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February 21, 2021
PRELUDE Meditation on the Cross
Joyce Jones
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
Pastor Craig
PASSING OF PEACE, LENTEN RINGING OF THE BOWL
CALL TO WORSHIP
Pastor Diane
Then God said to Noah, “Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all generations: I set my bow the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant. When the bow is in the clouds, I will look upon it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.”
OPENING HYMN In the Cross of Christ I Glory
(verses 1, 2, 4) 213
In the cross of Christ I glory, towering o’er the wrecks of time; all the light of sacred story gathers round its head sublime.
When the woes of life o’er take me, hopes deceive, and fears annoy, never shall the cross forsake me; lo, it glows with peace and joy.
Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure, by the cross are sanctified; peace is there that knows no measure, joys that through all time abide.
CALL TO PRAYER
God of the covenant, as the forty days of deluge swept away the world’s corruption, watering new beginnings of righteousness and life, so in the saving flood of baptism, we are washed clean and born again. Throughout these forty days, unseal within us the wellspring of Your grace, cleanse our hearts of all that is not holy, and cause your gift of new life to flourish once again.
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
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 ways. 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 to us paths of righteousness through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Great is the mystery of faith: Hear the good news! The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners! He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, that we might be dead to sin and alive to all that is good. I declare to you in the name of Jesus Christ: You are forgiven!
*GLORIA PATRI Greatorex
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.
ANTHEM Shine On Us with Liebestraum
Smith, Liszt/Arr. L. McKechnie
Soloist - Katie Sayre
PASTORAL PRAYER 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 sins, as we forgive those who sin against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
CHILDREN’S TIME
SCRIPTURE READING Mark 2:1-12
2 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
SERMON Look Up Higher
Pastor Craig
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Apostles’ Creed p. 35
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.
HYMN
What Wondrous Love Is This (verses 1 & 4) 215
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul, what wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul, to bear the dreadful curse for my soul!
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on; and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on; and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be, and through eternity, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on; and through eternity I’ll sing on.
CALL FOR OFFERING
OFFERTORY
I Love You Lord with O Lord Most Holy
Franck/ arr: L. McKechnie
*DOXOLOGY 609
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise him, all creatures here below; Alleluia, alleluia! Praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
THE PRAYER OF DEDICATION
HYMN Beneath the Cross of Jesus
(verses 1 & 2) 216
Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand, the shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land; a home within the wilderness, a rest upon the day, from the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.
Upon the cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see the very dying form of One who suffered there for me; and from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess: the wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
POSTLUDE
Adagio from Concerto No. 3 in D minor, BWV 974
A.Marcello/J.S. Bach
*please stand
HYMN SINGER Katie Sayre
Due to Covid-19, we must request we not sing aloud.
All taped Worship Services are available for replay on the Special Video Worship
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Welcome to all who view our worship services at home and to those who enter our sanctuary. Drink deeply of the living waters of God’s grace as we worship together in spirit. If you are a visitor and would like more information about our church, visit us at valleypres.net where you can sign up for our daily email blasts and monthly newsletter. You can also pick up a Welcome Packet at the Welcome Centers when you visit us in person. We are glad you have joined us today.
The Rose on the Baptismal Font Celebrates these Witnesses to the Resurrection in Jesus Christ:
Dorothy Sturz – February 13
Jane Lovat – February 14
Flowers given by: Sara Hennigar
In Memory of Bill Hennigar
Flowers
The available dates below are open at this time:
October 3 and 10. Please sign up at the office or email Laurie at laurie@valleypres.net with your request.
Thank you.
Classes for Lent
Jesus: The God Who Knows Your Name
Book by Max Lucado ($16)
Wednesdays at 10 a.m. starting Feb 24
The Color of Compromise
Book by Jemar Tisby ($14)
Thursdays at 1:00 p.m starting Feb 25
Please contact Pastor Diane to register (pastordiane@valleypres.net; 625-5023). Books can be purchased in the church office.
Grief Recovery Workshop
Five Consecutive Mondays
Beginning March 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The purpose of this course is to help participants understand the grief process involved after a significant loss, recognize the unique pain and feelings triggered by their loss, and to begin to renew their lives as they heal and learn to cope. Anyone who has suffered a loss or a death of a loved one and wishes to participate should call the church office at 625-5023 to register.
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