March 25, 2018 PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS

A LENTEN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in God, the creator of heaven and earth, granter of grace and life.
We believe that nothing in all the world, can separate us from the love of God
who always forgives a repentant heart.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God in human vesture, who came to love us into new life.
We believe that Jesus took the burden of our sins upon himself,
and carried that burden to the cross where he relinquished his own life for our sakes.
This act was his ultimate gift to us.
We believe that his death was not the end, but that he was raised from the dead,
and he will come again one day.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who speaks truth to all people, in every language.
Our hearts are warmed when we embrace that Spirit, and God’s presence within us is revealed.
As the church, and as members of the body of Christ in the world,
we believe we are called to make a difference in this world.
Thanks be to God.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Glorious God, we picture your majesty, your splendor the opulence of your abode and are struck by the contrast with the life you chose on earth. Today we process with Jesus followers watching as those closest to him lifted him up upon a donkey. Just like Solomon rode his father’s donkey to Gihon to be anointed king, so too Jesus rode into Jerusalem, your anointed messiah descending the Mount of Olives. When Solomon received his anointing the people shouted, “Long live King Solomon.” Today Jesus’ followers are shouting, “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!” Dearest Lord, help us focus our hearts and minds on the significance of every moment of this Holy Week. Help us comprehend that Jesus gave everything so that his disciples might continue spreading the Good News, giving of themselves over to the task. Let us follow in their footsteps giving ourselves over to the task. In the name of the Christ, let us be light and Good News to all whom we meet. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
Two options for a worship theme are provided for this final Sunday of the Lenten season: Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday. When we choose Passion Sunday as the theme, during worship the entire story of Jesus final week of life is told. If we choose Palm Sunday as the theme, the hope is that worshipers will attend the Holy Thursday and Holy Friday Services, to hear the rest of the story, before getting dressed up for Easter. Remembering that there must be endings that precede new beginnings, let us trust God, opening ourselves to the grief that will come always anticipating that God promises only good for us, and will deliver on that promise.

March 18, 2018 "WHO GETS IT?"

A LENTEN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in God, the creator of heaven and earth, granter of grace and life.
We believe that nothing in all the world, can separate us from the love of God
who always forgives a repentant heart.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God in human vesture, who came to love us into new life.
We believe that Jesus took the burden of our sins upon himself,
and carried that burden to the cross where he relinquished his own life for our sakes.
This act was his ultimate gift to us.
We believe that his death was not the end, but that he was raised from the dead,
and he will come again one day.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who speaks truth to all people, in every language.
Our hearts are warmed when we embrace that Spirit, and God’s presence within us is revealed.
As the church, and as members of the body of Christ in the world,
we believe we are called to make a difference in this world.
Thanks be to God.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Glorious God, what a joy it is to sing your praises, surrounded by such tender company. We are lifted up and drawn in by what seems to be the mere combination of notes, yet they are capable of reaching deep into our core, touching the heart. Beloved music, strange music, new music can trigger our emotions evoking feelings of awe and reverence, joy and triumph, laughter and lament. Let your presence permeate the sanctuary, with every breath we take. Let us treasure every moment of our time together, as we gather strength for our journey into our future. Like Jesus’ first followers, we embrace our mission and purpose to serve you, moving ever onward toward your kingdom goal. We thank you always in the name of the Christ. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
Are you a good navigator? I mean, do you have a natural sense of direction, or do you get lost backing out of your driveway? Are you one who likes the turn by turn directions that your GPS app provides, or do you like to wing it? Do you prefer landmarks, or are you good with the old standbys of north, south, east and west? If the directions to the church read about a mile east of the mountains, does that resonate with you, or is just west of the intersection at Sunrise and Alejo more helpful? Some folks have to see the map, some folks work well with two lefts, a right and another left, while still others want every street name at every intersection they will encounter all along the way. As different as our directional preferences are, so too are the different directional preferences of the church. While we may be in the driver’s seat, let’s not forget that God is our navigator.

March 11, 2018 "FIG SEASON"

A LENTEN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in God, the creator of heaven and earth, granter of grace and life.
We believe that nothing in all the world, can separate us from the love of God
who always forgives a repentant heart.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God in human vesture, who came to love us into new life.
We believe that Jesus took the burden of our sins upon himself,
and carried that burden to the cross where he relinquished his own life for our sakes.
This act was his ultimate gift to us.
We believe that his death was not the end, but that he was raised from the dead,
and he will come again one day.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who speaks truth to all people, in every language.
Our hearts are warmed when we embrace that Spirit, and God’s presence within us is revealed.
As the church, and as members of the body of Christ in the world,
we believe we are called to make a difference in this world.
Thanks be to God.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
O most loving and patient God, here within these walls we seek and find sanctuary from the frenzied world beyond our doors. But it is not the building itself that calms the heart and soothes the soul, it is the communion of hearts and souls united within. We share a purpose, which is to serve you and your creation. We share in the spiritual nourishment your word offers and the sacraments provide. When we sing and when we pray we are assured that our spirits connect with yours. With all that, we confess a desire to cling to what is familiar, and what is already known. Lord, help us to remember our days of daring, longing for all things new, when we trusted that you would be with us through thick and thin. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
I have a fig tree in my back yard. I imagine the previous owners of the house planted it to make fig jam. I regret to say that jam is not in my current cooking portfolio, but the tree does its job well when it is watered and pruned, producing pretty tasty figs. Let’s say the fig tree symbolizes the church. The expectation of the church as the body of Christ is to bear good fruit, and in so doing, glorify God. The fact is that those of us who follow Jesus need to be watered and pruned in order to bear the best fruit. I know we object highly to the pruning part, but the seasons of human life are full of occasions of pruning. So too are the seasons of the church as we experience endings and beginnings, as well as losses and gains. Jesus challenges the church to strive to be in season always. I believe it is doable if we let go of selfish motives and embrace our purpose supporting one another through all of life’s seasons.

March 4, 2018 "THE LEGACY OF TOUCH"

A LENTEN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in God the creator of heaven and earth, granter of grace and life.
We believe that nothing in all the world, can separate us from the love of God
who always forgives a repentant heart.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God in human vesture who came to love us into new life.
We believe that Jesus took the burden of our sins upon himself,
and carried that burden to the cross where he relinquished his own life for our sakes.
This act was his ultimate gift to us.
We believe that his death was not the end, but that he was raised from the dead,
and he will come again one day.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who speaks truth to all people, in every language.
Our hearts are warmed when we embrace that Spirit, and God’s presence within us is revealed.
As the church, and as members of the body of Christ in the world,
we believe we are called to make a difference in this world.
Thanks be to God!
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Wondrous and Loving Lord, here, gathered together in this sanctuary, we intentionally turn our attention to you, focusing our thoughts to encounter your very real presence with us. You proclaim your presence, come to us through the scriptures and in the hymns we sing. We encounter your presence as we speak the words of the affirmation of faith, and partake of bread and the cup. When we think about it, it’s kind of silly to imagine that you are somehow absent from the world and our lives the other 6 days of the week. Remind us today that you are with us wherever we go, and in all things. Give us the courage to reach out to you, to seek connection with you, believing that that connection will bring wholeness and healing to shattered spirits, broken hearts, and ravaged bodies. Those who touched your Son encountered your power at work within him. Be at work within us we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
There is a difference between the Sunday chef and Wednesday chef at Mario’s. The Wednesday chef put bacon bits and avocado on my chef’s salad, and I didn’t even ask for them; whereas the Sunday chef created the traditional salad with no extras. Both salads tasted good, and both were nourishing, but I liked my Wednesday salad better than my Sunday salad. With every occasion of Sunday worship, or Messy Church, with every small group study, or opportunity to serve we hope you are spiritually nourished. One of the New Beginnings small groups said church is meant to be soul food for the spiritual tribe, giving strength to the strong. Your support helps us add even greater taste to the mix.

February 25, 2018 "HOPING AGAINST HOPE HE BELIEVED"

ABRAHAM AND SARAH

A LENTEN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in God the creator of heaven and earth, granter of grace and life.
We believe that nothing in all the world, can separate us from the love of God
who always forgives a repentant heart.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God in human vesture who came to love us into new life.
We believe that Jesus took the burden of our sins upon himself, and carried that burden to the cross where he relinquished his own life for our sakes.
This act was his ultimate gift to us.
We believe that his death was not the end, but that he was raised from the dead,
and he will come again one day.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who speaks truth to all people, in every language.
Our hearts are warmed when we embrace that Spirit, and God’s presence within us is revealed.
As the church, and as members of the body of Christ in the world, we believe we are called to make a difference in this world.
Thanks be to God.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Loving and merciful God, we are both privileged and blessed to worship in this sanctuary, and to add to our number new members who have felt your welcoming Spirit at work among us. May their experiences open our eyes to new areas of ministry, or help us discover modern fixes to old problems. May our journey as disciples bear even more fruit as our years together unfold. Help us carry out our mission to bring good news not only to the poor, but to the broken hearted, the marginalized, the oppressed, the imprisoned, the lost, the confused and the disillusioned. Like Abraham let us trust you even to the end of our days. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
Making do, just getting by, and eking out a living, are all related expressions used when the larder (food pantry) is thin. At least two of these words are foreign to those under the age of 50. Eke’s original meaning was “to increase, to lengthen.” So eking out a living, means attempting to increase what you have, or getting what you start out with to last longer. I know that’s why my mother put celery in the tuna fish, and it’s why people collect grocery store coupons—to stretch out a meal, or a dollar. You must remember being urged to save energy in the 70s — to keep the winter thermostat at 68 and the summer at 78, and to turn out the light when you left a room? Trust me in this, the church still has that 70’s outlook on energy conservation, and we are always striving to stretch a dollar. Our efforts are always to make do with what we receive.

February 18, 2018 9:00 AM "BELIEVING IN THE TOUGH TIMES & 11:00 AM "A HELLISH BEGINNING 2"

A LENTEN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in God the creator of heaven and earth, granter of grace and life.
We believe that nothing in all the world, can separate us from the love of God
who always forgives a repentant heart.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God in human vesture who came to love us into new life.
We believe that Jesus took the burden of our sins upon himself
and carried that burden to the cross where he relinquished his own life for our sakes.
This act was his ultimate gift to us.
We believe that his death was not the end, but that he was raised from the dead,
And he will come again one day.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who speaks truth to all people, in every language.
Our hearts are warmed when we embrace that Spirit, and revealing the ever-present
Spirit of God within us.
As the church, and as members of the body of Christ in the world,
we believe we are called to make a difference in this world.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
O most loving and merciful God, it seems only yesterday that we were celebrating the birth of the newborn babe, the Christ child. And yet today, we enter the Lenten season, embarking on a six week journey. We are heading to Jerusalem with the now-grown-up Jesus and his disciples. We know what awaits him there, but let us not focus on the end. There is much to learn all along the journey. Help us, O Lord, to be attentive to Jesus’ words as he teaches how best to love and care for each other. May we hone a confident and steadfast faith in the days to come, for like the fishermen, and so many others, we have chosen to follow Jesus, and to work for your kingdom in his name. We pray in the name of the Christ, that everything we do and say glorifies your name. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
I was surprised to learn that the saying “When the going gets tough, the tough get going” is ascribed to Joseph P. Kennedy, John F’s dad. I guess even super-billionaire businessmen alleged to have made their money bootlegging, encounter adversity as much as the next person. The earliest connotations of the word tough refer to something being strong and firm in texture like leather. It meant tenacious, sticky, holding fast. Later on in the 12th century it came to mean strong powerful, not tender or fragile. And in the 13th century it’s connotation expanded to difficult to chew and hard to endure. The evolution of the word tough finds Kennedy’s adage describing both adversity and the strength to endure it. In their own way, all of the folks on the bulletin cover were steadfast in the face of adversity. They exemplify persistence. Funny how words, like tough, tenacious, steadfast, strong and persistent don’t appear in church mission statements. Maybe they should, for when we hold fast to our faith, we are all of these things.
Rev. Doug Purcell preached the first Service.
Rev. Amanda Burr preached the Second Service.

ASH WEDNESDAY February 14, 2018 "A HELLISH BEGINNING"

A LENTEN AFFIRMATION FOR ASH WEDNESDAY
From dust and nothingness, we believe God created the earth and all who dwell upon it.
The Lights in the heavens above are God’s special effects,
chosen to reveal the awesome colors of creation as each day begins and ends.
We believe Jesus is the beloved Son of God, begotten to love, teach, free, and heal
humankind. His life showed all of us how best to love God and one another.
His death on a cross showed us the true meaning of surrender.
His resurrection revealed the awesome goodness of God.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, God’s gift sent to warm our hearts, walk by our side,
and give us the language of glory to honor God all the days of our life.
This Spirit invites us to dance the dance of transformation, singing songs of thanks
and praise to the One who loves us without reservation.
We believe in the Church, the body that unites our hearts,
and prods us ever onward to work for good.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
Gracious and Loving God, we have come humbly into your presence to begin our journey with Jesus and his disciples to all that awaits him in Jerusalem and beyond. Lead us in paths that will mature us spiritually and strengthen our resolve. Cause us to invest ourselves in ministry, reaching out to those in need. Prod us to take the time to visit one who is cut off by illness or inability, forced to be absent from our fellowship. Inspire us to walk in the ways of servant-hood our loving, Abba, Father in heaven. We praise your holy name. May your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today, the food we need to be strong in service to you and your creation. Forgive us the wrongs we have done, and show us how to forgive those who wrong us. Lord, keep us away from all that is evil, for yours is the kingdom, yours is the power, and all glory shall be yours forever. Amen.
INVITATION TO COMMITMENT AND THE OFFERING
Lent is not a season designed to help us see how rotten we are. It is a time for spiritual growth and discovery. Lent offers us another opportunity to become better followers of Jesus. It is a time of doing honor to our faith and our spirituality. Lent is always a season of decision; so I invite you to be decisive in your Lenten pursuits. Choose a spiritual discipline to practice for the next 6 weeks, join one of our small group studies, change a habit from a bad habit to a good one. Embrace one of the means of grace: pray in private, pray in public, worship weekly, communicate weekly, study the scriptures, read the scriptures, follow diligently The Three Simple Rules: "DO NO HARM; DOALL THE GOOD YOU CAN; STAY IN LOVE WITH GOD."
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Loving God, creator of all things from the dust of the earth you have formed us and from the dust of death you have promised to raise us up. We offer these gifts in grateful thanks for your steadfast love and mercy. Our hope is to continue building a church where all people experience your welcoming grace. Empower us, O Lord, to live out our purpose as the body of your Christ in the world. Guide us in your service as we journey toward our future. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.