Sunday, March 14, 2010
FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
WELCOME VISITORS!
We’re glad you are here to Worship and share with us today.
Please feel free to fill out a visitor card. THANKS!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Please note * indicates time to stand together as you are able.
ORGAN PRELUDE
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.
I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched.
My eyes fail, looking for my God.
You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from you.
But I pray to you, O LORD, in the time of your favour;
in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.
Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from
those who hate me, from the deep waters.
Do not let the flood waters engulf me or the depth
swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me.
Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love;
in your great mercy turn to me.
Do not hide your face from your servant;
answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
(Selected verses from Psalm 69)
* HYMN #664 “What A Friend We Have In Jesus!”
PRAYER OF APPROACH
Even as we approach your Holy love in faith, O God, we know
how often we turn away and refuse your generous welcome.
Sometimes we doubt that we really are forgiven.
We determine the limits of your mercy by measuring our own.
We look at ourselves and fear that we are hard to love.
We believe that we should go through more pain before we ask
for your kindness, or feel that one more stumbling in our human
journey is too many for you to understand and forgive.
We sigh in sadness and stop before we reach your outstretched
arms with singing the Lord’s Prayer. Our Father Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANTHEM
Olinda-Ruthven “Jesus, The Son Of God”
Trinity “Bring Them In” (#224 New Church Hymnal)
OFFERING
* LENTEN DEDICATION (Tune #541 VU)
Praise God who blesses us each day;
Praise God who guides us all the way.
We bring our best to share today;
Accept our humble gifts we pray. Amen
CHILDREN’S HYMN “Kum Ba Yah”
1. Kum ba yah, my Lord, Kum ba yah,
Kum ba yah, my Lord, Kum ba yah,
Kum ba yah, my Lord, Kum ba yah.
O Lord, Kum ba yah!
2. Someone's laughing Lord, Kum ba yah...
3. Someone's crying Lord, Kum ba yah...
CHILDREN’S STORY
4. Someone's praying Lord, Kum ba yah...
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE LESSON Matthew 7:1-11
Olinda-Ruthven Pg 788 or 6 Jana Allen
Trinity Pg 12 or 840 Jean Balkwill
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me.
From the depth of the grave I called for help,
and you listened to my cry.
You hurled me into the deep, into the very heart of the seas,
and the currents swirled about me;
All your waves and breakers swept over me. I said,
I have been banished from your sight;
Yet I will look again toward your holy temple.
The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded
me; seaweed was wrapped around my head.
To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath
barred me in forever.
But You brought my life up from the pit, O LORD my
God. When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you.
LORD, and my prayer rose to You, to your holy temple.
Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could
be theirs.
But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You.
What I have vowed I will make good, salvation comes from
the LORD!
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
God heard Jonah’s prayer as he lay in the belly of the fish for three
days and forgave him. He delivered him from his trouble and
directed him to serve him again. We hear this in the book of Jonah;
“And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto
dry land. Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time:
'Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” (Jonah 2:10-3:2)
In the same way, God has forgiven you all your sins through Jesus Christ
who lay in the belly of the tomb for three days yet rose again so that we may
be free from our sins and sent to serve the Lord as his servants.
You are forgiven! Go and serve the Lord! Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSON Jonah 2
Olinda-Ruthven Pg 752 or 813
Trinity Pg 800 or 814
MEDITATION “From The “Belly Of The Great Big Fish”
PRAISES AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYER
* CLOSING HYMN #147 “What Wondrous Love Is This”
* COMMISSIONING
Let us go out with a song a thanksgiving.
To tell others about our forgiving God.
You have brought our life up from the pit.
We praise You Oh God as we sing …
“Abide With Me” #436 VU
Abide with me; fast falls the evening tide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Remembering….
* CHORAL AMEN
ORGAN POSTLUDE ccli #687879
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Minister: All the people
Clergy: Pastor Sheryle Steadman (Home: 519-738-0152)
Secretary: Brenda Miller (Office: 519-326-3138)
office@ruthvenpc.com www.ruthvenpc.com
Olinda-Ruthven Organist & Choir Director: Lynn Mailhoit
Assistant Organist: Doug Scott
Trinity Organist & Choir Director: Margaret Pare
Assistant Organist: Elaine Wright
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God’s Littlest Angels - Haiti