Bulletin – Sunday, March 1, 2026 – Second Sunday in Lent

Sunday, March 1, 2026
Second Sunday in Lent

We Gather as People of Faith

Welcome

Tennebrae 2

One:   On Sunday morning, for a brief space of time, we leave behind the world of home and work and school. The world where we have our lists of things to do, activities to participate in, tasks to complete. We come here this morning seeking something else. We come here seeking a shift from the ordinary to the sacred—from doing to being. Together in this sacred space, we can let go of the busyness of our minds and lives. Attune ourselves to the spirit of God amongst us and within us. Listen to the words Jesus spoke, and the steps he took on his way to Jerusalem and the cross. Knowing that the cross is not the final word in God’s world of redemption and hope. Listen to where God is calling you and what God is calling you to do and be here and in the world.

(Silent Time)

One:   As we extinguish this light, we acknowledge the darkness and pain of injustice to the Earth and its ecosystems.

(A candle is extinguished)

One:   Let us pray:
All:      Loving God, as we journey through this holy season of Lent, May we be open our hearts and minds to your presence. Give us the strength to make the changes that are needed in our lives and the courage to take on the work of transforming the world. Amen

Minute Person

Announcements

Call to Worship

One:   You call us, O God, to be your people. Again and again you invite us to journey with Jesus.
All:      We come to worship today that we might be with you.

One:   Open our ears to hear your Word.
All:      Open our eyes to see your presence.

One:   Open our minds to your truth.
All:      Open our hearts to your justice.

One:   Open our lives to your life.
All:      For we have come in Jesus’ name.

Please join in the singing of the hymn – “Breathe on me, Breath of God” (VU #382)

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what thou dost love,
And do what thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until my will is one thine,
To do and to endure.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Till I am wholly thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with the fire divine.

Breathe on me, breath of God;
So shall I never die,
But live with thee the perfect life
Of thine eternity.

Prayer of Approach and Confession

Holy God, we come before you as your people. We come seeking your wisdom and care. We come seeking your grace and mercy. Be with us today.

Bless us with your presence to comfort us. Bless us with your forgiveness to redeem us. Bless us with your love to inspire us. Be with us as we seek to be your people. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Hear the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God’s love for us never ends. Even when we have turned away from God, God never turns away from us. We are God’s people and we are deeply loved. Thanks be to God!

Sung Response – “How Deep the Peace” (More Voices #95)

How deep the peace, the confidence, of those whose wrongs are forgiven.
How deep the peace, the confidence, of those whose hearts are healed.

A Story for All

Invitation to the Passing of the Peace

Please offer one another the peace of Christ in a way that you feel comfortable and respects others’ space.

We Hear God’s Word

Scripture Readings

The first scripture reading is from the book of Psalm 121

¹ I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? ² My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. ³ He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; ⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; ⁶ the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

⁷ The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; ⁸ the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

The second reading is from the Gospel of John 3:1-17

¹ Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. ² He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

³ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

⁴ “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. ⁶ Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. ⁷ You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

⁹ “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

¹⁰ “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? ¹¹ Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. ¹² I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? ¹³ No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. ¹⁴ Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

May God speak to us through these readings of scripture.
Thanks be to God!

Please join in the singing of the hymn – “Unto the Hills” (VU #842)

Unto the hills around do I lift up my longing eyes;
O whence for me shall my salvation come, from whence arise?
From God the Lord doth come my certain aid,
From God the Lord who heaven and earth hath made.

God will not suffer that thy foot be moved, safe shalt thou be.
No careless slumber shall those eyelids close to who keepeth thee.
The One who sleepeth not, who slumbereth ne’er,
Shall guard thee, Israel, with most holy care.

Jehovah is indeed they keeper true, thy changeless shade;
Jehovah thy defense on thy right hand, thine own true aid.
And thee no sun by day shall ever smile;
No moon shall harm thee in the silent night.

From every evil shall God keep thy soul, from every sin.
Jehovah shall preserve thy going out, thy coming in.
Above thee watching, God whom we adore
Shall keep thee henceforth, yea for evermore.

Sermon – “Again and again”

Anthem – “A Place in the Valley”

There’s a place in the valley beside a cool and flowing stream,
Where the trees reach up to heaven and the ground is soft and green.
All the world is calm and peaceful, there’s a stillness in the air;
And I know that in the silence, God is listening, listening to my prayer.

When I’m there in the valley beneath the sky so clear and blue,
I can see creation’s glory. All the earth seems fresh and new.
Nature’s song is all around me, blending peace and harmony;
And I know that in the music, God is calling, calling out to me.

I will lift my eyes up to the mountains, for I know my help will come from the Lord.
I will find all the strength and the comfort that I need and God’s grace will be my reward.

Let us go to the valley where golden sun breaks through the trees,
And God’s love is all around us like a warm and gentle breeze.
Let us share this awesome wonder and rejoice in each new day.
For we know that every moment, God is showing, showing us the way.

I will lift my eyes up to the mountains, for I know my help will come from the Lord.
I will find all the strength and the comfort that I need and God’s grace will be my reward.
And God’s grace will be my reward, my reward.

We Respond to God’s Word

Invitation to Share

Offering Sung Response – “These Lenten Gifts We Bring”

These Lenten gifts we bring,
Our living faith expressed,
We offer them, most lovingly,
And thus our hearts are blessed.

O loving God receive
These gifts we gladly give,
That show our faith and hope and trust;
Your way we seek to live.

Offering Prayer

Prayers of the People

The Prayer that Jesus Taught

One:   Please join me in praying the prayer Jesus taught us to pray: Our Creator who is like…
All:      Our Mother and 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 trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

We Go Into God’s World

Please join in the singing of the hymn – “Nicodemus Sought Out Jesus”

Nicodemus sought out Jesus at a lonely, quiet hour.
He said, “Teacher, God is with you! For in you we see God’s power.”
Jesus turned and gave an answer filled with challenge and with love:
“You can never see God’s kingdom till you’re born from heav’n above.”

“Born again!” said Nicodemus. “Is that something one can do?”
Jesus said, “Don’t be surprised now that you must be born anew.
And it’s not by your own doing; wind and Spirit will blow free!
They are not for your controlling; trust in God for what will be.”

God, your Spirit still surprises like an ever-changing wind,
Bringing life and love and justice where despair and death have been.
May we see your Spirit working as a gift from heav’n above.
Blest, may we then be a blessing to this world that you so love.

Commissioning

You are the hands and feet of Christ in the world, Again and again you are called to journey with Jesus, Again and again you are called to live love and share good news.

Benediction

Go forth in the name of God who creates us, The Christ who redeems us, And the Holy Spirt who sustains us.

Go in peace always. Amen.

Sung Response – “May the Christ Who Walks on Wounded Feet”

May the Christ who walks on wounded feet
Travel with you all your journey through.
May you see Christ’s face in all you meet
And may all you meet see Christ’s face in you.