March 1, 2015 Second Sunday in Lent FONTHILL UNITED CHURCH 9:30 a.m. ORDER OF SERVICE * indicates please stand, if you are able WE GATHER Silent Prayer and Preparation Prelude Welcome and Announcements * Gathering Hymn 227 – For the Fruit of All Creation * Opening Words: (responsive) We are invited to walk with God. We are welcomed by God as people of the covenant. It is an awesome thing, to stand in the presence of our Creator. We bring our praise to glorify God. God calls us by name and summons us to faithfulness. God not only speaks to us, but listens also. God hears our cries and attends to our need. Let us all remember and turn to God. Let us all people join the covenant and worship the Creator. Let us worship God. (Congregation may be seated.) Prayer of Approach: (in unison) God, your Son Jesus Christ bore the cross to save us and was raised from the dead for the redemption of the world. Give us the courage to take up our cross and follow him, that through his grace we may accept the cost of faithful discipleship and receive the joy of life with Christ. Holy Spirit, open our hearts to receive your Word, reveal to us the good news, and enable us to trust in your promises in Jesus Christ, whose words we pray as we sing … The Prayer of Jesus: VU 959 (sung) Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil for the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Choir Anthem: “Down In the Valley to Pray” - J. Althouse WE LISTEN Bible Readings: (starting on page 5) Mark 8: 31-38 Psalm 145 - Barbara Peszle Sermon: A World of Greed OR a World of Abundance WE GIVE THANKS * Hymn 872 – Give Praise to Our God (Psalm 149) Invitation to the Offering Choir Anthem: “Go Not Far From Me, O God” - Zingarelli (Psalm 71) * Offertory Response: VU 544 In gratitude and humble trust we bring our best today to serve your cause and share your love with all along life’s way. O God, who gave yourself to us in Jesus Christ, your Son, teach us to give ourselves each day until life’s work is done. * Prayer of Dedication: (in unison) Almighty God, we thank you for the covenant you established with Abraham and Sarah, which you have opened to us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Accept these offerings with the dedication of our lives, that we may be for the world, a sign of your abiding love and a testament to your enduring promise. Amen. Prayers of God’s People (Iona Community) Choral Response: God enfold you, Christ to uphold you, Spirit to keep you in heaven’s sight; So may God grace you, heal and embrace you, lead you through darkness into the light. WE GO FORTH * Closing Hymn 242 – Let All Things Now Living * Benediction * Choral Blessing: MV 215 Peace be with you, peace forever, peace be with you, my friends. Till we meet again, may God be with you. Peace, peace, peace. Postlude (The congregation is invited to sit and listen to the postlude.) WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS We welcome all who worship with us today, but especially our guests. We invite you to record your visit with us by signing the guest book at the entrance. After worship, the congregation visits over refreshments in the Lower Hall and we hope you will join us. If you would like the minister to call on you, please contact the church office. Large print copies of the hymns are available for use every Sunday. Please feel free to ask an usher for a copy. After the service, please return the booklet to the pew at the back of the sanctuary. Thank you. Ushers: Bruce and Louise Stayzer Counters: Keith and Ruth Rae --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Time Change – Remember to turn your clocks ahead one hour this Saturday, March 7. Friendship Group – For those who need a ride to Fiddler on the Roof in Port Colborne today, meet in the back parking lot of the church by 1:00 pm for car-pooling. At the theatre use the north-east entrance, due to construction at the other entrance. After the show, we will meet at the Swiss Chalet on Niagara Street in Welland for supper. Taize Services are being held at Fenwick United every Wednesday during Lent at 6:30 pm. Everyone is welcome. World Day of Prayer service will be held at Fonthill United Church this Friday, March 6 at 2:00 pm. The service this year is prepared by the women of the Bahamas. Fonthill United Church 42 Church Hill, Box 926, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 Office (905) 892-6433 email: fonthilu@vaxxine.com website: www.fonthillunited.com Minister: Garry van Bruchem Music Director: William Outred Council Chair: John McGregor Secretary: Patrice Walker The Week Ahead Mon. Mar 2 Tues. Mar 3 Wed. Mar 4 Thurs. Mar 5 Fri. Sat. Mar 6 Mar 7 Sun. Mar 8 3:30 pm 6:30 pm 9:00 am 9:00 am 3:00 pm 5:00 pm 6:30 pm 3:00 pm 6:30 pm 9:00 am 3:00 pm 7:30 pm 2:00 pm 10:00am 4:00 pm 9:30 am 11:00am Prayer Circle Cubs Badminton Pedicure Salon Music Lessons Weight Watchers Beavers Music Lessons Scouts Badminton Music Lessons Choir Practice World Day of Prayer Service Piano Lessons Music Recital in Sanctuary Worship Service – Lent 3 Discussion Group