SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
2nd Sunday in Lent
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA)
February 28, 2021 Ten Thirty in the morning
Minister: The Reverend Aaron Ochart
Liturgist: Mike Fortin
Please silence all cell phones.
Bold face indicates congregational participation.
GATHERING
WORDS OF WELCOME
MINUTE FOR MISSION
PRELUDE Aria by Giovanni Allevi Guest Musician Sadie Cambre
ADORATION
CALL TO WORSHIP (responsive)
We are not the first to make the journey to Jerusalem; many have gone before us and many will come after us. From near and far, God’s people gathered to celebrate God’s goodness on the holy mountain.
We are pilgrims on a journey.
We are travelers on the road.
Jesus often went to Jerusalem as a child to celebrate Passover. Now he has set his face toward Jerusalem again, knowing this time will be different.
We are pilgrims on a journey.
We are travelers on the road.
Jesus’ last journey to Jerusalem is somber.
He has no illusions about what is to come.
Still, he goes ahead, doing God’s will.
We are travelers on the road.
Let us pray:
God of light, we want to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, but we have our fears and doubts. We would rather avoid the pain and darkness on our journey. Give us courage and perseverance when the journey is difficult and the grace to help others on the road. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
HYMN 81 “Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days”
CONFESSION
CALL TO CONFESSION
SILENT CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)
God of mercy, you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost. We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We are misled by pride, for we see ourselves pure when we are stained, and great when we are small. We have failed in love, neglected justice, and ignored your truth. Have mercy, O God, and forgive our sin. Return us to paths of righteousness through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
GLORIA PATRI 579
PROCLAMATION
FIRST LESSON 2 Timothy 2:8-13
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.
MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN
ANTHEM “There is a Balm In Gilead” William Dawson
There is a Balm in Gilead, to make the wounded whole,
There is a Balm in Gilead to heal the sin sick soul.
Sometimes I feel discouraged, and think my work’s in vain,
But then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again.
There is a Balm in Gilead to heal the sin sick soul.
If you cannot sing like angels, if you cannot preach like Paul.
You can tell the love of Jesus and say, “He died for all”.
There is a Balm in Gilead, to make the wounded whole.
There is a Balm in Gilead to heal the sin sick soul.
SECOND LESSON Luke 13:1-9, 31-35
At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.” 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.’”
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.’”
SERMON “Poop Happens” Rev. Aaron Ochart
RESPONSE
THE AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q1. What is the main purpose for humanity?
- The main purpose for humanity is to glorify and enjoy God forever.
- The Word of God which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments is the only rule to tell us how we may glorify and enjoy God.
Q3. What do the Scriptures mainly teach?
A. The Scriptures mainly teach what we are to believe about God, and what duty God requires of us.
Q6. How many Persons are there in the Trinity?
A. There are three Persons in the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
Q14. What is Sin?
- Sin is any lack of obedience to, or violation of, the law of God.
Q18. What does this state of sin mean for humanity?
A. This state of sin means that humanity: bears the guilt of Adam and Eve’s first sin, lacks the righteousness that God intended for us, and that human nature has been corrupted; along with all actual transgressions which result from our fallen nature.
Q21. Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?
A. The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continues to be, God and human, in two distinct natures, and one Person forever.
Q30. How does the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.
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 298 “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy”
PARTING PRAYER Augustine of Hippo (354–430)
from the crowding turmoil of worldly thought beneath the shadow of your wings. Let my heart, this sea of restless waves, find peace in you, O God. Amen.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Fugue in G minor BWV 578 – J.S. Bach