Hybrid Worship

5 March 2023

Sunday Morning Greetings!

No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here. 

During 9:00 am Adult Spiritual Formation, we're in the midst of a series for Lent called What Matters. Today's topic is "We are a welcoming people."

GATHERING IN THE SPIRIT'S PRESENCE

The seed is in the ground.

Now we may rest in hope

While darkness does its work.

- Wendell Berry, 1991, V from ‘Sabbath Poems’

Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship

One: By night, Nicodemus came seeking greater insight into the teachings of God for the journey set before him. Jesus called him out of the shadows and into life.

All: We reach towards a God who has not come to condemn the world but to offer a salve of healing.

One: We fear the unknown and that which we lack in understanding. Alongside Nicodemus, we proclaim “How can this be?”

All: And yet, God’s call is one that urges us to go with our whole self into that unknowing, trusting that God will provide a way.

Singing Our Faith ~

"Clothe Yourselves With Compassion"

We are the people of God; we are the people of God.

We’re accepted and beloved,

and so we must clothe ourselves… 

With compassion, and kindness, 

humility, gentleness, and patience.

And over all these things, over all these things, 

over all these things, put on love.

STILLING OURSELVES

Pastoral Prayer and Silence

Responsive Lord’s Prayer

Our Creator, In Heaven

Hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done,

On Earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those,

Who trespass 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.  

Amen

LISTENING TO GOD AND TO ONE ANOTHER

Celebrations

At this time, we share moments from our lives: birthdays, 

anniversaries, works of peace and justice. We celebrate even sorrows and grief as part of a comprehensive view of life. 

Celebration Song

We are one, we are all. We are big and we are small.

We are one, we are all, We are short and we are tall.

We share joy, we share sadness

We share voices all in glee.

Come sing a celebration song with me.

Sing a celebration song; sing a celebration song.

No matter who you are, come sing along.

Sing a celebration song; sing a celebration song.

Come sing a celebration song with me. 

Invitation to the Table

One: We have many metaphors and images for the Spirit.

All: The spring planter who scatters seeds with love and care.

One: The fall harvester who gathers the harvest in joy so that many are nourished.

All: And so it is that we are scattered by the work of the Spirit into the world for work and play and also gathered into family and community for learning and rest. God gives this opportunity for a feast of renewal.

Sharing the Meal

In this Lenten season, we are aware of the call to renew and 

begin again. If we were not imperfect, not human, not fallible, it would not be needed. May our renewal bring life and hope to the planet and to all people. We share bread and cup in gratitude for and solidarity with all of Creation. 

Our Communion offering this month supports the Refugee Resettlement Fund. Those worshipping virtually are invited to use the communion elements of their choice.

Invitation to Give

Gracious and Giving God, you have called us to give of our 

resources so that others may experience the new life you are inviting us into. Let our giving renew us that we might be part of birthing new life in our local community, in the global community, and in our faith community. 

Amen.

Offering and Offertory

ATTEND TO MYSTERY

Word About Life - John 3: 1-17

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with that person.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen, yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven 

except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him.“

Word About Life for Today  

Shared by Rev. Ken Heintzelman

RESPONDING WITH OUR WHOLE HEARTS

Words for Mission

One: Friends, go forth with the courage of God to guide you into those places of restlessness and uncertainty. For we are called to go…

All: From our places of comfort.

From our certainties and complacency.

From our old life and into the new.

One: May the call of God call us toward a love so compelling that we are willing to trust our whole self into the embrace of the Creator, into the abiding love of Christ, and into the sacred dance of the Holy Spirit.

All: We go forth, our peace renewed.

One: These are the times!

All: We are the people.

One: All of Creation is blessed.

All: May we love all and serve all.

One: May God be with you.

All: And also with you.

One: Amen.

All: Amen.

Sending Forth Song ~ "The Quiet Center"

Go and be the quiet center in the crowded life we lead,

Find the room for hope to enter, 

find the frame where we are freed;

Clear the chaos and the clutter,

clear our eyes, that we can see 

All the things that really matter. Be at peace, and simply be.

In the Spirit let us travel, open to each other’s pain.

Let our loves and fears unravel,

celebrate the space we gain:

There’s a place for deepest dreaming, 

there’s a time for heart to care,

In the Spirit’s lively scheming, there is always room to spare!

After worship, you're invited to a casual conversation on Zoom or on the Narthex couches. We'll take another look at the sermon and our responses and wonderings.

Everyone is welcome.