Lectionary Readings
Genesis 17:1–7, 15–16
God’s covenant with Abraham: I will make of you a great nation.
Psalm 22:23–31
In the great congregation I will praise the Lord, my deliverer.
Romans 4:13–25
Abraham’s faith was reckoned to him as righteousness by God.
Mark 8:31–38
Jesus says: Deny yourselves; take up your cross and follow me.
or Mark 9:2–9
On a high mountain with Moses and Elijah, Jesus is transfigured.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
Every time we gather in God’s name,
we learn something new.
What will be God’s gift of revelation to us today?
We enter this time of worship joyfully,
assured of God’s new mercies.
Celebrating these blessings to come,
we bring our love to God.
Prayer of the Day
The ever-present power of your grace in our lives
will never cease to amaze us!
It lifts us from our doubts and worries,
saves us from our despair.
You see us as your beloved creation.
We are in awe of your steadfast hope in the sacred purpose of our lives.
It is your belief in us that fuels our faith in you.
Oh, what a joy divine
to be found in your glory,
and we respond, “Lift every voice and sing!” Amen.
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Thanksgiving For Baptism
At the baptismal font:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
O Lord our God, we give you thanks
for the mercy you so freely offer us
through the grace of our baptism—
safe passage through the sea,
justice rolling down like water,
deliverance from sin and death forever.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
poured out upon us in baptism,
teach us to love and serve you faithfully
and reconcile us to you and to one another
as members of one, living body;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
In the name of Christ, I urge you:
Be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:20
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
O God, you have made us your covenant people,
marked us as your own, and charged us for lives of service.
Forgive us when we live as if success were the worthiest aim
or independence the highest virtue.
Call us once more to take up our crosses,
and show us how to follow you.
Forgive us, O God, and wash us in your mercy.
Forgive us, O God, and free us to try again.
Lifting water from the font:
Listen, the time has come at last.
Look, now is the day of salvation!
2 Corinthians 6:2
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Gracious God, our way in the wilderness,
guide us by your Word through these forty days,
and minister to us with your Holy Spirit,
so that we may reformed,
restored, and renewed;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
Psalm 51:15
After the readings:
We proclaim Christ crucified—
the wisdom and power of God.
Thanks be to God.
1 Corinthians 1:23–25
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
we bend our knees
and lift up our hearts,
giving glory to God forever. Amen.
Philippians 2:9–11
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
Season of Lent
The reconciling work of Jesus
was the supreme crisis in the life of humankind.
His cross and resurrection become personal crisis
and present hope for women and men
when the gospel is proclaimed and believed.
In this experience,
the Spirit brings God’s forgiveness to all,
moves people to respond in faith,
repentance, and obedience,
and initiates the new life in Christ.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.21
Prayers of the People
Out of the ashes, up from the dust
we bring our prayers to God, saying:
In your steadfast love, O Lord, have mercy on us.
God of all mercy, we pray for the church . . .
By the gift of your saving grace,
strengthen our faith and inspire our witness
to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.
In your steadfast love, O Lord, have mercy on us.
God of all mercy, we pray for the world . . .
As you called Abraham and Sarah
to be a blessing to the nations,
extend your covenant of peace and plenty to all.
In your steadfast love, O Lord, have mercy on us.
God of all mercy, we pray for this community . . .
Answer the cries of all who are suffering,
so that the poor may eat and have their fill
and the lost may find a home in you.
In your steadfast love, O Lord, have mercy on us.
God of all mercy, we pray for loved ones . . .
Support and sustain those who are weak,
especially the very old and very young.
Give them long life to glorify your name.
In your steadfast love, O Lord, have mercy on us.
Restore in us, O God, the joy of your salvation;
renew and sustain our spirits,
so that we may live according to your will;
through Jesus Christ, our hope and strength. Amen.
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
Jesus says: Where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.
Let us offer our lives to the Lord.
Matthew 6:21
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
You have shown us, O God,
the sacrifice that you desire.
Now use these gifts—
and use our lives—
to liberate the oppressed,
to break the bonds of injustice,
to feed the hungry,
welcome the poor,
and unite the human family;
all in the name and for the sake
of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Isaiah 58:6–7
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
You made a covenant with our ancestors Abraham and Sarah,
calling us to walk before you and be faithful to you
and promising to make us a blessing to the peoples of the world.
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior:
For the salvation of the world, Christ underwent great suffering,
calling each of us to take up our cross and follow him,
offering our very lives for the sake of the gospel.
The words of institution are included here.
Remembering your goodness and grace,
we offer ourselves to you with gratitude
as we share this joyful feast.
A Memorial Acclamation (e.g., “Christ has died”) is sung.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon this bread and cup;
make us one in the body and blood
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Give us the gift of faith in Jesus Christ
so that we may trust in your gracious promise
and receive the inheritance of everlasting life.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory,
now and forever.
An Amen is sung.
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion of the People
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer after Communion
At the communion table:
Holy God, we give you thanks
that you have claimed us as your own
and nourished us in this meal
as members of Christ’s body.
By the work of your Spirit within us
give us the grace to glorify you
as one, living body in the world;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
1 Corinthians 6:15–20
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
May the steadfast love of God,
the abundant grace of Jesus Christ,
and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit
be with you this day and always. Amen.
Psalm 51:1, 11
Remember the words of the Lord Jesus:
If any wish to be my disciples
let them take up the cross
and follow me. Amen.
Mark 8:34
Carrying the Cross
Hieronymus Bosch, 1516
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks (E) ALLELUIA NO. 1 GTG 240
- Be Thou My Vision (OE) SLANE GTG 450
- The God of Abraham Praise (O) LEONI GTG 49
- O Wondrous Sight, O Vision Fair (E) DEO GRACIAS GTG 189
WORD
- Great Is Thy Faithfulness (O) FAITHFULNESS GTG 39
- I Will Be Your God (O) NYLAND LUYH 40
- In a Deep, Unbounded Darkness (OE) DIVINUM MYSTERIUM GTG 850
- Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said (G) BOURBON GTG 718
EUCHARIST
- Beneath the Cross of Jesus (G) ST. CHRISTOPHER GTG 216
- My Faith Looks Up to Thee (G) OLIVET GTG 829
- You Are My Strength When I Am Weak (You Are My All in All) (E) JERNIGAN GTG 519
- You Satisfy the Hungry Heart (OE) BICENTENNIAL GTG 523
SENDING
- Standing on the Promises (E) PROMISES GTG 838
- The Church of Christ in Every Age (OEG) WAREHAM GTG 320
- We Will Walk with God (Sizohambe naye) (E) SIZOHAMBE NAYE GTG 742
- Will You Come and Follow Me (The Summons) (G) KELVINGROVE GTG 726
Psalms and Canticles
Metrical
- In the Presence of Your People [CELEBRATION]; GTG 631, PAS 22F
- Amid the Thronging Worshipers [BOVINA]; PAS 22E, LUYH 511, SGP 31 (setting 2, with additional stanza)
Responsorial
- All the Ends of the Earth; PAS 22D (alt. refrain)
- Lord in You I Trust [MORNING SONG]; PP 38
Organ Music
- “Be Thou My Vision,” The Essential Dale Wood, Dale Wood, LOR (M)
- “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” A Gordon Young Tribute Album, vol. 2, Craig A. Penfield, LOR (E)
- “Partita on LEONI,” Partitas of Praise, Alfred V. Fedak, LOR (E)
- “Prelude on ‘Be Thou My Vision,’” A Cotswold Collection, Ian Higginson, LOR (E)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “Take Up Your Cross,” R. Christopher Treichler, LOR, SATB, pno (E)
- “Take Up Your Cross,” Thomas Keesecker, MSM, SATB, pno (M)
- “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me,” Chris Aspaas, AF, SATB div, acap (A)
- “Lord Who Throughout These Forty Days,” Walter Pelz, AF, SA(T)B, ob, org (M)
- “Light of the World,” Karen Marrolli, MSM, SATB, vln, pno (E)
- “Climb to the Top of the Highest Mountain,” Carolyn Jennings, KJO, SATB, org (M)
- “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me,” Hal Hopson, CGA, 2 pt mx, keybd (E)
Handbell Music
- “Beneath the Cross of Jesus,” Ron Mallory, 2–5 oct, opt hc, RW 8284 or RW 8285, Level 2+
- “Beneath the Cross of Jesus,” Sondra Tucker, 3–5 oct, opt hc, opt fl, RW, 8258, Level 3
- “Praise the Living God,” Mark Arnold, 3–5 oct, BP, HB761, Level 3-
Art
- Abraham and Sarah, Nicholas Markell (EYE)
- I Will Remember My Covenant, Jan Richardson (JR)
- Carrying the Cross, Hieronymus Bosch (VDL)
- For the Sake of the Gospel, Jan Richardson (JR)
