Service outline for February 26

ORDER OF WORSHIP
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Prelude

Welcome and Announcements,
Acknowledgement of the Land

Gathering Song, "Show Us How To Love"

Hearts open, mind’s awake, save us now for heaven’s sake,
Leave us not alone in hatred’s wake.
Show us how to love, show us how to love,
show us how, show us how to love.

Eyes open, shocked awake, much to learn from our mistakes,
Draw us closer in our heartache.
Show us how to love, show us how to love,
show us how, show us how to love.

Lighting the Candles and Placing the Bible

Opening Hymn, VU #108: “Throughout These Lenten Days” (vs 1, 3, 4, 5)
1. Throughout these Lenten days and nights
we turn to walk the inward way,
where, meeting Christ, our guide and light,
we live in hope till Easter Day.

3. We bear the silence, cross and pain
of human burdens, human strife,
while sisters, brothers help sustain
our courage till the Feast of Life.

4. And though the road is hard and steep,
the Spirit ever calls us on through
Calvary's dying, dark and deep,
until we see the coming Dawn.

5. So let us choose the path of One
who wore, for us, the crown of thorn,
and slept in death that we might wake
to life on Resurrection Morn!

The Passing of the Peace
One: The Peace of Christ be with you all.
All: And also with you!

MV #173: "Put Peace Into Each Other’s Hands"

Put peace into each other’s hands
and like a treasure hold it,
protect it like a candle flame,
with tenderness enfold it.

Words of Forgiveness

Sung Response, MV #104: “Know That God Is Good” (vs 1-3)
1. Mungu ni mwema, (3x)
Ni mwema, ni mwema.

2. Know that God is good (3x)
God is good, God is good.

3. C’est vrai, dieu est bon! (3x)
Dieu est bon! Dieu est bon!

Opening Prayer

Time With All Ages:
Story/Song, "A King Once Told His Servants" (Gillette)
1. A king once told his servants, "Now pay me what is mine!"
One came to him and begged him, "I'll pay! Just give me time!"
And so the king forgave him, though that man's debt was great.
What joy to be unburdened! What cause to celebrate!

2. Though he had been forgiven, that man was not so kind.
He threatened one who owed him, "Now pay me what is mine!"
He would not show compassion toward one whose debt was small.
What judgment came upon him! How bitter was his fall!

3. O God, in Christ you freed us; now may we not forget.
Our sin was overwhelming but you once paid the debt.
May we live lives of mercy, forgiving, blessing, too;
And may our grace toward others reflect our thanks to you.

Song of Preparation, MV #81: "Love Us Into Fullness" (vs 1)
1. Love us into fullness,
touch us with your grace;
Jesus, in your mercy,
draw us to your face.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:15-35 (Parable of the Unforgiving Servant)
One: Listen to what the Spirit is saying.
All: Thanks be to God!

Sung Response, MV #81: "Love Us Into Fullness" (vs 2)
2. Love us into fullness,
us in your care,
cheer us with your presence
here and everywhere.

Reflection

Anthem, "You Are The Peace of All Things Calm" (A. Smith)

Centering Song: "In the Sound and in the Silence" (Nancy Nelson)

In the sound and in the silence,
may Holy Wisdom draw near.
Let us feel the power of hearts and minds
that are joined in Thanksgiving
and praising and longing
and hoping for Love to appear.

Prayers of the Community and the prayer Jesus gave us (sung VU #959)

Prayer Response, MV #68: "Kyrie Eleison"

O God have mercy, O God have mercy,
O God have mercy, have mercy on us. (Repeat)

Responsive Hymn, MV#76, "If I Have Been the Source of Pain"
1. If I have been the source of pain, O God;
if to the weak I have refused my strength;
if, in rebellion, I have strayed away,
forgive me, God.

2. If I have spoken words of cruelty;
if I have left some suffering unrelieved;
condemn not my insensitivity;
forgive me, God.

3. If I’ve insisted on a peaceful life,
far from the struggles that the gospel brings,
when you prefer to guide me to the strife,
forgive me, God.

4. Receive, O God, this ardent word of prayer,
and free me from temptation’s subtle snare,
with tender patience, lead me to your care.
Amen, Amen.

Invitation to the Offering,
   Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures high and low;
Give thanks to God in love made known:
Creator, Word and Spirit One.

We Bless our Offerings
We bring these gifts in gratitude for your healing love, strengthening
presence, and for hope when things seem hopeless. May these in
some small way communicate your forgiving love with those around
us. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Sending Hymn, VU #684: "Make Me A Channel of Your Peace"
1. Make me a channel of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me bring your love;
where there is injury, your healing power,
and where there's doubt, true faith in you:

2. Make me a channel of your peace:
where there's despair in life, let me bring hope;
where there is darkness, only light;
and where there's sadness, ever joy.

Refrain: O Spirit, grant that I may never seek
               so much to be consoled as to console,
               to be understood as to understand,
               to be loved as to love with all my soul.

3. Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
in giving to all that we receive,
and in dying that we're born to eternal life.

Sending and Closing Blessing
One: May the love of God,
the grace of Jesus Christ
and the courage of the Holy Spirit
encourage and strengthen you as you go.
All:    Amen!

Choral Blessing
The peace of the earth be with you,
The peace of the heavens too;
The peace of the rivers be with you,
The peace of the oceans too.
Deep peace falling over you,
God’s peace growing in you.