The Third 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
Sometimes I wish I was the fig tree.
No fruit here, just soaking up the sun,
growing roots, turning green,
stretching out my branches until
I can hug the horizon.
Sometimes I wish I was the fig tree,
because she doesn’t produce,
and she’s not exhausted,
and she probably gets eight hours
of sleep at night.
And her branches,
unlike my shoulders,
are not heavy with work—
pulled toward the ground,
threatening to break.
And her trunk,
unlike my spine,
is not fighting to stand tall
while holding it all together.
Sometimes I wish I was the fig tree
because she knows
what I forgot
many years ago.
You are still worthy
even if
you don’t produce.
— Rev. Sarah Speed
COLLECT
Living Mystery, whose way is not ours, whose name cannot be bought or sold: lead us from justice without compassion and sacrifice without mercy to a love which nurtures and a grace without price; through Jesus Christ, the true Bread. Amen.
PRELUDE
GREETING
Rev. Jay Wilson (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
Come, all who are thirsty.
Come, all who are seeking.
Come, all who are waiting.
Come, all who labor.
Come, all who need rest.
Come, all who dream dreams.
Come— whether you’re young or old, confident or curious, lonely or hopeful.
This is God’s house. All are welcome here. Together, let us worship.
PRAYER OF ADORATION
PRAISE
SONGS
Thirst No More
Leslie Jordan, Matt Wertz, Sandra McCracken
Beautiful Love
David Lunsford, 2015
RENEWAL
CALL TO CONFESSION
1 John 3:1, NRSV
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Prayer by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org
Loving God, we treat our self-worth like something that can be bought at a store; but you know this even better than we do. Instead of trusting that we are made good, instead of trusting that we are loved exactly as we are, we stockpile our value in earthly things— in trophies and awards, in likes and follows, in wealth and power. Forgive us for creating our own measuring stick. Heal our open wounds and tell our hearts that we won’t be forgotten if we slow down. We won’t be forgotten if we rest. Gratefully we pray, Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
We know that nothing is able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ.
– based on Romans 8:39
Friends, there is good news here. You belong to God. You are loved. You are claimed. You are under God’s wing. You are worthy of grace.
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
Reckless Love
Caleb Culver, Cory Asbury, Ran Jackson, 2017
COMMITMENT
WORDS OF WELCOME
Rev. Fred Harrell (he/him)
PASTORAL PRAYER
SONG
The Lord’s Prayer
Setting by Diana Gameros, 2022
SCRIPTURE
Luke 13:1-9, NRSV
V Kehoe, Reader
At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”
Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
SERMON
Rev. Fred Harrell (he/him)
Full to the Brim: You are Worthy
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
Generous God, we offer you now our lives and our resources. We ask that you would use us band everything we have to build a world of peace, joy and freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
MUSICAL OFFERING
Immortal Diamond
by Karl Digerness, 2022
COMMUNION
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
All Must Be Well
Mary Bowley-Peters (1813-1856), Matthew Smith, 2007
COMMUNION PRAYER
Lord of this feast beyond measure and price; we thank you for meeting us in our brokenness so that none might be lost: liberate us now to share bread with our neighbor, each receiving from the other what we need to be ourselves. 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
MUSICIANS
Jeff Marrs, drums
Gary Brown, bass
Adam Shulman, organ
Minna Choi, vocals/piano
Karl Digerness, guitar/vocal