune found hymn #106)

Call to Worship

L: We gather together to worship God

P: We worship the Shepherd of our lives.

L: We worship God who has created us

P: We worship God who sustains us and redeems us

L: We trust God who walks beside us in good times and bad, and who calls us to follow.

P: This is our God. Let us Worship God together! (from Psalm 23, John 10 and I Peter 2)

Hymn: A Mighty Fortress is Our God v. 1,2,4 #260

Prayer of Confession

Gentle Shepherd, You guide us in right paths, You lead us in the ways of righteousness, but we have allowed our anger, our rage, our greed, and at times even hate, to direct our paths. We have overreacted, we have taken more than our share, we have despised others that seem to have it all. Forgive us, God, for not following Your ways. Forgive us for not remembering that we are Your sheep, and You are our Shepherd. Forgive us when we have not listened for Your voice and instead have acted in the ways of the world. Guide us back to Your path, to loving You and loving our neighbors. Help us to unclench our fists and lend out our hands in hope and healing, forgiveness and love. In the name of Christ our Shepherd we pray. Amen.

from: ( http://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/05/easter-4-confession-assurance.html)

Assurance of pardon

The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The Good Shepherd knows the sheep, and the Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep so that the sheep may live. We are part of the flock, we are part of Christ’s body. In Christ we find wholeness and restoration. Go forth and share this Good News.

Expression of faith

I believe I need a shepherd. Because I am sometimes timid and other times overconfident, because I often don't know the best path yet pretend I do, because I rush into dead ends or lead others into hazardous places, because my brightest ideas are seamed with darkness, because the things I crave may not be what is good for me, I need a shepherd.

I believe in Jesus, the best possible shepherd; his wisdom leads me to the best opportunities, his word comforts me when I'm anxious or afraid, his arm steadies me when I feel weary and heavy-laden, his wounded body displays the cost of my rescue. I believe in Jesus, the best possible shepherd. I believe that I do not find him but he finds me, that I under his care by virtue of sheer grace, the love he gives me is to be shared with others, that he treasures my name and prepares a place for me, that his fold transfixes earth and heaven. I trust Jesus, the good shepherd. Amen. ( 2002 Bruce D. Prewer.)

Readings: Psalm 23; John 10: 11-18

Sermon: Psalm 23-God’s Pursuit!

Hymn The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want #170

Hymn Christ is Made the Sure Foundation #417

Bulletin Sunday April 19, 2015 Easter 3

Prelude

Choral Call to Worship (tune found hymn #106)

L: See what love the Father has for us that we should be called the children of God!

P: Praise God for this gift of love!

L: We have received this message from the beginning,

P: That we should love one another in truth and action!

L: Our hope is in Christ who has been revealed to us!

P: Our faith is built on God’s promises. Let us worship God! (1 John 3)

Hymn: I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art #457

at NMPC-reception of new member April Thompson

Prayer of Confession

Oh God, we come to you confessing our sin. But, sometimes we are unsure of where we have wronged you or our neighbor. We know we have our faults and sometimes we wallow in them. You are the one who raised the dead to new life. Pull us up out of our self-pity. Deliver us from our self-doubt. Draw us into your arms of grace and renew us. Revive us. And send us into the world with the power of your love to guide us. Bring to our hearts, hands and feet the courage to share and live with ourselves and our neighbors as you have called us to. Amen.

Expression of faith- Prayer of faith of Patrick of Ireland (389-461)

I bind unto myself today the strong name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three. I bind this day to me forever, by power of faith, Christ's incarnation; his baptism in the Jordan river; his death on the cross for my salvation. His bursting from the spiced tomb; his riding up the heavenly way; his coming at the day of doom I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself today the virtues of the star-lit heaven, the glorious sun's life-giving ray, the whiteness of the moon at even, the flashing of the lightning free, the whirling wind's tempestuous shocks, the stable earth, the deep salt sea around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead, God's eye to watch, God's might to stay, God's ear to hearken to my need, the wisdom of my God to teach, God's hand to guide, God's shield to ward, the word of God to give me speech, God's heavenly host to be my guard.

Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. I bind unto myself the name, the strong name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, the One in Three, of whom all nature has creation, eternal Father, Spirit, Word.

Praise to the Lord of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord. Amen.

Readings: Psalm 4; Luke 24:36-48

Sermon: You are Witnesses

Hymn Celebrate with Joy and Singing #107

Hymn That Easter Day with Joy was Bright #121

Bulletin Sunday April 12, 2015 Easter 2 (MPC)

Prelude

Choral Call to Worship (tune found hymn #106)

L: We have seen with our eyes, concerning the Word of Life!

P: Alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord!

L: We seen, touched and heard the eternal life that was revealed to us!

P: Our fellowship is with the Father and the Son Jesus Christ!

L: This is the message; that God is light and there is no darkness in God!

P: Our joy is made complete in Christ! Alleluia! Alleluia! (1 John 1:1-6)

Hymn #113 Christ the Lord is Risen Today!

Prayer of Confession

Holy God we come to you today still full of wondering. We still have the door of our heart closed to you and we have locked away our feelings. We do not dare approach you for fear of rejection. Yet, you keep coming through closed doors and locked minds and grant us permission to touch you. Raise up our doubts into faithful life. Breathe the power of your Spirit in us. In the name of Jesus who reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Expression of faith

We praise and thank you, O God, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him you have enlightened us by revealing the Light that never fades, for death has been destroyed and radiant life is everywhere restored. What was promised is fulfilled; we have been joined to God through renewed life in the Spirit of the risen Lord. Glory and praise to God, through Jesus Christ the Son, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit in the kingdom of the light eternal, forever and ever. Amen. (Thanksgiving for the Light-Vigil of the Resurrection-BCW)

Readings: Psalm 133; John 20:19-31

Sermon: Resurrection Faith & Doubt

Hymn Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks #106

Hymn Christ is Alive! #108

Communion Liturgy Easter 2015

Music from the Methodist Faith We Sing

Invitation to the Table

Friends, this is the joyful feast of the people of God!

They will come from east and west and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God. According to Luke, when our risen Lord was at table with his disciples, he took the bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him. This is the Lord's Table. Our Savior invites all those gathered here to share the feast which he has prepared.

Great Thanksgiving

L: The Lord be with you

P: And also with you

L: Lift up your hearts

P: We lift them up to the Lord

L: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

P: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

SUNG by choir:

The Lord be with you….

It is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise, eternal God, creator and ruler of the universe. When we were unfaithful to you, you kept faith with us, your love remained steadfast. You spoke of love and justice in the prophets, and in the Word made flesh you lived among us, manifesting your glory.

He died that we might live, and is risen to raise us to new life. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with angels and archangels and with all the faithful of every time and place, who forever sing to the glory of your name:

SUNG by choir:

Holy, holy, holy Lord….

You are holy, O God of majesty, and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, whom you sent to save us. He came with healing in his touch, and was wounded for our sins.

He came with mercy in his voice, and was mocked as one despised. He came with peace in his heart, and met with violence and death. By your power he broke free from the prison of the tomb, and at his command the gates of hell were opened. The one who was dead now lives. The one who humbled himself is raised to rule over all creation, the Lamb upon the throne. The one ascended on high is with us always, as he promised.

Remembering all your mighty and merciful acts, we take this bread and this wine from the gifts you have given us, and celebrate with joy the redemption won for us in Jesus Christ. Accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving as a living and holy offering of ourselves, that our lives may proclaim the One crucified and risen.

SUNG by choir:

Christ has died….

Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine. Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit.

SUNG by choir:

Amen. Amen…

Breaking of the Bread

The Lord Jesus, on the night of his arrest, took bread,

and after giving thanks to God,

he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take, eat.

This is my body, given for you.

Do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way he took the cup, saying:

This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood,

shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.

Whenever you drink it,

do this in remembrance of me.

Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup,

you proclaim the saving death of the risen Lord,

until he comes.

Invite choir servers to come down

Communion of the People

Creator of all, just as this broken bread was first scattered upon the hills, then was gathered and became one, so may your church be gathered from the ends of the earth into your kingdom.

COME TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD!

Because there is one loaf, we, many as we are, are one body; for it is one loaf of which we all partake.

Prayer after Communion

Generous God, we thank you that you have fed us in this Sacrament, united us with Christ, and given us a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.

Here is the full liturgy from Holy Thursday:

Gathering words:

Today is Maundy Thursday, the Christian holy day remembering The Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples.

The word Maundy comes from the Middle English, and Old French mandé, from the Latin mandatum. It refers to the "new mandate" given by Jesus to his apostles. The Gospel of John tells us the story of Jesus bringing meaning of this mandate by washing the feet of his disciples before sharing his last meal with them on the night before he was crucified.

We follow this remembrance of the mandate with a Tenebrae, a service of shadows. The service of Tenebrae, meaning “darkness” or “shadows,” has been practiced by the church since medieval times. We join Christians of many generations throughout the world in using the liturgy of Tenebrae. This liturgy traces Christ’s suffering, the story of Christ’s passion. The music portrays his pathos, and the power of silence and darkness suggests the drama of this momentous day. As lights are extinguished, we ponder the depth of Christ’s suffering and death; we remember the cataclysmic nature of his sacrifice as we hear the overwhelming loud sound; and through the return of the small but persistent flame of the Christ candle at the conclusion of the service, we anticipate the joy of ultimate victory.

*Call to worship-please stand

*Opening prayer:

O God, your love was embodied in Jesus Christ, who washed disciples' feet on the night of his betrayal. Wash us from the stain of sin, so that, in hours of danger, we may not fail, but follow your Son through every trial, and praise him always as Lord and Christ, to whom be glory now and forever.

*Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,

thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

*Hymn What Wondrous Love #85

Prayer of confession

Eternal God whose covenant is never broken, we confess that we fail to fulfill your will. Though you have bound yourself to us, we will not bind ourselves to you. In Jesus Christ you serve us freely, but we refuse your love and withhold ourselves from others. We do not love you fully or love one another as you command. In your mercy forgive and cleanse us. Lead us to your Table and unite us with Christ who is the bread of life and the vine from which we grow in grace. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon:

The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. The God of mercy forgives our sins, strengthens us in all goodness by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Reading: On this day…

Jesus said:

I give you a new commandment,

that you love one another.

Just as I have loved you,

you also should love one another.

The minister says:

On this day

Christ the Lamb of God

gave himself into the hands of those who would slay him.

On this day

Christ gathered with his disciples in the upper room.

On this day

Christ took a towel and washed the disciples' feet,

giving us an example that we should do to others

as he has done to us.

On this day Christ our God gave us this holy feast, that we who eat this bread

and drink this cup

may here proclaim his holy sacrifice

and be partakers of his resurrection, and at the last day may reign with him in heaven.

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

*Hymn of Preparation An Upper Room Did Our Lord Prepare v. 1,2 #94

Reading The Mandatum Novum- the Mandate

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

13 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. ²The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper ³Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, ⁴got up from the table,^[a] took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. ⁵Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. ⁶He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” ⁷Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”⁸Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.”⁹Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” ¹⁰Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet,^[b] but is entirely clean. And you^[c] are clean, though not all of you.”¹¹For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

¹²After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? ¹³You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. ¹⁴So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. ¹⁶Very truly, I tell you, servants^[d] are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. ¹⁷If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

The New Commandment

³¹When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. ³²If God has been glorified in him,^[j] God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. ³³Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ ³⁴I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. ³⁵By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Invitation to the Table:

Hear the words of the institution

of the Holy Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ:

The Lord Jesus, on the night of his arrest, took bread, and after giving thanks to God, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way he took the cup, saying:

This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.

Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the saving death of the risen Lord,

until he comes.

*Hymn Let Us Break Bread Together #513

With thanksgiving, let us offer God our grateful praise. Prayer:

Lead us, O God, by the power of your Spirit to live as love commands.

Bound to Christ, set us free for joyful obedience and glad service. As Jesus gave his life for ours,

help us to live our lives for others with humility and persistent courage.

Give us strength to serve you faithfully until the promised day of resurrection, when, with the redeemed of all the ages, we will feast with you at your table in glory.

Through Christ, all glory and honor are yours, almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit in the holy church, now and forever.

Breaking of the Bread

Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread.

The minister takes the loaf and breaks it in full view of the people, saying:

The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?

Having filled the cup, the minister lifts it in the view of the people, saying:

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ?

Communion-“The gifts of God for the people of God.” all come forward to receive-please join in singing the refrain until all have received.

Jesus Remember Me-

Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

Prayer after communion.

God of grace, your Son Jesus Christ left us this holy meal of bread and wine in which we share his body and blood. May we who have celebrated this sign of his great love show in our lives the fruits of his redemption; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Service of Shadows-The Tenebrae service of light to darkness

The Tenebrae candles are brought forth and lit.

The Shadow of Deserters- Of the Father’s Love Begotten v. 1,2 # 309

Matthew 26:31-35

³¹Then Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written,

‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

³²But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” ³³Peter said to him, “Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.”³⁴Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” ³⁵Peter said to him, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And so said all the disciples.

extinguish candle 1

The Shadow of Sorrow- Go To Dark Gethsemane v. 1,2 #97

Mark 14:32-42

³²They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” ³³He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. ³⁴And he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.” ³⁵And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. ³⁶He said, “Abba,^[a] Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” ³⁷He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? ³⁸Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial;^[b] the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” ³⁹And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. ⁴⁰And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. ⁴¹He came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴²Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”

extinguish candle 2

The Shadow of Betrayal

Anthem Is It I? Choir

Luke 22:47-53

⁴⁷While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him;⁴⁸but Jesus said to him, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?” ⁴⁹When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” ⁵⁰Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. ⁵¹But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. ⁵²Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? ⁵³When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!”

extinguish candle 3

The Shadow of Trial- Ah, Holy Jesus v.1,2 # 93

Matthew 26:57-68

⁵⁷Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. ⁵⁸But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end. ⁵⁹Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, ⁶⁰but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward ⁶¹and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’” ⁶²The high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” ⁶³But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah,^[a] the Son of God.” ⁶⁴Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you,

From now on you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of Power
and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

⁶⁵Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. ⁶⁶What is your verdict?” They answered, “He deserves death.” ⁶⁷Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, ⁶⁸saying, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah!^[b]Who is it that struck you?”

extinguish candle 4

The Shadow of Mockery- O Sacred Head Now Wounded v.1,2 #98

Matthew 27:11-14; 27-31

¹¹Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” ¹²But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. ¹³Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” ¹⁴But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

extinguish candle 5

The Shadow of Agony-the crucifixion- Alas, and Did Our Savior Bleed v. 1,2,4 #78

Mark 15: 33-37

³³When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land^[^a^] until three in the afternoon. ³⁴At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”^[^b^]³⁵When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah.” ³⁶And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” ³⁷Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.

extinguish candle 6

Silence

The Shadow of Truth- Were You There? Rhudy Naylor/Jo Penland

Matthew 27:50-54

⁵⁰Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last.^[a] ⁵¹At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. ⁵²The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. ⁵³After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. ⁵⁴Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”

Loud Slam-Loud Bell Toll

extinguish Christ candle

Sudden Darkness Silence

Return to light

*Leader & People: Truly he was the Son of God

*Closing Hymn When I Survey the Wondrous Cross #101

*Leader & People: In him was life, and his life was the light of all.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness

did not overcome it! Amen.

Leave quietly…

The sanctuary is stripped bare

Bulletin Sunday March 29, 2015 Palm Sunday (MPC)

Prelude

Choral Call to Worship (tune can be found hymn 145)

Rejoice ye pure in heart! Rejoice give thanks and sing! Your festal banner wave on high, the cross of Christ your King. Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice, give thanks and sing!

L: Wave high the palm branches! The Lord of life approaches!

P: Sing with great joy for the Savior has come to us!

L: His whole arraignment shines forth his royalty.

P: All creation shouts praises to the King of kings!

L: Hosanna! Hosanna!

P: Blessed is he who come in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

Hymn #88 All Glory, Laud and Honor

Prayer of Confession

Holy God, you have accompanied us on our walk along the way with you this season of Lent. You have celebrated with us the new disciplines we’ve fulfilled and the ability to focus on your love. And you have wept with us in our losses, and in our doubts, and in our failures, and especially in our deep sorrows. Today, we gather and celebrate you as Lord of Lords and King of Kings as you enter triumphantly into Jerusalem. Help us to remember how we quickly turn away from praise, and turn to scorn. Help us to remember how quickly we betray you and each other. Finish the walk along the way with us. Carry us into Holy Week. Help us to have the courage to finish the journey. Bring us to the foot of your cross. And forgive us when we look away and cannot keep the vigil. Bring us to the empty tomb, so we can rejoice and sing hosanna again. Amen.

Expression of faith

Apostle’s Creed

Readings: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29; Mark 11:1-11

Special Music Hosanna! Children

Sermon: Along the Way…Hosanna!

Hymn #91 Ride On! Ride On in Majesty!

Hymn#89 Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

Bulletin Sunday March 22, 2015 Lent 5

Prelude

Choral Call to Worship

Seek ye first the kingdom of God And His righteousness, And all these things shall be added unto you. Allelu, alleluia!

L: We greet the morning, O Lord, with songs of praise to you

P: We greet the day, O God, with voices raised on high

L: Glory and honor to your name

P: Your grace and mercy ring across the land!

L: Our fears and gloom have been released.

P: Your Light of love shines bright in us and we rejoice!

Hymn #462 Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies

Lenten Reading

Unison Prayer

We will walk the way with you, O Christ. We will follow you, give our lives to you, and grow closer to you, this is our promise, this is our pledge, O Redeemer and Savior of all. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

Our heart seeks you, O Lord, yet we find ourselves torn in other directions. We make foolish decisions or we are paralyzed by all the choices before us. We do not know how to find the answers to the simple things in life or even the major moments; we are stuck O God. Show us your ways, grant us your wisdom, free us to faith, infuse us with your Spirit of courage, strength and bring us into your everlasting peace. Amen.

Expression of faith

We believe there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus; for we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose.

We are convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:1,28, 38-39)

Readings: Psalm 51:1-12, John 18:38-19:16

Sermon: Along the Way…Pilate

Hymn #98 O Sacred Head Now Wounded

Hymn#420 God of Grace and God of Glory

Bulletin February 1 2015

Communion Sunday

Opening MPC-Be Still

Opening NMPC-For the silence of the snow

Call to Worship

L: Great are the works of the Lord

P: God’s works are faithful and just

L: Holy and awesome is God’s name

P: We lift up our voices and praise God’s name forever!

Prayer of confession

We come to you, O God, as people of faith trusting your wonderful works. But, there are times we do not understand or do not trust what we see. Show us the works of your hand and the wonders of your ways. Forgive us for seeking our own way, forgive our selfishness and our arrogance, forgive our inability to see and know you. Shower your love and wisdom upon us and draw us close to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Expression of Faith

We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God:

preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed

and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted,

eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain

and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.

Scripture Psalm 111

Mark 1:21-28

Sermon: The Holy One of God

Hymns 140 Holy, Holy

507 I Come with Joy

434 Today We All are Called to Be Disciples

Bulletin January 25, 2015

Call to Worship

L: My soul in silence waits for God

P: God is our refuge, our stronghold, our sure defense

L: Strength and power, mercy and grace belong to God

P: God fills our days with Light and we rejoice!

Prayer of Confession

O God we come before you knowing that you are the One who brings love and life to all creation. Yet, we want you to bring your justice to those who hurt, and those who bring terror to the world. We are angry when you show love to those we deem unworthy. Forgive us when our love is limited. Grant in us your unfailing wisdom and your amazing grace and mercy through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.

Expression of faith: Apostle’s Creed

Scripture Psalm 62:5-12; Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Sermon title: God, You Can’t Make Me.

Hymns

#464 Joyful, Joyful we adore thee

#439 In Christ there is no east or west

#281 Guide me o thou Great Jehovah

LENT READINGS for WORSHIP 2015
These Lenten readings go with the sermons for each week during Lent-Peter, Nicodemus, the Blind man, Mary-Martha-Lazarus, Pilate. Use your imagination and create a space for props to build on each week. Use a Tenebrae candle to extinguish one light per week walking from light to darkness.

Lent Sunday 1

P-Today is the first Sunday in Lent. It is the season before Easter. On Ash Wednesday, where our season begins, we were marked with ash on our foreheads. We reflected and remembered that we were created from dust and to dust we will return. We also remembered that in Christ we have new life.

J-Thanks that’s great, I’m going fishing.

P-Really

J-Yep.

P-What about everything I just said.

J-The Bible tells us that Jesus called Peter and his friends to come and follow him while

they were fishing.

P-Yes, but this is the time for us to think about Jesus and all that he has done for us. This is a sober season where we tune our hearts to the dark days remembering Christ on the cross.

J-That’s true, but I think best on the river. I also know that Jesus told Peter that he would be a fisher of people instead of fish. And I usually meet a lot of people down at the river.

P-This Lent as we move from light to darkness, we will be learning about the people Jesus met along the way to the cross.

J-One thing about Jesus was that he was always on his way. He even told the people he healed and his disciples, ‘get up, let us be on our way.’ So, I am on my way. And along the way, I am sure, I will meet Jesus.

P-As I extinguish the first flame I will be on my way, along the way to the cross remembering all the wonders and gifts of God given to us through Jesus. I think maybe I’ll go fishing too.

Lent Sunday 2

L-Today is the second Sunday in Lent. We are walking along the way to the cross and learning about people who met Jesus.

Why are you holding that big book?

R-I heard that the Bible is a rule book just like the rule book coaches use in sports. I’m going to read the rules and then I’ll be ready for the game of life.

L-Good luck with that!

R- I think I’ll analyze every part of the message and then I’ll tuck it away for safe keeping. I’ll only have to pull it out on the difficult plays, the tough decisions.

L-I’ve heard that the Bible is more like a love letter. It has a special message for the person that God loves and you can’t just read it, you have to be involved with it.

R-Hmmm that might be what Jesus meant when he spoke to Nicodemus. The game of life is more than rules, more than love, it is also about mission. If God is involved with me then I have to be involved with God and I have to encounter other people along the way in my life and tell them about Jesus.

L- As I extinguish the second flame I will be on my way, along the way to the cross remembering all the wonders and gifts of God given to us through Jesus. I think maybe I’ll go read a little too.

Lent Sunday 3

T-Today is the third Sunday in Lent. We are walking along the way to the cross and learning about people who met Jesus.

S-I know that is why I have this bucket.

T-What does your bucket of dirt have to do with someone Jesus met?

S-Jesus met a blind man who had never seen anything his whole life. He had never seen the beautiful flowers of spring with all their colors.

And he had never seen a rainbow or stars.

T-I heard that Jesus took mud and smeared it on the eyes of the man so that he could see. Because he was willing to be used by God, the crowd was able to witness God’s power in him.

S-I’m going to use this dirt to light up God’s world and plant a flower garden. Perhaps the beauty of the flowers will open up our eyes to all the beauty of God. I want to let God use me so the world can witness the Light of Christ

T- As I extinguish the third flame I will be on my way, along the way to the cross remembering all the wonders and gifts of God given to us through Jesus. I think maybe I’ll go with you and do the same.

Lent Sunday 4

T-Today is the fourth Sunday in Lent. We are walking along the way to the cross and learning about people who met Jesus.

J- As I’m walking along the way I’ve been thinking about those people. Many of them have been people Jesus met only once and he loved them as if he knew them forever. Some of them like Mary, Martha and Lazarus, Jesus saw often and loved like family. It makes me think about the people along the way in my life.

T-You could spend a lot of time doing that. You’ve been around a while and that’s a lot of people and a lot of thinking.

J-Well, I thought I’d give it a try. That’s why I have this cord.

T-I was wondering why you had that. I thought maybe you were going to take up rock climbing or something.

J-No. But, I started tying a knot in it each time I thought of someone I met that helped me, or was a friend to me, or loved me, or trusted me.

T-But, it’s just a rope.

J-Yeah, and look how strong it gets with every new knot I put in it.

T-I guess that’s what they mean when they say, ‘the bonds of friendship’.

J-Jesus showed us how strong his friendship was with Mary, Martha and Lazarus. I’m going to take this cord and build friendships the way Jesus did, strong and forever.

T- As I extinguish the fourth flame I will be on my way, along the way to the cross remembering all the wonders and gifts of God given to us through Jesus. Do you have an extra cord so I can do that same?

Lent Sunday 5

G-Today is the fifth Sunday in Lent. We are walking along the way to the cross and learning about people who met Jesus.

Careful with that!

B-Oh, I’m doing my best. I’m trying to hold these branches at a distance so they don’t hurt me or attack me. They came out of someone’s yard and I need to get rid of them before anyone else might get hurt.

G-It’s amazing how something that wicked looking can just grow naturally from the ground.

B-That’s what I said when I saw them!

G-We always think wickedness and evil are so unnatural. Yet, deception, greed, oppression, anger and hate seem to flow naturally all around us. I wonder about Caiaphas and Pontius Pilate.

B-Pilate and Caiaphas, I wonder about them too. Did their choices about Jesus come naturally or…

(pause)

G-Evil in the shape of thorns tried to crush our Savior.

B-And he took the thorns, along with the nails, so that evil and wickedness would forever be held at a distance. Now I will take these branches and remember Jesus.

G- As I extinguish the fifth flame I will be on my way, along the way to the cross remembering all the wonders and gifts of God given to us through Jesus. I will remember the thorns and remember Jesus too.

JANUARY 18, 2015 2nd Sunday after Epiphany

Scripture Readings Psalm 130:1-6; 13-18

1 Samuel 3:1-10

Sermon: Who needs sleep anyway?

Hymns #288 I Sing the Mighty Power of God

#525 Here I Am, Lord

#337 Be Thou My Vision

Call to Worship

L: God knows us inside and out.

P: Praise God for this amazing love!

L: God calls each of us here; the want to be known and the leave me alone.

P: Gifts to hear! God searches to find us, God will not let us go.

L: God formed all creatures and God calls us all good!

P: How wonderful are the works of God! Let us worship!

Prayer of Confession

Awesome God, you have made all of creation and each cell of our bodies.
You know our thoughts and you know our sins. We desperately try to hide our mistakes,
our weaknesses, our embarrassments. But you know it all, and so we come before you now asking for your forgiveness. Even as you know the limits of our human capabilities,
we know the unlimited power of your love. Forgive us, cleanse us, make us whole. Amen. (from Laura Jaquith Bartlett-Worship Elements)

Expression of faith Q 31. The Heidelburg catechism

L:Why is Jesus called the Christ, the Anointed One?

P: Because he is ordained by God the Father and anointed with the Holy Spirit to be our chief Prophet and Teacher, fully revealing to su the secret purpose and will of God concerning our redemption; to be our only High Priest, having redeemed us by the one sacrifice of his body and ever interceding for us with the Father; and to be our eternal King, governing us by his Word and Spirit, and defending and sustaining us in the redemption he has won for us. Amen.

In 2 a Journey. Sermons, musings, & other thoughts while following Jesus

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