Worship Service – February 21, 2021

The Building is Closed and the Church is Open

While we have restricted access to the building, Peace Church is very much open to ministry—working to respond to our own congregation, as well as the needs of our neighbors and community.  Please consider giving either to Peace Church general fund or the Gabriel Fund – which is used to meet the needs in the community.

We recognize that in this time, people’s financial situations may have changed. We ask you to prayerfully consider what you can give.  If you use electronic giving, we thank you for your constancy of support.  If you would like to give through our online form, we would be grateful. For all the contributions from our members and friends—whether financial, time, or prayer—we ask God’s blessings on those gifts that Peace Church may be healing balm in this time when we are living in our own Gilead.

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February 21, 2020  ⁂  10:30am

Liturgists

The People of Peace Church
Judy Hlina, ASL Interpreter
Phyllis Cook, Lay Reader
Jim Pospisil, Music Director
Nathan Holst, Faith Formation Minister
Rev. Greg Briggs, Interim Minister

Prelude     Sonata #5 by Beethoven            Mia Kraker, violin

Announcements and Ringing of the Peace Bells

God is Revealed as We Gather

*Responsive Call to Worship

The time is fulfilled.
The kingdom of heaven has drawn near.
Repent, and believe in the Good News.
The reign of God is at hand.
Follow Jesus, who calls us to gather others.
For the work has begun.
Believe in God’s love for you, for the world,
For God sent his Son for us, that we might know eternal life.
Roll up your sleeves, and be prepared:
The kingdom of heaven has drawn near.

Opening Hymn   “We Are Often Tossed and Driven”   (#444)

Call to Confession

Siblings in Christ, in our daily lives we need the gift of the season of Lent. These 40 days can help us restore right relationships with God and with others. This is a fine time to focus, clear our hearts and minds of distractions, and re-orient and restore our whole selves. May God be with us. Let us pray:

Unison Prayer of Confession

Creating and Renewing God.
In this Lenten season we each need the opportunity to clear our eyes of the glaze of indifference and apathy. Help us get our minds off distractions, obsessions and self-pity so that we don’t feel helpless. Help us to start over. Re-orient head and heart so that we may fill our whole selves with life-affirming activities and thoughts.
May we be in right relationship with you and all your creation and join the United Church of Christ, the wider church, and all those with loving hearts in over-coming violence, hunger, and injustice.
May we find courage and clarity to assist us in works of justice and compassion which make daily life bearable for many.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Story for All Ages by Nathan Holst

God is Revealed in the Word

God’s Word in the Gospel:    Mark 1:9-15

Special Music by Mia Kraker

Sermon     “Immediately” by Pastor Greg

Hymn   “In the Midst of New Dimensions”   (#391)

We Respond to God’s Presence

Sharing Our Prayer Concerns, Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer  by Nathan Holst, Lord’s Prayer translated by Sharon Kirtley:

Spirit of Love, Who art in all
Hallowed be thy name
Thy goodness come
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who trespass against us
In times of temptation 
Help us do what is right
For thine is the goodness and the power and the glory forever.
Amen. 

Choral Amen

Sharing our Offerings

Offertory

*The Thanksgiving (Doxology)

*Prayer of Dedication
God of all bounty and blessing, receive our lives and our gifts to be bounty and blessings to you, our church, and the world. Amen.

Closing Song   “Jesus, Still Lead On”   (#446)

Benediction

Postlude    “Drowsy Maggie”    (traditional Irish reel)