February 26, 2023
First Sunday in Lent
Enhance your online worship experience
Whether you’re a first-time online visitor or a life-long member, we welcome and celebrate the ways you enrich our collective worship of a scattered yet gathered Children of God. As we begin our service, we invite you to light a candle, just as we do in the prelude during our in-person worship. Our two altar candles symbolize that Christ was both a human being and God. A light being carried into the world shows that Jesus Christ is for all people - everywhere. Just as a the acolyte carries the lighted candlelight into the congregation, the light symbolizes the light of Jesus Christ preceding us into the world where we as the church are to serve.
Gathering: The chiming of the Trinity
Prelude
The Way of the Cross Leads Home arr. James Koerts
Welcome and Announcements
Call to Worship
One: God of our salvation, we embark this day on a journey that we have made before.
Many: It is a journey that will once again sweep us into unexpected places, always in pursuit of the path of your obedient Son.
One: Send your Holy Spirit to open our lips that our mouths may declare your praise
Many: And we may be guided on this path of penitence, prayer, and preparation. Amen. +
Hymn
Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days UMH# 269
Concerns and Prayers with the Lord’s Prayer
UMH# 895
A Reading from the Old Testament
Musical Praise
Tis a Gift to be Simple arr. Anna Laura Page
Handbell Choir
The Reading from the Epistles
Sermon
Journey Into the Unknown | Rev. Lisa Hartzog
Prayer of Confession & Assurance of Pardon
Our miraculous God leads the way in the wilderness, guiding our paths and upholding us in our journey. Christ carries away the burden of guilt that we might journey unencumbered.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and made new.
Thanks be to God.
Blessing of the tithes and offerings
Doxology | UMH# 94
Hymn
Hymn of Promise UMH# 707
Postlude
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah arr. James Koerts
Today’s worship participants
Our Pastor: Rev. Lisa Hartzog
Music Director: Dr. Joel Reed
Pianist: Patty Higgins
Music Intern: Nick Skaggs
Journey into the Unknown
Download a Lenten prayer, study and bookmark.
❤️ How to Help The Ukrainian People 🇺🇦
Those wishing to provide humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people in the wake of the Russian invasion of their country may contribute to the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s Advance #982450, UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery. This fund will provide direct assistance to those in Ukraine as well as assistance to Ukrainians fleeing to neighboring countries.
Gifts to support the people of Ukraine can be made in the following ways:
By toll-free telephone: 888-252-6174
By check made out to Global Ministries/UMCOR with “Advance #982450-Ukraine” written on the memo line, either mailed and addressed to Global Ministries/UMCOR, GPO, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY, 10087-9068 or given at or through any United Methodist church
100% percent of all Advance contributions go to the designated cause.
The United Methodist community in Ukraine, though quite small, is actively engaged in assisting neighbors in need. Global Ministries is in touch with the church’s leadership as well as with church leaders in countries welcoming those who are fleeing from violence in Ukraine.
Continue Your Contribution | Tithes & Offerings
Thank you for your continued financial support.
Mail Your Gift
The best way to contribute right now is by sending your offering through U.S. Mail to our Post Office Box.
Mars Hill United Methodist Church
PO Box 427
Mars Hill, NC 28754
Give Online
If you prefer to give online, Mars Hill United Methodist Church is pleased to offer the convenience and security of online giving through the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.