Organ Prelude

*Introit

*Welcome

Life and Ministry of George Street United Church

*Call to Worship

Once more we set out on the pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

Called by covenant; nourished and sustained by memory; empowered by God’s promise.

We choose the way of Jesus Christ, the way of the cross, a way that is not easy.

We seek a path of true devotion, that we might follow Christ on this

Let us praise and worship in the sureness of God’s love.  Thanks be to God!!   

Prayer of Approach (in unison)                                                                                                                                         Gracious God of promise, we see all around us, signs of your covenant love with us. Guide us as we worship, that our promise may be fulfilled in word, in song, and in prayer. Bless us as we celebrate the fellowship of your presence, guiding us on our Lenten journey. In the power and presence of your Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen.

*Opening Hymn:                 O Jesus, I Have Promised                                          VU # 120 (1&2/3&4)

Children’s Time                                                                                                                               

Prayer of Confession: (in unison)                                                                                                                                 Merciful and everlasting God, we desire to be your covenant people. We truly and earnestly want to be faithful to the journey of devotion that you call us to. As we enter into this season of reflection and contemplation, as we seek to be fully present, as we strive to know your will, we acknowledge that we are distracted and tempted. Forgive us for the times we wander and strengthen us to be faithful to the way before us; the way of Christ; the way of the Cross. Amen.

Our Assurance: Christ died for sins, once and for all, that we might come to God cleansed. We are assured of our forgiveness through Christ, who intercedes on our behalf.  Thanks be to God!!

*Hymn:                                    Throughout These Lenten Days and Nights                            VU # 108

WE LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD

Old Testament Reading:                      Genesis 9:8-17                                              Rene Woolridge                                        Covenant between God and Noah                                                                                          
                      The Word of God – Thanks be to God

*Responsive Reading:                  Psalm 25                 VU # 752                                   Rene Woolridge      Lead me in your truth O God

Choir Anthem:                           

Epistle Reading:                               1 Peter 3:18-22                                                                 Rev. Sue                                                              Once and for all...

Gospel Reading:                              Mark 1:9-15           Rev. Sue                                                      
Baptism, temptation and mission                                                                                                            
The Word of our Lord – Thanks be to Christ

Meditation                                                         The Promise

*Hymn:                                   Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song                                             VU # 641

Prayers of Thanksgiving, Intercession and the Lord’s Prayer

Offering:
                                                                                                                                                                             *Doxology                                         Grant Us, God, the Grace                                                 VU # 540

*Offertory Prayer:                                                                                                                                                                 O God, receive all that we bring, all that we are, and all that we seek to be as we strive to move ever closer to you and your will.  Bless these gifts, that others may be blessed we pray.  Amen.

*Hymn:                                Forty Days and Forty Nights                                                        VU # 114

*Commissioning and Benediction 

*Vespers

Minutes for Mission

February 26, 2012

Thankful Living, Joyful Giving

One: The Margate Pastoral Charge, Prince Edward Island, shares its story about giving to Mission and Service.

Church member Donna Cobb returned home from the annual meeting of Maritime Conference with a beautiful handmade quilt with the Mission and Service logo surrounded by a sea of squares in the M&S rainbow colours. The quilt had graced the meeting space in Sackville and been auctioned off as a fund-raiser for Mission and Service.

Two: The quilt gave Donna an idea. At worship on the first Sunday in Lent, members of Margate Pastoral Charge found the quilt hanging on the wall but covered in dark fabric divided into blocks, each with a dollar figure. If people wanted to see what was underneath, they had to pay! The hope was to have the whole quilt uncovered by Easter Sunday.

One: A large decorated can received donations, and a thermometer on the wall measured weekly progress. The Sunday school children brought gifts each week. The youth raised $300 with a bake sale and challenged the Official Board to match it. Inspired by the children and youth, adults donated generously. Each week there was anticipation as money was counted, the step ladder brought out, and blocks uncovered.

Two: By Palm Sunday the waiting was over, and all blocks were unveiled. The congregation enjoyed the beautiful gift throughout the season of Easter and celebrated the $2,300 joyfully forwarded to our United Church Mission and Service.

Both: How will we celebrate Mission and Service this Lent and Easter?