Virtual Worship
11AM
Sunday, February 28th, 2021
Second Sunday in Lent
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~ We Gather
Prelude Jonas Dawson
Welcome Katie Penick
Preparing of our Hearts
Call to Worship Nelson Murphy
Bless the Lord, O My Soul,
And all that is within me, bless God’s holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul
And forget not all God’s benefits
Who forgives all your sins
and heals all your infirmities
Who redeems your life from the grave
And crowns you with mercy and loving kindness.
Opening Hymn Lord Jesus, Who Through Forty Days
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession Katie Penick
Pardon and Assurance Katie Penick
Special Music “When We Face an Unknown Future”
Words by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, Roland Park Presbyterian Church
We Listen
First Reading Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 Geneva Hudson
Hymn of Preparation Give Me a Clean Heart
Give me a clean heart
So I may serve you,
God fix my heart, so that I may be used by you
For I’m not worthy of all these Blessings
Give me a clean heart
And I’ll follow you.
Gospel Mark 8:31-38 Lucy Brady
Children’s Message “Bless you” Anne Findlay Chamberlain
Sermon Ryan Sirmons
We Respond
Pastoral Prayers Rob Apgar-Taylor
Blessing Our Gifts Katie Penick
The Lord’s Prayer (in unison) Our 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, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
We are Sent
Closing Hymn Just As I Am
Dismissal with Blessing Rob Apgar-Taylor
Postlude “Be Thou My Vision” Irish Folk Melody Jonas Dawson
Arr. Mark Hayes
***********************
Participants
Rev. Katie Penick Zion UCC Hagerstown
Rev. Ryan Sirmons, UCC Annapolis
Rev. Dr. Rob Apgar-Taylor, Grace UCC Frederick
Rev. Anne Findlay-Chamberlain,
Minister Geneva Hudson, Peoples Congregational UCC
Rev. Lucy Brady
Rev. Michelle Beadle
Rev. Nelson Murphy, Associate Conference Minister
A huge welcome
to our newest
Grace Church
family members
who were received into
membership on Sunday, February 14, 2021
Becca Benson
Meghan Callis
Rachel Fisher
Laura Zahos
Season of Lent and Easter 2021
VIRTUAL
Worship and Study Schedule
Virtual via Zoom
Lenten Book Study: Entering the Passion of Jesus
by Amy Jill Levine
Thursdays throughout the Lenten Season
(2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25)
7PM
Co-led by John Brehmer and Pastor Rob
Recently we heard in worship from San Mar Family and Community Services, about ways we can help make a difference in the life of a foster child. They are in particular need of gift cards for gifts on birthdays and holidays. Rather than collect individual gift cards, we are asking that you donate to Grace Church and earmark your gift for "gift cards". We will use the money to purchase gift cards and deliver them to San Mar for the children in need.
To learn more about this community go to https://sanmarhope.org/
Many thanks for your help in helping an area child in need!
We are reading through page 230 ( in the hardcover book version) or the equivalent of thru chapter 6 ( this book doesn’t explicitly have chapter numbers so it’s kind of ambiguous so essentially we will be a little more than half way thru book for the discussion on Wednesday, if that is a better explanation).
Book Title: the book of two ways
Author: Jodi Picoult
Everything changes in a single moment for Dawn Edelstein. She’s on a plane when the flight attendant makes an announcement: Prepare for a crash landing. She braces herself as thoughts flash through her mind. The shocking thing is, the thoughts are not of her husband but of a man she last saw fifteen years ago: Wyatt Armstrong.
As the story unfolds, Dawn’s two possible futures unspool side by side, as do the secrets and doubts long buried with them. Dawn must confront the questions she’s never truly asked: What does a life well lived look like? When we leave this earth, what do we leave behind? Do we make choices . . . or do our choices make us? And who would you be if you hadn’t turned out to be the person you are right now?
Join us if you’d like to socialize, stretch your mind,
or just leave the daily grind of life behind for a bit.
Please Email the church office at admin@grucc.com to be added to the list for email notices.
Look for your all church email or check the church website for zoom link.
All are welcome to join and enjoy some socialization!
Wonderful Wednesdays Virtual Small Groups Wednesdays To find out about small groups to join or to start a group...
Contact Pastor Rob at pastorrob@grucc.com
Topic: Wonderful Wednesday
START DATE: Feb 10, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every week on Wed, until Aug 25, 2021, 29 occurrence(s)
Psalms in the form of words and art, reborn in the specific contexts of our world, privileging the voices of historically marginalized communities and those acting in solidarity with them.
Living Psalm 139–Epiphany 2 B
It’s something, isn’t it,
to imagine being known
so thoroughly
that the pain you hold
is understood without you
having to say a single word,
without you having to testify
about your decision from last year
or ten years ago or yesterday,
when you said the thing that led
to the other thing that brought you
so low you thought you’d never be known
for more than the pain that crystallized
around your hopes and your heart?
It’s something, isn’t it,
to believe in One
who isn’t afraid of your broken parts
or ugly deeds or the cowardice
or the fear or the anger or the
hundred other ways you have tried
to make yourself disappear
when you felt unworthy
of a great and abiding love
and had persuaded yourself
that forgiveness was beyond reach
and grace, an undeserved gift?
It’s something, isn’t it,
to be loved by God,
to be both fearfully
and wonderfully made
just as you are –
not happier, not a work in progress,
or with fewer secrets or scars –
but just you, as you are,
welcome at the table?
Living Psalm 139 for Epiphany 2 B was written by Maria Mankin.
Living Psalms Book is created by UCC Witness & Worship Artists’ Group, a Network of UCC connected artists, activists and ministers bridging the worship and liturgy of the local church with witness and action in the community. Editor, Maren Tirabassi.
Logo is detail from Living Psalm 80 by Sophia Beardemphl, Redwoods, CA. Recovering from significant bullying, Sophia, age nine, read Psalm 80 and thought of brokenness that needs mending. She drew this broken and mended bowl.
The following are members and friends of our church family who are currently ill, hospitalized, or home-bound.
Please keep them in your prayers and perhaps send a note or a card.
If you know of anyone who should be added to this list,
please contact the church office at admin@crucc.com
Betty Linton Sunrise Senior Living 990 Waterford Dr., Unit 206, Frederick, MD 21702
ONGOING MISSION FCAA Food Bank “Grace Groceries”
COLLECTION CONTINUES!
Please drop your food bank items in the 3rd street entrance vestibule.
NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS
NEEDED. For EXAMPLE:
PEANUT BUTTER ~ PASTA ~ RICE ~
CEREAL ~ CANNED FISH & MEATS ~
CANNED SAUCES ~ And other non-perishables
Community News and Assistance
Many aging adults are unaware of the available care options and programs that can help them maintain their independence and quality of life. So we created a free resource that provides comprehensive information on topics like financial support and assisted living options that are available in their area. You can read more about our work here:
Dear Congregation,
At the risk of being indelicate, I’m going to talk money. Last year we did significant work at closing the budget gap. PLEASE remember your giving to the church during this time! While we are not legally or safely allowed to be together during this time, the bills are still needing to be paid. And the crashing markets of recent are going to hit our endowments very hard as well. I’m just being honest. PLEASE try to be a faithful to your tithe as you can be. There will be a letter mailed to every home with a stamped envelope to help make your tithe easier! You can also use the GIVING tab on our church website at www.grucc.com and give via VANCO Giving Plus or PayPal. ~ Pastor Rob+
DID YOU KNOW…
Grace UCC has a YouTube channel!
Watch our Sermons and Choir on YouTube @ GraceLiveFrederick
Videos are normally posted weekly and
ready to view by Sunday Evening.
View our sermons and choir anthems on YouTube.
Just search on Youtube or on Google for GraceLiveFrederick.
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Lenten Book Study: Entering the Passion of Jesus
Palm Sunday Worship
Maundy Thursday Service
Good Friday Service
Everything changes in a single moment for Dawn Edelstein. She’s on a plane when the flight attendant makes an announcement: Prepare for a crash landing. She braces herself as thoughts flash through her mind. The shocking thing is, the thoughts are not of her husband but of a man she last saw fifteen years ago: Wyatt Armstrong.
DID YOU KNOW…
Grace United Church of Christ
