FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BROOKINGS, SOUTH DAKOTA
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                                                          SUNDAY ORDER OF WORSHIP
                                                                 First Sunday in Lent
                                                                          2-21-2021
 
 
WELCOME                                                                                       
 
MINUTE FOR MISSION                                                                
 
CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                     
We have entered the season of Lent, a time to examine our hearts and our lives
          and journey with Christ through the suffering of the world.
Let us lift up our souls to our merciful God
          and humble ourselves in God’s service.
God has marked us as beloved
          and called us together to worship.
 
 
PRAYER OF THE DAY                                                                 
Almighty God, your Son fasted forty days in the wilderness, and was tempted as we are but did not sin.  Give us grace to direct our lives in obedience to your Spirit, that as you  know our weakness, so we may know your power to save; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
 
 
HYMN  “God of the Sparrow”
 
     God of the sparrow, God of the whale,
     God of the swirling stars
     How does the creature say Awe?
     How does the creature say Praise?
 
     God of the earthquake, God of the storm,
     God of the trumpet blast
     How does the creature cry Woe?
     How does the creature cry Save?
 
     God of the rainbow, God of the cross,
     God of the empty grave
     How does the creature say Grace?
     How does the creature say Thanks?
 
     God of the hungry, God of the sick,
     God of the prodigal
     How does the creature say Care?
     How does the creature say Life?
 
     God of the neighbor, God of the foe,
     God of the pruning hook
     How does the creature say Love?
     How does the creature say Peace?
 
     God of the ages, God of the hand,
     God of the loving heart
     How do your children say Joy?
     How do your children say Home?
 
 
CALL TO CONFESSION                                                              
In the name of Christ, I urge you: Be reconciled to God.
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
 
 PRAYER OF CONFESSION
In the season of Lent, O God, we say lofty words about renewing our spiritual disciplines, journeying with you to the cross, or denying ourselves material wants for the good of the soul.  Forgive us, O God, if our actions are in vain; if we are concerned with the good of the soul rather than the good of your people; if we have twisted this season of penitence into a reason for praise or judgment; if we are so preoccupied with the sins of the world that we cannot recognize and confess the sins of our own lives.  Forgive us, O God, and wash us in your mercy.  Forgive us, O God, and free us to try again.
                                                                           (Silent reflection)
  
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
Listen, the time has come at last. 
Look, now is the day of salvation!
          Thanks be to God.
 
 
GLORIA  PATRI (please stand)  
         Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
         As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
         World without end. Amen, Amen.
 
 
LENTEN CANDLES
In this season of Lent we reflect on our journey of faith with Christ, remembering God’s covenant and the sign of the rainbow.  God will never again destroy the earth by flood, and water, once a way of destruction, is now a way to new life through baptism.
 
We extinguish this candle on the first Sunday of Lent, remembering God’s faithfulness through the sign of his covenant.   
 
Prayer: As the days lengthen and the rivers fill with spring waters, dear God, may we be filled with your love.  Let wellsprings of living water spring up in us.  In the name of Christ, with whom we journey towards the cross, we pray.  Amen.
 
 
 
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION                                                    
Gracious God, our way in the wilderness, guide us by your Word through these forty days, and minister to us with your Holy Spirit, so that we may be reformed, restored, and renewed; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
 
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
                                                    Psalm  51:5
 
 
SCRIPTURE READINGS                                                              
Genesis 9:8-17
 
8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9 “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. 11 I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13 I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”
 
Psalm 25:1-10  (read responsively)
1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust;
    do not let me be put to shame;
    do not let my enemies exult over me.
3 
Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
    let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
    teach me your paths.

5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
    for you are the God of my salvation;
    for you I wait all day long.
6 Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
    for they have been from of old.

7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
    according to your steadfast love remember me,
    for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!
8 Good and upright is the Lord;
    therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

9 He leads the humble in what is right,
    and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
    for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

 
Mark 1:9-15                                                                 
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
 
We proclaim Christ crucified—the wisdom and power of God.
          Thanks be to God.                                     (1 Corinthians 1:23-25)
  
                                 
REFLECTION:  “Showing His Love, the Rainbow Appears”      Rev. Norlita Kaul
 
           
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH                                         
The reconciling work of Jesus was the supreme crisis in the life of humankind.  His cross and resurrection become personal crisis and present hope for women and men when the gospel is proclaimed and believed.  In this experience, the Spirit brings God’s forgiveness to all, moves people to respond in faith, repentance, and obedience, and initiates the new life in Christ.
                                               Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.21
 
 
INVITATION TO OFFERING                                                
There is only one Lord and God from whom all things come and for whom we live.  Let us offer our lives to the Lord.
 
 SPECIAL MUSIC        Elizabeth Fox, flautist with Bonnie Foster, pianist     
 
 
DOXOLOGY (please stand)
     Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
     Praise Him, all creatures here below;
     Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
     Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.   Amen.
 
 
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
God of the ages past and present, you are timeless and eternal.  You offer us today the covenant relationship that you first established with Noah.  May we openly receive your powerful and timeless love.  Pour out your blessings on this offering so that people throughout the generations respond to you with a resound, “Thank you, Lord!”  Amen.
                                                                    Genesis 9:8-17   (David S. Bell)
 
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
 
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
 
 
HYMN        “Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days”
 
     Lord, who throughout these forty days
     For us didst fast and pray,
    Teach us with Thee to mourn our sins,
     And close by Thee to stay.
 
     As Thou with Satan didst contend,
     And didst the victory win,
     O give us strength in Thee to fight,
     In Thee to conquer sin.
 
     And through these days of penitence,
     And through Thy Passion-tide,
     Yea, evermore, in life and death,
     O Lord, with us abide.
 
     Abide with us, that so, this life
     Of suffering over past,
     An Easter of unending joy
     We may attain at last!

 
ANNOUNCEMENTS 
 
BENEDICTION
 
May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent, one from the other.  Amen.                                                                                                                                                 (Mizpah Benediction)
 
  
                                                                      ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICES: Worship services will be in the sanctuary and online via Zoom starting February 21st.
 
YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL will resume on Feb. 28 at 9:15 AM.
 
TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP will be meeting at Perkins at 9:30ish.
 
 THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom.
 
 
OUR TIME TO PRAY:
 -June B (Teri’s mother-in-law) and family
-Judith (Judy & Mike’s sister-in-law)
-Carrie VB
 
Continued Health Requests:
-Gene G
-Bob & Jan J
-Sharon W
-LaVonne B
-Jan B
-Bev (Teri B’s mother)
-Harry (Bonnie S.’s father)
-Rocky (Judy & Mike’s nephew)
-Jack  (Lee’s father)
-Sue  (Bonnie F.’s mother)
-Kara (Richard & Dolores’ daughter)
-Ann (wife of Rev. Terry D)
-Sue (friend of Ella)
-Riley (son of Rev. Norlita’s friend)
-Bill (friend of Rev. Norlita)

This Week’s Prayer Families: Alan & Sue Young & family, David & Lucy Barkus
 
Our homebound or in care members: Barb B, Delores K, Nona M, Rose P, Cliff R, Stephen & Carrie V B, Dee W. (Please reach out and call)
 
Those who mourn:
We continue to pray for the Fishback, Kennedy N., Watson, Boy, Peterson, and Larson families
 
And for all who have lost loved ones.
 
Prayers for our sister churches First Presbyterian in Madison, SD, Pastor Mark Werner and Clerk of Session Trudi Nelson; Second Presbyterian in Flandreau, Pastor Ann Spitzenberger; our Presbytery of South Dakota; the PCUSA (leaders and staff); and our own Session, Deacons, members and friends, and Brookings United Church of Christ staff, church council, and members.  We continue to pray for Christ’s church universal and at work here in Brookings. 
 
Victims and families affected by the Coronavirus. God grant them all comfort and healing. Prayers for all hospital workers, especially doctors and nurses, and first responders across the world and their families.
 
Prayers for our nation as it moves forward during these months of transition.
                                                                  Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
 
 
                              Birthdays and Anniversaries will be celebrated the first Sunday of the month.
 HAPPY BIRTHDAY for February!
Judy S, Robin E, Betty G, Carol G, Pam L, Carol Ann G, Elizabeth F, Robert F, Bob J, and Terry S
 
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY for February!
Mike and Judy M
 
                                                              Lord, for these joys, we give thee thanks.
 
 Thanks to everyone who helped out with our worship this morning. It takes a village to raise a child the saying says. It takes a village to do worship virtually, our new saying during these days of pandemic. Stay safe and well. Pray often. Love always! Blessings for your week! 
 
Sources: Call to Worship Lectionary Aids for 2020-2021 Year A Vo.54.1 PCUSA; Copyright © 2019 David S. Bell. Reprinted with permission from www.DavidSBell.org. and from the Book of Common Worship, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville KY, 1993; pg.242
 
 
The Worship bulletin, music, and video sermon are available on our church’s website www.brookingspresbyterian.org for use at home during this time of COVID-19.
An e-mail copy of the message is available by request from the church office.
First Presbyterian Church 
405 7th Avenue
Brookings, SD 57006
605.692.2416
[email protected]
                            
​
Worship with us Sundays at 10:00 a.m.


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  • About
    • What We Believe
    • History
    • Staff
    • Job Openings
    • Resources
  • Worship
    • What to expect
    • Bulletins
    • Sermons
  • Connect
    • Newsletter
    • Adult Discipleship
    • Lay Leadership
  • Events
  • Calendar
  • Contact
  • SDSU Students
  • Pastor Reflections