March 3, 2024 Liturgy

The United Methodist Committee on Relief is one of the “best things Methodists do,” according to many people around the world. UMCOR is known for its quick and effective response to natural disasters in every part of the globe. I have personally been on mission trips where UMCOR is present to help with the cleanup, planning, and recovery in the aftermath of hurricanes and floods. I have seen first-hand the dedication, training, and recovery work that is possible.

When the Marshall Fire struck 1000 homes and 6000 acres in northern Colorado in December 2021, UMCOR provided immediate emergency assistance and continued restoration funding in the following year. Because UMCOR is one of the most tangible ways we, as United Methodists, live out our faith in the world, we at St. Paul's UMC have decided that 100% of our March Mission AND Easter Offering will support this incredible and essential work.

Just as the message of Easter is about restoring life after death, the work done through UMCOR helps restore people's lives after tragedy has struck. I encourage you to give generously this month to aid in the work of restoration and resurrection - here in Colorado and worldwide.

~Missions Committee

Each communion Sunday thereafter we will have a basket for those who feel called to give above and beyond their pledge. This "second-mile" giving will help fund the pastor's discretionary fund, which helps meet community needs as they arise, such as gas, lodging, clothing, etc. Feel free to bring your spare cash and change to help make a change in the lives of those in need.

14th @ 6:00 pm Finance Committee
19th @ 6:00 pm Church Council
21st @ 1:00 pm Worship Committee &  @ 6:00 pm Trustee Committee
24th @ 10:30 am Palm Sunday Brunch
28th @  5:30 pm Maundy Thursday
29th @ 7:30 pm Good Friday Service
31st @ 9:30 am Easter Service, Cantata, Egg Hunt, Easter Fair

Prelude
Stephanie Shorden
 
Welcome
Rev. David Petty
 
Threshold Moment
Rev. David Petty
 
Leader:
As we continue our look at what it means to release oppressive expectations about perfection in our lives and in our faith, this week we turn to a harmful idea that the prescription for our fear of failure is to simply work harder. As the book Good Enough reminds us, “We might feel we are climbing an ‘endless staircase’ of achievement, for high grades or success…[in] caregiving, work, or social pressure.” This Lent, we are taking some time to stop climbing ladders and staircases, to tend our souls slowly and lovingly, tilling the soil and fertilizer, and embracing our holy, “good enough,” lives.

Threshold Song
Dominick Nors

What in our lives
do we dream
about for tomorrow,
void of sorrow?
 
Time spent regretting
decisions of our yesterdays,
mistakes we made?
 
Sometimes we get what we get,
life disappoints us and yet,
God is still here and somehow,
this faith is good enough.
[repeat]
 
Calling on God Prayer
CLM Twinkle Gordon
 
Leader: Let us pray together:

People: Holy One, Our Balm, Our Feast we lift our hands and call your name, in need of healing–thirsting and hungry. Your steadfast love is better than life. Open us this day to your nourishment in the songs of the land, in the beauty of the sky–in the simple and good enough moments that fill our days. Amen.

Opening Hymn
Hymn of Promise
UMH #707
WORDS: Natalie Sleeth, 1986
© 1986 Hope Publishing Co.
 
1. In the bulb
there is a flower;
in the seed, an apple tree;
in cocoons,
a hidden promise:
butterflies will soon be free!
 
In the cold
and snow of winter
there’s a spring
that waits to be,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.
 
2. There’s a song
in every silence,
seeking word and melody;
there’s a dawn
in every darkness,
bringing hope to you and me.
 
From the past
will come the future;
what it holds,
a mystery,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.
 
3. In the end
is our beginning;
in our time, infinity;
in our doubt
there is believing;
in our life, eternity.
 
In our death,
a resurrection;
at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.
 
The Peace
Rev. David Petty
 
Mystery Box

Honest Questions, Compassionate Response
CLM Twinkle Gordon
 
In our Gospel scripture today, we will hear about the unproductive fig tree. Oh, the shame of being unproductive! Cut it down! Make room for a more dedicated and hard-working fig tree! Who among us is living up to our fullest potential? The productivity experts these days can diagnose what’s wrong and sell us the antidote in 3 amazing sessions for a low-low price that is guaranteed to turn our lives around. But the gardener offers an alternative medicine–nurture it slowly, letting it soak in the manure all around until it can get the good stuff out of it. Lying fallow and getting fertilized with laughter and tears at the crappy stuff of life can help heal what ails us. Is this not sometimes productive enough? What productivity expectations are holding you captive? Let us take a moment of silent reflection…

Silent Reflection
 
Leader: Hear this compassionate word from Isaiah: “Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Know that already, God is offering us love enough no matter how much we attain or achieve. We are invited to release oppressive expectations of ourselves and others so that we might recognize true worth afforded to all.
And know, that despite our sometimes faltering steps, in the name of Jesus Christ, you are being forgiven, even now.

People: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. Glory to God! Amen.
 
Scripture Reading
CLM Twinkle Gordon
 
At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.
 
Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did."
 
Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, 'See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?'
 
He replied, 'Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’"

Message
Lots of Things can be Medicine
Rev. David Petty

Invitation to the Table

Leader: Christ looks upon each one with love and says,
People: “you are welcome at my table.”
Leader: Christ looks upon each one with compassion and says,
People: “whatever troubles you, bring it here.”
Leader: Christ looks upon each one with grace and says,
People: “whatever you’d like to leave behind, do it here.”
 
Leader: Will you come? Will you bring your troubles? Will you shed all that is unnecessary in your life? This is the place where you need not be perfect, you need not be sure of yourself or your faith, you need not feel whole and right with the world.
Jesus invited many to his tables and in doing so, he assured them of their place in the illogical reign of love and grace. He just wanted them to be hungry for relationship–hungry to look across a table into another’s eyes, to break open their lives, and lift a cup in the midst of the hard times and hear, “this is for all,  and so this is for you, beloved.”
 
Take Me As I Am
 
(Sung)
Take, O take me as I am;
summon out what I shall be;
set your seal upon my heart
and live in me.
 
Great Thanksgiving
 
Pastor: The Holy Living God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Lift up your hearts!
People: We lift them up to the Lord!
Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Pastor: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, anytime and everywhere to give thanks to you. You created this world full of so much beauty and sorrow and called it Good. And called it Enough.
Although we feel lost at times, you are ever present. We doubt, resist, turn away, and rage, insistent on our own power to pull us through, and yet sure that we are to blame, making life seem like a confusing paradox. But you are patient. You are here to meet us–reside with us in strange and alienating times,
always faithful, always present in this Body…in this Body. And so, together we proclaim the praise-filled truth of your glory along with all the saints:
 
(Sung)
Holy, holy, God of Hosts!
Heav’n and earth sing out your name!
Blest are they who come today;
and take their place.
 
Pastor: Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. He proclaimed freedom for the bound, justice for the oppressed, grace for the lost, love for the prodigal. Through the life and ministry of Jesus, we can imagine and live into a community where all who struggle are taken into loving arms and those who struggle to love are invited into greater compassion.
 
On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” When the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” And so, We remember…  We offer ourselves …  We proclaim God’s time…

(Sung)
Christ has died, yet Christ is ris’n;  
Christ will come once again!
We remember and proclaim
redeeming love.
 
Pastor: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and fruit of the vine. Make them be for us sustenance for our days, love for simple and ordinary lives, fuel for justice in this world. By your Spirit open us to each other. Open us to the world, making us one in you, through Christ, in the power of your amazing grace!
 
(Sung)
Take, O take me as I am;
summon out what I shall be;
set your seal upon my heart
and live in me.
 
 
Communion Hymn
Come, Share the Lord
TFWS #2269
Words & Music: Brian Jeffery Leech
© 1984, 1987 Fred Bock Music Co.

1. We gather here
in Jesus’ name,
his love is burning
in our hearts
like living flame;
 
for through the loving Son
the Father makes us one:
Come, take the bread;
come, drink the wine;
come, share the Lord.
 
2. No one is a stranger here,
everyone belongs;
finding our
forgiveness here,
we in turn
forgive all wrongs.
 
3. He joins us here,
he breaks the bread,
the Lord who
pours the cup
is risen from the dead;
 
the one we love the most
is now our gracious host:
Come, take the bread;
come, drink the wine;
come, share the Lord.
 
4. We are now a family
of which the Lord is head;
though unseen
he meets us here
in the breaking
of the bread.
 
5. We’ll gather soon
where angels sing;
we’ll see the glory
of our Lord
and coming King.
 
now we anticipate
the feast for which we wait:
Come, take the bread;
come, drink the wine;
come, share the Lord.

Prayer of the People
CLM Twinkle Gordon
 
(Sung)
Though all along
our daily pilgrim race
our treasures small and
very few may be,

our souls are blest
with God’s unending grace,
and that is enough,
enough for me.

Oh, that’s enough for me,
God’s truth
 has set me free;
the love of Christ
has sanctified my soul,
and that is enough for me.

Leader: Often our religious debates within Christianity have focused on what makes us “worthy” of salvation… is it faith alone or the work that we do to follow rules and answer God’s call? Many have wanted an easy answer, “just tell me what I have to do to enter the kin-dom of heaven!” This week we have affirmed that God’s love and grace come without price and making ourselves sick with overwork is not the answer to what ails us. And yet, God does call us to work together to alleviate the suffering of others. Why? Not so we can buy the golden ticket to eternal life, but so that all might know a heaven of help right here on earth.

(Sung)
When food and raiment
are not ever sure,
and simple fare
is hard to get for some,

we work to share our goods
with one and all,
and that is enough,
enough for me.

Oh, that’s enough for me,
God’s truth
 has set me free;
the love of Christ
has sanctified my soul,
and that is enough for me.
 
The Lord's Prayer
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
 
Lead us not
into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the Kingdom,
and the Power
and the Glory forever.
Amen

Invitation to Offering
CLM Twinkle Gordon

Offertory
Elijah Rock
Exalt!

Prayer of Thanksgiving
Rev. David Petty

Doxology
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
 
Praise God, from whom
all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures
here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
 
Praise God, the source
of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ,
whose power uplifts!
 
Praise the Spirit,
Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia!

A Blessing for Slowing Down

“…blessed are we who stop—okay, maybe not stop entirely, who are we kidding—but who slow down. We who discover rest and new life and renewal when we step off the treadmill (or at least turn it down). We who remember that the world keeps spinning without us. And thank God for that. We who remember we are loved, loved, loved. Just being us."

Closing Hymn
Take My Life and Let It Be
UMH #399
WORDS: Frances R. Havergal, 1873 (Rom. 12:1)

1. Take my life, and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments
and my days;
let them flow
in ceaseless praise.
 
Take my hands,
and let them move
at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet,
and let them be
swift and beautiful for Thee.
 
2. Take my voice,
and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips,
and let them be
filled with messages from Thee.
 
Take my silver
and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use
every power as
Thou shalt choose.
 
3. Take my will,
and make it Thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart,
it is Thine own;
it shall be Thy royal throne.
 
Take my love,
my Lord, I pour
at Thy feet its
treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for Thee.
 
Benediction
And now, may the God who loves all of creation, and you–without price, and Jesus, our companion along this crooked path called life, and the Holy Spirit, who loves to improvise in surprising ways, go with you, dwell among you, and give you joy. Amen.

(Sung)
God is still here and somehow, this faith is good enough.
 
Postlude
Stephanie Shorden

Aaron Ford 5th
Kathy Litton 6th
Myrna McFall 11th
David Reither 11th
ZiZi DeLaney 12th
Donna Rickett 14th
Bailey Brandt 15th
Darlene Woods 16th
Rev. Sylvia Edwards 19th
Meagan Horst 26th

Doug & Betsy Meikle
March 8, 1997
26 Years

Deborah & Travis DeLaney
March 23


Susan & Barry Rizk
March 31, 2021
3 Years