Liturgy: (the work of the people) Sunday, March 29, 2015 (Palm

Liturgy: (the work of the people) The people of Genesis gather together on Sundays to worship God, to remember the story of God, and to find our place within in it again (because we forget it so often). We gather to join God’s work of cultivating new beginnings in all of us, everywhere. After our gathering, if you are in need of prayer for anything, please come to the stage area and we will pray for you. Rest easy today. God is for you. A Word About Kids at Genesis: We love kids. We love the way they move around, and we welcome the extra noise they make. Kids ages 7 and up (and any age that wants to) worship with us in the theater. Parents & grandparents: read through the liturgy with them (they’ll learn by watching you). Encourage them to shout out their answers when questions are thrown out. Help them participate in the Eucharist. Kids help us to see and know God, so let’s be grateful for the joyful noise they make! …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Sunday, March 29, 2015 (Palm Sunday) The Season of Lent: Lent is the forty-­‐day journey that begins on Ash Wednesday (February 18) and ends on Good Friday (April 3). On Ash Wednesday, we received the sign of the cross on our foreheads in ashes, reminding us that we are finite beings and sinful persons, destined to die. Lent is the journey of turning from sin and turning towards God, who redeems and restores us. During Lent, some of us choose to fast, letting something die so something new can be born in us. Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow Praise Him all creatures here below Praise him above ye heavenly hosts Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost. Amen. The Call to Worship: (fixing our minds and hearts on God as we begin)
Reader: You placed the first humans in the Garden and endowed them with responsibility over creation. You freed your people from slavery in Egypt and brought them through the sea. You made a covenant with them at the mountain and gave them your commandments. And you led your Son into the desert to be tempted and he proved faithful. All: You are the Lord our God, you alone. Reader: We are children of Adam and Eve, vulnerable to the wiles of the tempter; we are like the people of Israel, prone to forget your commandments; we are faltering disciples of your Son Jesus, inclined to avoid the cost. O Lord Jesus, have mercy on us. All: You are the Lord our God, you alone. Reader: Lord God, strengthen us this day through the example of your Son who was tempted in every way but did not succumb, who was severely tested but did not falter. All: You are the Lord our God, you alone. Amen.
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Worship: (our response to God, for all God is and all God has done)
Be of Good Faith Better dressed than any girl on her wedding day So why should I worry? Why do I freak out? God knows what I need You know what I need Chorus: Your love is, Your love is Your love is strong Verse 3: The Kingdom of the Heavens is now advancing Invade my heart, invade this broken town The Kingdom of the Heavens is buried treasure Would you lose yourself to buy the one you've found? Two things You told me: That You are strong, and You love me Yes, You love me Bridge: Our God in Heaven Hallowed be Thy name above all names Your kingdom come Your will be done On earth as it is in Heaven Give us today our daily bread Forgive us weary sinners Keep us far from our vices And deliver us from these prisons Verse 1: Be of good faith, all you children For we go from strength to strength For we go from glory to glory, Be of good faith Verse 2: Don't be afraid for For He will light the path up ahead For He will guide you, Don't be afraid, don't be afraid Chorus: He will guide all who believe, Comfort those who weep In him is redemption, He will restore your soul He will Heal your broken wings, He will restore your soul In Him is redemption, He will restore your soul © 2014 by Sisterbrother, Suzanna Espamer UBP CCLI #11176412 Your Love is Strong Verse 1: Heavenly Father, You always amaze me Let Your kingdom come in my world and in my life Give me the food I need to live through today And forgive me as I forgive the people that wrong me Lead me far from temptation Deliver me from the evil one Verse 2: I look out the window, the birds are composing Not a note is out of tune or out of place I walk to the meadow and stare at the flowers W&M by Jon Foreman, © 2008 by Rubadub Publishing, UBP, CCLI##11176412 Announcements & Offering: (sharing our lives and resources together) You may place your gift in the offering bag as it goes by, or you may visit www.genesiscov.org and give online. Please make checks out to Genesis Covenant Church. Thank you for your generosity! 1. Easter Services: 9am & 10:45am at Sabes. Please RSVP at www.genesiscov.org 2. Good Friday -­‐ Genesis & CPC Collaboration: Genesis and Christ Presbyterian Church welcome you to a beautiful night of worship. Services at CPC in Edina, 5:30pm (geared for families) & 7:30pm (a little more intense). 3. Team World Vision. So far, 8 people from Genesis have decided to run the Twin Cities Marathon on October 4th to raise money for clean water for kids in Africa. Will you join us? Listen to last week’s sermon and consider running the half marathon (August 1) or full marathon (Oct 4). Visit our Genesis Team Page: http://bit.ly/1CsZGOm Scripture Reading (the ongoing story of God’s extravagant love for the world) Mark 11:1-­‐11 (ESV) 4 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” 4 And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in 2
the street, and they untied it. 5 And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 8 And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. 9 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” 11 And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. Reader: The Word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God. Sermon: (Proclaiming God’s Story to God’s people) Mark 11:1-­‐11 (ESV). We follow the Revised Common Lectionary for our readings & sermons. We are currently in Year B. You may follow it by visiting: http://tinyurl.com/nlelpsg. Silence & Prayers of Response: (Responding to God’s activity in our lives) Silence. Reader: Holy God, let Your favor shine on us now, because we desperately need Your help. All: You are with us in the darkness of our fears, to give us rest in Your sacred presence. Reader: Encouraging God, shine the light of your mercy on us to ease the weight of our burdens. All: You are with us now in the turmoil of our emotions to give us peace in Your gentle presence. Reader: Responding God, shine the light of your grace on us now to empower us to withstand the threats of isolation and suffering, so that we can say: “...I am trusting you, O Lord...” All: You are with us now in the temptations that beset us, and strengthen us in newness of life and purpose. May You receive all the glory for the life we now live. Amen. Eucharist: (the great thanksgiving) Reader: The Lord be with you. All: And also with you. Reader: Lift up your hearts All: We lift them up to the Lord.
Reader: This is the table, not of the church, but of the Lord. It is made ready for those who love God and for those who want to love God more. So come, you who have much faith and you who have little; you who have been here often and you who have not been here long; you who have tried to follow and you who have failed. Come, because it is the Lord who invites you. It is God’s will that those who want God should meet God here.
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Hosanna Oceans I see the king of glory coming down the clouds with fire The whole earth shakes, the whole earth shakes I see his love and mercy washing over all our sin The people sing, the people sing Hosanna, hosanna Hosanna in the highest I see a generation rising up to take the place With selfless faith, with selfless faith I see a new revival staring as we pray and seek We're on our knees, we're on our knees Heal my heart and make it clean Open up my eyes to the things unseen Show me how to love like you have loved me Break my heart for what is yours Everything I am for your kingdom's cause As I walk from earth into eternity Verse 1: You call me out upon the waters The great unknown where feet may fail And there I find You in the mystery In oceans deep My faith will stand Chorus: I will call upon Your name Keep my eyes above the waves When oceans rise My soul will rest in Your embrace For I am Yours and You are mine Verse 2: Your grace abounds in deepest waters Your sovereign hand Will be my guide Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me You've never failed and You won't start now Bridge: Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders Let me walk upon the waters Wherever You would call me Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander And my faith will be made stronger In the presence of my Savior Words and music by Joel Houston, Matt Crocker and Salomon Ligthelm. Copyright © 2009 OCP. (Admin. By EMI Christian Music Publishing). CCLI #111167412 You are Good Verse 1: For as long as we have lived For as long as we have known Love has carried us All creation breathes your name Every moment, called back to life Love has carried us Pre-­‐Chorus: Ever patient, Ever kind, You’re all we need Chorus: You are good, you are faithful you never change, You never change, we believe You are good, you are faithful you never change, You never change Bridge: Always giving, always teaching, always guiding, Heart still breaking Copyright © 2012 Hillsong Music Publishing. (Admin. By EMI Christian Music Publishing). CCLI #111167412 W&M by Steve and Heidi Haines, UBP, CCLI##11176412 Benediction: (the sending out) May we see our King coming, and announce redemption to those who have discovered their fallenness, healing to those who have discovered their brokenness, and love to those who know only exploitation, fear, and suspicion. 4
Next Sunday: Genesis follows the Revised Common Lectionary as a way to remain rooted in the story of God together. We invite you to take five minutes a day to read the following Scriptures. As you read, be open to God’s invitations to you, big or small. Lectionary Readings for next Sunday: Acts 10:34-­‐43; Psalm 118:1-­‐2, 14-­‐24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-­‐11; John 20:1-­‐18 Prayer: At Genesis we are committed to be in it together...the good and the bad. Please come to the front of the stage if you need prayer for anything immediately. Or, feel free to write it in the space below, tear it off, and give it to one of the people wearing a Genesis lanyard, or place it in the prayer basket by the coffee in the lobby. You may also email your prayer request to [email protected]. Our prayer team loves to pray. Also -­‐ feel free to share any new beginnings that God is calling you to these days. We’d love to cheer you on and help in any way we can. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… In it Together: In this exciting time of growth and new beginnings at Genesis, we invite everyone who calls Genesis home to engage in a more intentional way. Please fill out the information below for each member of your household, and drop it off at the Genesis info desk in the lobby. You may also email this information to [email protected]. We’ll be in touch this week. Thank you! Name & Birthday (include year): Email(s): Phone number(s): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 5
Who we are: Ordinary apprentices of Jesus who are learning to love God, ourselves, and others wholeheartedly. What we dream of doing: Joining God’s work of cultivating new beginnings in all of us, everywhere. What we value: Simplicity, conversation, rhythms, attentiveness, restoration, ordinariness, delight. Staff: Catie Schlenk, Administrator: [email protected] Mel Olson, Director of Families: [email protected] Steve Haines, Associate Pastor: [email protected] Steve Wiens, Senior Pastor: [email protected] www.genesiscov.org | Facebook: GenesisCovenant | Twitter: @genesiscov | Phone: 612-­‐460-­‐8560 Mailing Address: Genesis Covenant Church PO Box 1594 Maple Grove, MN 55311 Genesis Covenant Church meets at Sabes Jewish Community Center, 4330 Cedar Lake Road South in St. Louis Park at 10:30am on Sundays. We are a part of the Evangelical Covenant Church -­‐ www.covchurch.org. 6