The Second Sunday in Lent
LENT
Lent is a season of self-examination, reflection and preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter. Though it is an ancient tradition, it powerfully speaks to our modern condition because it calls us not to observe a ritual, but to engage in renewal. As theologian Robert Webber puts it, “We too easily forget our Maker and Redeemer, replacing God with things and ambition. Lent is the season that...calls us back to God, back to basics, back to the spiritual realities of life. It calls us to put to death the sin and the indifference we have in our hearts toward God and our fellow persons. And it beckons us to enter once again into the joy of the Lord–the joy of a new life born out of a death to the old life.”
REFLECTION
St. Julian of Norwich reflected on this passage when she wrote: …Christ is our mother, brother and savior…. Our natural mother, our gracious mother, because he willed to become our mother in everything, took the ground for his work most humbly and most mildly in the maiden’s womb… A mother can give her child milk to suck, but our precious mother, Jesus, can feed us with himself.
God Our Mother
by: Allison Woodard
To be a Mother is to weep
over the fighting and exclusions and wounds
your children inflict on one another;
To long for reconciliation and brotherly love
and—when all is said and done—
To gather all parties, the offender and the offended,
into the folds of your embrace
and to whisper in their ears
that they are Beloved.
COLLECT
Brooding Spirit, beneath your wings there is creation and life: accompany us on the difficult path with the disappeared and the broken, the fearful and the vengeful, until we find the way to the city of our peace where we are accepted as we are; through the cross of Jesus Christ, our only Lord. Amen.
PRELUDE
Ludwig van Beethoven: Duo no. 1 in B flat major, WoO 27 - Allegro comodo
GREETING
Rev. Stephen Gundlach (he/him), Worship Leader
Leader: The Lord be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
PREPARATION
CALL TO WORSHIP
Liturgy by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org
If God is a hen,
we are under Her wing.
If God is a table,
we each have a seat.
If God is a house,
we are safe from the storm.
If God is a party,
we’re invited to dance.
If God is a melody,
our names are the lyrics.
If this is God’s house,
then all are welcomed. All are loved. All belong. Amen.
PRAYER OF ADORATION
PRAISE
SONGS
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
George Matheson, 1882 · Christopher Miner, 1997
You Are Love and Love Alone
David Leonard, Leslie Jordan, 2016
RENEWAL
CALL TO CONFESSION
Psalm 51:1
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the storms of destruction pass by.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Prayer by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org
When the Pharisees tried to stop Jesus, he said:
“I will keep on.”
I will keep on healing.
I will keep on teaching.
I will keep on preaching.
I will keep on flipping the tables of injustice.
I will keep on treating every person like a child of God.
I will keep on believing that this world can change.
I will keep on,
and keep on,
and keep on until God’s promised day.
Forgive us, God, for the times when we stop. Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
– Psalm 36:7-9, NRSV
No matter what we do wrong or what we leave undone, we are under God’s wing. We are loved, held, and forgiven.
Thanks be to God!
PASSING THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
SONG
Matthew 18:20 (Peace Be With You)
For the City Church CG's March 18th, 2020 · Minna Choi, 2020
BLESSING OUR CHILDREN & YOUTH
Matthew 19:13-14, NRSV
Little children were being brought to Jesus in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”
Leader: People of God, what is our prayer for our children and youth?
People: May the Lord be with you.
Children: And also with you.
Leader: Wherever you are, wherever you go, may you know that God loves you, and is with you, always and forever. Amen.
All: Thanks be to God!
SONG OF RENEWAL
Jesus, Lover of My Soul
Charles Wesley, 1740 · Greg Thompson, 2000
COMMITMENT
WORDS OF WELCOME
Rev. Fred Harrell (he/him)
PASTORAL PRAYER
SONG
The Lord’s Prayer
Setting by Diana Gameros, 2022
SCRIPTURE
Luke 13:31-35, NRSV
Janet Harris Reader
At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
SERMON
Rev. Riana Shaw Robinson (she/her)
Full to the Brim: Under God’s Wing
OFFERING OURSELVES & OUR GIFTS
The offering is a way for Christians to support the mission and ministry of the church. Christians offer a sacrificial portion of their resources–time, talents, possessions–as an act of faith and gratitude in response to God’s grace. While many at City Church make their regular contributions through online giving and automated bill pay, offerings are a part of our worship service as an opportunity for the regular, proportionate and generous giving of the resources God has given us.
OFFERING PRAYER
Eternal Source of Love, in your kindness you have made us in your image. Help us to live into the fullness of our humanity as we give ourselves to the care and redemption of all that you have made, for the sake of him who gave himself for us–Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
MUSICAL OFFERING
Waiting More
by Minna Choi
COMMUNION
Guidelines for Reception of Communion
Communion, also called The Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist, is the family meal of Christians. We invite all committed followers of Jesus Christ to partake of this sacrament: those who are baptized members of a congregation that proclaims the gospel, who are at peace with God and with their neighbor, and who seek strength to live more faithfully for Christ. If you are not a Christian, or if you are not prepared to share in this meal, we encourage you to spend this time in prayer. We hope that this time is helpful to you as you consider your relationship with Jesus Christ and with His people, the church.
INVITATION TO THE LORDS TABLE
CONFESSION OF FAITH: Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to the Lord!
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
SONG
Sanctus
Karl Digerness, ©2015
Together we proclaim the mystery of the faith:
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BREAD & CUP
The Gifts of God for the People of God
SONG
Altogether Good
Brian Eichelberger, Zach Bolen, 2020
COMMUNION PRAYER
Loving God, may we who are partakers at this table, reflect the way of Jesus in word and deed, that all the world may know his power to liberate and heal, through Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.
BENEDICTION
Adapted from a Benediction by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org
As you leave this place, may you be awestruck by the beauty of this world. May you laugh, and may it be contagious. May you overflow with love for those around you. May you be effusive with hope and quick to point out joy. And in all of your living, and breathing, and being, may you find yourself full to the brim with God’s Holy Spirit. In the name of the Creator, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Let us go forth to serve the world as those who love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE
Ludwig van Beethoven: Duo no. 2 in F major, WoO 27 - Rondo - Allegretto moderato
MUSICIANS
Liana Berube, violin
Erin Wang, cello
Jeff Marrs, drums
Lisa Mezzacappa, bass
Adam Shulman, piano
Minna Choi, vocals
Karl Digerness, guitar/vocals