Sunday, March 1, 2020

First Sunday in Lent

For Meditation and Reflection:

“Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths”

(Isaiah 2:5, 3c)

Welcome and Announcements

Opening Prayer (Pastor)

Call to Worship (Alcuin of York, England, 8th Cent.) (Lay Reader)

• Leader: Eternal Light, shine into our hearts.
• People: Eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil.
• Leader: Eternal Power, be our support.
• People: Eternal Wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance.
• Leader: Eternal Compassion, have mercy upon us.
• People: That with all our heart, mind, soul and strength we may seek your face.

Singing (with Jennifer and Keith Taylor)

• Arise Shine
• Come and Find the Quiet Center

Prayer for Illumination (Lay Reader)

Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:1-11 (Lay Reader)

Sermon “Lessons From the Wilderness” Mike Lyle

The Offerings and Offertory Music

A Litany of Thanksgiving

• Pastor: All things come from you, O God, and with gratitude we return to you what is yours. All that we are, and all that we have, is your gift to us.
• People: And so, in gratitude for all your gifts, we offer ourselves, and all that we have. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world.
• All: Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Singing Breathe on Me Breath of God #292

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Sharing of Joys and Concerns

Prayers of the Pastor and People

Lord’s Prayer (Ecumenical Text) Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

Singing Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness #286

Benediction (Pastor) Go forward in the comfort and strength of God’s blessing. Remember that you are loved, that God is ever near, and that divine mercy is your way in the world. Amen.

Thought for the Week.

Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten which means “spring.” The season was originally a time of preparation for celebrating Easter and a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by converts. In later centuries, Lent became a time of penance for all Christians.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sunday, Mar. 1^st

• 10 am– Sunday School for Children in Fellowship Hall; Adult Education in Sanctuary, led by Brenda Lyle. Taking Down the Walls: Cultivating Compassion. Come explore spiritual practices to open our hearts and truly learn how we can follow Jesus’ commandment to love one another.
• 11 am- Worship led by Rev. Dr. Michael Lyle
• 12:15 pm – Join in for Congregational Pot Luck!

Sunday, Mar. 8^th

• 10 am– Adult Education. Taking Down the Walls with Brenda Lyle
• 11 am – Worship led by Rev. Mike Lyle

Sunday, Mar. 15^th 11 am — Worship led By Rev, Mike Lyle

Sunday, Mar. 22^nd 11 am – Worship led Rev. Mary Mason

Food Bank: Please bring non-perishable food items to church. See sign and box in Fellowship Hall.

During the Week at St. James:

• Mindfulness Meditation. Wed. mornings10 am, Fellowship Hall. Free. All welcome; beginners encouraged!
• Stretch It Out! Fri. evenings 6:30 – 7:30pm. Fellowship Hall: Come feel good with relaxed stretching and strengthening for all ages. First class free.
• English Language Classes for adults. Please pass the word. Saturday mornings 10am – noon. Free. Led by a certified ELL teacher. Childcare provided. Fellowship Hall. Help Needed: come work with adult students or help with childcare. No experience needed. Talk with Lauranne (703) 346-3071.

Statement of Faith: We gather as an open and affirming community to worship God, however known. We welcome everyone, no exceptions. Together we seek spiritual comfort and challenge, learn from ancient and modern texts, and seek new dimensions of truth. We practice following the way of Jesus. We dare to demonstrate God’s love by working for justice and peace among all people.