
(Image: “Prayer” Moyers, Mike, 2024, Painting, US)
©Order of Worship for Sunday March 01, 2026
Second Sunday in Lent
Holy Communion
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Prelude……………….…..“At the Cross”…………………..Greg D.
Words: Issac Watts, 1707 Tune Hudson, Ralph E. Hudson, 1885
Coming of the Light:
Greetings:……………………………………………………Lorri B.
Announcements:………………………………………….Lorri B.
Call to Worship:………………………………………….Robin C.
Holy Spirit, Thou art welcome in this place.
Holy Spirit, Thou art welcome in this place.
Omnipotent Father of mercy and grace,
Thou art welcome in this place.
Opening Prayer:…………………………………………..Robin C.
Dear Lord, during this Lenten season, help us to recognize our sins and turn our hearts toward you in genuine repentance.
Grant us the strength to make amends and grow in your grace.
As we continue on this Lenten journey, guide our steps and illuminate our paths with your wisdom.
May your Word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our souls in Jesus’ name.
As we journey forward, help us to seek spiritual renewal and a deeper connection with you.
Fill us with your Holy Spirit, cleanse our hearts, and draw us closer to your love and grace.
As we practice self-denial during Lent, may we grow in humility and reliance on you.
Help us to turn away from worldly distractions and to focus on your presence and purpose.
Dear God, during this Lenten season, open our hearts to the needs of others.
May we reflect your love and compassion in all our actions, serving those who are suffering and in need. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Opening Hymns:“There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” #121 UMH
Words: Frederick W. Faber, 1854 Music: Lizzie S. Tourjee, 1877
1. There’s a wideness in God’s mercy like
the wideness of the sea;
there’s a kindness in God’s justice,
which is more than liberty.
2. There is welcome for the sinner,
and more graces for the good!
There is mercy with the Savior;
there is healing in his blood.
3. For the love of God is broader
than the measure of our mind;
and the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
4. If our love were but more simple,
we should rest upon God’s word;
and our lives would be illumined
by the presence of our Lord.
“Be Thou My Vision” #451, UMH
Words: Ancient Irish Music: Trad. Irish melody
1. Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
2. Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
thou and thou only, first in my heart,
great God of heaven, my treasure thou art.
3. Great God of heaven, my victory won,
may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
Passing of the Peace:…………………………………Phillip J.
Let us offer signs of reconciliation and peace to one another.
Gloria Patri:…….“Glory Be to the Father”…….#71 UMH
Words: Lesser Doxology, 3rd-4th century
Music: Henry W. Greatorex, 1851
Glory be to the Father
and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, to
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.
Giving of our Tithes and Offerings:……………..Phillip J.
Offertory:…………………“Pan de Vida”…………………Choir
Words and Music: Bob Hurd & Pia Moriarty
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” (The Doxology) #95
The United Methodist Hymnal
Words by Thomas Ken, 1674
Music attributed to Louis Bourgeois, 1551
“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.”
Prayer After Receiving:……………………………….Phillip J.
The Prayers of the People:…………………………..Phillip J.
Anthem:………“The Lord is My Light”……….Kevin Long
Words: Psalm 27, Music: Frances Allitsen
Gospel Lesson: ……..Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21….Robin C.
The practice of faith
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before others in order to be seen by them, for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
“So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And whenever you fast, do not look somber, like the hypocrites, for they mark their faces to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Hymn of Preparation:……“Sweet Hour of Prayer” #496 UMH
Words: William Walford, 1845 Music: William B. Bradbury, 1861
1. Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! that calls
me from a world of care, and bids me at my Father’s throne
make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress
and grief, my soul has often found relief, and oft escaped
the tempter’s snare by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
2. Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! the joys I
feel, the bliss I share of those whose anxious spirits burn
with strong desires for thy return! With such I hasten to the place where God my Savior shows his face, and gladly take my
station there, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
3. Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! Thy wings shall
my petition bear to him whose truth and faithfulness engage
the waiting soul to bless. And since he bids me seek his face,
believe his word, and trust his grace, I’ll cast on him my every
care, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Message:…..“Rent Your Hearts, Not Your Garments”….Rev. Margaret Sandford
Response to the Word: Holy Communion
CONFESSION & PARDON
Pastor: Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
All pray in silence.
Pastor: Hear the good news:
Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
All: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
All: Glory to God. Amen.
THE PEACE
Let us offer one another signs of reconciliation and love.
All, including the pastor, exchange signs and words of God’s peace by crossing hands, wave to one another due to social distancing guidelines.
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Pastor: Lift up your hearts. The pastor may lift hands and keep them raised.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Pastor: And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Pastor: In union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
All: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Pastor: All honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.
All: Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Communion Hymn: (To be sung during Communion)
“Come to the Table of Grace” #3168 W&S
Words and Music: Barbara Hamm © 2008 Barbara Hamm
1. Come to the table of grace. Come to the table
of grace. This is God’s table; it’s not yours or mine.
Come to the table of grace.
2. Come to the table of peace…
3. Come to the table of love…
4. Come to the table of joy…
Closing Hymn: “Since Jesus Came into My Heart” #2140 TFWS
Words: R.H. McDaniel Music: Charles H. Gabriel
1 .What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
since Jesus came into my heart!
I have light in my soul for which long I had sought,
since Jesus came into my heart!
Refrain
Since Jesus came into my heart, since Jesus came into
my heart, floods of joy o’er my soul like the sea billows
roll, since Jesus came into my heart.
2. I have ceased from my wandering and going astray,
since Jesus came into my heart!
And my sins, which were many, are all washed away,
since Jesus came into my heart!
Refrain
Since Jesus came into my heart, since Jesus came into
my heart, floods of joy o’er my soul like the sea billows
roll, since Jesus came into my heart.
3. I’m possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure,
since Jesus came into my heart!
And no dark clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure,
since Jesus came into my heart!
Refrain
Since Jesus came into my heart, since Jesus came into
my heart, floods of joy o’er my soul like the sea billows
roll, since Jesus came into my heart.
4. There’s a light in the valley of death now for me,
since Jesus came into my heart!
And the gates of the City beyond I can see,
since Jesus came into my heart!
Refrain
Since Jesus came into my heart, since Jesus came into
my heart, floods of joy o’er my soul like the sea billows
roll, since Jesus came into my heart.
5. I shall go there to dwell in that City, I know,
since Jesus came into my heart!
And I’m happy, so happy, as onward I go,
since Jesus came into my heart!
Refrain
Since Jesus came into my heart, since Jesus came into
my heart, floods of joy o’er my soul like the sea billows
roll, since Jesus came into my heart.
Dismissal with Blessing:…………………Rev. Margaret Sandford
Postlude:…………………………………………………….Greg D.
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Sunday March 1st Worship Service