Worship Service – February 28, 2021

10:15am In-person & Live Stream

Opening Prayer: Creator and Sovereign, our world and our lives are often full of threat. We return to you in this place today to be reminded that you do not abandon us to the hard realities of our lives. You are the one who saves us. You are the one who faithfully teaches us your life-giving ways. You are the one who instills courage within us to stand up from the
waters of our baptism and to walk your path. Enter our hearts and lives for your powerful purposes, in the name of our baptized brother Jesus and the soaring Spirit. Amen.

Passing of the Peace: (L)The Peace of Christ be with you
(P) And Also with you.

Opening Song: Hear Our Praises

CALL TO CONFESSION

1 John 2:23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. So, let us draw near to God with sincerity and confidence, and pray together.

Prayer of Confession: God of faithful love and powerful purpose, there are times when we are open to your leading- times when we walk the path of Jesus with courage and hope, even when doing so is fearful. At other times, we close ourselves off, hoping that you won’t tear open the skies and disrupt our lives completely. Following Jesus can be pretty risky. Your compassion and faithful love claim us forever, as they claimed Jesus when he entered the Jordan and made a bold decision to follow you on a new and uncertain path. Amen.

Words of Assurance: Yes, God’s compassion and love are forever! What God said of Jesus at his baptism, God says to us today: You are my dearly loved children, whom I love deeply. God forgives us and loves us dearly, now and forevermore.

Hymn of Illumination Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (1st Verse only) UMH# 349

Children’s Chat

Offertory Call
Remember the words Jesus said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive. Offertory Music by Sue Keasler
Offering (click to tithe online)
Doxology
Offertory Prayer: Because you are the God who saves us, we give you these gifts. Take our lives and our gifts and use them to save our world. We put our hope in you. Amen.

Special Song

The Gospel Reading: Mark 8:31-38 L: This is the word of the Lord.
P: Thanks be to God.

Song of Response Thy Word is a Lamp UMH# 601

Message Reset by Frank Akers

Pastoral Prayer

Announcements

Closing Hymn Faith of our Father’s (3 stanzas only) UMH #710

Benediction

Postlude