Order of Worship February 21, 2021

UJCC Sunday House Worship Service

February 21, 2021 * 1st Sunday of Lent

The Peace of Christ be with you! You are invited to use the following prayers & order of worship as we lift our hearts to God together from our respective homes!

Call To Worship

Loving Lord,

at the beginning of this Lenten season,

we are met with the challenge of handing over

every bit of our lives that do not come from You.

To rid ourselves of what clutters our lives,

and all that distracts us from the simple truth

of Your love for us.

Your prophets have called us to change the way we worship—

to make internal sacrifices instead of external ones.

To seek justice, and love kindness,

and walk humbly with You

each and every one of our days.

If we don’t give anything up for Lent,

then let us at least give up this:

that we might live cease living in ways that disconnect us from You,

for every one of our steps is like a circle around Your temple.

Perhaps this Lent,

we can give up our way

and give ourselves to Your way for us.

So, lead and guide us on this Lenten way.

May we walk with Jesus toward the hill just outside of Jerusalem.

May we like Him take up our cross and follow,

spending each moment of our lives living responsively to You,

just as Christ Himself did.

For that is the faithful way. Amen. (pr)

Song of Centering

We Humbly Adore and Receive

Children’s Time Rev. Sungrae Kim

Scripture Reading in Japanese Psalm 121 Miwa Jones

Choir Lenten Meditation

Sermon “A Long Obedience: Discipleship, Repentance, Providence” Rev. Akiko Miyake-Stoner

Time of Confession

Almighty God, we confess how hard it is to be your people. You have called us to be the church, to continue the mission of Jesus Christ to our lonely and confused world.

Yet we acknowledge we are more apathetic than active, isolated than involved, callous than compassionate, obstinate than obedient, legalistic than loving. Gracious Lord, have mercy upon us and forgive our sins. Remove the obstacles preventing us from being your representatives to a broken world. Awaken our hearts to the promised gift of your indwelling Spirit. In humility and faith we confess our sin to You. This we pray in Jesus’ powerful name. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Here are words you may trust, words that merit full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. To all who confess their sins and resolve to lead a new life, He says, “Your sins are forgiven.” He also says, “Follow me.” Now to the one who rules all worlds, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

Thanks be to God. (gmr)

Song of Reflection "Highlands (Song of Ascent)”

You are invited to continue your spiritual practice of giving to the church. Please either mail your offering to the church (136 N. Villa Ave., Clovis, CA 93612) or try our online giving option (LINK HERE). Thank you!

Doxology Youth Band

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.

* Please join in our Zoom Fellowship & Prayer meeting at 11:30 am

Holy Communion will also be celebrated during our Fellowship and Prayer Zoom meeting at 11:30 today. Please prepare the elements for your household. Any kind of bread or juice (even water) will be appropriate.

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 892 8141 6160

Or call: +1 669 900 6833

* Sunday School at 1 pm

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 833 3556 5421

* If you or your kids would like to contribute to our virtual worship by music, painting, photos, recipes, or anything, please contact Rev. Rae: sungrae@ujcclife.com

Go Now in Peace Becky Messer

Worship Resources: (pr) Patrick Ryan, “Prayer for Faithfulness at the Beginning of Lent,” https://re-worship.blogspot.com/search/label/Lent%201%20B; (gmr) Grace Mills River, slightly adapted “Confession of Sin and Assurance of Pardon,” (based on 1 Timothy 1:15, 17) http://www.gracemillsriver.org/media/sermons-resources/a-long-obedience-in-the-same-direction/

Psalm 121 (The Message Translation)

1-2 I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.

3-4 He won’t let you stumble, your Guardian God won’t fall asleep. Not on your life! Israel’s Guardian will never doze or sleep.

5-6 God’s your Guardian, right at your side to protect you— Shielding you from sunstroke, sheltering you from moonstroke.

7-8 God guards you from every evil, he guards your very life. He guards you when you leave and when you return, he guards you now, he guards you always.