LANGLEY UNITED CHURCH

̶= 0;Guided by the Holy Spirit, we are called together by Jesus:<= /p>

to worship God; to gr= ow as disciples of Christ; to serve the world and each other;

and to offer hospitali= ty and welcome to all.”

=

March 1, 2009

First Sunday in Lent<= o:p>

We Gather in God’s Name

Prelude:&nbs= p;   The Master Has Called Us, the Ash Grove

Greetings and Announcements

Preparation for Worship, Quiet Meditation

Lighting the Christ Candle=

Call to Worship:

      Jesus invit= es us to journey with him.

      Let us prep= are for the path ahead.

      = Jesus invites us to share his burde= ns.

      Let us prep= are for the task.

      = Jesus invites us to change our live= s.

      Let us prep= are for the grace of Lent.   &nb= sp;       =

Hymn of Praise: MV #79 Spirit, Open My Heart

Opening Prayer:

  =     God of change,

        &= nbsp;   may our lives be filled

        &= nbsp;   with new ideas and possibilities.

      God of chal= lenge,

        &= nbsp;   may our lives be filled

        &= nbsp;   with ways to serve.&n= bsp;

      God of the covenant,

        &= nbsp;   may our lives be filled

        &= nbsp;   with the promises of grace.

      God of rain= bows,

        &= nbsp;   may our lives be filled

        &= nbsp;   with the colours of your love. Amen

                    &= nbsp;

Learning with Children<= /o:p>

Prayer of Confession:

      God, you= have called us into the wilderness and beyond.

      We confess = that we are not so eager to respond.

      Forgive us = when we seek security rather than change,

        &= nbsp;   comfort rather than service, our own interests

        &= nbsp;   rather than your call to covenant.

      Free us to repent, to turn in another direction,

        &= nbsp;   to know you in your fullness,
        &= nbsp;   and to make a difference in your world.

      This we ask= in the name of your beloved child,

        &= nbsp;   Jesus Christ, who shows us how to live,

        &= nbsp;   how to trust, how to risk, how to love.

Kyrie = VU #946

Words of Assurance

We Listen for God’s Word<= /o:p>

The Hebrew Scripture:    Genesis 9:8-17

The Psalm:&n= bsp;    25 VU #752 (refrain 2)<= /span>

The Gospel Lesson: Mark 1:9-15

Anthem: = ;   Come to the Water by John B. Foley, S.J.=

Reflection on the Word:      &n= bsp;     Don’t Give Up

We Respond to God’s Word<= /o:p>

Hymn: VU #635 All the Way My Saviour Leads Me<= /p>
Prayers of the People

Presenting Our Gifts

Offertory:&n= bsp;           Care = Selve by G. F. Handel
      Soloist: Irene Reed

We Come to God’s Table of Grac= e

Communion Hymn:   VU #457 As We Gather at Your Table

The Great Thanksgiving

The Lord’s Prayer

Breaking the Bread and Filling the Cup<= /o:p>

Sharing the Bread and Cup<= /p>
Prayer after Communion

  =     Faithful God,

            in this holy bread you have increased our faith.<= /o:p>

      In this hol= y cup you have increased our hope.

      Nourish us = in this time of Lent,

        &= nbsp;   and lead us in the path of Christ, <= /b>

        &= nbsp;   who is your Word of Life.

      We ask this= in his name. Amen

We Go Forth to Serve

Closing Hymn:    VU #424 May the God of Hope Go with Us

Commissioning and Benediction

Amen: &= nbsp;     VU #969 (Kriewald)

Postlude:&nb= sp; Praise the Lord, Who Reigns Triumphant

      <= span style=3D'font-family:"CG Times \(W1\)"'>(Please remain seated during the Postlude)