WEEKLY BULLETIN 

 SALT SPRING ISLAND UNITED CHURCH

March 21, 2010 (C)

Theme: 5th in Lent, Celtic Worship

Lector: Tom Mitchell

Lenten Candle: Arlene Dashwood

*Denotes places in the service where the congregation is invited to stand, if able.

GATHERING

Time for Prayer and Meditation (Yvonne Gibbon, Harp)

Candle Lighting

Welcome, Introductions, Announcements

Sharing the Peace of Christ

Gathering Prayer: (in unison)
    Creator of every morning, we rise each day from dreaming and sleeping to know once again the wonder of living. Surrounding us always with love, you offer each of us the sureness of your Presence. Fill us again, today. As we may need it, pour on us your blessings of calmness, courage, rest, renewal, inspiration, wisdom, consolation, direction, new freedom and possibilities. May we be ready this day and every day, to know you, love you, and see your Spirit in each other's eyes.

*Hymn: Morning Has Broken #409 (V.U.)

Prayer for Grace: (in unison)
    Spirit of kindness, in the glory of earth and sea and stars, in the kaleidoscope of colour and shade and shapeliness, in the patterns of humour and tenderness and touch, we celebrate your generosity. Forgive us when we forget the gift in our every breath, the care that sustains our every moment, the grace that can transform our every day. Set us free from the prison of grudging hearts, mean desires, resentful spirits. Give us the courage to act with justice and generosity, and draw us into love that does not calculate or keep scores.                              (The Pattern of Our Days - ed. Kathy Galloway)

A Time of Silent Prayer

Assurance of Grace

*Hymn: Let All Things Now Living #242 (V.U.)

Celtic Story: (Oona McOuat, Storytelling and Harp)

THE WORD

Hebrew Scripture: Isaiah 43:16-21
Reader: This is the witness of the Hebrew people.
All:        May we be guided by their wisdom.

Responsive Psalm: #84, p. 800 (V.U.)

Gospel Reading: Mark 14:3-10
Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
All:        May the Spirit enable us to grow in love.

Anthem: Home and the Heartland                         - Bill Whelan

Sermon: "Anointing With Love"                                                          

*Hymn: Be Thou My Vision #642 (V.U.) verses 1, 2, 4 & 5

Offertory: Over the Sea to Skye and Si Beag Si Mor (Oona McOuat, Harp and Christy Cook, Dulcimer)          - Irish Trad.

*Sung Response: #79 (M.V.)
Spirit, open my heart to the joy and pain of living.
As you love may I love, in receiving and in giving,
Spirit, open my heart.

*Dedication

Prayers of the People

Prayer of St. Patrick's Breastplate:
    God to surround us, God to enfold us,
    God in my speaking, God in my thinking.
    God in my day, God in my night,
    God in my sun, God in my song.
    God in my life, God in my lips,
    God in my soul, God in my heart.
    God in my sleeping, God in my waking,
    God in my watching, God in my hoping.
    God in my loving, God in my parting,
    God in my everliving soul. God in my eternity.

GOING FORTH

Lenten Candle Extinguishing

*Hymn: I Feel the Winds of God #625 (V.U.)

*Commissioning and Benediction

Irish Blessing                                                               - Irish Trad.

Postlude: MacPherson's Farewell                        - Scottish Trad.

Next Week's Lectionary Readings

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29                Luke 129:28-40

STEWARDSHIP SECOND

Mission is all around us.