Call to Worship, Scriptures and Prayers February 22, 2015 1st Sunday in Lent Worship theme: Redemption, salvation, repentance, they re all a process Introit:.. O how the deep love of Jesus Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free! Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me! Underneath me, all around me, is the current of thy love - leading onward, leading homeward, to that glorious rest above! Welcome Call to Worship Let us gather beneath the rainbow. Let us delight in its colours, Let us delight in its promise, Let us delight in its Creator in worship and thanksgiving. Hymn: O how the deep love of Jesus Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus - spread his praise from shore to shore! How he loves us, ever loves us, changes never, nevermore! How he watches o'er his loved ones, died to call them all his own; how for them he's interceding, watching o'er them from the throne! Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best!
'Tis an ocean vast of blessing, 'tis a haven sweet of rest! Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus - 'tis heaven of heavens to me; and it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to thee! Prayer of adoration First and Last, Creator of the world, Redeemer of all things, Maker of covenants, Source of grace; You are the light of the minds that know you, You are the strength of those who serve you You are the rest of those who go in search of you; Beside you there is no greater. In our worship of you we come and we pause; we rest from our work and responsibilities, and we rest form our play and from our fantasies, to enjoy you to enjoy your beauty and your world and our life in you. To you O God be all glory and praise. AMEN. Prayer of confession Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Sung Prayer: 206 "Jesus, Remember Me" (3 times) (PCC BOP) The Lord s Prayer
Assurance of Pardon Lenten Insert Youth Message Youth Song: 201 We come to ask your forgiveness O Lord (PCC, BOP) Scripture Readings Psalm 25: 1-10 Hymn: 194 Come, let us to the Lord our God (PCC, BOP) Sermon Text: Mark 1: 9-15 Sermon Theme: Step by step with Christ February 22, 2015 Text: Mark 1: 9-15 Theme: Step by step with Christ Jesus Preaches in Galilee 14 After John the Baptist was put in prison, Jesus came to the country of Galilee. He preached the Good News of God. 15 He said, The time has come. The holy nation of God is near. Be sorry for your sins, turn from them, and believe the Good News. There is a very popular event in Jamaica that brings thousands of people from all across the world to Jamaica every year. The event is called the Jazz and Blues festival. It is held at a very popular venue called Jam world. Rod Steward asked.isn t the church always under construction? As we are the church under construction there are some things we need to be aware of.
1. It is the spirit the spirit of God that makes the difference between us been ordinary and extraordinary. John was a good forerunner to Jesus and one who held the Godly ideals of the time very high but there was more to be gained because John himself was limited by religion. John baptised Jesus and immediately the spirit of God came upon him and things were different. Verse 11 tells us that after the heavens opened and the spirit came upon him the voice of the Lord was also heard saying, You are My much-loved Son. I am very happy with You. The voice of God signifies that God was hereby signalling that it was through Him that Jesus was going to transform lives. 2. As the church under construction we are always going to be testes and tried but the presence of the Holy Spirit will keep us from falling. Tests do not make us who we are it is the triumphs over these tests. 3. The process calls us to do the work at hand. Preach the good news. What is the Good news that we have to preach People can make it. Serving God is not impossible. Serving God is no harder than anything else that we have to do. Every person who calls on the name of the Lord can be saved. Romans 10:13 "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Acts 2:21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'
We are Christians in this walk with God and at points we too are going to be tested but even when we are tried, tested and measured we will not be found wanting. The Holy Spirit is our enabler and it is by the Holy Spirit that we share the Good news with other that God has come near and will hear anyone who calls on him. We will never reach that point of satisfaction or where we want to be as a church or as individuals in a day or a year but through it all may we learn to trust God that he is walking with us. I must have the saviour with me For I dear not walk alone I must feel his presence near me And his arms around me thrown Then my soul shall fear no ill Let him lead me where he will I will go without a murmer And his footsteps follow still. As we go step by step with Jesus may we be able to sing And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own; And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known. Walk on in God s service as God is holding your hand. Amen. Hymn of Response: 204 Thou didst leave Thy throne (PCC, BOP) A moment of giving to the work of the Lord.Musical interlude Prayer of thanksgiving and intercession
Recessional Hymn: 196 Throughout these Lenten days and nights (PCC, BOP)