Call to Worship
L: Jesus, remember us when you come into your kingdom. Hear our intercessions. For your church around the world,
P: We ask for new life.
L: For all who carry our ministries in your church,
P: We ask grace and wisdom.
L: For people who have accepted spiritual disciplines,
P: We ask inspired discipleship.
L: For Christians of every land,
P: We ask new unity in your name.
L: For Jews and Muslims and people of other faiths,
P: We ask your divine blessing.
L: For those who cannot believe,
P: We ask your faithful love.
L: For governors and rulers in every land,
P: We ask you guidance.
L: For people who suffer and sorrow,
P: We ask your healing peace.
Opening Prayer
O God, in mystery and silence you are present in our lives, bringing new life out of destruction, hope out of despair, growth out of difficulty. We thank you that you do not leave us alone but labor to make us whole. Help us to perceive your unseen hand in the unfolding of our lives,and to attend to the gentle guidance of your Spirit, that we may know the joy you give your people. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
God of faithful love and powerful purpose, there are times when we are open to your leading times when we walk the path of Jesus with courage and hope, even when doing so is fearful. At other times, we close ourselves off, hoping that you won’t tear open the skies and disrupt our lives completely. Following Jesus can be pretty risky. Your compassion and faithful love claim us forever, as they claimed Jesus when he entered the Jordan and made a bold decision to follow you on a new and uncertain path. Amen.
Hymn Lord, Who Throughout These 40 Days YouTube
First Reading – Psalm 25: 1-10
1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.
3 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.
6 Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!
8 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
Tithes & Offerings – Can be sent to 329 N. 5th 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
Because you are the God who saves us, we give you these gifts. Take our lives and our gifts and use them to save our world. We put our hope in you. Amen.
Hymn Lord of all Hopefulness YouTube
Children’s Time
Prayers of the People
Send Prayer requests to Pastor Mandy at pastormandy@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.
Second Reading – Mark 1:9-15
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved;[a] with you I am well pleased.” 12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news[b] of God,[c] 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near;[d] repent, and believe in the good news.”
Message Pastor Mandy Miller
Hymn Wonderful Words of Life YouTube
Benediction
L: God continues to tear open the heavens of our world and our lives, calling out with a voice of love:
P: “You are my beloved children, whom I love deeply.”
L: God continues to tear open the heavens of our world and our lives, sending us onto new paths and missions.
P: God changes our hearts and lives, and the Spirit pushes us in new directions.
L: “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom!”
P: We are Jesus people. We are kingdom people. Now is the time! 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