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Central United Church of Christ, 118 W. Ashley, Jefferson City, MO 65101

First in-person church service: February 28, 2021

Reminder that we plan to return to in-person church services on Feb. 28.  Previous policies that were in effect regarding masks, temperature checks, and social distancing will once again be in effect.

FEBRUARY 21, 2021
FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS                        

PRELUDE       “Jesus, Priceless Treasure”          – Bach

OPENING HYMN   “Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days”

Lord, who throughout these forty days,

For us did fast and pray,

Teach us with Thee to mourn our sins,

And close by Thee to stay.

And through these days of penitence,

And through Thy Passiontide,

Yes, evermore, in life and death,

Jesus with us abide.

CALL TO WORSHIP

When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, he emerged from the waters…

To see the heavens splitting open and the Spirit soaring down like a dove.

When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, he stood up from the waters and heard:

“You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, he emerged from the waters…

To walk a new path and to call the world to join him.

GATHERING PRAYER

Creator and Sovereign Lord, our world and our lives are often full of threat. We return to you in this place today to be reminded that you do not abandon us to the hard realities of our lives. You are the one who saves us. You are the one who faithfully teaches us your life-giving ways. You are the one who instills courage within us to stand up from the waters of our baptism and to walk your path. Enter our hearts and lives for your powerful purposes, in the name of Jesus and the soaring Spirit. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READING

Genesis 9:8-17

Mark 1:9-15

SPECIAL MUSIC        “Standing On The Promises”          
       – Roger Hager, soloist; Gary Sanders, pianist

SERMON               Rev. Dr. Judith Scott

THE WESTMINSTER LARGER CATECHISM

The early 1600’s were times of great religious interest and strife. The “Larger” Catechism was for priests and other educated officials of the Presbyterian Church. When the Church tried to write a catechism intended to bridge the differences between the Churches of England and Scotland in 1642 – a little less than a quarter of a century after the landing at Plymouth and the subsequent first Thanksgiving – it found the attempted merger of documents intended both to teach laity in the home and to provide theological guidance for ministers and Church officials impossible, so issued two documents instead of one.

The “Larger” Catechism was intended to be both more thorough and more exact. You may remember how the Shorter Catechism begins: “What is the chief end of man? Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” The Larger Catechism also begins with God, very similarly to the Shorter, then develops, with scriptures, the discussion of God more fully, so fully that if you ever have a question, the Westminster Larger Catechism probably holds the answer, with multiple citations from Scripture. A sample:

Question 7

What is God?

God is a Spirit, in and of himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.

Question 8

Are there more Gods than one?

There is but one only, the living and true God.

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.

OFFERTORY SCRIPTURE

1 Corinthians 10:24  “Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other.”

CLOSING HYMN   “If Thou but Suffer God to Guide Thee”

If thou but suffer God to guide thee,

And hope in Him through all thy ways,

He’ll give thee strength, whate’er betide thee,

And bear thee through the evil days;

Who trusts in God’s unchanging love

Builds on the rock that naught can move.

Sing, pray, and swerve not from His ways,

But do thine own part faithfully;

Trust His rich promises of grace,
So shall they be fulfilled in thee;

God never yet forsook at need

The soul that trusted Him indeed.

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE        “Our Father Who Art in Heaven”        – Bach

 Our WORSHIP is ended…our SERVICE now begins.

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(All Hymns and Songs reprinted under CCLI)