Franconia Community Church of Christ
February 21, 2020, First Sunday of Lent
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TIME FOR REFLECTION
(This is a time for quiet meditation)
PRELUDE
“Forty Days and Forty Nights” Chalice 179
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congratulations Michelle and Skyler
Friday centering praying is not happening until further notice
Annual meeting after church next week (February 28) via Zoom
CALL TO WORSHIP
Forty days and forty nights Noah sailed the ark.
Forty days and forty nights Jesus fasted in the wilderness.
Forty days and forty nights we remember.
HYMN “The Solid Rock” Hymnal for Worship and Celebration 404
1 My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Refrain:
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.
2 In ev’ry rough and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the vale.
When all around my soul gives way,
he then is all my hope and stay. [Refrain]
3 Not earth, nor hell, my soul can move;
I rest upon unchanging love.
I trust his righteous character,
his counsel, promise, and his pow’r. [Refrain]
4 When he shall come with trumpet sound,
oh, may I then in him be found,
dressed in his righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne. [Refrain]
SCRIPTURE READINGS Genesis 9:8-17, Mark 1:9-15
HYMN “What Friend We Have in Jesus” HWC 435
1 What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!
2 Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
3 Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge–
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.
SERMON “Forty Days or Always?”
HYMN “De Colores” New Century Hymnal 402
De colores, de colores se visten los campos en la primavera.
De colores, de colores son los pajaritos que vienen de_afuera.
De colores, de colores es el arco iris que vemos salir,
Y por eso los grandes amores de muchos colores me gustan a mí,
Y por eso los grandes amores de muchos colores me gustan a mí.
Sing of Colors, sing of colors that over the hills in profusion are springing;
Sing of colors, of the birds that fly outside my window the canticles singing;
Sing of colors, in the rainbow’s bright colors God’s promise of hope we recall;
Sing of colors that make up the earth and give thanks to the God who created us all.
Sing of colors that make up the earth and give thanks to the God who created us all.
Sing rejoicing! Every creature that breathes raise a song to the God of creation.
Sing, rejoicing! Sing to God sho so earnestly cares, who has offered salvation.
Sing the good news! Sing the love of the Savior reflecting the colors of all.
Many colors that shine from God’s face, many colors that tell us God’s love to recall.
Many colors that shine from God’s face, many colors that tell us God’s love to recall.
TRANSITION TO ZOOM
THE SUMMARY OF THE LAW (in unison)
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is
one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.”
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
PASSING OF THE PEACE
READING OF THE PRAYER LIST
Today we pray for the families and friends of these people who recently passed away:
Loretta Poulin Gregoire, mother of Louise Gregoire-Allen
Robin Grubby, friend of church members
Ann Gruczka, friend of Paula Herbert
Connie Robitaille, grandmother of Michelle Jackson Luce
Ray Robitaille, grandfather of Michelle Jackson Luce
Steven Sweeney, husband of Joan Sweeney
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And we pray for these people in need:
Susan McClain, choir director
Susan Strong, church member
Kirk Luce, husband of Marsha Luce
Doug Cook, cousin of Parker Towle
Ruth Kelley, church member
Polly Cole, church member
Joan Sweeney, former choir director
Jane Ferrelli, friend of members
Annie Payette, church member
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE:
Joys and Concerns followed by
“Lord, Hear Our Prayer”
SILENT PRAYER followed by
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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.
RESPONSIVE READING Psalm 25:1-10 NCH p 635
25:1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
25:2 O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.
25:3 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
25:4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.
25:5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.
25:6 Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
25:7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O LORD!
25:8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
25:9 God leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
25:10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep God’s covenant and God’s decrees.
BENEDICITON
FELLOWSHIP
Welcome to the Franconia Community Church of Christ, a UCC Open & Affirming Congregation!
Dear families with children, WELCOME! We are sorry that we are not set up for Church School at this time.
Worship leaders today: Robert Owen Williams, preacher;
Susan McClain music director;
Robert Owen Williams, recorder: special music
Robert Owen Williams, Paula Herbert, Susan Strong,
and Robin Lubguban, Deacons
Good Neighbor Food Pantry Hours:
Tuesdays 11:00 am – Noon
Church Committees
(call or email the person listed for more info)
Mission Board: Contact Sandy Herbert
(823-5672, sandyk.herbert@gmail.com)
Deacons: Contact Robert Owen Williams, Chair
(823-5821, rowilliams91@myfairpoint.net)
Trustees: Contact Tracy Herbert
(823-5672, tracy.herbert@gmail.com)
Adult Christian Ed: Contact Robert Williams
(823-5821, rowilliams91@myfairpoint.net)
Church School Coordinator: Contact Marsha Luce (823-5033, maskluce1@gmail.com)
Church Council: Contact Paula Herbert, Moderator
(616-9249, paulamark15@yahoo.com)
Pastor Emeritus: Bill Briggs
Franconia Community Church of Christ, 44 Church Street,
P. O. Box 237, Franconia 03580
Church office phone: 823-8421
office email: office@franconiachurch.org
Website: www.franconiachurch.org
Like us on Facebook Calendar Items:
Every Wednesday at 5:00 PM
Community Supper open for take out service
Every Wednesday and Friday during Lent 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Susan McClain will be leading activity including prayer time and making a cross of broken bits of pottery.
Sunday, February 28, 2nd Sunday of Lent
Bill Briggs leading worship
Sunday, March 7, 3rd Sunday of Lent
Robin Lubguban leading worship
Sunday, March 14, 4th Sunday of Lent
Susan McClain leading worship
Sunday, March 21, 5th Sunday of Lent
Paula Herbert leading worship
Sunday, March 28, Palm Sunday
John Vail leading worship
Friday, April 2, Good Friday
Cindy Berlack leading worship
Considering world events, all items on this calendar are subject to change at short notice