First Congregational Church of Montague
February 21, 2010 First Sunday of Lent
Meditation: Generally speaking, a howling wilderness does not howl: it is the imagination of the traveler that does the howling. Henry David Thoreau
Prelude
Announcements
Invitation to Worship
L: Long ago, God rescued God’s people from slavery.
P: We are enslaved today, in many different ways.
L: God can and will rescue us. Place your trust in God’s love.
P: Our hope is in the Lord who is our refuge and our strength.
L: Even though temptations surround us, drawing us away from God,
P: We will continue to follow God and trust in God’s ways. AMEN.
Prayer of Invocation
God of deliverance and freedom, you taught the people of
Hymn: #363 A Mighty Fortress is Our God
Children’s Church
Prayer of Confession
As with good clothes that we toss away, so we shed our trust in you. We abandon innocence. Our striving is vain ambition. We count on knowledge to save us, cleverness to protect us, and our own authority to banish evil from among us. Forgive us. Turn us to the life abundant that you lay at our feet. May an incomparable sense of your presence flow through us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.
Words of Assurance
God will provide for your needs. Place your trust in God. You are not alone. God is with you always. The world cannot offer to you such abiding riches as the presence of God. AMEN.
Gloria Patri
Choral Anthem
Responsive
Scripture Lessons
Hebrew Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Epistle: Romans 10: 8b-13
Gospel: Luke 4:1-13
Sermon: Of Plagues and Pinions
Hymn: Stay With Me (Taizé) Stay with me, Remain here with me
Watch and pray, watch and pray
Prayers
Joys and Concerns
L: Let us join in prayer. The Lord be with you.
P: And with your spirit
Pastoral Prayer
Silent Prayer
Lord’s Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever Amen.
Prayer Response
Offering
Invitation to Giving
Offertory Anthem
Doxology #514
Prayer of Dedication of Gifts and Self
Creator of all, you made each of us in your image so that we would be in relationship with you and with each other. There are so many who have reached out and helped us in our lives. We have a responsibility to reach out and help others who are in need. Thank you for the abilities you have given us to provide for ourselves and our loved ones. Thank you that we have the ability to offer treasures, talents, and time to help others. Amen.
Affirmation of Faith: We Covenant with the Lord and one with another; and do bind ourselves in the presence of God, to walk together in all the ways which are revealed unto us in the Blessed word of truth. (Salem Covenant)
Hymn: #153 Lord, Who Throughout These Forty days
Benediction
Benediction Response
Postlude
February Lenten Exhibit: The Psalms by Rev. Andrea Ayvazian and Ellen Augarten (With us from Feb 10th-April 5th)
Lenten Meditation: Wed ; Thurs
Open space for developing your Lenten Spiritual Practice with guidance and sharing as desired. See our calendar at montaguechurch.org or email Pastor Barb for details
February 21 PIZZA and ICE CREAM!, 5pm Bean Auction
February 28 Taizé service of prayer and song (come at if you want to learn the songs)
Mar 4th Meet the Artist Ellen Augarten
Prayer Garden
Scott Cromack, Kevin Clark, Leslie Brown, Dean Brooks, George and Mike Wells, Kay Martin, Cheryl Lussier, Joshua Barber, John Hurd, Cheryl Hebert, Roy Housman, Larry and Cy Emond, David Martin, Francie Garanin, “A beautiful young woman,” Ida Westover, Robert Kilburn, Terry Desautels, Rau/Zaniewski families, Jean O’Hara, Karen and Joe O’Hare
Community Meals SIGN-UPS NEEDED
First Monday of every month at at a new location, the First Congregational Church of Turners Falls. It is across the street from Our Lady of Peace. Please contact Dianne Dolan at 978-544-8430 or ddolan@mass.rr.com if you are willing to help. Please volunteer.
Deacon of the month for February is Brenda O’Gara
**Please fill out the pew card or let a deacon or Pastor Barb know if you would like a visit or have a prayer concern. **
First Congregational
Trinitarian
Pastor Barbara E. Turner Delisle
Music Director Ann Cenzano
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