David's Plea in the Wilderness - Psalm 27

Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem - Luke 13:31-35

1. There seems to be no end to things we should be afraid of in these uncertain times. But Psalm 27, and indeed, all of scripture says, “Do not be afraid” over and over. What are some of the ways Psalm 27 invites us to respond to our fears? Hiding ourselves in God (v.5), worshiping God with full throat (v. 6), seeking God in prayer and petition (v. 8), placing ourselves at God’s disposal (v.11).
2. Psalm 27:10 is one of the most poignant verses in all of scripture: “If my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up.” It’s a verse that cries out, “Can I get a witness?” Do you have a testimony or story of being found and taken up by God when no one else was there for you?
3. How does Jesus model a confident trust in God for us in Luke 13:31-35? He focuses on the meaningful work he is doing (casting out demons and performing cures), knowing his life is in danger.
4. What do we learn about the life of faith in these verses? 1. It will bring us into conflict with powers in high places. 2. We continue our ministries of healing and comfort in good times and bad. We don’t turn back. 3.: We enter places in the world others fear to enter. Can you think of others?
5. Both the psalmist in Psalm 27:10 and Jesus in Luke 13:34 call to mind those who feel utterly alone and undefended. Who in your circle of awareness needs you to spread your wings and gather them in, as Jesus longed to do?
6. Do you want to overcome fear? Seek God’s face. Seriously. This isn’t a cliche to make you feel better. It is a program for ridding yourself and the world of fear. Seek God’s face. Set yourself the task of looking for God at work in the world. We claim to believe God is at work among us; we claim to believe God is at work within us. So, look. Look for God’s face in the face of the stranger serving you your lunch, working on your car, asking for a handout. Look for God’s face in the gestures of kindness in this terrible world, in the opportunities to laugh and sing, in the moments of grace with loved ones, in the passion of body and soul. Seek God’s face in the beauty of music, in the wonder of the world around you. You’re on a mission. If you fill up your life with the search for God, you won’t have time to fear.-
7. How can we prepare ourselves to look for God this coming week?
8. How can we keep a mission mindset?

Our Mission Statement

To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Please remember to send your joys and concerns to the office so we can continue to pray throughout the week.

 March 16, 2025 10:15 a.m. Second Sunday in Lent

 Welcome and Community Life

 Prelude - Head Above Water by Avril Lavign

 Call to Worship

O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will declare your praise.

* Opening Hymn - Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah UMH #127

Opening Prayer

Mighty God, we come into your presence from many different places and situations.

Light our way in this time of worship. Calm our hearts, focus our thoughts, and strengthen our faith, as we pray and praise this day. Amen.

 Children’s Message Pat Mosley

 Prayer Hymn Jesus, Remember Me UMH #488

 Prayers of the People

 Prayer Response Hear Us, O God UMH #490

 Choral Anthem Jesus Walked this Lonesome Valley Chancel Choir

 Prayer of Illumination

God is our light and our salvation.

We need not fear.

Christ is the stronghold of our life.

We need not be afraid.

Holy God, when evil scatters us to the winds, Christ gathers us with love and grace.

Through your word, may we find what we need to be strong, to see that we are not alone, and to know that we are beloved children of God. Amen.

 Scripture Reading

  Psalm 27

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh-- my adversaries and foes shall stumble and fall.
Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.
One thing I asked of the LORD; that will I seek after:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in the Lord’s temple.
The Lord will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble, will conceal me under the cover of his tent; and will set me high upon a rock.
And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies round about me; and I will offer sacrifices in the Lord’s tent with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD.
Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!
"Come," my heart said, "seek the Lord’s face." Your face, O LORD, I seek.
Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, for you have been my help.
Cast me not off, forsake me not, O God of my salvation! If my father and mother should forsake me, the LORD would take me up.
Teach me your way, O LORD; and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
Give me not up to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.
I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage. Wait for the LORD!

 Luke 13:31-35

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33 Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ 34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

  Leader: The Word of God

  People: Thanks be to God

 Sermon “Conceal Me"

Apostle's Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;  And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;* the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic** church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen

The Lesser Thanksgiving

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is right and good and a joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

In days of trouble, you shelter your people that we may dwell securely in you.

Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. He cast out demons, cured the people, and died that we might be rescued from ourselves.

Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here that our hearts might become willing to let him gather us in.

Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit to give ourselves for others in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 Offering our Gifts to God

   The Doxology

   Prayer of Dedication

Loving God, our shelter and hope, as we walk through this holy season, we come to you with hearts open to your grace. In our giving, may we reflect the love that sustains us, and may we lift one another up in times of need and vulnerability. Use these offerings to bring comfort to the weary and hope to the brokenhearted, just as you draw near to us in our struggles. Strengthen us to be a source of light and love in this world, reflecting your compassion in all we do. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.

* Closing Hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus   UMH 526

 Breakthrough Prayer

 Dismissal with Blessing