Month: March 2019

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The Fourth Sunday in Lent

We begin and prepare for worship by centering ourselves, remembering the waters of baptism.

In baptism, we are joined to Christ and made members of one body, a people seeking to live faithfully into God’s purpose for us and for all creation.

PRELUDE

*CALL TO WORSHIP  2 Corninthians 17-18

If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation
            Everything old has passed away;
            see, everything has become new!
All this is from God,
who reconciled us to himself through Christ
            and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

*HYMN 215  What Wondrous Love Is This     WONDROUS LOVE

*INVITATION TO CONFESSION

Let us join in this morning’s prayer of confession knowing
that we are invited into the ministry of reconciliation, trusting
that in all things, we are made new and deserving of renewal.
Let us pray.

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION^

God of the lost, the least, and all who long for home,
when we wander from your ways
and waste the gifts you have given us,
welcome us back, we pray,
so that we may celebrate and rejoice
in your presence forever;
through Christ Jesus,
Your Beloved One. Amen.

Silent confession.

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE  Kyrie Eleison

A copy of this response can be found on the seat of your pew.

*ASSURANCE OF GRACE+

Return to the Holy One your God, for God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.

Believe the Good News of the Gospel.
In Jesus Christ we are loved and befriended by God.

*PASSING OF THE PEACE

And since we have been reconciled to God, let us also be reconciled to one another.

The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.

The congregation is invited to exchange signs of peace.

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE  Hymn 435, verse 1

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
like the wideness of the sea.
There’s a kindness in God’s justice,
which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows
are more felt than up in heaven.
There is no place where earth’s failings
have such kindly judgement given.

SCRIPTURE READING Psalm 32

SCRIPTURE READING  Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

For the word of God in scripture, for the word of God among us, for the word of God within us, thanks be to God.

SERMON          
It’s Time to Get Up and Go            Meredith Cox  

*HYMN 771  What Is the World Like     NEW WORLD

PRAYERS OF SUPPLICATION AND INTERCESSION

O God, in your loving kindness,
Hear our prayer

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING

OFFERING

*DOXOLOGY  Hymn 223, verse 4

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING^

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
(The prayer continues.)

The prayer concludes by singing the Casa del Sol Prayer of Jesus.  A copy of this can be found on the seat of your pew.

*HYMN 22  God of the Sparrow    ROEDER

*DISMISSAL

POSTLUDE

*Please rise in body or in spirit.
^From the PCUSA Revised Common Lectionary
+From the Book of Common Worship

***

The Session of the Church:
Class of 2019: Mark Taylor, Brett Withers
Class of 2020: Alan Stephenson, Tom Eldridge
Class of 2021: Greg Gardner, Heidi Hall
Melinda Sanders, Moderator

We thank those who served in and prepared for worship today:

Meredith Cox, Preacher
Jeff Moles, Director of Music Ministries
Cliff Mundy, Liturgist
Carrie Fraser and Ashlan Jackson,Offering Takers

Woodland Presbyterian Church is an inclusive community of faith seeking to share God’s love for all Creation, welcoming everyone to full and equal participation in the church without regard to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, seeking to embody in our lives the love of God embodied in Christ Jesus.

The East Nashville Training Hub:

In this chapter of Woodland’s life together, our church is engaged in an innovative partnership called the East Nashville Training Hub. The Training Hub, made up of mostly young adults, carry much of the day-to-day responsibilities for the church, including preaching and worship planning, service and fellowship events, and children’s ministry.  We are grateful for the energy, creativity, and engaging wisdom of this team!

Posted on

Announcements

A Note on Lent:

During the 40-day season of Lent, the words we sing, say and pray invite us to leave the seemingly safe space of our heads, to unclench our grip on our finite lives and our limited intellect, to step beyond our illusion of control, and to enter the seemly risky space of uncertainty and mystery.

In sum, Lent is an invitation to honest self-examination and to becoming more aware of the attitudes and behaviors that keep us from living the life God gives us in the way God desires of us and as revealed in the life, teachings and example of Christ Jesus.  The word “lent” itself comes from the Old English work len(c)ten, meaning “spring season,” thus, through the stillness and attentiveness we prioritize in this season, we begin seeing more clearly the approaching light of spring and the promise of renewal and resurrection.

Our Palm-Passion Sunday service is April 14.  It will be a joint service with our friends at Eastminster.

Our Maundy Thursday service is April 18. Join us for a brief service from 6:30-7:30p.

Our Easter service is Sunday, April 21. It will be a joint service with Eastminster. More details to come!

Join us for our Lenten book study on Barbara Brown Taylor’s book, Learning to Walk in the Dark. In this book, Taylor explores the breadth of a spirituality that includes darkness. As we journey through the Lent season, we, too, will dive into a more textured spirituality through Taylor’s words, emerging with her at Easter to find new life—even through the dark!  Co-led by Jenny Cook and Meredith Cox, we will meet the next two Sundays at 9:45am in the Assembly Room.

Posted on

The Third Sunday in Lent

We begin and prepare for worship by centering ourselves, remembering the waters of baptism.

In baptism, we are joined to Christ and made members of one body, a people seeking to live faithfully into God’s purpose for us and for all creation.

PRELUDE

*CALL TO WORSHIP  Psalm 63:1-4

O God, you are my God, I seek you,
my soul thirsts for you;
            my flesh faints for you,
            as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
            beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
            my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
            I will lift up my hands and call on your name.

*HYMN 307  God of Grace and God of Glory  CWM RHONDDA

*INVITATION TO CONFESSION

Being kind to ourselves and tenderhearted,
let us join together in this morning’s prayer of confession,
asking God to continue to renew our hearts and minds.

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION+

God of infinite goodness,
throughout the ages you have persevered
in claiming and reclaiming your people.
Renew for us your call to repentance,
surround us with witnesses to aid us in our journey,
and grant us the time to fashion our lives anew,
through Christ Jesus, your Beloved,
Anointed One. Amen.

Silent confession.

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE  Kyrie Eleison

A copy of this response can be found on the seat of your pew.

*ASSURANCE OF GRACE

Christ said: Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Believe the Good News of the Gospel.
In Jesus Christ we are loved and befriended by God.

*PASSING OF THE PEACE

And since we have been reconciled to God, let us also be reconciled to one another.

The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.

The congregation is invited to exchange signs of peace.

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE  Hymn 435, verse 1

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
like the wideness of the sea.
There’s a kindness in God’s justice,
which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows
are more felt than up in heaven.
There is no place where earth’s failings
have such kindly judgement given.

SCRIPTURE READING

SCRIPTURE READING

For the word of God in scripture, for the word of God among us, for the word of God within us, thanks be to God.                      

SERMON                     
Title                    Kendra Ketter Chavis  

*HYMN 800  Sometimes a Light Surprises  SALLEY GARDENS

PRAYERS OF SUPPLICATION AND INTERCESSION

O God, in your loving kindness,
           Hear our prayer.

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING

OFFERING

*DOXOLOGY  Hymn 223, verse 4

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
(The prayer continues.)

The prayer concludes by singing the Casa del Sol Prayer of Jesus.  A copy of this can be found on the seat of your pew.

*HYMN 649  Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound   AMAZING GRACE

*DISMISSAL

POSTLUDE

*Please rise in body or in spirit.
+Adapted from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers,
copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts

***
The Session of the Church:
Class of 2019: Mark Taylor, Brett Withers
Class of 2020: Alan Stephenson, Tom Eldridge
Class of 2021: Greg Gardner, Heidi Hall
Melinda Sanders, Moderator

We thank those who served in and prepared for worship today:

Kendra Ketter Chavis, Preacher
Jeff Moles, Director of Music Ministries
Tracy Bell, Liturgist
Jenny Cook and Cliff Mundy, Offering Takers

Woodland Presbyterian Church is an inclusive community of faith seeking to share God’s love for all Creation, welcoming everyone to full and equal participation in the church without regard to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, seeking to embody in our lives the love of God embodied in Christ Jesus.

Posted on

Announcements

A Note on Lent

During the 40-day season of Lent, the words we sing, say and pray invite us to leave the seemingly safe space of our heads, to unclench our grip on our finite lives and our limited intellect, to step beyond our illusion of control, and to enter the seemly risky space of uncertainty and mystery.

In sum, Lent is an invitation to honest self-examination and to becoming more aware of the attitudes and behaviors that keep us from living the life God gives us in the way God desires of us and as revealed in the life, teachings and example of Christ Jesus.  The word “lent” itself comes from the Old English work len(c)ten, meaning “spring season,” thus, through the stillness and attentiveness we prioritize in this season, we begin seeing more clearly the approaching light of spring and the promise of renewal and resurrection.

Join us for our Lenten book study on Barbara Brown Taylor’s book, Learning to Walk in the Dark. In this book, Taylor explores the breadth of a spirituality that includes darkness. As we journey through the Lent season, we, too, will dive into a more textured spirituality through Taylor’s words, emerging with her at Easter to find new life—even through the dark!  Co-led by Jenny Cook and Meredith Cox, we will meet the next three Sundays at 9:45am in the Assembly Room.

The East Nashville Training Hub: In this chapter of Woodland’s life together, our church is engaged in an innovative partnership called the East Nashville Training Hub. The Training Hub, made up of mostly young adults, carry much of the day-to-day responsibilities for the church, including preaching and worship planning, service and fellowship events, and children’s ministry.  We are grateful for the energy, creativity, and engaging wisdom of this team!

Posted on

The Second Sunday in Lent

We begin and prepare for worship by centering ourselves, remembering the waters of baptism.

In baptism, we are joined to Christ and made members of one body, a people seeking to live faithfully into God’s purpose for us and for all creation.

PRELUDE

*CALL TO WORSHIP  Psalm 27:7-9, 13-14

Hear, O God, when I cry aloud,
be gracious to me and answer me!
            “Come,” my heart says, “seek God’s face!”
Your face, O God, do I seek.
            Do not hide your face from me.
I believe that I shall see the goodness of God
in the land of the living.
            Wait for the Holy One;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
            wait for the Holy One!

*HYMN 450  Be Thou My Vision  SLANE

*INVITATION TO CONFESSION

Come, all who have inflicted or accepted oppression—
we share in the world’s sin.  
Come, all who make distinctions among people—
we participate in the brokenness of God’s family.  
Come, all who respond to the false voices of the world—
God is calling us away from our former limitations.

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION+

Hope Beyond All Human Hope,
you promised descendants as numerous as the stars
to Abraham and Sarah.
You promise light and salvation
in the midst of darkness and despair,
and promise redemption to a world that does not listen.
Gather us to yourself in tenderness,
open our ears that we may listen to your word,
and teach us to live faithfully
as people confident of the fulfillment of your promises.
We ask this in the name of Christ Jesus,
your Beloved One. Amen.

Silent confession.

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE  Kyrie Eleison

A copy of this response can be found on the seat of your pew.

*ASSURANCE OF GRACE

God’s grace is as vast as the stars in the sky.
The next time you go outside at night, look upward –
the beautiful, mysteriousness of God’s loving-kindness
is around you, and it is meant to be explored.

Believe the Good News of the Gospel.
In Jesus Christ we are loved and befriended by God.

*PASSING OF THE PEACE

Since we have been reconciled to God, let us also be reconciled to one another.

The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.

The congregation is invited to exchange signs of peace.

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE  Hymn 435, verse 1

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
like the wideness of the sea.
There’s a kindness in God’s justice,
which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows
are more felt than up in heaven.
There is no place where earth’s failings
have such kindly judgement given.

SCRIPTURE READING  Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

For the word of God in scripture, for the word of God among us, for the word of God within us, thanks be to God.                      

SERMON                
On Counting Stars                  Jenny Cook

*HYMN 50  Deep in the Shadows of the Past  SHEPHERDS’ PIPES

PRAYERS OF SUPPLICATION AND INTERCESSION

O God, in your loving kindness,
Hear our prayer

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING

OFFERING

*DOXOLOGY  Hymn 223, verse 4

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.

(The prayer continues.)

The prayer concludes by singing the Casa del Sol Prayer of Jesus.  A copy of this can be found on the seat of your pew.

*HYMN 543  O Christ, Surround Me  GREEN TYLER

*DISMISSAL

POSTLUDE

*Please rise in body or in spirit.
+Adapted from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers,
copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts*

The Session of the Church:

Class of 2019: Mark Taylor, Brett Withers
Class of 2020: Alan Stephenson, Tom Eldridge
Class of 2021: Greg Gardner, Heidi Hall
Melinda Sanders, Moderator

We thank those who served in and prepared for worship today:

Jenny Cook, Preacher
Jeff Moles, Director of Music Ministries
Eliza Blades,Liturgist
Todd Moore and Cliff Mundy, Offering Takers
Scott Sauers, Special Music

Woodland Presbyterian Church is an inclusive community of faith seeking to share God’s love for all Creation, welcoming everyone to full and equal participation in the church without regard to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, seeking to embody in our lives the love of God embodied in Christ Jesus.

Posted on

Announcements

A Note on Lent

During the 40-day season of Lent, the words we sing, say and pray invite us to leave the seemingly safe space of our heads, to unclench our grip on our finite lives and our limited intellect, to step beyond our illusion of control, and to enter the seemly risky space of uncertainty and mystery.

In sum, Lent is an invitation to honest self-examination and to becoming more aware of the attitudes and behaviors that keep us from living the life God gives us in the way God desires of us and as revealed in the life, teachings and example of Jesus Christ. The word “lent” itself comes from the Old English work len(c)ten, meaning “spring season,” thus, through the stillness and attentiveness we prioritize in this season, we begin see more clearly the approaching light of spring and the promise of renewal and resurrection.

Join us for our Lenten book study on Barbara Brown Taylor’s book, Learning to Walk in the Dark. Co-led by Jenny Cook and Meredith Cox, we will meet the next four Sundays at 9:45am in the Assembly Room.  In this book, Taylor explores the breadth of a spirituality that includes darkness. As we journey through the Lent season, we, too, will dive into a more textured spirituality through Taylor’s words, emerging with her at Easter to find new life—even through the dark!

The East Nashville Training Hub:

In this chapter of Woodland’s life together, our church is engaged in an innovative partnership called the East Nashville Training Hub. The Training Hub, made up of mostly young adults, carry much of the day-to-day responsibilities for the church, including preaching and worship planning, service and fellowship events, and children’s ministry.  We are grateful for the energy, creativity, and engaging wisdom of this team!