The Wilderness Leads Home (February 28, 2021, 2nd Sunday of Lent)
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Welcome & Getting to know the Darnells
Call to Worship
(prayer by Sarah Are | A Sanctified Art LLC)
Today in worship, we will be reminded that we are called to listen. This is part of our invitation as people of faith—to not only speak, pray, and sing, but to listen.
Let us call ourselves into worship with an embodied practice.
I invite you to close your eyes.
Rest your feet on the floor beneath you.
Release any tension you are holding—
In your jaw, your neck, your shoulders, your hands, your legs, your feet.Take a deep breath in and slowly let it out.
The Hebrew word for breath (ruach) is the same word for Spirit.
So as you breathe, imagine that it is God who is filling up your lungs with energy and love.
Trust that God is as close as your very breath.Now I invite you to still your mind. Imagine your mind as a river.
Thoughts will drift into view; they always do.
However, instead of holding onto those thoughts, allow yourself to let them float by.And listen.
Listen deep.
Listen far.
Listen wide.
Listen.The sound of your breath is the sound of the Divine.
This is a holy space.
Let us worship God.
All the Poor and Powerless
All the poor and powerless
And all the lost and lonely
And all the thieves will come confess
And know that You are holy
And know that You are holy
And all will sing out
Lord have mercy
And we will cry out
Christ have mercy
And all the hearts who are content
And all who feel unworthy
And all who hurt with nothing left
Will know that You are holy
Shout it
Go on and scream it from the mountains
Go on and tell it to the masses
That He is God
Scripture: Exodus 13
“Moses said to the people, ‘Always remember this day. This is the day when you came out of Egypt from a house of slavery. God brought you out of here with a powerful hand…’
It so happened that after Pharaoh released the people, God didn’t lead them by the road through the land of the Philistines, which was the shortest route, for God thought, ‘If the people encounter war, they’ll change their minds and go back to Egypt.’ So God led the people on the wilderness road, looping around to the Red Sea…
God went ahead of them in a Pillar of Cloud during the day to guide them on the way, and at night in a Pillar of Fire to give them light; thus they could travel both day and night. The Pillar of Cloud by day and the Pillar of Fire by night never left the people.”
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
The Wilderness Leads Home
Waymaker
You are here, moving in our midst
I worship You. I worship You
You are here, working in this place
I worship You, I worship You
You are Way maker, Miracle Worker,
Promise Keeper, Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
Even when I don’t see it, You’re working
Even when I don’t feel it, You’re working
You never stop, You never stop working
Our Journey Towards a Home
Prayers of the People for a Place
Preparing for Mount Pisgah Gatherings
In Person Gatherings at Mount Pisgah Resume Next Sunday!
- Today is our final online service before we resume in-person, outdoor Sunday gatherings!
- We’ll gather each Sunday at 10:30am at Mount Pisgah’s Upper School Amphitheater (9876 Nesbit Ferry Rd).
- Plan to join us on March 7 as we continue our journey through Lent together.
- We’ll offer a live stream for all who prefer to worship from home at thepari.sh/gather.
Prepare the Way
We’re looking for volunteers each week to help set up the space at Mount Pisgah:
- Parish Hosts: 2-3 volunteers ages 10 – adult to help set up coffee, seating areas, communion and kids packs. Arrive at 9:30am. No heavy lifting required.
- AV/Tech: 1-2 volunteers to help with the live stream and sound. Arrive at 9:30am, no experience required, ages 14+ – just an interest in technology!
- Worship: Singers and musicians to help lead worship or play in the band. Arrive at 9am.
Even if you can’t volunteer in the next few weeks, if you can pitch in at any point in the season ahead, sign up now at thepari.sh/host.
Things to Know + Bring
Family Ministry:
- Parish Elementary Kids and Middle Schoolers will no longer gather online before the 10:30 service. Instead, each will be released to their own area at Mount Pisgah for tailored ministry during the sermon portion of the service. Kids packs will also be provided.
- Preschoolers will have their own customized Sensory Packs to keep their hands busy and minds engaged. Preschoolers are also welcome to join the older kids in the Parish Kids breakout time as long as they are accompanied by a parent or older sibling at least 10 years old.
- High School will gather at Mount Pisgah after the gathering concludes – roughly 11:50 – 1pm) for a discussion over lunch (we’re buying!) on 1st and 3rd Sundays. 2nd Sundays will continue to be held online.
Gathering Prudently:
- Seating at Mt. Pisgah will be marked and spaced to help create family bubbles.
- We encourage families with younger children to bring a blanket and plan to sit on the grass if the ground is dry.
- We’ll ask you to wear a mask when arriving and leaving, and when talking within 6 feet of others.
- In the event of bad weather, we’ll pivot to a special online “Rainy Day” contemplative gathering. Be sure you’re on the text list to receive those announcements – join by texting Parish to 31996.
The Cross of Christ
All our Problems,
We send to the cross of Christ.
All our difficulties,
We send to the cross of Christ.
The trials of the desert,
We send to the cross of Christ.
All the devil’s works,
We send to the cross of Christ.
Blessing & Sending
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
