March 21, 2004

I will arise and go to Jesus

When we recognize and repent of our sins,
God calls us to arise and go to Jesus,
who welcomes us with open arms
and calls us to make peace.

March 21, 2004
Lent week 4

Gathering in Christ's name

Leader: Tell me, repentant people, who is the Lord our God?
People: The Lord is our deliverer,
the one who hears our confession and forgives our sin.
Leader: Tell me, blessed people, who is the Lord our God?
People: The Lord is our hiding place,
our shelter in times of trouble.
Leader: Tell me, wise people, who is the Lord our God?
People: The Lord is our teacher, our counselor,
our leader on the way.
Leader: Tell the Lord, righteous people, whom do you worship?
All: We worship you, Lord, and serve only you.
You are the God of our salvation.

Prayer of Invocation
Hymns We gather together HWB 17
When all thy mercies HWB 72

Scripture Reading based on Joshua 5:9-12 & Psalm 32
Children's story Jr youth & youth drama
Hymn There's a wideness in God's mercy HWB 145

Confession/reconciling prayer of confession

All: Forgiving God, we confess our sins to you.
Though we have been silent about our failures
and have tried to hide our iniquities,
we acknowledge them to you today.
We take selfish paths;
we err in thought and speech;
we shield our broken hearts from your great love.
We bring all that we are to you.
Help us to hide nothing from you.
Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us.
(silence)

Assurance of God's grace

Leader: Our loving God welcomes us with outstretched arms.
Today, receive God's embrace,
not as a servant, but as a beloved child.

Proclaiming God's Word

Scripture Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Sermon "Beyond a prodigal's wildest dreams - reconciliation"
Hymn We are people of God's peace HWB 407

Responding to God's call

Joys and concerns
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord's Prayer
Offering
Announcements
Welcome Matthew Yoder as member
Hymn Be thou my vision HWB 545

Benediction
Let us go out with joy! Let us speak for Peace! The past is forgotten; everything is made new! Now we have been given the work of speaking for Christ and making peace with the people we meet.

Today

Worship Leader - Maren Tyedmers Hange
Music - Dottie Scott, Andy Orban
Sermon - Roy Hange
Nursery - Lara Upton

Announcements

Is there a song you would especially like to sing? Write it down and put it in the song suggestion box in the foyer.

All women are invited to the baby shower for Katja and Mina on April 4 at 2:30 pm at Jeannine Denlinger's house.

J Mark Stauffer died on 3/14/04 in Menno Haven, Chambersburg, Pa. He served as pastor at Charlottesville Mennonite Church for 16 years until 1977. The memorial service was last week at Park View Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg.

Free tickets for the "Charlottesville Passion Play" presented by First Baptist Church are available starting March 15. Eight Performances will be held March 27&28, April 3&4 at 3:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Call the First Baptist Church office for reservations 296-6195.

Prayers and Praises

VMBM: Marcia Lehman spent two days in the hospital with Valeria, a member of Centro Koinonia in Bari, during the birth of Valeria's first child. Italian hospitals have very few nurses, and rely heavily on the families to provide care. Valeria was able to encourage the other women in her room, and Marcia got to know Valeria's mother who is not yet a Christian.

Mennonite Mission Network: Pray for the Burgos Mennonite Church in Spain as it seeks resources for renovating their storefront meeting hall. They would like to build a more welcoming façade and entrance, and add an office for the pastor. Mission workers Connie and Dennis Byler are involved in this congregation.

Pray for the local services for people in need: Love Inc., Shelter for Help in Emergency, Food Bank and the Salvation Army.