March 19, 2017 Let us worship God!

Today is the third Sunday of

Lent. Lent is the forty day

journey of prayer, humility and

repentance that moves us

toward Easter. These forty

days do not include Sundays,

for on Sunday gatherings we

bear witness to the

resurrection of Jesus Christ

our Lord. The extraordinary

story brings us to the Lord’s

covenant with Abram. This covenant is built upon the sturdiness of God’s word:

“Do not be afraid, I am your shield, your very great reward”. Abram believed and

it was credited to him as righteousness. The words were not written for him

alone. “Look up at the sky and count the stars if indeed you can count them.”

Scripture

Psalm 119:161-176 (page 440)

Genesis 15 (page 10)

Luke 13-14 (page 738)

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Songs for Today

Opening Hymns #8 “Come Thou Almighty King”

Hymn of Response #488 “Just As I Am”

Sending Hymn Insert “In Christ There Is No East or West”

Prayer of Confession

Lord, today’s gospel reading reveals many ways by which we distance our self from you. We are slow to follow your call to repent and bear fruit. We often are angry at your timing and your works. We do not make every effort to find salvation. We are unwilling to let you gather us under your care. We fall silent when we should speak. We are not urgent in our work. We put other people and things before you.

Grant us ears to hear your voice. Please forgive my sins. Renew me to who I am in your Son. (pause quietly for silent confession)

Lenten Series

Each Wednesday during Lent a service will be held at 7pm. The

schedule is:

• Wednesday, March 22 at Kirkpatrick

• Wednesday, March 29 at Titusville

• Wednesday, April 5 at Larison’s Corner

• Maundy Thursday, April 13 at Mt. Airy

• Good Friday, April 14 at Mt. Airy at Noon and at Kirkpatrick at 7 pm

Call to Worship

The season of Lent is a time of

renewal in which we can come to

unclutter our lives and learn to

live simply in loving dependence

upon the Father.

It is a time when the Spirit can lead us, bringing us to a deeper freedom and generosity of service, showing us how to be sources of life in the great man-made deserts of our society. Today we turn our hearts to you,

Holy Lord.

Let us worship God!

--James Hanvey, thinkingfaith.org

Session:

Class of 2017 Barbara Matlack Randy Niederer

Class of 2018

Patti Manz Tim Shaub

Class of 2019 Mark Niederer

Kristine Schmidt, Clerk

Deacons:

Class of 2017 Judy Niederer, Secretary

Class of 2018 Gail Butterfoss

Lettie Ritner, Vice-Moderator

Class of 2019 Chris Manz, Moderator

Pastor: Rev. Kenneth Good

Worship Assistant: Tim Shaub

Ministers: All members of Titusville Church

The Rev. Dr. R. William Shaub, Pastor Emeritus

Barbara Matlack, Office Administrator

Jon and Helen Eastburn, Music Directors

Upcoming Events

Today, immediately following worship is Adult Bible Study.

The group is currently studying Abraham which follows

along with the sermon series.

The chancel flowers are given by Randy and Debbie

Niederer to the glory of God and in celebration of their

birthdays. Randy on March 20 and Debbie on March 25.

March 25, 8 to 10 a.m. WTCC Pantry

Capital Campaign:

Goal: $75,400

Received: $28,865

Pledged: $16,500

Still Needed: $30,035

Apostles 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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again from the dead, he ascended into heaven, and is seated 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 Ghost, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen

Gloria patri

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be

– world without end. Amen, amen.

Doxology

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!

Order of Liturgy

Prelude

*Call to Worship (page 1)

*Opening Hymn/ Prayer (page 1)

Confession (page 1)

—call, prayer, assurance

*Gloria patri (page 4)

Scripture (page 1)

Message

*Hymn of Response (page 1)

*Apostles Creed

*New City Catechism (page 2)

Announcements

Prayers of the People

Offering

Offertory: “There is a Redeemer”

*Doxology (page 4)

*Sending Hymn (page 1)

Benediction

Choral Benediction: “There is a Redeemer”

*Please stand if able

A common interpretation of the lands of most of the tribes

identified in Genesis 15:19-20.

Editorial: The Lord Speaks

The last few weeks have focused on stories that might have been new to us.

Today’s is a more familiar story, with its famous phrase of Abram believing the

Lord, and that being credited to him as righteousness. Today’s chapter speaks

to how the Lord speaks. The Lord speaks:

“After this” vs 1 Abram had made a bold and final statement to Bera, king of

Sodom, refusing to join alliance. Out of this statement, the Lord speaks to Abram.

What is needed vs 1 The Lord speaks what Abram needed to hear. Abram did

not need to be afraid of retribution or of Bera. The Lord identifies that he was

Abram’s shield. The Lord says that he is Abram’s very great reward.

And listens vs 2-3 The Lord speaks his encouragement, but Abram still has

questions. The Lord listens to Abram as he speaks those concerns.

To the issue vs 4 After listening, the Lord corrects Abram’s misunderstanding.

“My promise isn’t about your servant, but a son whom I will give to you”

By using what is around vs 5 Earlier in his life, Abram heard from God that his

offspring would be more than the grains of sand. Here, Abram looks up to the

countless stars. They are used as a different illustration of the same promise.

Blessing vs 5“if indeed you can count the stars”. No mind can conceive what God

has planned for those who love him (I Corinthians 2:9)

Across geography vs 7 The same Lord that is speaking to Abram in this

promised land spoke at the beginning of the journey. The Lord had brought

Abram out of the land of Ur, and had called him long ago.

To us in our deep sleep vs 12 There is no realm, state or aspect of our

existence that cannot be used by God

From a timeless perspective v16 God tells Abram the future. The future is not

unknown to the Lord who exists outside of time.

With a plan in mind vs 18 The Lord speaks a covenant to Abram that only he is

able to accomplish. He speaks plainly to Abram.

What was Abram’s response to the God who speaks? “He was strengthened in his

faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do

what he had promised” (Romans 4:20-21)

Dear Tabby, Raising Life (issues) Acts 9:36

Dear Tabby,

I’ve always had an image of Jesus as a

shepherd, and as one who welcomed children in

his arms. But some of Jesus’ words are very

difficult to swallow.

Eating in Ewing

Dear Eating,

Yes, they are. Elsewhere Jesus called himself

the bread of life, and declared that unless we

ate the flesh of the Son of Man that we would

have no life within us (John 6)

The good news is that the images you identify

don’t cease to be true. Jesus is the good

shepherd. Jesus is the one who welcomed

children in his arms and blessed them. Jesus is

all these good images, and also so much more.

That is the point we must keep in mind when

we encounter the difficult sayings of our Lord.

Jesus was God in the flesh. He came to rescue

us and to save us from our sins. Therefore,

what comes forth from his mouth is spoken so

that we might turn to him and have life, yes,

everlasting life! We must consider the source.

Jesus is goodness perfectly embodied. He is

life and blessing. He is also wisdom perfectly

embodied. He is truth and the answer to the

evil of sin.

Jesus speaks to the urgency of repenting. He

tells a parable that the tree that is unfruitful

does not have unlimited time.

Jesus prods the people to see that he must heal,

even if it isn’t on their timetable.

Jesus urges us to turn to him now with a

parable that warns against waiting too long.

Jesus longs for everyone to hear and accept his

invitation to the Great banquet. Let us beware

of our excuses.

It costs much to be a disciple. But when we

consider the cost—and reward—saying yes to

Jesus is the only acceptable path.

In Jesus, everything finds its proper place. His

way leads to the banquet. His truth awakens

those who slumber and beckons them forward.

His life is our life!

Prayers to the Lord and Author of Life (offered in 3/19 worship by the congregation)

Notes on Morning Scripture

Abraham is mentioned 76 times in the New Testament

In the Gospel of Luke, we have 1:55, 1:73, 3:8, 3:34, 13:16, 13:28, 16:22, (also 23, 24, 25, 29, 30), 19:9, 20:37

There are other Eliezer’s in the Bible. Moses has a son by the same name (Exodus 18:4). The name means “My God is

helper”

Genesis 15:18 is an example of an unconditional covenant, where God is the only party doing the work.

Luke 13:1: this senseless massacre by Pilate’s troops is a possible reason for the dislike between Herod and Pilate. See

Luke 23:12 (from biblehub.com)

Luke 13:21 Yeast is mentioned 52 times in the Bible, for a variety of reasons. Here it is an illustration of the kingdom

of God.

The Parable of the Great Banquet (14:15-24) should be read as a continuation of Jesus’ dinner with the prominent

pharisee (14:1)

Web Link

http://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/living-desert-lent outstanding article

https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2723088-nachfolge 165 quotes from Bonhoeffer’s famous book The Cost of

Discipleship.

http://www.npr.org/sections/krulwich/2012/09/17/161096233/which-is-greater-the-number-of-sand-grains-on-earth-

or-stars-in-the-sky

https://www.gospelproject.com/2015/10/10/gods-covenant-with-abraham/

http://www.artbible.info/art/large/477.html from last week, Melchizedek

http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/thoughts-on-jesus-demand-to-repent

http://thinktheology.co.uk/blog/article/where_is_god_in_suffering compassion filled article

https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2010/06/18/when-salt-loses-its-savor/ great paragraph toward the end about the

purpose of salt

New City Catechism

A 52 question catechism developed by Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York. For an introduction to this

catechism, visit: http://www.newcitycatechism.com/intro.php

Part 1: God, Creation and Fall, Law

Week 14 Did God create us unable to keep his law?

Answer: No, but because of the disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve, all of creation is fallen; we are

all born in sin and guilt, corrupt in our nature and unable to keep God’s law.

To learn more about Question 14, including Scripture background, prayer, commentary and video from scholars, visit

http://www.newcitycatechism.com/q-parent/q14.php