EBENSBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
200 North Center Street, P.O. Box 327
Ebensburg, Pennsylvania 15931
“ Ebensburg Presbyterians are Christians giving help and hope to all by sharing God’s love. ”

Ministers: Each Member

Preaching:  Rev. James Farrer

Organist: Fremont J. McKenrick

March 7, 2010 11:00 A.M.

GOD PREPARES US FOR A NEW ERA

WELCOME & OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICEBulletin Cover
PRAYER OF ADORATION
MUSIC TO PREPARE US 
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP
THE CALL TO WORSHIP:
Leader:  We are reluctant to journey with Jesus during these next 40 days. He offers a narrow way.
People:  We often prefer to follow the ways of the world.
Leader:  Jesus listened to the Holy Spirit.
People:  We can’t stand the silence.
Leader:  He fasted 40 days.
People:  We hunger after 4 hours.
All:      God of Creation and Compassion: we know you are the way, the truth and the life.  Lead us gently as we walk with you.
*HYMN OF PRAISE: “Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty”              #  489

*UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
Most High God, You undergird us in so many ways.  You have knit us together with Jesus and his followers.  We often fail to stand with them in upright living.  We long for the peace of solitude, You call us to be brave peacemakers in the conflicts of society.  Forgive our sin. Energize us to run the race faithfully, until we serve You in glory, with the saints from all the ages.  (Silent personal prayer)
WE AWAIT GOD’S COMFORT AND CHALLENGE

*PRAYER FOR ALERTNESS

*ASSURANCE OF GOD’S PARDON:  (Romans 8:31)
   Leader: Hear the words of the Apostle Paul:  “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

*PASSING OF THE PEACE:
  Leader:  The Peace of Christ be with you.
  People:  and also with you.

CHOIR’S MESSAGE

TIME WITH YOUNG CHRISTIANS

READING from the Gospel according to John 1:46

MESSAGE:   “Redneck Lent”                                  Jim Farrer
WE RESPOND WITH COMMITTED LIVES

RESPONSE from ROMANS 1:16-17
  Leader:  I am not ashamed of the Gospel.
  People:  I am not ashamed of the Gospel.
  Leader:  It is the power of God for salvation.
  People: To everyone who has trust in God’s work.
  Leader:  To the Jew, first.
  People: Also to the gentiles, the outsiders, those who hunger for God’s love and justice.
  All:        I am not ashamed of the Gospel.
 
*HYMN:    “Behold the Goodness of Our Lord”                                  #241

WE PRAY for OTHERS, OURSELVES 
LORD’S PRAYER         (debts)
WE RESPOND BY GIVING

We Offer Our Talents, Money and Self to God
    Musical Gift
   *Presentation of Our Offerings:     
   * “A Doxology”                                          # 592
   *Prayer of Thanksgiving

*HYMN: “Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days”        #  81

*CHARGE TO CONGREGATION:
Leader:  Leave stress at the door.
People: We’ll rest in God’s presence.
Leader:  Turn away from selfishness.
People: We’ll leave envy behind.
Leader:  Open up to grace.
People: We’ll let go of control.
Leader:  Walk with the Lord.

*WE RECEIVE GOD’S BLESSING
*CHORAL BENEDICTION
*POSTLUDE
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*Those who are able, please stand.
Assisting in Worship
Dan Orr

Ushers/Greeters
Sheila Farrer & Amy Brulia

Nursery Attendant
Laurel Lyons

Birthdays
Pat Magley on Thursday, March 11th
Jim Estep on Saturday, March 13th

Prayer Person – Our prayer person this week is Jim Estep who has a birthday coming up.  May God’s blessings be with him in the coming weeks.

Food Pantry Donations – This year, in lieu of the bags of food that have been collected for the holidays, we will be requesting a monetary donation to send to the Ebensburg Food Pantry.  An extra envelope will be provided in the bulletin on Sunday, March 14th for your donations.  Thank you in advance for your generous donations.

Chili for Charity – will be held Sunday, March 14th at the First United Church of Christ.  To enter, or for more information, please see the poster on the bulletin board or call Andrea at 244-6184.

Give the Gift of Life – Please consider donating blood Thursday, March 18th at the Department of Environmental Protection 9 am to 2:30 pm, Monday March 22nd at the Lakeside Community Church of the Nazarene 12 to 6 pm or Tuesday, March 23rd at Bishop Carroll High School 9 am to 3 pm.

Funfest! – Help benefit the Dorothy Day Center at St. Francis Univ. Saturday, March 27th from 1 to 5 pm at the Auxiliary Gym in the Stokes Athletic Center.  Cost is $8.  Please bring canned food, hygiene products or a monetary donation and receive 10 extra tickets at the door.  Fun for kids of all ages.  All proceeds will benefit local families with heating fuel & emergency utility assistance.

Wellness Program – sponsored by the women’s fellowship of the United Church of Christ will be held Saturday, March 27th from 7 to 10 am.  See the poster on the back bulletin board for details.

Bible Study – Please join us Wednesday mornings at 10:00 A.M.  We will be studying the book of Colossians.

Prayer List

Karen Wheeler	            Ralph Little		Jim Farrer
M.			    Our “College” Students	Juanita Farrer
M.G.			    Our Military		Jack Kinkead
Erin H.			    Doug Bernard		Carrie R.
John Robbins, Sr.	    M.C.			Beth R.

Please leave any name or initials in the offering plate or the church office.
In emergencies the prayer chain can be reached with Donna Huttenhower or Margaret McKenrick. 

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