Rainbow Mennonite Church

 

Order of Worship

March 9, 2008

Worship – 9:30 a.m. Sunday School – 10:50 a.m.

PRELUDE Janelle Arnett Campbell, Accompanist

*CALL TO WORSHIP Worship Leader

HYMN #42 stanza 1-2 All people that on earth do dwell

L: For the order and balance of creation that reveals itself through cycles of time and patterns of nature,

C: We offer our thanks and praise to God.

L: For the order and balance of human relationships that reveals itself in cycles of togetherness and solitude, reliability and surprise,

C: We offer our thanks and praise to God.

L: For the order and balance of our faith that reveals itself in ministries of Word and sacrament, social deed and individual reflection,

C: We offer our thanks and praise to God.

All: We gather this morning to worship, seeking the order of discipleship balanced with the freedom of Christ’s way.

*INVOCATION

*HYMN #8 Brethren, we have met to worship

CHILDREN’S TIME Muriel T. Stackley

SCRIPTURE Romans 8:9-11

John 11:38-45

LITANY**

L:  The headlines state . . .

C:  City's economic machine sputters

L:  Medicaid growth stalls

C:  Lawmaker accused of extortion

L:  Suicide blast kills 27

C:  U.N. auditors find wasted money

L:  Our minds are consumed with the negative news.

C:  How do we refocus?

L:  A well-known author helps us remember life-lessons learned in kindergarten.

C:  Share everything; don't take things that aren't yours.

L:  Play fair; clean up your own mess

C:  Don't hit people; say you're sorry when you hurt people.

L:  To set the mind on the flesh is death,

C:  But to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace, for he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to our mortal bodies also.

L:  Each time we light our peace lamp we have the opportunity to begin anew with hope.

C:  To share light with another is

West & Balcony:  To bless and be blessed

East:  To forgive and be forgiven

West & Balcony:  To love and be loved

East: To make peace and to share peace.

ALL:  May we all light our lamps each day.  Amen

SPECIAL MUSIC True Evangelical Faith     Nickel

SERMON     "Unbind Him!"

HYMN #530    What wondrous love is this

COMMUNITY BUILDING TIME

Litany of Commissioning and Blessing

L: We offer our prayers and our blessing upon you, as you embark on a week of learning and service in El Salvador.

Work Group: We thank God for this opportunity and consider the work we will do to be an extension of the mission of this congregation.

C: Go with our blessing and our prayers, remembering that you represent all of us in everything you do. May you be changed for your going that upon your return, we might be changed for your having gone. In Christ’s name. Amen

Introductions and Announcements

We are glad you are here. Once the attendance register reaches the center aisle, please pass it back to the outer aisle.

Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer

Offering

*HYMN #260 When I survey the wondrous cross

Children in preschool-5th grade dismissed

*SENDING FORTH

L: Let us lean upon God to be strong,

C: Learn from God to be wise,

L: Seek out Christ to be found,

C: Serve with Christ to be free,

L: Trust in the Spirit to be healthy,

C: And live by the Spirit to be whole.

All: Amen and amen.

*POSTLUDE

* Please stand as you are able.

** This morning’s litany was written by Carmen Shelly; developed from Romans 8:9-11 and the words of Dick Lehman’s that accompanied our peace lamp.