March 1
First Sunday in Lent
Worship materials for the Sundays of Lent were contributed by the Worship Committee at
Bracebridge United Church, Bracebridge, Ontario: Richard Coulter, Shirley Gordon, Sandra Hartill, Nancy Knox, Kevin Logie, Pam Mulligan, Linda Pace, Lee Shea, Kathy Smith, Maureen Wiley, and Scott Whitty.
Lectionary
Lectionary readings from Vanderbilt Divinity Library online
(http://divinity.library.vanderbilt.edu/lectionary/BLent/bLent1.htm)
Genesis 9:817
The covenant between God and Noah.
Psalm 25:110 (VU
pg. 752)
Lead me in your truth, O God.
1 Peter 3:1822
Baptism now saves you.
Mark 1:915
The baptism, temptation, and mission of Jesus.
Spark
Prior to this Sunday, invite the congregation to come dressed in bright colours, or provide strips of different colours of broadcloth or sheets of paper to form a human rainbow.
With Children
Children build and become a rainbow using fabric, paper, or their clothes.
Ask them: What is a covenant? Have you ever made a promise?
A rainbow is a sign of Gods promise to us. Promises are made in church too, for example, we make them in baptism with parents, child, and the whole congregation.
Sermon Starter
Building on the Genesis story, what are the promises we make? What is our response to Gods invitation? The preacher might want to pose the questions: When was the last time you saw a rainbow and what did you do? Stop? Share it with others? Reflect? What about the storm or rain before the rainbow?
Perhaps explore the struggles before the rainbows in our lives. Another avenue might be to consider dimensions of patience versus impatience in our living.
Hymns
Hebrew
Scriptures
VU 288 Great is thy faithfulness
VU 578 As a fire is meant for burning
VU 580 Faith of our fathers
MV 165 There is a time
Epistle
VU 289 It only takes a spark
VU 299 Teach me, God, to wonder
MV 20 God of still waiting
MV 157 I am a child of God
MV 176 Three things I promise
Gospel
VU 509 I, the Lord of sea and sky (Here I Am Lord)
VU 574 Come, let us sing of a wonderful love
Call to Worship (based on
Psalm 25)
To you, O God, we lift up our souls!
In you we trust!
Show us your ways, O Lord, teach us your paths!
Lead me in your truth, O Lord, and teach
me!
Commissioning
You are upright and good, O God,
show us your path!
Guide us to do what is right,
and teach us your way!
Your ways are loving and sure, O Lord our God!
Let me keep our covenant and commandments!
Neil Young, Erindale United Church, Mississauga, Ont.