UJCC Sunday House Worship Service
February 28, 2021 * 2nd 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
Leader: We are in the presence of God.
Leave the places you have known and walk with God.
Leave behind thoughts of limitation and imagine.
People: But we are secure where we are.
Ahh, but New ways of being in this world is possible for each of us.
Can’t God bless us where we are, and as we are?
If you trust enough to move from the places you have known,
and question the systems around us,
you will be blessed.
God is our light and our salvation.
Lord, we open ourselves to you.
Direct our paths and open our hearts and minds.
In this place, in every place,
for this time, for all time.
All: Let us worship our God. (uc)
Song of Centering
We Humbly Adore and Receive
Children’s Time Rev. Akiko Miyake - Stoner
Scripture Reading in Japanese Psalm 124 Miwa & Nanami Jones
Choir Lenten Meditation
Sermon “A Long Obedience: Worship, Service, Help” Rev. Sungrae Kim
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 "Heart of Worship”
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.
Meeting ID: 892 8141 6160
Or call: +1 669 900 6833
* Sunday School at 1 pm
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: (uc) United Church of Christ website: https://www.ucc.org/worship-way/lent_2_march_8/ (based on Genesis 12:1-4a; John 3:1-17)
Psalm 124 (The Message Translation)
1-5 If God hadn’t been for us —all together now, Israel, sing out!— If God hadn’t been for us when everyone went against us, We would have been swallowed alive by their violent anger, Swept away by the flood of rage, drowned in the torrent; We would have lost our lives in the wild, raging water.
6 Oh, blessed be God!
He didn’t go off and leave us.
He didn’t abandon us defenseless,
helpless as a rabbit in a pack of snarling dogs.
7 We’ve flown free from their fangs,
free of their traps, free as a bird.
Their grip is broken;
we’re free as a bird in flight. 8 God’s strong name is our help,
the same God who made heaven and earth.