O brother sun with golden beam, O sister moon with silver gleam, sing praises! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

2 O brother wind with clouds and rain, you nurture gifts of fruit and grain. Alleluia! Alleluia!

O sister water, flowing clear, make music for your Lord to hear.

Sing praises! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

3 O brother fire, so warm and bright, chase off the shadows of the night. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Dear mother earth, who day by day unfolds such blessings on our way, sing praises! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

4 All who for love of God forgive, all who in pain or sorrow grieve, Alleluia! Alleluia!

Christ bears your burdens and your fears; so, even in the midst of tears, sing praises! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

5 And you, most gentle sister death, waiting to hush our final breath: Alleluia! Alleluia! Since Christ our light has pierced your gloom, fair is the night that leads us home. Sing praises! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

6 O sisters, brothers, take your part, and worship God with humble heart. Alleluia! Alleluia!

All creatures, bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Three in One! Sing praises! Alleluia!

WORDS OF WELCOME

ANNOUNCEMENTS

LENT READING   “Coins” Matthew 26:14-16           

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 19:7

ONE: The law of the Lord revives the soul;

MANY: the word of God makes the simple wise.   

PRAYER OF THE DAY 

Eternal God, 

your kingdom has broken into our troubled world through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son. Help us to hear your word and obey it, that we may become instruments of your saving love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

HYMN [Blue#293][GTG#370] This is My Father’s World 

1 This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears

all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.

This is my Father’s world; I rest me in the thought

of rocks and trees, of skies and seas, his hand the wonders wrought.

2 This is my Father’s world. O, let me ne’er forget

that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father’s world. The battle is not done:

Jesus who died shall be satisfied, and earth and heaven be one.

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Gracious Lord, 

our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, and what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment. Set us free from a past that we cannot change; open to us a future in which we can be changed; and grant us grace to grow more and more in your likeness and image; through Jesus Christ, the light of the world.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

GLORIA PATRI [Blue#579[ [GTG581]     

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

1st SCRIPTURE Psalm 26

Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.

Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and mind.

For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you.

I do not sit with the worthless, nor do I consort with hypocrites;

I hate the company of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked.

I wash my hands in innocence, and go around your altar, O Lord,

singing aloud a song of thanksgiving, and telling all your wondrous deeds.

O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell, and the place where your glory abides.

Do not sweep me away with sinners, nor my life with the bloodthirsty,

those in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes.

But as for me, I walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me.

My foot stands on level ground; in the great congregation I will bless the Lord.

2nd  SCRIPTURE             Luke 6:43-45; 13:6-9 

“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”      

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON  “Does a Figgy Pudding have figs in it?”  CP Ford Dieth

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,  and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY    Take My Life and Let It Be

DOXOLOGY [GTG#609]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE 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; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

HYMN  [Blue#298][GTG#435] There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy

1 There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, like the wideness of the sea. There’s a kindness in God’s justice, which is more than liberty. There is no place where earth’s sorrows are more felt than up in heaven. There is no place where earth’s failings have such kindly judgment given.

2 For the love of God is broader than the measures of the mind. And the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind. If our love were but more faithful, we would gladly trust God’s Word, and our lives reflect thanksgiving

for the goodness of our Lord.

PARTING PRAYER   *John Calvin’s Prayer

Almighty and gracious God,  

Since our whole salvation stands in our knowledge of your holy word, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us, that our hearts may be freed from the chains of sin, so that we may hear and receive your word, recognizing your gracious will for us. Teach us by scripture to love and serve you with delight, praising and glorifying you in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [Blue#421][GTG#320] The Church of Christ in Every Age Verse 3.

3 Then let the servant church arise,

a caring church that longs to be

a partner in Christ’s sacrifice,

and clothed in Christ’s humanity

 POSTLUDE   Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee                             

*Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly. The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.

full of pity, love, and power.

Refrain:

I will arise and go to Jesus; he will embrace me in his arms.

In the arms of my dear Savior, O there are ten thousand charms.

2 Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome; God’s free bounty glorify, true belief and true repentance, every grace that brings you nigh. [Refrain]

3 Come, ye weary, heavy laden, lost and ruined by the fall; if you tarry till you’re better, you will never come at all. [Refrain]

4 Let not conscience make you linger, nor of fitness fondly dream; all the fitness he requireth is to feel your need of him. [Refrain]

WORDS OF WELCOME

ANNOUNCEMENTS

LENT READING   “The Rooster” Mark 14:29-31, 66-72           

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP Mark 8:34

ONE: Jesus calls us to be his disciples.

MANY: We take up the cross to follow him.    

PRAYER OF THE DAY 

Almighty God, 

whose Son was revealed in majesty before he suffered death upon the cross: Give us faith to perceive his glory, that we may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory; through our Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

HYMN [Blue#488][GTG#49] The God of Abraham Praise

1 The God of Abraham praise, who reigns enthroned above,

the Ancient of Eternal Days, the God of love! The Lord, the great I AM, by earth and heaven confessed, we bow before your holy name, forever blest.

2 Your spirit still flows free, high surging where it will. In prophet’s word you spoke of old and you speak still.

Established is your law, and changeless it shall stand,

deep writ upon the human heart by your strong hand.

3 Your goodly land we seek, with peace and plenty blest, a land of sacred liberty and Sabbath rest.

There milk and honey flow, and oil and wine abound,

and trees of life forever grow with mercy crowned.

4 You have eternal life implanted in the soul; your love shall be our strength and stay, while ages roll.

We praise you, living God! We praise your holy name:

the first, the last, beyond all thought, and still the same!

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Eternal God, 

in whom we live and move and have our being, whose face is hidden from us by our sins, and whose mercy we forget in the blindness of our hearts: Cleanse us from all our offenses, 

and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires, that with reverent and humble hearts we may draw near to you, 

confessing our faults, confiding in your grace, and finding in you our refuge and strength; through Jesus Christ your Son.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

GLORIA PATRI [Blue#579[ [GTG581]     

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

1st SCRIPTURE Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” But the word of the Lord came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness. Then he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.” But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him.

When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates,

2nd  SCRIPTURE   Luke 13:31-35    

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”         

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON  “Our Worst Nightmares”  Rev. Dr. Martha Robson

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,  and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY 

DOXOLOGY [GTG#609]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE 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; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

HYMN [GTG#357] The Days Are Surely Coming

1 The days are surely coming, says God to all the earth,

when you will see my promise: salvation come to birth. My righteousness and justice will spread throughout the land and you will be delivered by my almighty hand.

2 The days are surely coming, says Christ, the promised one, when you will read my warning in moon and stars and sun. Though earth and heaven tremble, stand up and do not fear, for I am your redeemer, and I am drawing near.

3 The days are surely coming when we will know at last the fullness of God’s presence, God’s promise, come to pass. Then righteousness and justice will spread throughout the land and we will be delivered

by God’s almighty hand.

PARTING PRAYER   

Living God,

by the power of your Spirit, help us to hear your holy word that we may truly understand; that, understanding, we may believe; and believing, we may follow in faithfulness and obedience, seeking your honor and glory in all that we do; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [Blue#75][GTG#543] God, Be the Love 

to Search and Keep Me.  

1 God, be the love to search and keep me;

God, be the prayer to move my voice;

 God, be the strength to now uphold me:

O Christ, surround me;

O Christ, surround me.

 POSTLUDE                                   

*Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly. The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.