Join us for Maundy Thursday at 630pm (in-person and live stream when available)
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“Not Me, Lord”
Thank you for worshiping online with us. We are so glad that you are spending part of your day with us!
Order of Service
Worship Service Participants
- Rev. Scott Siefert
- Liturgists: Chris Wing, Cindy Henschen, Karen Otto, Michelle Bachmann
- Organist: Penny Rolf
- Communion Assistant: David Henschen
- Choir: YOU!
Ringing of the Church Bell
Announcements
Welcome
Rev Scott: Enter this room, all those who prepare with a heavy heart. Approach the table, you who make rooms ready, who serve with what you have at hand. Sit elbow to elbow, those with secrets burdening your hearts. Eat and drink, you who wear grief plainly upon your face. You are welcome here. Christ Jesus has made room for all, and there is space at this table. We are not strangers at the table. Sit. Come as you are, weary, sheltered, beloved.
Call to Worship
Rev Scott: The week has come to wrestle with the story.
All: The week has come to reveal the profane.
Rev Scott: The day has come to embody the sacred.
All: The day has come to reflect on love.
Rev Scott: The day has come to remember the story.
All: The hour has come to bring peace to our souls.
*Opening Hymn: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” (The Hymnal #158)
Prayer of Invocation
Rev Scott: Holy God, who is always with us. We enter this space where the story begins. As evening extinguishes daylight, we begin the task of remembering the story. Our minds race as we place ourselves around the table with Christ. Our souls become more quiet as the bread is broken and the cup is poured. May we recall tonight’s story as one that has drawn us together over time…May the readings and rituals bless our heavy hearts worn down by this world.
All: Heal us with every word, each sense, each breath. AMEN.
Call To Confession
Rev Scott: God invites us to come to worship as our whole selves. God offers us a new beginning day by day and week by week. Trusting in God, we pray for forgiveness, transformation, and new life.
Prayer of Confession
One: Holy God, tonight, we have reached the familiar story of the eve before the execution. While there are times we relate very well to Jesus in this story, we forget that we have been Judas, Peter, and the disciples. We have allowed ourselves to become part of someone’s story of pain. Our words have pierced another’s hearts. We have betrayed our neighbor instead of filling the world and another’s soul with love. Instead of living with the heaviness of guilt, allow us to create peace around us and within us. Invite us to share our repentance and to reconcile whenever possible.
All: May we live into the mundane to love one another as you love us.
Kyrie (The Hymnal #518)
Rev Scott: Lord, have mercy upon us.
All: Lord, have mercy upon us.
Rev Scott: Christ, have mercy upon us.
All: Christ, have mercy upon us.
Rev Scott: Lord, have mercy upon us.
All: Lord, have mercy upon us.
Assurance of Grace
Rev Scott: Through the redeeming love of Christ, God has poured grace upon us. May the mercy of God transform us into bearers of love in a wounded world. AMEN.
Liturgy of the Passion from the Gospel of Mark
Reading #1 – Mark 14:1-25
Hymn of Response: “Let Us Break Bread Together” (New Century Hymnal #330)
Holy Communion
Reading #2 – Mark 14:26-15:15
Hymn of Response: “Were You There” (New Century Hymnal #229)
Scripture Reading #3 – Mark 15:16-47
The Lord’s Prayer
ALL: 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. AMEN.
Closing and Blessing
*Closing Hymn: “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross”
Benediction and Blessing
Ringing of the Church Bell
Upcoming Events & Announcements
- Thursdays – Bible Fellowship – 6pm – Hosted by Cindy and Dave Henschen and via ZOOM
- Mar. 31st – Easter Sunday
- Rolls & Fellowship hosted by Sham and Vicki Moteelall – 830am
- Easter Celebration Service – 915am
- Apr. 7th – Fellowship and Crafting – 1pm – Fellowship Hall
- Apr. 14th – Worship and Gather Team Meeting – following worship
- Apr. 20th – Feed My Starving Children all-ages service activity in Chanhassen at 930am
- Apr. 28th – Consistory Team Meeting – following worship
Fruit of the Spirit. This month’s collection will benefit Carver County Food shelves supporting those who suffer from food insecurity in Carver County.
Lenten Blessings Calendar. Collect your donations for your local food shelf each day. Calendars available at the entrance to the church.
Fellowship & Crafting! Make a custom sign with Mrs. C. on Sunday, April 7th at 1pm in Fellowship Hall. Three sign choices: Welcome, Willkommen, and Hello Spring. Cost is $35. Contact Michelle with any questions. Deadline to sign up is March 31st.
Join a Team. If you are interested in serving on our teams, there are openings: Consistory, Faith and Service, Worship and Gather. Please contact Michelle Bachmann or Pastor Scott.
Looking for a church community? If you have been led to St. John’s looking to be more than a visitor, we welcome you openly and would love an opportunity to chat. Contact Pastor Scott at 804-350-0826 or email pastorsjuccbongards@gmail.com.
The Word To Go: Find Sunday morning worship services on our YouTube channel, St. John’s UCC-Bongards. Worship will also be live-streamed on Facebook, when available.
For Pastoral Care. Please contact Pastor Scott at 804-350-0826 or email pastorsjuccbongards@gmail.com.
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St. John's United Church of Christ 
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