Community United Church - March 7, 2021: 11:00 AM - Community ...
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Community United Church
An Open and Affirming Congregation
Affiliated with the United Church of Christ, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the
Church of the Brethren
March 7, 2021:
11:00 AMThe Third Sunday of Lent
We are now in the
Season of Lent. It is a
six week span in the
church year when
Christians
contemplate the life
and ministry of Jesus Today’s Readings:
Christ—whose path Exodus 20:1-17
ultimately led to death Psalm 19
on a Cross. Within John 2:13-22
these six weeks,
Christians are invited
to fast and pray for
40 days—calling to
mind Christ’s 40 days
in the desert, in which
he wrestled with
temptations of power.
Theme:
From the desert, Flipping Tables
Christ would come
forth showing that the Pastoral Team:
Rev. Dr. Rich McCarty, Senior Pastor
power of God is love.
Pastor Joy Johnson, Associate Minister
That love was put on
ultimate display when
Christ turned his own Whoever you are, and wherever
condemnation and you are on life’s journey, you are
death into forgiveness
and new life.
welcome here!Prelude Cheryl Strecker
Welcome, Announcements, and Prayer Requests
Centering Music
Invocation
One: Grace, mercy, and peace be with you, from God our Creator, Christ our Redeemer,
and the Holy Spirit our eternal Advocate and Friend.
All: And also with you.
One: On the path to the Cross of Christ, we gather in worship and contemplation.
One: Open our hearts and minds, O God, to your presence in Christ Jesus and
through your Holy Spirit—one God, forever and ever. Amen!
* Opening Hymn “The God of Abraham Praise” #16
The God of Abraham praise, who reigns enthroned above;
The ancient of eternal days, the God of love!
The Lord, the great I AM, by earth and heaven confessed,
We bow before your holy name, forever blest.
Your Spirit still flows free, high surging where it will;
In prophet’s word you spoke of old and you speak still.
Established is your law, and changeless it shall stand,
Deep writ upon the human heart, on sea or land.
You have eternal life implanted in the soul;
Your love shall be our strength and stay, while ages roll.
We praise you, living God! We praise your holy name;
Who was, and is, and is to be, for-e’er the same!
*Opening Prayer
Confession
One: We hear the call to trust in God always, but honestly—some days our stresses and
doubts are even more real to us than God, and trust is elusive.
All: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.
One: We remember the faith of the prophets, but admit that such faith is hard to come by.
All: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
One: When the world seems filled with uncertainties and deceit, we can be quick to
harden ourselves with cynicism, and we forget the wisdom of scripture—that good
and evil are now intermingled, in ourselves, and in others.
All: With your help, O God, guide us to confront our fears and struggles. We call
upon you—our Highest Power—to heal our frailty and failings. Amen.Song of Assurance “Cares Chorus” #493
I cast all my cares upon you,
I lay all of my burdens down at your feet.
And anytime that I don’t know what to do…
I will cast all my cares upon you.
(Repeat)
Lenten Meditation & Candles
Song of Reflection “Jesus Remember Me” #285
(Sing Three Times)
Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
First Reading Exodus 20:1-17
Then God spoke all these words:
2I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of
slavery; 3 you shall have no other gods before me.
4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven
above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall
not bow down to them or worship them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God,
punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of
those who reject me, 6 but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those
who love me and keep my commandments. 7 You shall not make wrongful use of the name
of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.
8 Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your
work. 10 But the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God; you shall not do any
work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the
alien resident in your towns. 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea,
and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath
day and consecrated it.
12 Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that
the LORD your God is giving you. 13 You shall not murder. 14 You shall not commit adultery.
15 You shall not steal. 16 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 17 You shall
not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or
female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.Responsorial Psalm 19
One: The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims God’s
handiwork.
All: Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
One: The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure,
making wise the simple;
All: The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of
the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes;
One: The reverence of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are
true and righteous altogether.
All: More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter than
honey.
One: Moreover by the law is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
All: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to
you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Amen!
*Lenten Acclamation “Surely the Presence” #131
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place;
I can feel his mighty power and his grace.
I can hear the brush of angels’ wings, I see glory on each face;
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place,
*Gospel John 2:13-22
The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he
found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the moneychangers seated at their
tables. 15 Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep
and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the moneychangers and overturned their
tables. 16 He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop
making my Father’s house a marketplace!” 17 His disciples remembered that it was
written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18 [Some of] the Jews then said to him,
“What sign can you show us for doing this?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple,
and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The [same people] then said, “This temple has been
under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was
speaking of the temple of his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples
remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus
had spoken.
One: These are the words of God for the people of God.
All: Come Holy Spirit! Thanks be to God!Message Flipping Tables Pastor Rich
Musical Reflection “Could We Start Again Please” Shelly Conrad &
(From the Broadway Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar) Pastor Rich
Congregational Reflection & Engagement
• The scene of Jesus flipping tables in the Temple is a striking one. It suggests to us
that the Reign of God isn’t just about quiet moments of spiritual contemplation. It’s
also about taking a stand and challenging corrupt systems and practices.
o Imagine you were there in the Temple that day when Christ walked in and
drove out the merchants and moneychangers. Would you cheer Jesus on, or
would you wonder if there was a better way for him to take a stand?
o Christ assures us that the afflicted will be comforted, but today’s scene
suggests that the wrongfully comfortable might need to be afflicted. What are
the afflictions you face that need comforting? What are some counterfeit
“comforts” that might need some afflicting?
o Like Jesus, we sometimes feel zeal and righteous indignation. How do you
discern between legitimate anger and out of control rage? How do you
distinguish between real wrongs and reasonable differences of perspectives?
Offering
Our offerings are first and foremost what we give to the world through justice, kindness, and
mercy—and these can do every day. Our offerings can also take the form of financial
contributions to the church to support our ministries.
Financial offerings are now accepted online at:
www.communityunited.church/giving/
Or, if you prefer to mail in a check, that can be addressed to the church at:
1011 West 38th Street – Erie, PA 16508
Offertory Music and Time for Contemplation Cheryl Strecker
Let us choose to be an offering to the world and to the church, each as we feel guided
by God’s Spirit.Affirmation of Faith: APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy
Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, 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, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to
judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic (universal)
Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
COMMUNION LITURGY (If you are worshipping in-person today, elements will be provided for you; or
you may bring your own. If you are worshipping online, please use elements available to you, or receive the
sacrament of Communion spiritually.)
Pastor: People of God, each Sunday we come to the table and find ordinary bread to
eat and cup to drink; and yet, something far more mysterious finds us here.
All: In the bread, and in the cup, grace is made known to us in ways we can
understand—food for the body becomes food for the spirit.
Pastor: This is a table of grace. There is room around it for every soul that was, and is,
and is to come.
All: We come to the table as people who are learning the way of Christ. We
confess that we are not always right. But we share this faith: that those
who trust in Christ Jesus will grow in the assurance of God’s eternal love.
Pastor: And so, here at this Table we take bread and cup and ask the Holy Spirit to
make it for us: communion with Christ, who gave his life as the bread of
heaven and as the cup of eternal life.
All: Here at this Table we remember that Christ gave his entire life as an
outpouring of God’s Love—a love that will, one day, renew all things.
Amen.
Pastor: This is the communion of the Body of Christ….
This is the communion of the Blood of Christ…Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer
One: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Let us pray: Holy and Loving God, having been nourished by your living Word in our
meditations on scripture, and at the Table of Christ, we ask your Holy Spirit to
illuminate for us the steps we should take in the next days and weeks of our lives.
All: God hear our prayer!
One: Spirit of God, grant us the wisdom to know how and when to flip the tables of
convention and tradition. Give us the courage to flip the tables of social injustice.
And grant us the understanding and humility not to mistake misunderstandings or
wrath for righteous anger.
All: God hear our prayer!
One: For those who need your comfort and inspiration, O God, be who you promised to
be. For whatever we need to change, help us to see it with you, by gracious
correction.
All: God hear our prayer!
One: For all that we hold in the silence of our hearts, we come to you in the confidence of
quiet, O God, and lift our petitions privately to you. (Silent prayer)… Almighty God,
Sovereign of Heaven, send a double portion of your blessings upon all people! Move
the mountains in our lives, or help to move us so that we might be fully at peace.
This we pray in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray…
All: “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 debts as we forgive our debtors—and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and
the Glory forever.” Amen.
*Lenten Congregational Response #576
“Make me a servant, humble and meek.
Lord, let me lift up those who are weak!
And may the prayer of my heart always be:
Make me a servant! Make me a servant!
Make me a servant today!*Departing Prayer
One: Holy One, creator of stars and seas, your steadfast love is shown to every living
thing: your word calls forth countless worlds and souls; your law revives and
refreshes.
All: Forgive our misuse of your gifts, that we may be transformed by your wisdom
to manifest for others the mercy of our crucified and risen Lord. Amen!
*Closing Hymn “I Surrender All” #474
All to Jesus I surrender, all to him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust him,
In his presence daily live.
Chorus:
I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.
All to Jesus I surrender, humbly at his feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
(Chorus)
All to Jesus I surrender, make me, Savior, wholly thine;
May thy Holy Spirit fill me,
May I know thy power divine.
(Chorus)
All to Jesus I surrender, Lord, I give myself to thee;
Fill me with thy love and power,
Let thy blessing fall on me.
(Chorus)
*Blessing
Postlude Cheryl StreckerThank you for worshipping with us this morning at
Community United Church!
Next Sunday:
11:00 AM
Readings:
Ephesians 2:1-10
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
John 3:14-21
The Fourth Sunday of Lent:
Loved Before Getting it Right
Need to contact us for prayer, conversation, or to connect
with a small group or church ministry?
1011 West 38th Street – Erie, PA 16508
(814) – 864 – 4429
www.communityunited.churchYou can also read
