Community United Church - March 27, 2022: 11:00 AM
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Community United Church
An Open and Affirming Congregation
Affiliated with the United Church of Christ, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the Church
of the Brethren
March 27, 2022:
11:00 AMThe Fourth Sunday of Lent
We are now in the
Season of Lent. It is a
six-week span in the
church year when
Christians contemplate
the life and ministry of
Jesus Christ—whose Today’s Readings:
path ultimately led to 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
death on a Cross.
Psalm 32
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Within these six weeks,
Christians are invited
to fast and pray for 40
days—calling to mind
Christ’s 40 days in the
desert, in which he
wrestled with
temptations of power. Theme:
From the desert,
A Tale of Two Sons
Christ would come
forth showing that the
Pastoral Team:
power of God is love. Rev. Dr. Rich McCarty, Senior Pastor
That love was put on Pastor Joy Johnson, Associate Minister
ultimate display when
Christ turned his own
Whoever you are, and wherever
condemnation and
death into forgiveness you are on life’s journey, you are
and new life. welcome here!Prelude Cheryl Strecker
Welcome, Announcements, and Prayer Requests
Centering Music
Invocation
One: Grace, mercy, and peace be with you, from God our Creator, Christ our Redeemer,
and the Holy Spirit, our eternal Advocate and Friend.
All: And also with you.
One: Holy and loving God, you say that your ‘path is narrow’—and yet, you say that your
love is ‘deep as it is wide.’ We come seeking to live in that mystery: of discerning
paths that are true to you, while discovering your love which holds and restores all
creation.
All: Teach us again that the ‘narrow path’ is not about excluding people, but one
that refines us until only love remains. Then, when love is complete within us,
we will learn to rejoice that your outstretched arms welcome all beings and
people in the vastness of your grace. Amen!
* Opening Hymn “God of the Ages, History’s Maker” #78
God of the ages, history’s Maker,
Planning our pathway, holding us fast,
Shaping in mercy all that concerns us:
Father we praise you, Lord of the past.
God of this morning, gladly your children
Worship before you, trustingly bow:
Teach us to know you always among us,
Quietly sovereign—Lord of our now.
God of tomorrow, strong overcomer,
Princes of darkness own your command:
What then can harm us? We are your people,
Now and forever kept by your hand.
Lord of past ages, Lord of this morning,
Lord of the future, help us, we pray:
Teach us to trust you, love and obey you,
Crown you each moment, Lord of today.
*Opening PrayerConfession
One: Holy Breath of Life, there are moments when our decisions do not take into
consideration the well-being of our neighbors.
All: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy! Lord, have mercy.
One: There are times when our reactions turn inward instead of building healthy
reconciliation.
All: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy! Lord, have mercy.
One: Loving God, we confess that we sometimes stumble in our walk with you, away from
the path of love. Knowing that you seek our wholeness, we offer our prayers of
confession to you, in the silence and privacy of our hearts …(hold silence for- and
with one another)… Almighty God, may your mercy wash over us; your love restore
us, and your grace assure us of our forgiveness.
All: Let us remind one another: we are all forgiven by the grace of God, as shown to
us in Jesus Christ, and sealed in us by the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Song of Assurance “There is a Redeemer” #117
There is a Redeemer—Jesus, God’s own Son;
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Holy One.
Chorus:
Thank you, O my Father,
For giving us your Son,
And leaving your Spirit till
The work on earth is done.
Jesus, my Redeemer, name above all names;
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Hope for sinners slain.
(Chorus)
When I stand in Glory, I will see his face;
There I’ll serve my King forever
In that holy place.
(Chorus)Lenten Meditation & Candles
Song of Reflection “Jesus Remember Me” #285
(Sing Three Times)
Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
First Reading 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we
once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. 17 So if
anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see,
everything has become new! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through
Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was
reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and
entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, since
God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to
God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might
become the righteousness of God.
Responsorial Psalm 32
One: Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
All: Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit
there is no deceit.
One: Therefore, let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush
of mighty waters shall not reach them.
All: You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me
with glad cries of deliverance.
One: I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my
eye upon you.
All: Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright
in heart. Amen!
*Lenten Acclamation “Surely the Presence” #131
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place;
I can feel his mighty power and his grace.
I can hear the brush of angels’ wings, I see glory on each face;
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place,*Gospel Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 So he told them this parable…“There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31 Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’” One: These are the words of God for the people of God. All: Come Holy Spirit! Thanks be to God! Message A Tale of Two Sons Pastor Rich Musical Reflection “Give Me Jesus”
COMMUNION LITURGY
Pastor: People of God, each Sunday we come to the table and find ordinary bread to
eat and cup to drink; and yet, something far more mysterious finds us here.
All: In the bread, and in the cup, grace is made known to us in ways we can
understand—food for the body becomes food for the spirit.
Pastor: This is a table of grace. There is room around it for every soul that was, and is,
and is to come.
All: We come to the table as people who are learning the way of Christ. We
confess that we are not always right. But we share this faith: that those
who trust in Christ Jesus will grow in the assurance of God’s eternal love.
Pastor: And so, here at this Table we take bread and cup and ask the Holy Spirit to
make it for us: communion with Christ, who gave his life as the bread of
heaven and as the cup of eternal life.
All: Here at this Table we remember that Christ gave his entire life as an
outpouring of God’s Love—a love that will, one day, renew all things.
Amen.
Pastor: Take and eat, this is the communion of the Body of Christ.
Take and drink, this is the communion of the Blood of Christ.
Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer
One: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Let us pray: For the prayer requests that have come to us today, whether joys or
sorrows…[prayer requests are presented]…Holy and loving God, in your wisdom,
meet all of these needs in the perfect way of your grace.
All: God hear our prayer!
One: For those who feel far from God, may they know God is running to find them.
All: God hear our prayer!
One: For those who want to quantify and portion grace, may their hearts be softened.
All: God hear our prayer!
One: For all that we hold in the silence of our hearts, we come to you in the confidence of
quiet, O God, and lift our petitions privately to you. (Silent prayer)… Almighty God,
Sovereign of Heaven, shower your blessings upon all people! Move the mountains in
our lives, or help to move us so that we might be fully at peace. This we pray in the
name of Jesus, who taught us to pray…
All: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors—and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and
the Glory forever.” Amen.Offering
Our offerings are first and foremost what we give to the world through justice, kindness, and
mercy—and these we can do every day. Our offerings can also take the form of financial
contributions to the church to support our ministries.
Financial offerings are also accepted online at:
www.communityunited.church/giving/
Or, if you prefer to mail in a check, that can be addressed to the church at:
1011 West 38th Street – Erie, PA 16508
Offertory Music and Time for Contemplation
*Lenten Congregational Response #576
Make me a servant, humble and meek.
Lord, let me lift up those who are weak!
And may the prayer of my heart always be:
Make me a servant! Make me a servant!
Make me a servant today!
*Departing Prayer
One: God of patient love, you await the return of the wayward and wandering and eagerly
embrace them in pardon.
All: Through baptism you have clothed us with the glory of Christ and restored our
inheritance: give us generous hearts to welcome all who seek a place at the
table of your unconditional love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!
*Blessing
*Closing Hymn “He is Exalted” #122
He is exalted, the King is exalted on high; I will praise him.
He is exalted, forever exalted, and I will praise his name!
He is the Lord; forever his truth shall reign.
Heaven and earth rejoice in his holy name.
He is exalted, the King is exalted on high.
(Repeat)
Postlude Cheryl StreckerThank you for worshipping with us this morning at
Community United Church!
Next Sunday: April 3, 2022
11:00 AM
Readings:
Philippians 3:10-3:14
Psalm 126
John 12:1-8
The Fifth Sunday of Lent:
Checking our Motivations
Need to contact us for prayer, conversation, or to connect
with a small group or church ministry?
1011 West 38th Street – Erie, PA 16508
(814) – 864 – 4429
www.communityunited.churchPlease watch the website for upcoming dates and announcements.
Council Members: Debbie Anderson (President), Bob Martin (VP), Dina Johnson
(Secretary), Ginnie Burger (Treas.), Mike Pruzinsky, April Knapp, Patti Rogers, Carol
Rodgers, Angel Hall
Lent often comes with the desire for contemplative reflection. Many folks get this on
Sunday mornings before church while listening to the prelude. This lent we will practice
quiet meditation during the offering and see how the quiet guides us all.
Are you looking to join a small group? Maybe the small groups aren’t quite what you’re
looking for but you have an idea for a new one? Please email Tracy
at tracydavis.cuc@yahoo.com and let us know!
The Ladies Group is still collecting socks for the Upper Room through
the end of March. Please Carol Rodgers with any questions.
Anyone interested in sending Sue Scheiwer a card, you can send it here:
Susan Scheiwer, c/o Independence Court, 41 West Gore Road, Erie PA 16509
Blessing Bag Needs: 10 mini tissue packs, 42 mini toothpastes, 25 mini packs of diaper
wipes or wet ones, 49 toothbrushes, 46 granola bars, and 49 gift cards.
Deacons: Coming Up:
3/27- April Knapp, Natalie Braddock April 14th- Maundy Thursday 6:45 PM
April 15th- Good Friday 8 PM
April 17th- Easter Sunday
WE REMEMBER THOSE IN OUR ARMED FORCES:
Meagan Dawson (Army), Jacob Snyder (Army), Nick Duncan (Army), Matt Duncan
(Army), Chris Duncan (Marines), Jeremy Celline (Army National Guard),
Samantha McHenry (Army), Shelby Wescott (Army) and Mathew Anderson (Army)
PRAYERS FOR: Andy Via, Rod & Dew Johnson, Dan Wingerter, The Rhodes/Smith
family, four year old Julie, Jill, Judy Koehler, Phillip Harris, Harry Lamb, Jimmyo, Rose,
Dick, Tom Coakley, Liz Pifer, Jimmy Gillespie, Sue Scheiwer, Jesse, Brenda, Grace, John,
Julie Davis, Gene Placidi, Joe O’Hara, Bill & Diane Walker.You can also read
