Order of Worship April 3, 2022
UJCC Sunday Worship Service
April 3, 2022 * 5th Sunday of Lent
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other,
just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
-Ephesians 4:32
We Gather Together
Nathan will not be able to run the live stream this morning due to health complications. As a result, please bear with us if there are any technical issues, the live stream is not working, or if it takes longer to upload the worship service.
You are invited to the spiritual practice of returning thanks to God. You can try our online giving option HERE. Thank you and peace be with you!
We Gather Together
You are invited to the spiritual practice of returning thanks to God. You can try our online giving option HERE. Thank you and peace be with you!
Prelude
We recognize that some of you may have had a crazy week and need some space or quiet time. So, 5-10 minutes prior to the service, we will play some music that you can listen to while you meditate. Otherwise, feel free to let us know that you're here by saying hi in the chat!
Words of Welcome
Around 10:30AM, our service will start. During this time, our worship leader will offer a greeting, introduce special guests, or provide important information for the service. Ultimately, we want to show how much we appreciate you joining us today despite your busy schedule.
Passing the Peace
Passing of the peace may merely seem like a time to greet one another. However, it also serves as a reminder of the peace that we have with God and the peace that we have with each other due to Jesus’ sacrifice. Please take this time to greet one another at church and online!
Song of Centering - "Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying"
In the same way that we get ready for a date, it is important for us to get ready to hear God’s Word. So, during the songs of centering, we intentionally try to lay aside our busy lives, worries, and distractions in order to focus on God. For if we have too much noise in our minds, this can leave little room for God. Please feel free to sit quietly in meditation, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, sing along, or use your body as you are able.
Opening Prayer
We believe that God hears us when we call for help and that God answers our prayers too. So, we use this time to invite God to be present and working among us in our church service. After all, we can do nothing apart from God. Feel free to enjoy this prayer and meditation upon the words as it is read:
Lord, make us instruments of your peace,
where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master,
grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
Sermon - "Become A Noticer"
We believe God still speaks to us today through the Bible, people, and many other sources as well. As a result, we listen to Rev. Akiko during this time and try to discern what God is trying to tell us through his message. Feel free to listen, take notes, or meditate on something that stuck out to you. Here is the Scripture text that Rev. Akiko will be reading from this passage today:
Psalm 148 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. He established them for ever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and women alike, old and young together!
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the Lord!
Song of Reflection - "All Creatures of Our God and King"
It is our responsibility to respond to God’s message. So, the song after the sermon gives us a little more time to digest God’s message and think about how we can respond appropriately. So, feel free to meditate on the message, pray, or simply enjoy the music.
Time of Confession
We recognize that we are not perfect people. All of us make mistakes. Therefore, we confess our mistakes to God so that they will no longer hold power over us, we can overcome them, and we can live changed lives. Feel free to read the parts marked "All" below and join us in prayer as we seek to learn from our mistakes:
Leader:
Rushed by the busyness of life, weary from the stress of everyday, we have these moments to catch our breath, to think of how we have treated others recently, to remember how we have not been God's faithful people. Let us come to God, knowing that the One who listens to our words, is the One who has given us the Word of grace and mercy.
All: Everlasting God, we know how easy it is to forget your presence and power in our lives. Focused on our daily planners, we do not pay attention to the night sky and the stars that glitter. Surrounded by the sounds of anger, violence, and hate, we have trouble listening to your whispers of hope and grace. Thinking that Scripture is filled only with stories, we cannot understand your truth which can change lives.
All: Forgive us. There is no one who can hold a candle to you when it comes to mercy and hope. Lift us to our feet so we may walk with you; fill us with your strength so we may serve your people; touch us with your healing so we may proclaim to everyone the Good News that has come in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. [time of silent prayer and confession]
Words of Assurance
We believe that God is bigger and more powerful than any and all of our mistakes. God has guaranteed that all will be forgiven as long as we come humbly in prayer and ask for forgiveness. So, we have an infinite hope for a better tomorrow. Feel free to join us in prayer as Rev. Akiko speaks these words of assurance:
Leader:
The Good News is this:
God never tires out, God is always with us,
God heals us with mercy, God strengthens us for service.
All: The One who numbers the stars knows each of us by name.
Thanks be to God, we are forgiven. Amen.
Holy Communion & The Great Thanksgiving
We believe in practicing a tradition that Jesus started with the disciples thousands of years ago. During communion, we remember how Jesus gave us His life for us so that we may be forgiven and one day join God for all eternity. Feel free to read the parts marked "All" below after Rev. Akiko has finished reading the line before. Also, we believe that all are welcome at God's table. So, if you would like to participate in communion, feel free to get up from your seat and go to the front when the ushers prompt you.
Leader:
The Lord be with you.
All:
And also with you.
Leader:
Lift up your hearts.
All:
We lift them up to the Lord.
Leader:
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All:
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Leader:
…And so,
With your people on earth
And all the company of heaven
We praise your name and join their unending hymn:
All:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Leader:
…as we proclaim the mystery of faith:
All:
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Joys and Concerns
We believe God hears and answers our prayers. Not only that, but we believe in praying together so that we can encourage and support those going through difficult times, or celebrate our many blessings. For we are all God’s family. When one of us suffers, we all suffer. When one of us rejoices, we all rejoice. You are not alone. If you have any prayer requests, feel free to raise your hand until you are called upon. After each prayer request, we will say “O God of mercy” and everyone responds, “This is our prayer.” Finally, once all the prayer requests have been heard, we will close with a final prayer followed by the Lord’s prayer. If you do not know the Lord’s prayer, it will be up on the slideshow for you.
Announcements
The announcements provide opportunities for us to put our faith into action throughout the week. Please try to see if anything interests you or challenge yourself to try something new. Volunteering is a great way to bless others, but we are often blessed ourselves in the process. You can sign up by clicking on the purple footsteps button in the bottom right corner.
Song of Sending - "How Great Thou Art"
The song of sending forth prepares our hearts to go back out into the world. You can use this song as a final opportunity to decide how to respond to the message, pray for God’s guidance, or simply enjoy the music by humming along.
Benediction
Benediction is another word for blessing. It is a short prayer said in order to bless everyone as we get ready to go back out into the world. Feel free to close your eyes and receive the blessing so that you may be strengthened and encouraged.
Postlude - “When We Are Living"
This is the final ending song for the worship service. Once the song is finished, feel free to check out the church entrance for event information, talk with someone new, or go about the rest of your day!