Celebration in WorshipFirst Sunday in Lent

March 1, 2020

We believe the words of Jesus reflect the heart of the Divine: “I will never turn away anyone who comes to me.”

John 6:37

GATHERING AROUND THE WORD

PRAYER OF PREPARATION Holy One, we are constantly bombarded with temptations and enticements. When we yield, when we fail, who will help us? You, Lord, have come to our aid. You teach us, counsel us, and guide us in the ways we should go. We rejoice in your unfailing love. Amen.

PRELUDE   Prepare Thyself, O My Soul J. S. Bach WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS (Responsive)    The Lord be with you.        And also with you.

*CALL TO WORSHIP Temptation surrounds us at every turn, inviting us to take just a little more:More food, more money, more power, more life!

“What could it hurt?” we hear, on television, from friends, in our own souls:More suffering, more hunger, more need, more fear, more anger.

So we gather today in worship to hear the consequences of “more”,And to celebrate that we do not need “more” when we have everything in Christ.

Beloved of God, let us drink deeply from the wellspring of God’s Spirit, which has all we need to live fully, love deeply, and serve faithfully.Thanks be to God!

*HYMN 41 O Worship the King, All Glorious Above! (vs. 1, 3, 5) CALL TO CONFESSIONWe are easily seduced by the temptations all around us.  But if we are willing to trust God and offer our confessions, God is quick to forgive us and fill us with hope.  Join me, as we pray together, saying,

PRAYER OF CONFESSIONCreator of all, we confess we are a lot like Adam and Eve. We too want to be "like God." We want to be in charge of everything, to know everything, to do everything our way. We are willing to break the rules and hurt one another to

have our way. Forgive us. Help us instead to learn from Jesus. Remind us that having what we want and need is not so very important. Tame our wild desires to be the center of attention, the star, the winner every time. Teach us to know your will and to obey. For we pray in Jesus' name.

A period of silent prayer is observed.

PROCLAIMING THE WORD

ASSURANCE OF GRACEBe glad and rejoice! Give thanks with shouts of joy!  Grace abounds for everyone.With glad cries of deliverance, we offer our thanks to God who loves us and forgives us.  Amen.

SUNG RESPONSE 544 Bless the Lord (sung twice)Bless the Lord, my soul, and bless God’s holy name

Bless the Lord my soul, who leads me into life.

*PASSING THE PEACE  The Peace of Christ be with you        And also with you.            TIME FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH

ANTHEM Lord You Know Me Through and Through W.A. Mozart

SCRIPTURE LESSONS      Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-17 & Psalm 32

SERMON

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

*HYMN 510 We Gather Here in Jesus’ Name

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPERAll are invited to the Lord’s Table.

INVITATION TO THE TABLE

THE CALL TO PRAYER May the God of discipleship be with you.And also with you.Let us begin our Lenten journey with open hearts.We offer them to the One who walks with us.Let our voices resound with thanksgivingto the One who shows us faithful care.We rejoice in our God of hope and love.

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING & THE LORD’S PRAYEROur 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.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION & SHARING OF THE BREAD AND THE CUPThe homebound communion basket represents the extension of the Lord’s Supper from this gathered community to our homebound members through the ministry of our deacons. May we continue to remember the faithful service of all the saints of the church.

MUSIC FOR MEDITATION   Le Banquet celeste Olivier Messiaen

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Lord, satisfied now from this heavenly banquet, may we learn again this Lenten season to hunger, not for the fare of this world, but for the spiritual sustenance of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith with this nourishment, deepen our love of God above all things, and teach us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Amen.

AN INVITATION TO OFFERING In the story of Adam and Eve, we see creation’s splendid possibilities and humanity’s tragic limitations. In Christ, we see humanity’s strength and God’s glory made manifest – the harmony of creation restored. We offer these gifts and tithes as we seek to restore balance and beauty to a world gone haywire with temptation and deceit.

OFFERTORY            The Lone, Wild Bird arr. by Emma Lou Diemer

Please use the yellow prayer request cards found in the pew and place them in the offering plate to be included in the prayers of

the people and/or the email prayer ministry of CPC.

*LENTEN DOXOLOGY**   tune: Old Hundredth

Praise God, throughout these forty days.Praise Christ, our Lord, whom God did raise.

And praise the Spirit who impartsGod’s love in Christ into our hearts. Amen.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION & PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Holy One, let these gifts be like food and drink in the wilderness for those who have suffered and longed for your presence. May these offerings strengthen those who are resisting temptation and comfort those who suffer. As we hold before you the prayers of our community, we pray you would help us notice those who hunger for hope, as well as bread; those who are caught in the injustices of the world; those who struggle to find themselves.  Hear us God, as we name before you the joys and concerns we know of on this day. . .

* HYMN 166 Lord, Who throughout These Forty Days

* BLESSING         

POSTLUDE    Chaconne Louis Couperin

* Indicates a time in the service when you are invited to rise in body or spirit.

** The Lenten Doxology is written by G.W. Dub Shepherd. Published by The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church, PO Box 340003, Nashville, TN 37203-0003. Web site http://www.umcworship.org. Used with permission.

WELCOME - Visitors, friends, members, welcome to worship! Please feel free to participate in ways that you feel led, and comfortable if you would just like to observe.  If you are interested in learning more about making Central Presbyterian your church home, please speak with Pastor Jennifer or the

welcome greeter following the service.We are glad you are here and invite you to join us for coffee and snacks In the Fellowship Hall after the worship service.

TODAY AT CENTRAL10:00am Lord’s Supper, Sanctuary

11:00am Fellowship/Adult EducationOFFICE HOURS THIS WEEK

Monday - Thursday, 8:30am-12:30pm, 1:30-4:00pmClosed Friday

Mon, Mar 2 9:00am Central Walkers11:00am Bible Study Parlor6:30pm Badminton Fellowship Hall

Tue, Mar 3 9:30am Miriam Circle Parlor5:15pm Bell Choir Rehearsal Westminster

Wed, Mar 4 11:30am Martha Circle Parlor2:00pm Book Group Parlor7:00pm Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary

Thur, Mar 5 10:00am Christian Discipleship Parlor

ALL CHURCH BREAKFAST - The Central Presbyterian men will provide breakfast for the all church breakfast at 9:00am Saturday, March 14, in the Fellowship Hall. Our guest speaker, Ron Steiner, former Executive Director of Oregonians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, will speak beginning at 9:30am. Please join us!

THE ENDOWMENT FUND COMMITTEE IS NOW CALLING FOR SPRING GRANT APPLICATIONS - The Committee has some funds available for grants that benefit the mission and goals of Central. We invite groups to submit grant proposals by March 26,

2020. Either an electronic version of the form or a printed copy is available from the church office. Completed applications should be turned in or emailed to Sheryl Peterson, Office Manager, in the church office. Proposals should be typed for clarity. All grant proposals require approval from the ministry team or a staff member who would oversee the use of the funds. A decision on proposals will be made at the Endowment Fund Committee meeting in April with funds available in early April.

CHURCH REMODEL UPDATE - As was shared at our annual meeting, due to an inability to pursue our project to completion, the Session decided to sever our working relationship with architect Mike Bieler. The Remodel Task Group met in February to regroup, assess what we have and where we are, draw up an

invitation for architects to bid on our project, and set a proposed calendar for the coming months. The Session has approved our plan for moving forward. In the month of March we hope to begin the process of interviewing and selecting a new architect or architectural firm with whom we can work on our remodel. As we move forward with this, you may be wondering what we can do in the interim. At this point you can:

·         suggest possible architects to the team. If you know someone who you believe would want to be considered, let the chair of the task group, Tony Richter, know before March 5 so we can contact them.·         honor your pledges. If you haven’t yet completed your pledge to the remodel, consider making that a part of your spending plan for 2020. You might also consider giving a bit extra toward this effort. ·         pray for this process. We can always use more wisdom and guidance as the task group and Session seek to move forward in a way that honors our hopes for the future of this church building and the ministries to which we are called.

The task group is committed to keeping the congregation updated as we move forward. We look forward to having some good news to share in the months to come!

STRICTLY ORGANIC COFFEE - for $14 a pound, is available in the Narthex from Bev Day after worship today. Buy a bag of decaf or regular coffee; it's certified organic, shade grown, and farmer friendly. Any profit Central makes will be given to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

COIN OFFERINGS FOR MARCH AND APRIL – will be donated to Sexual Assault Support Services. This organization is dedicated to supporting survivors of

sexual assault and abuse in Lane County. They also advocate for the prevention of sexual violence in our communities. Their services are free and confidential to all survivors regardless of income, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation. They offer both a 24-hour crisis and support hotline and a drop in center as well as counseling, support groups and community outreach. FISH WELCOMES FRUITS AND BEVERAGES - Please donate cocoa and hot chocolate packets. Dried and canned fruit and fruit juices are also welcome. These are items FISH does not buy but clients are happy to receive when they are available. Thank you.We thank the following faithful people who are helping behind the scenes today:Ministers All

Coffee Hour Fellowship CommitteeDeacon on Call Quentin HolmesWelcome Greeter Quentin HolmesLiturgist Scott Pratt Transport Team Quentin HolmesOrganist Dan RinnanChoir Director Cole Blume Sound Technician Alex Pratt Building Host Joe Olney Child Care Audreay Ellien

A CARING, INQUIRING, INCLUSIVECOMMUNITY OF FAITH

MARCH 1, 2020

Adam and Eve, embroidery, English 17th Century, Fiber Arts Collection,

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston MA

CENTRALPRESBYTER

IANCHURCH

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK

4 Grace Whitmore

555 East 15th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97401email: centralpresbyterianeugene@ gmail.com

www.centraleugene.church 541-345-8724

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