March 1 – First Sunday in Lent

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 9:8–17

The covenant between God and Noah.

Psalm 25:1–10 (VU pg. 752)

Lead me in your truth, O God.

1 Peter 3:18–22

Baptism now saves you.

Mark 1:9–15

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 God’s 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 God’s 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.