The Celebration of Worship

Trinity Church, Baptist

The Reverend Doctor Nancy Rock Poti, Pastor

March 7, 2010

The Third Sunday in Lent

                                                                                                                 Gathering Music                         "As Water to the Thirsty"                                         OASIS

Welcome and Call to Reverence                                                                              

        Our Prayer Concerns and Joys/Announcements                               Mr. Quenton Lee, Worship Leader

A Holy Silence                                                                                          The Congregation

Call to Worship  (Please read the BOLD print.)                            Led by Ms. Jennifer Poti   

God our healer, whose Spirit breathes life into our fragile bodies            
        and searches out our brokenness to mend it;
restore us, bodies and minds, that we may offer our praise
        and attend to your word with new and right spirits;
Eternal God, protector and defender,

who hears the cries of your people and comes to our aid;
set us free at this hour from every bond that ensnares, every distraction that entices
        or holds us enthralled, that, with limbs unshackled, voices unbridled,
        and minds unleashed from fears
we may worship you, in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

*Hymn of Praise No. 70      "How Great Our God's Majestic Name"             DUKE STREET

Morning Prayer                                                                                                         Dr. Poti

 including prayers lifted as part of The National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS

Old Testament Reading from Isaiah 55: 1-9 NRSV                      Mrs. Melanie McClaskie

Words of Comfort in Song                     "Don't Be Afraid"                              John L. Bell

"Don't be afraid. My love is stronger, my love is stronger than your fear.

Don't be afraid. My love is stronger and I have promised, promised to be always near."

Children’s and Youth’s Focus                                                                                 Dr. Poti

*Please stand, as you are able.

Psalter Reading from Psalm 63: 1-8 NRSV                                                     Mr. Jim Poti

Words of Comfort in Song                     "Don't Be Afraid"                              John L. Bell

"Don't be afraid. My love is stronger, my love is stronger than your fear.

Don't be afraid. My love is stronger and I have promised, promised to be always near."

Our Offering

        Offertory Prayer                                                                            Mr. Christopher Lee

        Offertory Music                     "Come to the Water"                               John Foley, SJ                    

        *Doxology No. 253  "Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow"         OLD 100TH

Poetry Reading: "Christ Our Earth" by J. Janda                                         Mrs. LaTika Lee

"Christ, Be Our Light"                                                                              Bernadette Farrell

(Please find the text on the back of the bulletin.)

New Testament Reading from Luke 13: 1-9 NRSV                                               Mrs. Lee

Homily                                              "Images of Grace"                                           Dr. Poti

Observance of the Lord's Supper                                                              The Congregation

*Hymn  No. 580                     "O God of Love, Enable Me"                                ST. PETER

*Passing the Peace                                                                                    The Congregation

*Words of Mission (Please read the BOLD print)                                   The Congregation

Loving God,

Shape us and transform us by your grace,
that we may grow in wisdom and in confidence,
never faltering until we have done all that you desire
to bring your realm of shalom to fulfillment.  Amen.

*Choral Response                       "Blest Be the Tie"                                             DENNIS

                   "Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;

 The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.  Amen."

*Dismissal with Blessing                                                                                       Dr. Poti

Please recycle your bulletin

either by placing it on one of the tables in the worship space or when you recycle at home.

Christ, Be Our Light

Longing for light, we wait in darkness.

Longing for truth, we turn to you.

Make us your own, your holy people,

light for the world to see.

Refrain:

Christ, be our light!

Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness.

Christ, be our light!

shine in your church gathered today.

Longing for food, many are hungry.

Longing for water, many still thirst.

Make us your bread, broken for others,

shared until all are fed.

Refrain

Longing for shelter, many are homeless.

Longing for warmth, many are cold.

Make us your building, sheltering others,

walls made of living stone.

Refrain

Longing for peace, our world is troubled.

Longing for hope, many despair.

Your word alone has pow'r to save us.

Make us your living voice.

Refrain

Sing of the hope deeper than dying.

Sing of the pow'r stronger than death.

Sing of the love endless as heaven,

dawning through out the earth.

Refrain

Text and Tune: Bernadette Farrell (c) 1994; Published by New Dawn Music, Portland, OR.  All rights reserved.  Reprinted by permission under One License.net No. A-711521.

The Celebration of Worship

Trinity Church, Baptist

The Reverend Doctor Nancy Rock Poti, Pastor

February 28, 2010

The Second Sunday in Lent

                                                                                                                      Gathering Music                     "As Tender as a Mother Hen"                                  MARVEL

Welcome and Call to Reverence                                                                              

        Our Prayer Concerns and Joys/Announcements                      Mrs. Melanie McClaskie, Worship Leader

        Introduction of a New Song                                                                             Dr. Poti

                              "Christ, Be Our Light"                      

A Holy Silence                                                                                          The Congregation

Opening Hymn No. 55 "Children of the Heavenly Father"   TRYGGARE KAN INGEN VARA

We will sing the first and third stanzas only.

Opening Sentences                                                                               Mrs. Barbara Warren
Leader:  In hope, in longing  All:  We're glad to come together.
Leader:  In trust, in community  All:  We're glad to come together.
Leader:  In many moods, in many shapes and sizes  All:  We're glad to come together.
Leader:  In peace, in joy

All:  We're glad to come together in this Lenten season to worship God.  Amen.

A Lenten Hymn                          "Christ, Be Our Light"

(Please find the text on the back of the bulletin.)

Morning Prayer                                                                                  Mrs. LaVerne Newton

Old Testament Reading from Genesis 15: 1-6 NRSV                                      Mr. Jim Poti

Words of Comfort in Song                     "Don't Be Afraid"                              John L. Bell

"Don't be afraid. My love is stronger, my love is stronger than your fear.

Don't be afraid. My love is stronger and I have promised, promised to be always near."

Psalter Reading from Psalm 27 NRSV                                                           Mr. Bill Irvin

Children’s and Youth’s Focus                                                                     Mr. Bob Warren

* Please stand, as you are able.

Our Offering

        Offertory Prayer                                                                          Mr. Travis McClaskie                                              

        Offertory Music                                                                                        

        *Doxology No. 253  "Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow"         OLD 100TH

Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Forgiveness

Leader:  Refuge of our hearts,

People:  we must speak of how we have not made you the center of our lives.

Leader: We look for shelter in the false security of the world, not in your promises. People:  Our fears are driven by our emotions and decisions, not by our trust in you.

Leader:  We look to the powerful, the beautiful, the athletic to be our role models,

People:   instead of the One who comes in your name.

Leader:  We act in ways that make Jesus weep over us, just as he wept over Jerusalem.
Leader:   Have mercy on us, our Light and our Hope,

People:  and touch us with your forgiving grace.

Leader:  Fill our hearts with your presence,

People:  so we might recognize the One who has come to gather us up

               and lead us into your Kingdom.

Assurance of Pardon
Leader:  God does not give us up to the temptations and ways of the world,

               but shelters us with love, with hope and with grace.

People:   We are forgiven people. Thanks be to God. Amen.

New Testament Reading from Luke 13: 31-35 NRSV                       

Words of Comfort in Song                     "Don't Be Afraid"                              John L. Bell

"Don't be afraid. My love is stronger, my love is stronger than your fear.

Don't be afraid. My love is stronger and I have promised, promised to be always near."

 Homily                                         A eartbreaking PromiseHearHeartbreaking Promise                                   Dr. Poti

*Closing Hymn  No. 613                "The Servant Song"                               BEACH SPRING

*Words of Mission and Blessing                                                                             Dr. Poti

We journey into this week and beyond,
blessed with the sheltering presence and everlasting love of God,
filled with the perseverance and compassion of Jesus Christ,
strengthened and empowered by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Please recycle your bulletin either by placing it on one of the tables in the worship space or when you recycle at home.

Christ, Be Our Light

Longing for light, we wait in darkness.

Longing for truth, we turn to you.

Make us your own, your holy people,

light for the world to see.

Refrain:

Christ, be our light!

Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness.

Christ, be our light!

shine in your church gathered today.

Longing for food, many are hungry.

Longing for water, many still thirst.

Make us your bread, broken for others,

shared until all are fed.

Refrain

Longing for shelter, many are homeless.

Longing for warmth, many are cold.

Make us your building, sheltering others,

walls made of living stone.

Refrain

Longing for peace, our world is troubled.

Longing for hope, many despair.

Your word alone has pow'r to save us.

Make us your living voice.

Refrain

Sing of the hope deeper than dying.

Sing of the pow'r stronger than death.

Sing of the love endless as heaven,

dawning through out the earth.

Refrain

Text and Tune: Bernadette Farrell (c) 1994; Published by New Dawn Music, Portland, OR.  All rights reserved.  Reprinted by permission under One License.net No. A-711521.

The Celebration of Worship

Trinity Church, Baptist

The Reverend Doctor Nancy Rock Poti, Pastor

February 21, 2010

The First Sunday in Lent

Gathering Music                                   "Love Song"                                     Lesley Duncan

Kelly Sweet, soloist

Welcome and Call to Reverence                                                                               Dr. Poti

        Our Prayer Concerns and Joys

        Announcements

        Introduction of a New Song

              Words of Comfort in Song          "Don't Be Afraid"                             John L. Bell

        "Don't be afraid. My love is stronger, my love is stronger than your fear.

        Don't be afraid. My love is stronger and I have promised, promised to be always near."

A Holy Silence                                                                                          The Congregation

Call to Worship (Based on Psalm 91 verses1,2,10-13; Romans 10:13)   The Congregation

We gather here, trusting in God as our refuge and strength -
assured of God’s everlasting care for us.  And so, at the beginning and
throughout our Lenten journey we have confidence in God’s presence
with us in every time of trial and temptation.  For everyone who calls
on God for help is saved through the sacrificial love of Jesus,
our Lord and our Savior.

A Lenten Hymn                  "Love Will Be Our Lenten Calling"          CWM  RHONDDA

(Please find the text on the back of the bulletin.)

Morning Prayer                                                                                                        Dr. Poti

Old Testament Reading from Deuteronomy 26: 1-11NRSV                     Mr. Quenton Lee 

Children’s and Youth’s Focus                                                                     Mr. Bob Warren

New Testament Reading from Luke 4: 1-13 NRSV                            Mrs. Barbara Warren

Our Offering

        Offertory Prayer                                                                            Mr. Christopher Lee

        Offertory Music                                                                                        

        *Doxology No. 253  "Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow"         OLD 100TH

* Please stand, as you are able.

Prayer of Confession and Words of Forgiveness (Please read the BOLD print) Led by Dr. Poti 

Gracious and merciful God, we confess to you our reluctance to enter the
wilderness places where we are confronted with our true selves;  
the places where we are tempted to put the values of this world and of culture before our
desire for you, and where our hunger for power and wealth is greater
than our hunger for seeking and doing your will:
Forgive us, O God, and increase our trust in you.
When we are tempted to use the gifts you give us to benefit ourselves at the
expense of serving others:
  Forgive us, O God, and increase our trust in you.
When we are tempted to use sensational means to increase people’s faith,
rather than being guided by the humility of Christ:
 Forgive us, O God, and increase our trust in you.
When we are tempted to use manipulation to influence and control people:
 Forgive us, O God, and increase our trust in you.
When we are tempted to manipulate you, O God, to satisfy our own needs:
Forgive us, O God, and increase our trust in you.
               ALL: Merciful God, forgive us our sins and fill us with the joy and peace of your kingdom. So strengthen us with your Spirit during this Lenten season that we put our whole trust in you as confidently as Jesus did.

Help us to remember that your love is stronger than our fear.  Amen.

 Words of Comfort in Song                     "Don't Be Afraid"                              John L. Bell

"Don't be afraid. My love is stronger, my love is stronger than your fear.

Don't be afraid. My love is stronger and I have promised, promised to be always near."

 Homily                                              "The Real World"                                           Dr. Poti

Observance of the Lord’s Supper                                                             The Congregation

Closing Hymn No. 330                       "Amazing Grace"                                 NEW BRITAIN

*Words of Mission and Blessing                                                                             Dr. Poti

*Choral Benediction                       "Blest Be the Tie"                                             DENNIS

"Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;

 The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.  Amen."

Please recycle your bulletin either by placing it on one of the tables in the worship space or when you recycle at home.

Love Will Be Our Lenten Calling

Love will be our Lenten calling,
love to shake and shatter sin,
waking every closed, cold spirit,
stirring new life deep within,
till the quickened heart remembers

what our Easter birth can mean.
what our Easter birth can mean.

Peace will be our Lenten living
as we turn for home again,
longing for the words of pardon,
stripping off old grief and pain,
till we stand, restored and joyful,

with the Church on Easter day.
with the Church on Easter day.

Truth will be our Lenten learning:
hear the Crucified One call!
Shadowed by the Savior's passion,
images and idols fall,
and, in Easter's holy splendor,

God alone is all in all.

God alone is all in all.

Text: Smith, E., Together in Song. Australian Hymn Book 2. (c) 1999. NSW: Sydney.

         HarperCollins Religious. All rights reserved.  Reprinted by permission under One

         License.net No. A-711521.