REID MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.)
SUNDAY, February 21, 2021 at 10:30 am
First Sunday in Lent
We will worship together in the sanctuary
and live via  Youtube page.
 

WE GATHER IN GOD’S WORD

 
PRELUDE     Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days   Kevin J. Sadowski
                                                                                  
PRAYER OF PREPARATION

God of grace and glory, you call us with your voice of flame to be your people, faithful and courageous.  As your beloved Son embraced his mission  in the waters of baptism, inspire us with the fire of your Spirit to join in his transforming work. We ask this in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen

 
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS               Rev. Nadine Ellsworth-Moran
 
*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                       Rev. Mark A. Medina

We have entered the season of Lent,
a time to examine our hearts and our lives
     and journey with Christ through the suffering of the world.
Let us lift up our souls to our merciful God
     and humble ourselves in God’s service.
God has marked us as beloved dust
     and called us together to worship.
 
*HYMN 618           O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High      DEO GRACIAS
 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

In the season of Lent, O God, we say lofty words about renewing our spiritual disciplines, journeying with you to the cross, or denying ourselves material wants for the good of the soul. Forgive us, O God, if our actions are in vain: if we are concerned with the good of the soul rather than the good of your people; if we have twisted this season of penitence into a reason for praise or judgment; if we are so preoccupied with the sins of the world that we cannot recognize and confess the sins of our own lives. Forgive us, O God, and wash us in your mercy. Hear us now, O God, as we lift up our silent prayers of confession to you.

 
SILENT PRAYER
 
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
 
*GLORIA PATRI

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost.  As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

  
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD'S PRAYER   Rev. Robert Hunt

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

 
OFFERING OF OUR LIVES AND LABORS            
                                                                      
OFFERTORY                            Thy Holy Wings                 Swedish Folk Tune

Pam Snowdy, Soprano
 

Thy holy wings O Savior, spread gently over me
And let me rest securely through good and ill in thee.
Oh, be my strength and portion, my rock and hiding place,
And let my ev’ry moment be lived within thy grace.
 
Oh, let me nestle near thee, within thy downy breast
Where I will find sweet comfort and peace within thy nest.
Oh, close thy wings around me and keep me safely there,
For I am but a newborn and need thy tender care.
 
Oh, wash me in the waters of Noah’s cleansing flood.
Give me a willing spirit, a heart both clean and good.
Oh, take into thy keeping thy children great and small,
And while we sweetly slumber, enfold us one and all.
 
 
*OFFERTORY RESPONSE         Doxology                                OLD HUNDREDTH
 

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

 
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
 
*HYMN 167                  Forty Days and Forty Nights   
                                                       AUS DER TIEFE RUFE ICH             
 

CHILDREN’S MOMENT                                                              Ms. Joy Maple

The children will remain in worship

Go now in peace. Go now in peace.
May the love of God surround you
Everywhere, everywhere, you may go.

 
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
   
NEW TESTAMENT READING       1 Peter 3:18-22         Pew Bible, page 1296
 
The Word of the Lord.                               
                        Thanks be to God. 
 
ANTHEM                         Create in Me a Clean Heart          Paul Christiansen

Pam Snowdy, Soprano

Send forth thy light and thy love, O Lord. Fill my heart with thy Holy Spirit.
Lead me, lead me into thy presence and teach me to love thy ways, O Jesus. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free Spirit.
 
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free Spirit.
 

GOSPEL READING                       Mark 1:9-15            Pew Bible, page 1063
   
The Word of the Lord.                 
                        Thanks be to God. 
 
SERMON           Where Our Walk with Jesus will Take Us          Rev. Medina
 
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH         Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9. 21

 
The reconciling work of Jesus was the supreme crisis in the life of humankind. His cross and resurrection become personal crisis and present hope for women and men when the gospel is proclaimed and believed. In this experience, the Spirit brings God’s forgiveness to all, moves people to respond in faith, repentance, and obedience, and initiates the new life in Christ. Amen.
 

*HYMN 370                        This Is my Father’s World                    TERRA BEATA
 

*BENEDICTION         
 
*POSTLUDE                         In Thee Is  Gladness                                J.S. Bach
 
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*Please stand, as you are able