Estes Park United Methodist Church
February 21, 2020
First Sunday of Lent
Order of Worship
Opening – The Old Rugged Cross Made the Difference
Prelude
Greeting/Welcome
Call to Worship
Leader: As we walk into the wilderness, setting our face toward the cross,
People: The Holy Spirit is with us.
Leader: As we focus and prepare, fasting by letting go and by taking on,
People: The Holy Spirit is with us.
Leader: Facing temptations, finding help from unexpected quarters,
People: The Holy Spirit is with us. Come, let us seek God’s way together.
Opening Prayer (Unison)
Show us your ways, O Lord! Lead us in your truth, and teach us. Open our eyes, minds, and hearts to know your will and to follow it. Reveal your vision for us, and keep us focused and faithful to what you would have us do. Bring us together to worship and work for your purpose, and move us forward into your future. Amen.
Hymn – Come Thou Almighty King
Prayer of Confession
Leader: God takes broken promises and turns them into vows of faithfulness. God takes our biggest failings and shapes lives of service. God listens to our prayers of confession and changes them into songs of mercy. Let us come to the One who pours forgiveness into our lives, praying,
People: We admit we are hesitant to walk to Jerusalem and beyond with you, God of Glory. In a world where we worry about tomorrow before enjoying today, we race by your moments of silence, of learning. In that flood of worries, which can overwhelm us, we may miss that assurance that you have not cut us off from your grace.
In the deserts of our desires, we may ignore that feast of hope, of joy, of life you offer to us. Forgive us and have mercy on us, Gentle Guardian of our souls. In humility, may we offer our lives to others. In love, may we share your grace with everyone we meet. In hope, may we wait for you all our days, as you come to us in the life and joy of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Silent Prayer
Assurance of Pardon
Leader: In every wilderness, on every road; in every moment, in every life; in every journey, in every heart, we receive the daily bread we need– God’s hope, God’s mercy, God’s joy. Thanks be to God, we are forgiven. Amen.
People: Thanks be to God! Amen!
Offering
Prayer of Blessing
Pastoral Prayer
Scripture Lesson – Mark 1:9-15
Sermon – Forty Days and Forty Nights
Hymn – Hope of the World
Closing – Sorrow – Preformed by Heather Stone and Nancy Gunter
Benediction
Postlude
Service Participants:
Pastor: Rev. Ann Steiner Lantz
Liturgist: Cay Lacey
Director of Music: Jim Flanigan
Pianist: Nancy Gunter
Videographer: Jim Ecklund
Flutist: Heather Stone