Kaila Ehrensberger – HOLY CROSS U.M.C.

May 9, 2021

Call to Worship Abingdon
L: Sing a new song,
P: A song of love for all.
L: Sing of the Spirit of love,
P: The Spirit who loves us all.
L: Sing of God’s abiding love,
P: That we might love one another and all of the world.
L: Sing a new song,
P: A song of love for all.

Opening Prayer BOW 466
God our Mother and Father, we come to you as children. Be with us as we learn to see one another with new eyes, hear one another with new hearts, and treat one another in a new way. Amen.

Hymn Happy the Home When God is There UMH 445 v.1&4
1. Happy the home when God is there,
and love fills every breast;
when one their wish, and one their prayer,
and one their heavenly rest.

4. Lord, let us in our homes agree
this blessed peace to gain;
unite our hearts in love to thee,
and love to all will reign.

Prayer of Confession Abingdon
Spirit of love, we come in search of love and in the hope of learning how to love as you love us. Help us to see others with your eyes of love. Help us to forgive and accept forgiveness as fully and confidently as you forgive. Love us, dear God, with the mercy and grace we need to abide in your love each and every day. In your love and grace, we pray. Amen.

Words of Assurance Abingdon
God’s steadfast love is ours. God’s faithfulness is sure.

First Reading – Philippians 4:6-7
¹O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. ²The Lord has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. ³He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. ⁴Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. ⁵Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. ⁶With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord. ⁷Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it. ⁸Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy ⁹at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

Tithes & Offerings – Can be sent to 329 N. 5^th Street; Reading, PA 19601 Or online HERE

Offertory Special The Gift of Love, Setting by Hopson Soloist – Naomi DeTurk

Offertory Prayer Abindgon
Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts and on all of us gathered here, that we may abide in your love and that your love may abide in these gifts. In your loving name, we pray. Amen.

Prayers of the People Send Prayer requests to Office@holycrossumc.com

The Lord’s prayer
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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn A Mother Lined a Basket FWS 2189
1. A mother lined a basket to keep her baby dry, then rocked him on a river, lest he awake and cry. She let a princess name him her son that he might live. God’s people had a leader. She had such hope to give.

2. A mother sewed a jacket, lined in the softest wool, then dressed her little boy-child, her cup of blessing full. She brought him to the temple where he would serve and live. God’s people had a prophet. She had such faith to give.

3. A mother laid her baby in manger lined with straw; then, in the shepherds’ story, his call from God foresaw. She nurtured him and taught him the way that he must live. God’s people had a savior. She had such love to give.

4. Like Jochebed and Hannah, and Mary too, we know the hardest part of loving is learning to let go, so when we send our children out in the world to live, grant us such hope and faith, God, and love enough to give

Second Reading – John 15:9-17
⁹As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. ¹⁰If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in God’s love. ¹¹I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. ¹²“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ¹⁴You are my friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. ¹⁶You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask God in my name. ¹⁷I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

Message Pastor Mandy Miller

Benediction Abingdon
Created by God, we go to love all of creation. Blessed with love, we are bound by love. Chosen for love, we go now to love.

Postlude Now Thank We all Our God J. S. Bach/Held

Hymns and Prayers used under CCLS# 2049575 / Hymns and Prayers for Streaming CCSL #20468685/ Bible readings from New Revised Standard Version.

May 2, 2021

Call to Worship WSL 197
L: It is by our love that we are known to be followers of Christ.
P: It is that we become fully human.
L: It is by changing that we hope to grow.
P: What we were when we came here, we will not be when we leave, for we have met each other in the presence of God. Let us therefore show love for one another.

Opening Prayer WSL 72
Loving God, who speaks to us through your Scriptures and in the collective wisdom of your people throughout the ages: help us to hear anew what you would speak to us this day. For your word is always fresh, a message of life and hope in the world that need to know and heed your will. Through Christ the living Word and your Spirit of illumination who with You is the truth that sets us free. Amen.

Hymn O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing UMH 57 v.1 & 7

First Reading – Philippians 4:6-7
⁶Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Tithes & Offerings – Can be sent to 329 N. 5^th Street; Reading, PA 19601 Or online HERE

Offertory Special Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow

Offertory Prayer WSL 107
We present these gifts, O God, in the confidence that healing, hope, and wholeness will flourish through them and because of them. Amen

Prayers of the People Send Prayer requests to Office@holycrossumc.com

Second Reading – Joshua 1:1-11
After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying, ²“My servant Moses is dead. Now proceed to cross the Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the Israelites. ³Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, as I promised to Moses. ⁴From the wilderness and the Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, to the Great Sea in the west shall be your territory. ⁵No one shall be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. ⁶Be strong and courageous; for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. ⁷Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. ⁹I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” ¹⁰Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, ¹¹“Pass through the camp, and command the people: ‘Prepare your provisions; for in three days you are to cross over the Jordan, to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God gives you to possess.’”

Message Pastor Mandy Miller

Hymn This is the Day of New Beginnings UMH 383 v.1 & 3

Benediction WSL 183
L: From where we are to where you need us,
P: Jesus, now lead us on.
L: To refashion the fabric of this world until is resembles the shape of your reign,
P: Jesus, now lead us on.
L: Because good things have been prepared for those who love God,
P: Jesus, now lead us on.

Hymns and Prayers used under CCLS# 2049575 / Hymns and Prayers for Streaming CCSL #20468685/ Bible readings from New Revised Standard Version.

April 25, 2021

Call to Worship Abingdon
L: Love one another, even when love involves risk.
P: We love as God loves us.
L: Love and care for others, even when caring is hard.
P: We love and care as God loves and cares for us.
L: Love in truth and action.
P: By this we are known as children of God.

Opening Prayer
You are such a gracious host, Lord God of all creation. Who are we to receive such goodness? You prepare a table for us, amidst our daily struggles, our successes, and failures, even in the presence of our enemies. You anoint us, wash us, feed us. You do all this. Shower us with Your “holy manna” that we might be strengthened for the journey to which You have called us. By faith we stand and worship. By faith we walk and work. By faith we profess that Your Christ is alive, and that Your Spirit moves us to be and to do more than we ever thought possible. We pray all this in the name of the One who said, “I am the bread of life.” Amen.

Hymn Just a Closer Walk with Thee YouTube

First Reading – 1 John 3:16-24
¹⁶We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. ¹⁷How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? ¹⁸Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. ¹⁹And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him ²⁰whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. ²¹Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; ²²and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. ²³And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. ²⁴All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.

Tithes & Offerings – Can be sent to 329 N. 5^th Street; Reading, PA 19601 Or online HERE

Doxology                                                        Rick Weinhoffer
          Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
            Praise God, all creatures here below;
            Praise God above ye heavenly host;
            Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Offertory Prayer WSL 118
O Lord, you know the circumstances of each of our lives. You know both the difficulties and the joys that we have experienced. Like the ancient ancestors of our faith, we have been blessed with great abundance by you. You have taught us to offer you the first fruits of our labors. Now, we place these first fruits on your altar in celebration of the bounty that you have provided and will continue to provide. All praise is given to your Holy Name, now and forever. Amen

Hymn Take it to the Lord in Prayer YouTube

Children’s Time

Prayers of the People Send Prayer requests to office@holycrossumc.com

Second Reading – Numbers 11:1-10
Now when the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, the Lord heard it and his anger was kindled. Then the fire of the Lord burned against them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp. ²But the people cried out to Moses; and Moses prayed to the Lord, and the fire abated. ³So that place was called Taberah because the fire of the Lord burned against them. ⁴The rabble among them had a strong craving; and the Israelites also wept again, and said, “If only we had meat to eat! ⁵We remember the fish we used to eat in Egypt for nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; ⁶but now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.” ⁷Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its color was like the color of gum resin. ⁸The people went around and gathered it, ground it in mills or beat it in mortars, then boiled it in pots and made cakes of it; and the taste of it was like the taste of cakes baked with oil. ⁹When the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna would fall with it. ¹⁰Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, all at the entrances of their tents. Then the Lord became very angry, and Moses was displeased.

Message Pastor Mandy Miller

Hymn Bring Many Names YouTube

Benediction

Hymns and Prayers used under CCLS# 2049575 / Hymns and Prayers for Streaming CCSL #20468685/ Bible readings from New Revised Standard Version.

April 18, 2021

Call to Worship Abingdon
L: Answer us when we call, O God. Be gracious to us and hear our prayer.
P: When we are in distress, you make space for us. You put gladness in our hearts, as with a fine feast.
L: When we are disturbed, may we not sin, but ponder things on our beds, and be silent.
P: I will both lie down and sleep in peace. For you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.

Opening Prayer Abingdon
Holy God, we give thanks that you often reveal yourself to be different from our expectations. When we long for the love we have known in the past, our eyes are dimmed to the beauty you reveal to us now. As your first followers struggled to see how a suffering savior could be the messiah, we strain to recognize you still today. Come, Spirit, make yourself known in the study of scripture, in our songs of praise, and especially in the grace and love we offer one another, Make yourself known in every friend we have yet to meet in your good and blessed name. Amen.

Hymn For the Beauty of the Earth YouTube

First Reading – Romans 12:1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ²Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Tithes & Offerings – Can be sent to 329 N. 5^th Street; Reading, PA 19601 Or online HERE

Offertory Old Rugged Cross Shirley Pisano

Doxology                                                        Rick Weinhoffer
            Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
            Praise God, all creatures here below;
            Praise God above ye heavenly host;
            Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Offertory Prayer Abingdon
Generous God, you put love into human form in Jesus, who lived, died, and was raised to eternal life. Receive now these offerings, that your grace may live today through the work of your church.
We offer these gifts with our time, our commitment, and our love, that the world may witness, without doubt, that Christ is alive today. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.

Hymn I Love to Tell the Story YouTube

Children’s Time

Prayers of the People Send Prayer requests to Office@holycrossumc.com

Second Reading – John 20:1-18
¹⁷When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer; for God thought, “If the people face war, they may change their minds and return to Egypt.” ¹⁸So God led the people by the roundabout way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of the land of Egypt prepared for battle. ¹⁹And Moses took with him the bones of Joseph who had required a solemn oath of the Israelites, saying, “God will surely take notice of you, and then you must carry my bones with you from here.” ²⁰They set out from Succoth, and camped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. ²¹The Lord went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day, to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night. ²²Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

Message Pastor Mandy Miller

Hymn Hymn of Promise YouTube

Benediction

Hymns and Prayers used under CCLS# 2049575 / Hymns and Prayers for Streaming CCSL #20468685/ Bible readings from New Revised Standard Version. All response from Abingdon Worship

Maundy Thursday April 1, 2021

Call to Worship
L: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
P: And also with you.
L: Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
P: Christ has prepared a feast of love.

Hymn Jesu, Jesu 432

Confession And Pardon
My sisters and brothers, Christ shows us his love by becoming a humble servant. Let us draw near to God and confess our sin in the truth of God’s Spirit.
A brief silence for individual confession.
Most merciful God, we your Church confess that often our spirit has not been that of Christ. Where we have failed to love one another as he loves us, where we have pledged loyalty to him with our lips and then betrayed, deserted, or denied him, forgive us, we pray; and by your Spirit make us faithful in every time of trail; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ. But Christ suffered and died for us, was raised from the dead and ascended on high for us and continues to intercede for us. Believe the good news: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! Glory to God. Amen.

First Reading: Exodus 12:1-4, 11-14
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: ²This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. ³Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. ⁴If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. ¹¹This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the Passover of the Lord. ¹²For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. ¹³The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. ¹⁴This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.

Second Scripture Reading 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
²³For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, ²⁴and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” ²⁶For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Gospel Reading: John 13:1-17, 31-35
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. ²The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper ³Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, ⁴got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. ⁵Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. ⁶He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” ⁷Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” ⁸Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” ⁹Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” ¹⁰Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” ¹¹For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.” ¹²After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? ¹³You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. ¹⁴So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. ¹⁶Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. ¹⁷If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
³¹When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. ³²If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. ³³Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ ³⁴I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. ³⁵By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Sermon Rev Mandy Miller

Hymn In Remembrance of Me

Communion
This is the night of love. And this is the table of love. At this table, Christ, who loves us, is with us.
He is with us, and we are his. We belong to God.
And so we pray:
We are yours, all yours, blessed Triune God,
all our lives, all our thanks, all our praise,
all our fears, all our grumbling, all our hesitations,
all our loves, all our joys, all our passions,
we give them all to you, with bodies, and minds and voices.
Yours, all yours!
Yours the blessing, yours the praise, from the unimaginable silence before the big bang, beyond the farthest reaches of time and space we may ever find, from infinity to infinity, everlasting to everlasting, you are God, boundless in love and power.
What are we that you should notice us?
What are we that you should love us?
What are we what you should call us into covenant with you,
a covenant we continually broke
and you continuously sustained.
Mercy! How full of mercy!
How can we but praise you, joining our voices with the song of angels and saints,
seraphim and martyrs, strangers, and family in every generation:
Jesus Christ who comes in our God’s name, you are worthy, worthy! Lamb of God for all creation slain, you are worthy, worthy! Hosanna to our King! Hosanna to our King!
You are holy, O God! You are worthy, O Christ! Worthy in your birth! Worthy in your living!
Worthy in your loving! Worthy in your serving!
Worthy! Worthy! Worthy! You preached good news that God’s kingdom has drawn near and gathered disciples, then and now, to learn and show the world what life in God’s reign means: healing for the sick. new life for the dead, cleansing for the lepers, sight for the blinded, food for the hungry, freedom for the possessed, love poured out for all.
Worthy the night you took a towel and basin, washed your disciples’ feet, and taught them to do likewise.
Worthy too, the same night we betrayed you, when you took the bread, blessed it and broke it, and gave it to your disciples. Worthy when you told them, “This is my body broken for you. Remember me.”
We remember.
Worthy when you took the cup, praised God and shared it, and worthy when you said, “This is my blood of the new covenant for you. Remember me.”
We remember.
We remember, and we praise you with our lives and these gifts of bread and wine, proclaiming with one voice the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Come upon us, Holy Spirit.
Come upon us, Holy Spirit.
Come upon these gifts.
Come upon these gifts.
Make them be for us Christ’s body, Christ’s blood.
Make us one body in Christ enlivened in love by his blood.
One in heart, one in mind, one in you, Holy Spirit, as you move us to pray for the church and the world: That we may proclaim the gospel boldly:
Hear us, Lord.
That healing may come for people who are sick, and peoples who are torn and weary:
Hear us, Lord.
That many dead and left for dead may be raised, and death itself vanquished:
Hear us, Lord.
That all who are unclean may receive your cleansing grace:
Hear us, Lord.
That all who are possessed, oppressed, distressed, depressed and downcast may be set free at last.
Hear us, Lord.
That we may love one another, and all your creation, as you have loved us.
Hear us, Lord.
Even so, come and fill this feast, Holy Spirit, on this night, and every night until we eat it new at the marriage supper of the Lamb!
All blessing, honor, glory, and power be yours, Holy Triune God, now and forever. Amen!

Lord’s prayer
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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Prayer after Communion:
Thank you, God, for uniting us with Jesus in this holy mystery. We are no longer our own, but yours. So send us, and put us to leading and serving, loving as you have loved us wherever we go. Amen.

Special Music Old Rugged Cross Tom Weittach

Prayer – Congregation will be invited to unmute and share their concerns as we pray together

Benediction
This is the night of love. Remain in the strength of this feast, in the care of this community, and with the love and blessing of our Triune God. Amen.

Sunday March 28, 2021

Call to Worship                     WSL 21
L:   Hosanna!
P: Hosanna!
L: Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God!
P: Blessed are we, for we have been created by that same God.
L: Blessed is the sound of our voices, lifted up in praise.
P: Blessed are the hands that clap and strum and pluck, joining together in one glorious Hosanna.
L: Blessed are the bodies that move and wave and march and dance in a tapestry of motion, embodying your love.
P: Blessed is the breath that enlivens us, animates us, and sustains us in singing our ceaseless praise to you, O God.
L:   Hosanna!
P: Hosanna!

Opening Prayer UMH 281
Almighty God, you send your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to suffer death on the cross. Grand that we may share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and ever. Amen.

Hymn Hosanna, Loud Hosanna YouTube

First Reading – Mark 11: 1-11
When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples ²and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. ³If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” ⁴They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, ⁵some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” ⁶They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. ⁷Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. ⁸Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. ⁹Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,
“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
¹⁰Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
¹¹Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Tithes & Offerings – Can be sent to 329 N. 5^th Street; Reading, PA 19601 Or online HERE

Doxology                        Rick Weinhoffer
            Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
            Praise God, all creatures here below;
            Praise God above ye heavenly host;
            Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Offertory Prayer WSL 128
O Holy One, we make our offerings at this time both in gratitude and in seeking, in both remembering and hoping, in both fear and faith. Regardless of what is going on in out lives right now, receive these gifts as our way of praising you. Amen.

Hymn All Glory Laud and Honor YouTube

Children’s Time

Special Music The Palms Rick Weinhoffer & Linda Sensenig

Prayers of the People Send Prayer requests to office@holycrossumc.com

Second Reading – Mark 15:1-5, 33-47
As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. ²Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.” ³Then the chief priests accused him of many things. ⁴Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.” ⁵But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed. ³³When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. ³⁴At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” ³⁵When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah.” ³⁶And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” ³⁷Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. ³⁸And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. ³⁹Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” ⁴⁰There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. ⁴¹These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem. ⁴²When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, ⁴³Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. ⁴⁴Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time. ⁴⁵When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. ⁴⁶Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. ⁴⁷Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.

Message Pastor Mandy Miller

Hymn Lift High the Cross YouTube

Benediction

Hymns and Prayers used under CCLS# 2049575 / Hymns and Prayers for Streaming CCSL #20468685/ Bible readings from New Revised Standard Version. All response from Abingdon Worship

Office Hours m-f 9-1 610-373-7062 office@holycrossumc.com

Announcements

We will be collecting MEN socks, toiletries, and gently used children’s books for the month of March and April. There will be a collection box on the office porch to drop your donations off. The box will be placed outside during office hours.

Maundy Thursday Service will be held via Zoom at 7pm.

Office will be closed Good Friday and Easter Monday

Pastor Mandy will be on Vacation April 8^th and 9^th .

Sunday March 21, 2021

Call to Worship Abingdon
L: Have mercy on your people, O God.
P: Wash us. Cleanse us. Make us more perfect in your love.
L: Open the skies and pour down your grace upon your people.
P: Open our hearts to hear your voice. Let the thunder of your presence awaken us!
L: Have mercy on your people, O God.
P: Restore within us the joy of your salvation. Draw us nearer to Jesus, our Christ!

Opening Prayer BOW 530
Give us, O Lord, steadfast hearts, which no unworthy thought can drag downward, unconquered hearts, which no tribulation can wear out, upright hearts, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer of Confession BOW 488
L: We confess that the circle of love is repeatedly broken because of our sin of exclusion. We create separate circles: the inner circle and the outer circle, the circle of power and the circle of despair, the circle of privilege and the circle of deprivation.
P: Forgive us our sins, as we forgive all who have sinned against us.
L: We confess that the circle of love is broken whenever there is alienation, whenever there is misunderstanding, whenever there is insensitivity or a hardening of the heart.
P: Forgive us our sins, as we forgive all who have sinned against us.
L: We confess that the circle of love is broken whenever we cannot see eye to eye, whenever we cannot link hand to hand, whenever we cannot live heart to heart and affirm our differences.
P: Forgive us our sins, as we forgive all who have sinned against us.
L: Through God’s grace we are forgiven, by the mercy of our Creator, through the love of the Christ, and in the power of the Spirit. Let us rejoice and be glad!
P: Glory to God! Amen.

Hymn O Sacred Head Now Wounded YouTube

First Reading – John 12:20-33
²⁰Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. ²¹They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ ²²Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. ²³Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. ²⁴Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. ²⁵Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. 27 ‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. ²⁸Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ ²⁹The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ ³⁰Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. ³¹Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. ³²And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ ³³He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.

Tithes & Offerings – Can be sent to 329 N. 5^th Street; Reading, PA 19601 Or online HERE

Doxology  Rick Weinhoffer
            Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
            Praise God, all creatures here below;
            Praise God above ye heavenly host;
            Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Offertory Prayer WSL 128
O God, we recognize that we have been blessed with great abundance. In offering these gifts, may we be strengthened to proclaim your faithfulness and your salvation this day and always. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savion. Amen.

Hymn Come let us use the Grace Divine YouTube

Children’s Time

Prayers of the People Send Prayer request office@holycrossumc.com

Second Reading – John 3:14-21
³¹The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. ³²It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. ³³But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ³⁴No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord’, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

Message Pastor Mandy Miller

Hymn This is the Day of New Beginnings YouTube

Benediction BOW 566
God be in your head, and in your understanding. God be in your eyes, and in your looking. God be in your mouth, and in your speaking. God be in your heart, and in your thinking. God be at your end, and at your departing.

Hymns and Prayers used under CCLS# 2049575 / Hymns and Prayers for Streaming CCSL #20468685/ Bible readings from New Revised Standard Version. All response from Abingdon Worship

Office Hours m-f 9-1 610-373-7062 office@holycrossumc.com

We will be collecting MEN socks, toiletries, and gently used children’s books for the month of March and April. There will be a collection box on the office porch to drop your donations off. The box will be placed outside during office hours.

Sunday March 14, 2021

Call to Worship Abingdon
L: God is good.
P: All the time.
L: And all the time,
P: God is good.
L: Let all God’s people cry out in joy:
P: God’s steadfast love endures forever.
L: Come! Let us worship the Lord of our salvation.

Opening Prayer Abingdon
God of immeasurable grace, you meet us in our time of need and cause your face to shine upon us. You sent your Son into the world, that we might be saved; and you fashioned us into vessels of your love and light. Redeem us this day, O God, that we may be found worthy of the One who came to bring us life. Amen.

Prayer of Confession Abingdon
Gracious God, we are tired of our own grumbling. Though we run around like errant children, we long to return to your warm embrace. Though we act as if the odds are stacked against us, we yearn to rest in the knowledge that your steadfast love endures forever. Though we crouch in the shadows, we long to feel the warmth of your love shining upon us each day. Lead us from death into life, that we might live as children of light, and serve one another as heirs of your Son, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Words of Assurance Abingdon
God sent not Jesus into the world to condemn it, but that through him we might have eternal life. The One who comes from above saves us from our destructive ways and leads us into life.

Hymn Love Divine, All Love Excelling YouTube

First Reading – Ephesians 2:1-10
You were dead through the trespasses and sins ²in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. ³All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. ⁴But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us ⁵even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— ⁹not the result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

Tithes & Offerings – Can be sent to 329 N. 5^th Street, Reading, PA 19601 OR online HERE

Doxology
            Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
            Praise God, all creatures here below;
            Praise God above ye heavenly host;
            Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Offertory Prayer Abingdon
God of light and love, as Jesus shined your light into our troubled world, may our offering bring rays of your holy light into the dark corners of our world. May these gifts reach the places where the fear of death holds sway, that others may find Christ’s light in the midst of their pain. Amen.

Hymn Amazing Grace YouTube

Children’s Time

Prayers of the People Send Prayer requests to office@holycrossumc.com

Second Reading – John 3:14-21
¹⁴And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. ¹⁶“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. ¹⁷“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. ¹⁸Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. ¹⁹And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. ²¹But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”

Message Pastor Mandy Miller

Hymn I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light YouTube

Benediction Abingdon
L: God fills us with the immeasurable gift of faith.
P: We will live in the joy of our salvation.
L: God sends us forth to walk in the light of holy love.
P: We will walk in the light of Christ.
L: God sends us forth in spirit and in truth.
P: We will journey in the Spirit’s tender mercies.
L: Know the blessings of God.

Hymns and Prayers used under CCLS# 2049575 / Hymns and Prayers for Streaming CCSL #20468685/ Bible readings from New Revised Standard Version. All response from Abingdon Worship

Office Hours m-f 9-1 610-373-7062 office@holycrossumc.com

We will be collecting MEN’s socks and for CPP for the month of March and April. There will be a collection box at the church office side porch to drop off your donations during office hours.

Sunday March 7, 2021

Call to Worship Abingdon
L: Called by Christ,
P: We gather as one.
L: Blessed by God’s wisdom,
P: We gather to learn.
L: Amazed by God’s love,
P: We gather to worship.

Opening Prayer Abingdon
God of glory and might, speak to us with your wisdom, that we might truly hear you. Display your majesty, that we might truly see you. Transform the chaos of our lives with the clarity of your call, that we might worship you in spirit and in truth. Amen.

Prayer of Confession Abingdon
When we set up barriers that prevent others from knowing the truth of your love, forgive us and break down those walls. When we set up barriers in our own minds and lives that keep us from knowing the truth of your love, break down our walls with your grace. When we are confused by the world’s wisdom, break through our muddled minds, and shine the clarity of your teachings.
Draw us ever closer to you, to one another, and to the beauty of your wisdom and your love. Amen

Words of Assurance Abingdon
Christ reduces the barriers we set up to dust and ashes that blow away to nothing in the power of his mercy and his grace. We are no longer divided or separated but are united in the wisdom and the love of God.

Hymn There’s a Wideness to God’s Mercy YouTube

First Reading – 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
¹⁸For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” ²⁰Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. ²²For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, ²³but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, ²⁴but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

Tithes & Offerings – Can be sent to 329 N. 5^th Street; Reading, PA 19601 Or online HERE

Doxology        Rick Weinhoffer
            Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
            Praise God, all creatures here below;
            Praise God above ye heavenly host;
            Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Offertory Prayer Abingdon
God of glory and might, speak to us with your wisdom, that we might truly hear you. Display your majesty, that we might truly see you. Transform the chaos of our lives with the clarity of your call, that we might worship you in spirit and in truth. Amen.

Hymn As We Gather at your Table YouTube

Children’s Time

Prayers of the People Send Prayer requests to Office@holycrossumc.com

Second Reading – John 2:13-22
¹³The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁴In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. ¹⁵Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. ¹⁶He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” ¹⁷His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” ¹⁸The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” ¹⁹Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” ²⁰The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” ²¹But he was speaking of the temple of his body. ²²After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Message Pastor Mandy Miller

Communion               THE GREAT THANKSGIVING FOR LATER IN LENT
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
            It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. In love you made us for yourself; and when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, your love remained steadfast. You bid your faithful people cleanse their hearts and prepare with joy for the Easter feast, that, renewed by your Word and Sacraments and fervent in prayer and works of justice and mercy, we may come to the fullness of grace that you have prepared for those who love you.
And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
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.
     Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ, whom you sent in the fullness of time to redeem the world. He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in our likeness. He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. He took upon himself our sin and death and offered himself, a perfect sacrifice for the sin of the whole world. By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection you gave birth to your Church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit.
On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said:
“Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
When the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said:
“Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
            And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
            Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood.
            By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet.
            Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.
Amen.

Hymn Lord I Want to be a Christian YouTube

Benediction

Hymns and Prayers used under CCLS# 2049575 / Hymns and Prayers for Streaming CCSL #20468685/ Bible readings from New Revised Standard Version.

Office Hours m-f 9-1 610-373-7062 office@holycrossumc.com

Sunday February 28, 2021

Lent Week 2

Call to Worship Abingdon
L: From generation to generation, God names us and claims us.
P: Blessed be the Lord, our God.
L: When we try to tell God what to do, Christ chastens us and leads us back onto the paths of life.
P: Let all who draw breath come back to the Lord.
L: From our earliest steps, the Spirit guides our steps and sets before us the ways of life and death.
P: Let the faithful rejoice in the mysteries of our God.
L: From generation to generation, God names us and claims us.
P: Let heaven and earth praise God’s holy name.

Opening Prayer Abingdon
Spirit of the ages, name us and claim us according to your purposes, as you once called Abram and Sarai long ago. Train our ears to hear your call and tune our hearts to open at the sound of your voice. As we pick up our cross to follow you, raise us to newness of life. For you call us to be children of your covenant, heirs with your Son, and disciples of your grace. Amen.

Hymn O Master Let Me Walk with Thee YouTube

First Reading – Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. ²And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous.” ³Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, ⁴“As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. ⁵No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. ⁶I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. ⁷I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. ¹⁵God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. ¹⁶I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.”

Tithes & Offerings – Can be sent to 329 N. 5^th Street; Reading, PA 19601 Or online HERE

Doxology Rick Weinhoffer
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Offertory Prayer WSL114
Here, Lord, we put our love into practice. These gifts we offer come from your love for us. Now, let them express our love for you, as they reach out to others with your love for them. Amen.

Hymn Where He Leads Me I Will Follow YouTube

Children’s Time

Prayers of the People Send Prayer requests to Office@holycrossumc.com

Second Reading – Mark 8:31-38
³¹Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. ³²He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ³³But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” ³⁴He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ³⁵For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. ³⁶For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? ³⁷Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? ³⁸Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Message Pastor Mandy Miller

Hymn Lord of the Dance YouTube

Benediction WSL 164
Goforth from this place in peace. Go forth knowing your faith is the assurance of things you hoe fir and the conviction of that which you have yet to see with your eyes. Go down from this mountaintop, setting out like Abraham, not know where God is leading. Leading this service, not yet having received all the promises of God, but seeing them in the distance. Press on in faith. Step back into the everydayness of your life desiring to see God in heaven, not ashamed to be called God’s people. Amen.

Hymns and Prayers used under CCLS# 2049575 / Hymns and Prayers for Streaming CCSL #20468685/ Bible readings from New Revised Standard Version. All response from Abingdon Worship

Office Hours m-f 9-1
610-373-7062
office@holycrossumc.com