We Are Fragile

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Service of Worship

Beneath the Cross of Jesus
Frederick C. Maker
Public Domain

Opening Prayer

Leader: Let us pray together:

People: Holy One, Lover of Souls, we call out to you. You know our tears and sorrows, and you bear the seeds of grief with us. Open us this day to your comfort that nurtures these seeds into sheaves of joy–the simple and good enough moments that fill our days. Amen.

Opening Hymn — #534 Be Still My Soul

1. Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
leave to your God to order and provide;
in every change God faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: your best, your heavenly friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul: your God will undertake
to guide the future, as in ages past.
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
the Christ who ruled them while he dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
when we shall be forever with the Lord,
when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Be Still My Soul (Finlandia)
Jane Laurie Borthwick | Jean Sibelius | Kathrina Amalia von Schlegel
Public Domain

Reflective Moment / Moment of Silence

And know, that despite our sometimes faltering steps, in the name of Jesus Christ, you are being forgiven, even now.
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. Glory to God! Amen.

Passing the Peace

Scripture Reading — John 12:1-8 (NRSV)

1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped thema with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” 6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

Sermon — Pastor Stacy Dickson
We Are Fragile

Response to the Word — Hymn #99 My Tribute

To God be the glory,
To God be the glory,
To God be the glory
for the things he has done.
With his blood he has saved me;
with his power he has raised me;
to God be the glory
for the things he has done.

My Tribute
Andraé Crouch
© 1971 Bud John Songs, Inc.
Used by Permission. CCLI License # 656051

Prayers of the People, Pastoral Prayer, Lord’s Prayer

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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and glory forever. Amen.

For those who are called and able, gifts and tithes can still be made through online giving, by mailing them in, and by dropping them off to the office through the secure mail slot to the left of the double door entry to the church hallway.

Offertory — Hani

Near the Cross
Arr. Greg Howlett
© 2012 Greg Howlett
Used by Permission

Doxology

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.

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (Old 100th)
Louis Bourgeois | Thomas Ken
© Public Domain

Offertory Prayer

Generous God, in light of your extravagant blessings–no matter what the state of the world or our imperfect lives–we offer our gifts and ourselves, and know that you transform what we plant into the produce of love. Amen.

HOLY COMMUNION – WORD AND TABLE: SERVICE I

CONFESSION AND PARDON

Merciful God,
we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart.
We have failed to be an obedient church.
We have not done your will,
we have broken your law,
we have rebelled against your love,
we have not loved our neighbors,
and we have not heard the cry of the needy.
Forgive us, we pray.
Free us for joyful obedience,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

All pray in silence.

Leader:
Hear the good news:
Christ died for us while we were yet sinners;
that proves God’s love toward us.
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

People:
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

All:
Glory to God. Amen.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Lord be with you
And also with you.

Lift up your hearts
We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

…we praise their name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

…as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.

…all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.
Amen.

Communion Hymn — Hymn #618 Let Us Break Bread Together

1. Let us break bread together on our knees,
let us break bread together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees
with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.

2. Let us drink wine together on our knees,
let us drink wine together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees
with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.

3. Let us praise God together on our knees,
let us praise God together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees
with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.

4. Let us praise God together on our knees,
let us praise God together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees
with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy if you please.

Let Us Break Bread Together
William Farley Smith
© 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House
Used by Permission. CCLI License # 656051

PRAYER AFTER RECEIVING

Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery
in which you have given yourself to us.
Grant that we may go into the world
in the strength of your Spirit,
to give ourselves for others,
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.

Closing Hymn — #634 Now Let Us From This Table Rise

1. Now let us from this table rise
renewed in body, mind, and soul;
with Christ we die and live again,
his selfless love has made us whole.

2. With minds alert, upheld by grace
to spread the word in speech and deed,
we follow in the steps of Christ,
at one with all in hope and need.

3. To fill each human house with love,
it is the sacrament of care;
the work that Christ began to do
we humbly pledge ourselves to share.

4. Then grant us courage, Father God,
to choose again the pilgrim way,
and help us to accept with joy
the challenge of tomorrow’s day.

Now Let Us From This Table Rise (Deus Tuorum Militum)
Fred Kaan | Ralph Vaughan Williams
Words: © 1968 Hope Publishing Company
Music: Public Domain
Used by Permission. CCLI License # 656051

Benediction

And now, may the God who loves all of creation, especially the grief-stricken parts, and Jesus, our companion along this crooked path called life, and the Holy Spirit, who loves to improvise in surprising ways, go with you, dwell among you, and give you joy. Amen.

Postlude – Hani

Rondeau
Henry Purcell
Public Domain