UJCC Sunday Worship Service
March 6, 2022 * 1st Sunday of Lent
“Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.”
-Robert Robinson, from “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
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!
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 - "Immortal, Invisible"
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:
God of revelation, unveil your Kingdom in our midst. Show us who we truly are in you: expose the illusions that distort our vision, deliver us from temptations that contort our living, open our eyes in this time of trial – that resistance may be the secret of our joy and our joy a sign of your shalom. Amen.
Welcome and Blessing of Our New Associate Pastor Rev. Ivana Heang
Leader: Dear friends, today we welcome Rev. Ivana, who has been appointed to serve as our pastor. We believe that she is well qualified and has been prayerfully appointed by our bishop, Minerva Carcaño. We welcome her family, Rev. Vathanak, Philo, Shilo, and Khilo and give thanks for their presence with us.
Leader: Rev. Ivana, you have been sent to live among us as a bearer of the Word of God; a minister of the Sacraments; and a sustainer of the love, order, and discipleship of the people of God.
Rev. Ivana: Today I reaffirm this commitment in the presence of this congregation.
Leader: Brothers and sisters in Christ, as a people committed to participate in the ministries of the Church by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service, will you who celebrate this new beginning support and uphold Rev. Ivana in these ministries and include Rev. Vathanak, Philo, Shilo, and Khilo in the life of our church family?
All: We reaffirm our commitment to support you with our prayers, presence, gifts, and service.
Leader: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger
All: who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation. (bow)
Sermon - "Mount of Thy Redeeming Love"
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:
2 Chronicles 7:14-16
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house so that my name may be there for ever; my eyes and my heart will be there for all time.
Song of Reflection - "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"
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
Leader: Merciful God, from you comes all truth, all healing, all that makes our world good and whole.
All: Forgive us, O Lord, those times when we have listened to those who do not speak for you.
Leader: Forgive us for the weakness that has led us at times to seek the water of life at springs which can never satisfy.
All: Forgive us for not testing the spirits that are around us: forgive us too for how we play with empty knowledge and delight in useless predictions that help neither us or those around us.
Leader: Have mercy on us and speak once again to us.
All: Help us to hear the word you send and to turn away from the words that come from false prophets and those who do not know your ways.
[time of silent prayer and confession]
Leader: Lord, hear our prayer.
All: Touch us and make us whole.
Words of Assurance
This is the promise of God:
"If my people humble themselves and pray
and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,
then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin
and will heal their land.” (rf)
In God’s infinite love, you are forgiven. Amen.
Holy Communion
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. If you have any prayer requests, please let us know in the chat!
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 - "More Love To Thee"
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!