MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE
The
Eleven O’clock March
22, 2009
Frederick K. Weimert, Pastor
Ruth Kulkarni, Christian Kirby, Pastoral Staff
Glenn L.
Wittstadt, Jr., Organist‑Director
PRELUDE “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” J. S. Bach
INTROIT:
*CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 107: 1-3, 17-22\
O give thanks to
the LORD, for God is good;
with
steadfast love enduring forever.
Let the redeemed of
the LORD say so, those redeemed from trouble, and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
Some
were sick through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities endured
affliction;
they loathed any kind of
food, and they drew near to the gates of death.
Then
they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and God saved them from their
distress;
the Lord sent out a word
and healed them, and delivered them from destruction. Let them thank the LORD for steadfast love,
and for wonderful works to humankind.
And
let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices, and tell of God’s deeds with songs of
joy.
*HYMN 7:
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
INVOCATION FOLLOWED BY THE LORD’S PRAYER
(The version we use is printed on the laminated card in
the pew)
EXTENDED LIFE OF THE CHURCH
*OFFERING Grant
us Lord, the grace of giving,
With
a spirit large and free,
That
ourselves and all our living
We
may offer unto Thee.
RESPONSIVE CALL TO PRAYER
Last week we read
Paul’s statement about the problem Jewish people had with Jesus being
crucified…
“We
proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to
Gentiles,”
The book of
Deuteronomy stated that people convicted of crimes punishable by death should
be “hung on a tree…”
So
Jewish people believed that any one hung on a tree was cursed.
To get around the
stigma of the cross John turned to an even earlier story of the wilderness
wanderings…
“Just
as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be
lifted up…”
The story was that the
poisonous serpents in the wilderness were God’s judgment on a contentious and
complaining people.
So the serpent on the pole was the
antidote for
sin.
Savior who was lifted on the cross, it hardly seems to us that our sin
would merit such sacrifice. We haven’t
really been guilty of any major infractions.
Oh, we have complained about our leaders and the situation where we find
ourselves, but Your sending serpents among us is hardly warranted.
As we are bitten, and as the venom flows in
our veins, lift our eyes away from this earth, from our human situations and
solutions and may we come to see only You.
Hear our prayer and bring healing and wholeness to us and to our land.
Amen.
*HYMN 2213: “Healer of Our Every
HEBREW BIBLE:
Numbers 21: 4 -9 pg.
134
SERMON:
“Our Sacred Totems”
*INVITATION
HYMN 320: “Turn
Your Eyes upon Jesus”
Decisions of
faith are personal decisions. It is for
us to choose if we will believe in God.
Decisions of faith are also public and corporate decisions. When we choose to follow Jesus we are
choosing to become part of the “Body of Christ”, the Church. If you would like to confirm the decision you
have made to begin your life of faith or continue that life as a part of this
congregation, come forward as we sing the invitational hymn and speak with the
worship leader about your decision.
*BENEDICTION/RESPONSE
POSTLUDE: “Now
Thank We All Our God ” by J. S. Bach
* Congregation standing.
If you have a special prayer request
please fill out a pink card, found in the pews, bring it forward and place it
on the communion table either before the service or during the first hymn.
*****
T H I S W E E K
MONDAY March 23rd
Sarah’s Hope Work Day
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Just sign up on the back of a card today to let us
know of your plans.
6:15 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer
7:00 p.m.
SUNDAY March 29th
There will be a Congregational
Business Meeting to elect new officers for the coming year, and also in that
meeting the Deacons would like the Congregation to give them some insight on
feelings about the investment of the Congregation’s Endowment Fund.
also at 7:00 p.m. The members of the
Horizon Congregation will hold a slave auction in Calvary’s Social Hall, so if
you have some odd spring chores, which demand more youth or strength, come and
purchase a few hours of service, from someone young and strong.
March 29th 2:00 p.m.
Service at Pickersgill Retirement Home.
We are continuing to make collections for the Morris Chair
at the