UJCC Sunday House Worship Service
March 15, 2020 * 3rd Sunday of Lent
Please gather at home with your family and/or friends. You are invited to use the following prayers & order of worship. Feel free to add your favorite hymns and songs!
Call To Worship
Leader: In times of war and in times of peace,
All: We gather to worship you, O God.
Leader: In times of scarcity and in times of abundance,
All: We gather to worship you, O God.
Leader: In times of anxiety and in times of rest,
All: We gather to worship you, O God.
Leader: In times of challenge and in times of comfort,
All: We gather to worship you, O God.
Leader: In times of grief and in times of celebration,
All: We gather to worship you, O God.
Leader: We gather because we are your beloveds, O God,
All: And we rest in the shelter of your wings.
Scripture Reading Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns.
6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 ‘Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.’ 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
Sermon “Be Still And Know That I Am God” Rev. Akiko Miyake-Stoner
Time of Confession
Holy God,
Author of life and Source of all hope, Creator, Redeemer, Sanctifier: hear our prayer:
We open our hearts to you this day, and offer the truth of our lives:
The fear that stifles us,
The prejudice that blinds us,
The ignorance that hobbles us,
The doubt that plagues us.
At times we feel so frail and fragile, getting blown about by the latest crisis, by bad news, by our own short tempers and failings. You call us to hold fast to what is good, but so often we flounder, unable to find that solid thing that will center us again. Help us, we pray. Help us to see you as our center, and to cling to the good that you create in the world. Help us to set aside all our mistrust and prejudices, all of our betrayals and lies, all that adds to the world’s hurt.
Help us, we pray, that we will find courage in unlikely places,
See the world with new and gracious eyes,
Move to those places where love is needed,
Have faith that you are with us.
Help us to grow even more into Christ’s likeness, that we will bear his love and truth to the world.
[Silence for self-examination and confession]
Friends, this is the Good News:
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
And we are not only forgiven, we are also freed.
The mercies of God are from everlasting to everlasting.
Let us together proclaim the Good News:
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Thanks be to God! (bmn)
Song of Reflection: Still by Hillsong
Joys and Concerns & Time of Prayer
You are invited to share your joys and concerns with one another using our usual format:
Person lifting the prayer: “O God of Mercy;” everyone’s response: “This is our prayer.”
After you share your joys and concerns, go around the circle and offer prayer, praying freely or using this format:
“God, I thank you for…” and “God, I ask for…”
You are invited to close together with The Lord’s Prayer.
Throughout this week, let us continue to pray for one another and for our world.
God’s blessings to you!
Worship Resource: (bmn) Beth Merrill Neil, “Prayer of Confession,” excerpts from prayers https://holdfasttowhatisgood.com/liturgy/prayer-of-confession/