“Credo—I believe— best translates “I have given my heart to.”
– Rev. Dr. William Sloan Coffin

“Something in humans in all times and in all places seeks both wholeness and holiness; the prayer of the heart tradition exemplifies that seeking.”
– Greg Cook, “The Jesus Prayer.” Parabola Magazine

During Lent, we invite you to light a candle for someone you wish to hold in prayer. 

PRELUDE- Phillip Herr-Klepacki

CALL TO WORSHIP – Chad McGinnis

Leader: I watch this morning for the light that the darkness has not overcome.

People: I watch for the fire that was in the beginning and that burns still in the brilliance of the rising sun.

Leader: I watch for the glow of life that gleams in the growing earth and that glistens in sea and sky.

People: I watch for your light, O God, in the eyes of every living creature, and in the ever-living flame of my own soul. 

Leader: If the grace of seeing were mine this day I would glimpse you in all that lives.

All: Grant me the grace of seeing this day. Grant me the grace of seeing.                                                                                                              -J. Philip Newell, Celtic Benediction

OPENING SONG- “Here We Are” 
Chorus: Here we are, all together
As we sing our song joyfully.
Here we are, joined together
As we pray we will always be.

Join we now as friends, and celebrate
The community we share, all as one.
Keep the fire burning, kindle it with care,
And we’ll all join in and sing:
        Chorus

Glorify the Lord with all your voices,
Show Him we’re sincere by all our deeds.
Shout the joys of freedom everywhere,
And we’ll all join in and sing:
Chorus

Happy now are those who do their best
To free the troubled world from all its pain.
Let us join with them to free the troubled world
As we all join in and sing:
        Chorus

Let us make the world an Alleluia
Let us make the world a better place.
Keep a smile handy, lend a helping hand
Let us all join in and sing:
        Chorus

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN- Andy Bachmann
PRAYER
BIRTHDAYS

INTERLUDE

READING and RESPONSIVE PRAYER of Psalm 139- (Kyrie)- offered by Kristin Larsen

Trust in the slow work of God.
Let your ideas and dreams grow and shape themselves
Without undue haste.
Don’t try to force them on,
As though you could be today
What time will make you tomorrow.
Only God can say what this new spirit
Gradually forming in you will be.
Trust that you will know
And become who you are.       – Pierre Teihard de Chardin

Leader: O God, you have searched me and known me.

People: You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

Right (street side): you discern my thoughts from far away.

Left (piano side): Even before a word is on my tongue

Leader: O God, you know it completely. You hem me in, behind and before. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it.

People: Where can we go from your spirit?

Right: Where can we flee from your presence?

Left: For it was you who formed our innermost parts, knit us together in our mother’s womb.

Leader: I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

SPECIAL MUSIC AND OFFERING (Gloria)- “The UCG Compact,” set to music. Composed by Zach Neece. Offered by Hannah Norton and Phillip Herr-Klepacki

Your gifts support all facets of the UCG community. You can also give online: bit.ly/ucgplate

READING AND SCRIPTURE (Credo)- Rev. Sandy Reimer

The Compact of the United Church of Gainesville

We join as a spiritual community in this compact:
To worship God, however known.
To welcome into our church those of differing
understanding and theological opinion.
To learn from our religious heritage, yet to
grow by seeking new dimensions of truth.
To follow, even imperfectly, the way of Jesus
in personal involvement with each other.
And strengthened by this bond to act in
Christian concern for the welfare of all people.

Psalm 19:14 – “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Proverbs 4:23- “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from there.”
Matthew 6:21- “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 5:8 – “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

SERMON- “Worship/Service,” Andy Bachmann

SUNG RESPONSE- “Pass it On” 

It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing;
That’s how it is with God’s Love,
Once you’ve experienced it,
Your spread the love to everyone
You want to pass it on.

What a wondrous time is spring,
When all the tress are budding
The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming;
That’s how it is with God’s love,
Once you’ve experienced it.
You want to sing, it’s fresh like spring,
You want to pass it on.

I wish for you my friend
This happiness that I’ve found;
You can depend on God
It matters not where you’re bound,
I’ll shout it from the mountain top;
I want my world to know
The Lord of love has come to me
I want to pass it on.

I’ll shout it from the mountain top;
I want my world to know:
The Lord of love has come to me;
I want to pass it on.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

SUNG RESPONSE- “Come and Fill (Confitemini Dominio)”

Translation: Come and fill our hearts with your peace. You alone, O Lord, are holy. Come and fill our hearts with your peace. Alleluia.

BENEDICTION

ALLELUIA

Announcements