THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT   (March 15, 2020, 10:30 am) 

Prelude

Welcome

However you’ve come to this worship service, know this–you are loved by God.  And no amount of “social distancing” can ever keep God away from you. From us.  Ever.

Prepare…

Silence

Trinity Chime

Call to Worship

                    Come, people of God, just as you are, whether in your Sunday best with Bible                      in hand, or in your PJs, bleary-eyed and unshowered.  

                   We have come to worship–just as we are.

                   Come, people of God, just as you are, whether frightened or frustrated,                                   despairing or hopeful, harried or calm.

                   We have come to worship–just as we are.

                   Come, people of God, even among the electrons, God with us, comforting us,                         challenging us, loving us…

                   Just as we are!

                   Let’s worship!

 

Hymn of Praise Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee   HYMN TO JOY

 

Joyful, joyful, we adore you, God of glory, God of love;

Hearts unfold like flowers before you, opening to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the storms of doubt away;

Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day.

 

All your works with joy surround you, Earth and heaven reflect your rays,

Stars and angels sing around you, center of unbroken praise,

Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,

Chanting bird and flowing fountain, teach us what our praise should be.

 

You are giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,

Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!

Loving Spirit, Father, Mother, all who love belong to you;

Teach us how to love each other, by that love our joy renew.

 

Mortals, join the mighty chorus which the morning stars began;

Boundless love is reigning o’er us, reconciling race and clan.

Ever singing, move we forward, faithful in the midst of strife.

Joyful music leads us onward in the triumph song of life.

 

Prayer of Confession

 

Silent Confession

 

Assurance of Grace

               One fact remains that does not change:  God has loved you, loves you now, and                   will always love you.  This is the good news that brings us new life.  Thanks be                   to God!

Listen…

Passing the Peace of Christ

Song Give Peace Taize

             Give peace to every heart, Give peace, to every heart,

             Give peace,  God.  Give peace, God.

Epistle Lesson                                                                                   Acts 27:1-28:10

Sermon                       Good News amid the  Shipwreck         Kim Buchanan

 

Respond…

Song                                      All Shall Be Well                              Kim Buchanan

                 All shall be well.  All shall be well.

                Even in the hardest times, all shall be well.

Joys and Concerns

                This is my prayer to God.  Thanks be to God!

Prayers of the People

                 God in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Offering:  A Note from Our Treasurer

Dear Congregants of FCUCC,

We ask that during this time of social distancing and suspension of church activities that you NOT forget to continue your faithful financial support of our church.  The operating costs of our facility and the staff salaries need your continued support.  Your gifts can be given in any of the following ways:

1. Mail checks to: FCUCC, PO Box 3211, Asheville, NC 28802
2. Go to the church website: uccasheville.org

Scroll to the bottom of the home page where there is a yellow DONATE button.  Press that button to go to a page where payments can be made using PayPal or a credit card

3. If you have not elected to start automatic withdrawals from your checking account for regular giving we would be happy to provide the form needed to get that started.

For further information concerning finances please contact Joanne Roudebush, Treasurer at 785-221-0390 or jroudebush5@gmail.com.

Offertory

*DOXOLOGY                       OLD HUNDREDTH   

                  Praise God from whom all blessings flow   

                 Praise Christ all creatures here below   

                 Praise Holy Spirit, Comforter   

                 One God, Triune, whom we adore. 

Prayer of Dedication  (by Phil Adams)

O God, our creator and provider, you see to our needs, provide us with spiritual gifts, and offer an unending stream of love for our souls, yet our human nature somehow causes us to be stingy with our abundance of these resources.  As you have given so much to us, we now return these gifts to you and to all the world, sharing in the eternal flow of giving and receiving grace. May our lives become fountains of your love for the world as we worship you in spirit and truth, reaping and sowing as one earthly community, and working together for the reconciliation of humankind with each other, all creation, and with you our maker.  In Jesus’ holy name we pray. Amen.

 

Closing Hymn            Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer                            CWM RHONDDA

             Guide me, O my great Redeemer, pilgrim through this barren land; 

             I am weak, but you are mighty, hold me with your powerful hand.

            Bread of heaven, bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more, 

            Feed me till I want no more.

 

            Open now the crystal fountain, where the healing waters flow.

            Let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through.

            Strong deliverer, strong deliverer, ever be my strength and shield,

            Ever be my strength and shield.

 

            When I reach the River Jordan, bid my anxious fears subside.

            Death of death, and hell’s destruction, land me safe on heaven’s side.

            Songs of praises, songs of praises, I will ever sing to you,

            I will ever sing to you.

 

Benediction

 

Postlude