Mifflin Avenue United Methodist Church

11:00 AM Worship                                  First Sunday in Lent                      26 February 2012

 

GATHERING

   “Over The Kidron Brook”                                                                                    R.J. Hughes

 

GREETING AND WELCOME                                                                                                

 

INTROIT                                                                                                                                    

   “Jesus Is All the World To Me”                                                                                  S. Pethel

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP

   Leader: Welcome to the House of the Lord.

   People: We come here to worship the Lord our God and to learn how to follow Jesus.

   Leader: We are not alone - we are a community of believers who support each other.

   People: We need support to stay focused on our goal, perfection in love of God and

   those around us.

   Leader: Following  Jesus is a challenge, but we can accept and meet that challenge with the

   help of our church family and the Holy Spirit.

   All: Amen!

 

*HYMN  UMH 163

   Ask Ye What Great Things I Know                                                                             Hendon

 

*PRAYER  in unison

   As we enter the season of Lent, we dare to ask you, most merciful Lord, to accept

our regrets for doing what we should not have, and for never getting around to doing

what we should.  We have missed many opportunities to serve you and making this

world a little closer to the kingdom that you want it to be.  Help us in the coming

weeks to learn more about you and ourselves, and make us stronger disciples. 

In Jesus’ name we ask your help.  Amen.

 

ANTHEM

   “Come Ye Sinners Poor And Needy”                                                                       M. Parks

 

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

 

FIRST READING

   Genesis 9: 8-17

  

SECOND READING

   Mark 1: 9-15

 

   The Word of the Lord.

   Thanks be to God.

 

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

   Following the message, children from K-3 are invited to attend the Junior Church program.

 

SERMON            Think of Lent as a spiritual boot camp!

 

*HYMN  UMH 352

   It’s Me, It’s Me, O Lord                                                                                                         Penitent

 

SHARING OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS

 

PASTORAL PRAYER

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER  in unison

    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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass 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.

 

*THE PEACE

 

OFFERING

   “Lenten Prayer”                                                                                              B. Glyncannon

 

*DOXOLOGY  UMH 95

 

*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

 

*HYMN  UMH 402

   Lord, I Want to be a Christian                                                                    I Want to be a Christian

 

*BENEDICTION

   Pastor: We have come to be refreshed and strengthened and given new spirit.

   People: Be with us, dear God, as we go out into the world.

   Pastor: God’s Spirit drives you into the wilderness, but also accompanies and protects you.

   People: We will go where you take us, and undergo whatever you use to test us.

   Pastor: Jesus asks us to go forth to declare God’s kingdom.

   People: We go forth to follow and do as God shows us.

   All: Amen.

 

*GOING FORTH

   “Caithness”                                                                                                               H. Willan

 

*Those who are able are invited to stand.