A Service of Praise, Thanksgiving & Word - March 14, 2010

ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

March 14, 2010
A Service of Praise, Thanksgiving & Word

(During the Season of Lent we will forego Power Point
as an exercise in self-reflection)

THE GATHERING OF THE FAITHFUL
PRELUDE: “Andante & Allegro” – R. Clerisse – Matthew Dennis, Trumpet
*PRAISE: “O How He Loves You and Me” (TFWS) #2108
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Glory to God: the One who Creates, Sustains and Enlivens,
AND GLORY BE TO THE WONDER OF DIVINE LOVE,
MERCY, AND FORGIVENESS. AMEN.
A shepherd seeks a lost lamb, a woman searches for a lost coin,
a father receives a returning, wayward son:
AND AS WE HAVE BEEN WELCOMED HOME, MAY WE
LEARN LOVE, MERCY AND FORGIVENESS FOR OTHERS.
*HYMN: “This Is a Day of New Beginnings” #383
A TIME FOR CHILDREN
“We Are the Church” – R. Avery/D. Marsh
“The Body Song” - A. Wamberg – The Cherub Choir
Children’s Time: Children ages 4 through 2nd grade are invited to Story Hour
in the children’s library across the hall.

THE PEOPLE OF GOD AT PRAYER

PRAYER OF CONFESSION & SELF-EXAMINATION #893
(Silence)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (TFWS) #2201
(We will sing the Refrain together, share a moment of silence between each petition,
and allow for a moment in which people may share their own particular concerns)
THE LORD’S PRAYER (Followed by the choir singing the Response of #2201)

THE LESSON
THE EPISTLE LESSON: 2 CORINTHIANS 5:16-21 – NRSV
*HYMN: “Your Love, O God” (vs. 1-2 sung to the tune of Finlandia #437) #120
*THE GOSPEL: LUKE 15:1-3, 11B-32 – NRSV
*HYMN: “Your Love, O God” (vs. 3-4 sung to the tune of Finlandia #437) #120

REFLECTION: “Viewing Life Through Reconciled Eyes”

PEACE & RECONCILIATION
May the Peace of Christ be with you always,
And also with you.
OFFERING OUR GIFTS
The Gift of Music: "And the Father will Dance" - M. Hayes – Chancel Choir
*DOXOLOGY #95

THE DISMISSAL
*HYMN: “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” (vs. 1-3) #384
*LITANY (from “God Weeps” #2048 in TFWS)
God waits
FOR STONES TO MELT,
For peace to seed,
FOR HEARTS TO HOLD EACH OTHER’S NEED,
And till we understand the Christ,
GOD WAITS.
*BLESSING:
Go in grace, love and peace, embodying God in whose image
we are created.
AMEN
*DISMISSAL: “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” (v. 4) #384
POSTLUDE: “Morning Song” – J. Denton