Weekly Bulletin
February 21, 2021
February
21, 2021
10:00
a.m.
We extend a warm
welcome to all who join us for worship.
We pray that the service will offer you peace, comfort, and substance to feed
your soul.
The Community Gathers
Meditation “Think of it this way: no scientist
has ever seen an electron, but all scientists agree that electrons exist. No
physicist has ever seen a quark, but all physicists believe that quarks are
real. Why? Because when they look into their microscopes, they see things
happening that could only happen if quarks and electrons existed. I believe in
the reality of God the way scientists believe in the reality of electrons. I
see things happening that would not happen unless there is a God.”
~ Harold S.
Kushner, Nine Essential Things I've Learned About Life
Prelude "Couplet, Domine Deus, Agnus
Dei" F. Couperain
Welcome and Announcements
Moment of Preparation – Let us prepare our hearts and minds
for worship.
Lighting of
the Candles
Introit “Ave Verum Corpus”
Mozart
First Parish Virtual Choir
Call to Worship
Loving God, we have gathered here in your Spirit, with hearts
hungry from our
Lenten
journey.
In the midst of our wilderness travels, we yearn for holy
refreshment, through your
loving and healing Spirit.
We yearn now in our time
together to experience you, in fresh, new, and abundant ways.
Prepare us now for this
time of worship and may the power and promise of Jesus Christ be with us.
Opening Hymn “Breathe On Me, Breath of God”
#220
Prayer
of Invocation
Holy God, we embark on
this Lenten journey grateful for your Presence along the
way. Walk alongside us to call us, open our eyes to our neighbor in
need, guide us in
the way of sacrifice. Meet us in our fears and joys alike and sustain us
in our
weakness.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us, that
these forty days might become for
us a journey that renews our hope, strengthens our faith, and prepares
us for new life
in your Kingdom. Amen.
The Word of God
The Children’s
Scripture Lesson Luke 10:38-42
The Children’s Lesson “Mary and Martha”
Anthem “Within the Shadow of the Cross” Don Besig & Nancy Price
Solo ~ Emily Savage
First Parish
Virtual Choir
The Reading of
Scripture 1 John
1:1-4
1 John
4:7-18
Message
“How I know God is REAL” Rev. Peter Gray
We Respond to God’s Word
The
Community at Prayer
Sharing
Prayers
Silent Prayer
Pastoral
Prayer
Our Lord’s
Prayer (Sung)
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, and the power, and the glory forever.
Amen.
Offering Our Gifts to God
Invitation
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings
flow.
Praise God all creatures here
below.
Praise God above ye heavenly
hosts,
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
Prayer of Dedication
Closing Hymn “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go” #425
Benediction
Benediction
Response “What Wondrous Love is This” American Folk Hymn
Rev. Peter Gray, Guest Preacher
Rev. Scott Cousineau, Senior Minister
Kris Galasyn, Director of Christian Education
Jacqueline Savage, Director of Music
Susan Marston, Junior Choir Director
Sarah Heath,
Cantor