Chilmark Community Church
February 8, 2009
Prelude: Invention #8 J.S.Bach
Gathering and Announcements
Call to worship: Isaiah 40:21-31
Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning?Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in; who brings princes to naught, and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing.
Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows upon them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble.
To whom then will you compare me,or who is my equal: says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these?
He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing.
Why do you say, O Jacob,and speak, O Israel,”My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God? Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
*Hymn: 139 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Peace
Confession
Presider: Let us confess our sin and faithlessness to God and to each other:
All: God, our creator and redeemer,
you never grow weary or faint
but we have doubted your will or ability to care for us.
We have said, “My way is hidden from the LORD,
and my right is disregarded by my God”?
We have let anxiety to consume us
and we have let fear paralyze love for the poor and lonely.
Forgive us for holding to our doubt.
Free us to walk in faith
and the strength of your mercy, Amen
(silent reflection)
Presider to the people:
Hear the good news:
“Those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.”
Through God’s love, you are forgiven.
Proclamation and PraisePsalm: 147:1-11;20c
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Mark 1:29-39
Response to the Word:
May our words and thoughts and reflections be acceptable, O Lord. AMEN
(background of passages and open discussion.)
*Hymn: 265 O Christ, the Healer
Concerns and Prayers
pastoral prayer; We ask that your healing love come into our world which is in great need. We pray that it reach the victims of storms and wars, and the victims of loneliness or pain. We pray that your love touch people in all corners of the earth, people whose names we do not know, but whose lives are precious to you.We pray for our parents, children, spouses and friends. Fill them with your love. Silent prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Offering
*Hymn 94
Prayer of Dedication: Holy One, whose heart abounds with gifts, receive this offering as a sign of our intention to live surrounded by your mercy, inspired by your Spirit, open to the joy of your presence, hospitable to one another, and generous toward your world. AMEN
*Hymn: 670 Go Forth in Peace
Benediction: 1 Thessalonians 5:14-23
“Encourage the faint hearted; help the weak; be patient with all; seek to do good; rejoice always; pray without ceasing; give thanks in all circumstances;” and so may God keep us till we meet again. AMEN
Postlude: Andante by Maurice Greene
Next Week’s Scripture
2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ; Mark 1:40-45
Organist: Carol Loud
Lay Leader: Ann Deitrich
Reader: