Central Church of the Brethren Called to believe Connected in love Compelled to serve 416 Church Ave SW Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Roanoke, VA 24016 Worship 11:00 a.m. 540 342-0337 April 14, 2019 Palm Sunday Theme: Lamenting into Justice Creation Care Ringing of the Chimes ^Gathering Songs (see inserts) He s Got The Whole World In His Hands Lord Most High Welcome, Announcements & Joys/Concerns followed by a time of preparation Prelude ^Responsive Call to Worship One Voice: In the beginning, Gathered Voices: God created the heavens and the earth. One Voice: The Spirit of God swept over the face of the waters; then God said: Gathered Voices: Let there be light, and God saw that it was good. One Voice: At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus was baptized by John. The heavens opened, and the Spirit descended like a dove; then God said: Gathered Voices: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. ^Hymn God of the earth, the sky, the sea # 53 ^Opening Prayer Children s Message Joyce Childers A Psalm of Lament Psalm 8:1-9 Call to Confession
Confession in Unison Presence, Life, Fire, God who is Three in One, we confess that we have turned away from you. We gaze upon ourselves as if we are worthy of worship. We take your creation into our hands, not to love, but to use and then to discard. We go to the people of the land, not to serve, but to press them into our service. We do not deserve that you would even notice us, but we pray for mercy because you are merciful. Flame of Love, purify us from sin; Eternal Now, lead us to your truth; Risen One, baptize us into union with you. Transform us into faithful disciples, who worship you alone, God who is Trinity. Amen. Declaration of Grace Anthem My Eternal King Jane M. Marshall 17 th Century Latin Poem My God, I love you; not because I hope for a future heaven, nor because those without love will die eternally. O my Jesus, you embrace me in my trials, embrace me in my pain. For me, you endured nails, and spear and manifold disgrace manifold disgrace. Why? Why, O blessed Jesus Christ, should I not love you well? not for the hope of winning heaven or of escaping hell; not hoping to gain anything, not seeking a reward - but because you have loved me, O ever loving Lord! As you have loved me, I love you, and will continue in that love, and sing your praise solely because you are my God, and my Eternal King.
Pastoral Prayer Prayer Hymn Lord Jesus, think on me # 527 Scripture Readings Genesis 1:26-31 (p. 1 in the pew Bibles) Romans 8:18-25 (p. 158 in the pew Bibles) Sermon Creation in Distress: A Christian Response Michael Bentley Invitation to Tithes and Offerings Offertory Music ^Offering Response Praise God from whom # 119 ^Offering Prayer ^Closing Hymn God, who stretched # 414 ^Benediction ^Postlude Michael Bentley, EdD began teaching in 1969 and has taught elementary, middle, and high school students and also worked as a science museum educator, magnet high school principal, and state supervisor of science. He was one of the founders of Roanoke s Community High School. He retired from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville but continues to write, consult and present professionally. His B.S. in biology is from King s College (Pennsylvania), MS from the University of Pennsylvania, and doctorate in science and environmental education from the University of Virginia. He directed the Science Institute for Teachers at Hollins University for seven years and served for five years as Education Associate for the Virginia Museum of Natural History. He has been conducting professional development for schools implementing the award-winning FOSS science program developed by UC-Berkeley s Lawrence Hall of Science. He has authored more than two-dozen books and chapters in books (most recently: Integrating Curriculum Through a Study of Silk and the Amazing Silk Worm in Mueller, Tippins, & Stewart, Animals and Science Education, 2017, Springer, and Connecting Children to Nature, 2014, Wood N Barnes). He is married to the Rev. Susan E. Bentley, Rector of St. James Episcopal Church.
Welcome to Central Church of the Brethren. We are glad that you are here on this day that the Lord has made. Our prayer is that whether this is your 1 st time or your 1,000 th time worshipping with us, that you feel welcome and know God s love. If this is your first time, we would like to get to know you. Please share your contact information on the colored paper you received. With love and God s peace - your friends at Central - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Attendance and Offering Last Week Sunday School: 18 Offering from 4/7/2019: $ 2,888.00 Worship Service: 42 Offerings thru 4/7/2019: $ 34,334.30 Needed for 2019 budget: $ 37,674.00 Volunteers This Week 4/14/2019: Worship Leader Lorrie Hite Children s Story Joyce Childers Ushers Wayne Chapman, Christie & Paul Wray Audiovisual Team Luke Vilelle, MaryBeth Fisher Counters MaryBeth Fisher, Paul Wray Closer Christie Wray Child Care Karen Barnhart Volunteers Next Week 4/21/2019: Worship Leader Jennie Waering Children s Story Pastor Kevin Ushers David Childers, Pam Green, Kathy Hill, Ginny West Audiovisual Team Joyce & David Childers Counters Lorrie Hite, Kathy Hill Closer Chuck Hite Child Care Pam Green CHURCH STAFF Ministers Every Member of the Church Pastor Kevin Kinsey Minister of Music Becky Rhodes Organist Bob Iseminger Youth Director Joy Murray Office Admin. Amy Vilelle (Office hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm)
Weekly Prayer Concerns Kay Carr, Marsha Stanley, Nyna Murray, Dottie Gottshall, Becky Jamison, Dean Reed, Ruth Michael, Garland & Betty Bowman, Tom & Evelyn Huffman, Kin & Carolyn Otterman, Fred Porter, Paul Garst, Karen Chewning, Judith Deos, Frances Ward (Jackie Talevi s mom), Virginia Shutters (Rita Enoch s mother), and Rowan Price & family The green candle on the organ burns in remembrance of the Christians in Nigeria experiencing religious persecution and civil instability. Especially pray for Aisha Lawan, who was kidnapped with other girls from Chibok five years ago, in May 2014, and still has not returned home. To learn more about the Nigerian crisis, you can visit http://www.brethren.org/nigeriacrisis Pray for Zachary R. Hatcher, Pastor of the Mount Bethel Church in Botetourt County, whose ordination to the Gospel Ministry is scheduled for this afternoon. Let us pray that we will support, encourage and pray for those who undertake set-apart ministerial service. Sisters and brothers, Bev and I are appreciative of your attendance and participation in the Lenten study 'White Privilege: Let's Talk,' as we grow together in our desire to bridge racial divides. I am also very thankful for your prayers, cards, and social media words of encouragement for healing following my bicycle/vehicle accident in March 21. We are blessed to feel included in the Central COB faith community. Grace and peace, Eric C. Anspaugh To our church family: We miss our brothers and sisters so much! Thanks for your continued prayers and support. Tom is very stable but I am having more issues which hinders me getting us to church and other important happenings on a regular basis. Hope to see everyone soon. Evelyn & Tom Huffman
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS Apr 16 6:30 pm FIA meets at the Hites home Apr 17 NO Wed. Night Fellowship (choir at 7:30) Apr 18 6 pm Lovefeast in the Fellowship Hall Apr 19 6 pm Stations of the Cross walk (see below) Apr 21 7 am Community sunrise service at MLK Bridge 11 am Easter Sunday service at Central Children collect quarters during offering to support Faith in Action s ministries to families & Highland Park school over $150 so far this year. Downtown SW Roanoke Congregations are hosting a Good Friday Stations of the Cross service. We will gather at Greene Memorial at 6pm on Friday, April 19 th. Easter Sunday sunrise service, 7 am on April 21: Celebrate with our Brothers and Sisters the risen Lord! We will gather on either side of the Martin Luther King Memorial Bridge for a service praising the resurrection. At 7am we will be called forth with resounding trumpets. WNF Adult Bible study will begin the Gospel of Luke starting Wednesday April 24 th with Pastor Kevin. Virlina District Women Northern and Southern Areas will have a Joint Spring Meeting at Jones Chapel CoB in Martinsville at 10 am on Saturday, April 27. The theme is Women in Ministry, with Mary St. John and Pastor Tabitha Rudy speaking. Following the program, lunch will be served. To register or for more information, contact Harriet Rader 540-992-3906 or Mary St. John at 540-362-1816. The Leadership Team is raising funds to update and beautify parts of our building. The plan is to replace old linoleum flooring in the library, its adjoining hallways, and the stairwell in the Education Building as well as to paint and improve the two restrooms in the Fellowship Hall. The cost will be $14,000. We have received over $8,000 so far. Donation envelopes marked Central Renovation Fundraiser are available in the pews. Thanks to all who have contributed. Every contribution is greatly appreciated.