Bulletin for March 4th 2012

Gathering Music:

Welcome and Announcements:

Lighting of the Christ Candle:

*Introit: Faith of Our Fathers VU 634

Call to Worship:

One: When God promised him a son, Abraham threw

himself down on his face and laughed!

All: Sometimes we laugh at God’s promises.

One: When Sarah heard from God’s visitor that she would

have a baby, she laughed to herself and said, “I’m past the age of having babies!”

All: Sometimes we laugh at God’s promises.

One: Isaac, the child who was born to them was named

“laughter” because Sarah said, “God has given me good reason to laugh, and everybody who hears will laugh with me.”

All: Sometimes we laugh with delight because

one of God’s promises comes true.

One: These are two kinds of laughter, one of doubt, one of joy.

God promises us incredible things.

All: Let us believe and laugh in joy! AMEN.

Our Personal Confession and Silent Prayer …

Silent Prayer ……………………… (F) Voices United pg. 959

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 trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory,

for ever and ever. AMEN

Prayer of Approach:

One: God of Sarah and Abraham, God of us all: you have called people

throughout the ages to journey in faithfulness. Give to us a sense of anticipation through this Lenten season, that we may move with confidence and hope toward the new life of Easter. We pray in Jesus’ name, our Companion and Guide. AMEN.

(E) *Hymn: Jesus, Friend of Little Children VU 340

(E) Story Time:

(F) *Hymn: God, Whose Love is Reign O’er Us VU 399

WE LISTEN FOR A WORD FROM GOD

Genesis 17: 1-7, 15-16

Psalm 22 (part three – vs 23-38) (VU pg. 746)

Romans 4:13-25

Mark 8:31-38

(E) *Hymn: God, Whose Love is Reign O’er Us VU 399

(F) Choir:

Reflection: “A Covenant of trust, laughter and blessing …”

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

*Hymn: Great is Thy Faithfulness VU 288

Minute for Mission:

Offering:

Offering Hymn: “Praise God From Whom …” HFG 382

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,

Praise Him all creatures here below,

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost AMEN.

Offering Prayer:

Prayers of the People:

(F) *Hymn: Jesus, Friend of Little Children VU 340

(F) Story Time:

* Hymn: To Show By Touch and Word VU 427

*Benediction:

*Choral Response: Amen, Amen, Hallelujah, Amen (VU 974)