The Prelude

Words of Thanksgiving for Reflection

With joyous thanksgiving, we offer ourselves and our substance to honor you, our Creator. In consideration of the poor, both those who lack basic necessities and all who are spiritually destitute, we dedicate this offering of worship. We want to be responsible stewards of all the resources gathered by our church and of all the bounty you have entrusted to us individually. Show us the way, gracious God. Amen.

The Welcome, News and Announcements

The Introit

The Call to Worship

Barbara Melvin
One: In the rich Spirit of God, welcome. Grace and peace be yours.
All: As we continue our Lenten journey into the heart of our faith, we turn toward the cross-
One: And the mystery that from death comes new life.
All: And this is the journey for us, to die and rise with Christ.
One: So, may we die to fear and rise to love. May we die to defensiveness and rise to new openness.
All: May we die to judgments and rise to compassion. May we die to pettiness and rise to generosity.
One: May we die to punitiveness and rise to gentleness. May we die to normalcy and rise to passion.
All: May we die to cynicism and rise to hope. May we die to self-absorption and rise to a sense of purpose.
One: May the life of Christ take root in us. May it grow us into the people of God.
All: We worship God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Confession of Sin

In humility and faith let us confess our sin to God. (1 John 1:9)

All: You offer us wonderful gifts, which come in many forms, and, by your Spirit, makes for change that doesn’t yet exist. We resist giving it a name. We find ourselves stuck in our fears. Help us to lean forward and take a step in faith. Amen.

The Silent Prayers of Confession

The Assurance of Pardon

Friends, hear and believe the Good News! Everyone who calls on the name of Jesus Christ will be saved.

The Peace of Christ

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. To this peace we were called as members of a single body. The peace of Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.

Hymn “Go Down Moses”
Hymn “Go Down Moses”

Go down Moses
Way down in Egypt land
Tell old Pharaoh –
Let my people go

When Israel was in Egypt land
Let my people go

Oppressed so hard they could not stand
Let my people go

So God sayeth: “Go down, Moses
Way down in Egypt land
Tell all Pharaohs to
Let my people go”

So Moses went to Egypt land
Let my people go

He made all Pharaohs understand
Let my people go
Yes, the Lord said, “Go down, Moses”

The Epistle Reading

Romans 15:1-6
5 We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. 3 For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6 so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. NRSV

The New Testament Lesson

Mark 1:40-45
40 A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, 44 saying to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45 But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.

Hymn #156 “Sing of God Made Manifest”

Sing of God made manifest
in a child robust and blest,
to whose home in Bethlehem
where a star had guided them
magi came and gifts unbound,
signs mysterious and profound:
myrrh and frankincense and gold
grave and God and king foretold.

Sing of God made manifest
when at Jordan John confessed,
“I should be baptized by you,
but your bidding I will do.”
Then from heaven a double sign–
dove-like Spirit, voice divine–
hailed the true Anointed One:
“This is my beloved Son.”

Sing of God made manifest
when Christ came as wedding-guest
and at Cana gave a sign,
turning water into wine;
further still was love revealed
as he taught, forgave, and healed,
bringing light and life to all
who would listen to God’s call.

Sing of God made manifest
on the cloud-capped mountain’s crest,
where the Law and Prophets waned
so that Christ alone remained:
glimpse of glory, pledge of grace,
given as Jesus set his face
towards the waiting cross and grave,
sign of hope that God would save.

We Proclaim God’s Word

Prayer of Illumination

The Sermon “Is Cleanliness Really Next to Godliness?”

Music for Meditation

We Respond to God’s Word

The Call to the Offertory

Companion of my growth, many are the turns and tumbles of my ever-changing life. As I find my way on the journey of spiritual transformation, I hope that your abiding presence will guide and guard me. I open the door of my heart to you. I open the door. Amen

The Offertory “Prayer” by H. Leslie Adams Geoff Peterson

Companion of my growth, many are the turns and tumbles of my ever-changing life. As I find my way on the journey of spiritual transformation, I hope that your abiding presence will guide and guard me. I open the door of my heart to you. I open the door. Amen

The Doxology Hymn #606

The Unison Prayer of Dedication

With joyous thanksgiving, we offer ourselves and our substance to honor you, our Creator. In consideration of the poor, both those who lack basic necessities and all who are spiritually destitute, we dedicate this offering. We want to be responsible stewards of all the resources gathered by our church and of all the bounty you have entrusted to us individually. Show us the way, gracious God. Amen.

The Joys and Concerns

The Silent, Intercessory and the Lord’s Prayer

…Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your 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

We Go Forth in God’s Name

The Charge and Benediction

The end of all things is near; therefore, be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

The Sending Hymn “Go Now in Peace”

Go now in peace. Never be afraid.
God will go with you each hour of every day.
Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true.
Know He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others so all the world can see.
God will be there watching from above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.

The Postlude

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Leaders for today’s Service of Worship

Many thanks to our soloist, Geoff Peterson, Liturgist, Barbara Melvin, who is also our new Treasurer.
Thanks also do our tech team, Videographer, Stephen Little, Audiographer- Larry Beckwith, Recorder, Joe Pepper, Zoom Co-host, Marvin Pritts, Webmaster, Kristin Parry, and Projectionist – Rylan Erickson.

Attributions

Call to Worship reprinted from Breathing New Life into Lent by Pritchard, McKinstry & Powers; Offertory Call reprinted from Open Door, by Joyce Rupp; Thanksgiving Prayer for Reflection reprinted from Led By Love by Lavon Bayler. The hymns for today are from our hymnal “Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal.” And from “Worship and Rejoice,” Hope Publishing Company, 2001.

Do You Have Ideas You Would Like to Share with the Session? Comment cards are in the pews. Please fill them out and place in the offering box. One convenient way to get in touch with any Session member is to go to your e-news and click on the hyperlinked email address.

Helpful Information:
• Need a hearing device for Worship? – You can get one at the rear of the Sanctuary at the sound booth
• Prayer Requests and announcements for the Bulletin/FPCU Family News should be sent to Administrative Assistant Kristin Parry at FPCUlysses@gmail.com
• Reservations for the Chapel should be made through Kristin Parry at 315-283-3137 or FPCUlysses@gmail.com

• Contact Information changes should be sent to Clerk of Session Kris Alling at krisalling56@gmail.com
Helpful Information (Continued)
• Birthday Calendar Updates should be sent to Linda Andrew at lka@ottcmail.com
• To sign up to be a liturgist, usher, or greeter, please see the sign-up sheets in the Chapel.

Kristin Parry, Administrative Assistant
Joseph Pepper, Music Director and Keyboardist
The Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Russell, Interim Pastor

69 East Main Street, P.O. Box 597, Trumansburg, NY 14886
Web Address: http://www.fpcu.info
Email Address: FPCUlysses@gmail.com
Telephone: 607-387-8185