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        Second Sunday of Lent

                                  03/01/2026 - 10:30 pm                          

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CENTERING MUSIC            “Spartacus Theme”                                     Alex North

MOMENT OF HOPE

CALL TO WORSHIP AND PRAYER CONFESSING OUR NEED FOR GOD’S GRACE

PROTESTANT STATIONS OF THE CROSS – STATION TWO

One: As we look at the second Station of the Cross, we witness Jesus carrying his own cross and we call to Jesus for mercy and grace:

People: Jesus, I cringe at the pain of the thorns.  But I am wounded far more deeply at the humiliation and degradation you suffer, that the very thing you came to offer us as a gift becomes a source of ridicule.  The crowds thought of a King in terms of power.  But you came to be the kind of King who shepherds people, who takes responsibility for their well being, whose principles are faithfulness, justice, and righteousness.  And yet, the people are not ready for that kind of King.

One:  I would like to think that I am ready to follow you who offer a Kingdom of peace and love for one another.  But am I?  Am I willing to yield my ideas of what the Kingdom should look like for the role of a servant?  Am I really so willing to give up my human preoccupation with power and control and accept a different kind of crown than I was expecting?

People: I see you accept the Cross in the midst of such mockery.  Yet you begin this journey, knowing full well where it will lead.  I hear no words of complaint, no protestations of innocence, no cursing the injustice.  And yet I am prone to complain and whine about the most trivial things.

All:  Lord, forgive me for forgetting that in my weakness I am driven to trust on you, and that in that trust my weakness becomes your strength.  I do not ask for crosses to bear.  But when they come, give me the strength to bear them as one who follows your example.

MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER

Kyrie Eleison

ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE

This is the good news in Jesus Christ: God is the God of strength, of love, of support.  You are held by God.  You are loved by God.  Always.  Thanks be to God!
Amen.

*PASSING THE PEACE

Leader:      The peace of Christ be with you.
People:     And with you also.
Leader:      Let us pass the peace of Christ.
People:     The peace of Christ be with you.   (To one another)

ANTHEM                                          “Mercy”                                             by S. Boersma & C. Courtney
                                                       George Anich on Violin

CHILDREN’S MOMENT

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Leader:      God in your Grace,
People:      Hear our prayer

PASTORAL PRAYER

THE LORD’S PRAYER

As we pray together the Lord's Prayer, you are invited to say this in whatever version is most comforting and meaningful to you.  Here is one possible version (ecumenical version) that you can use:

Our Father, who is in heaven, holy be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS   Matthew 27:27-31           and John 19:1-17

RESPONSE

Reader:      The Word of the Lord
People:      Thanks be to God

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION  from Psalm 19 - responsively

Pastor:       May the words of my mouth
People:      And the meditations of our hearts
All:            Be acceptable in your sight, O Lord,
                  Our rock and our redeemer.  Amen.

SERMON               The Burdens We Bear                                     Pastor Barbara Barkley

MOMENT FOR QUIET REFLECTION

MOMENT OF THANKS

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

OFFERTORY                                “Peaceful Piano #5”                                   Mark Hayes

*DOXOLOGY

Praise God whose breath fills all the earth
Whose love reveals our sacred worth
Whose Spirit forms one family
Whose grace brings peace and harmony. Amen.

*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

As we give you these gifts, may they be with a memory of all our faith teaches us, all our own history has taught us, all that we have been, are and are going to be.  Thanks be to God.  Amen.

*HYMN OF REFLECTION  #215   What Wondrous Love Is This

What wondrous love is this, O my soul,
O my soul, what wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss to
Bear the dreadful curse for my soul,
For my soul, to bear the dreadful curse for my soul!

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
when I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul!

To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing,
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb who is the great I am, while millions join the theme,
I will sing, I will sing; while millions join the theme, I will sing!

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be,
And through eternity, I’ll sing on,
I’ll sing on; and through eternity I’ll sing on.

SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION

INVITATION TO THE TABLE

One: The Lord be with you
People: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

THE COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE: SHARING THE BREAD AND THE CUP

Here at Clayton Valley we practice open communion, and all believers are welcome.  We do not use alcohol so that all may come to the table of our Lord.

Each row will be directed by an usher to come to the front of the sanctuary by way of the center aisle.  Please tear a piece of bread from the loaf.  When offered the cup, dip your bread into the cup.  After receiving the bread and the cup, you may respond, “Amen”. Return to your seat by way of the side aisle. 

COMMUNION PRAYER

*CLOSING HYMN        #2107 STF   Wade in the Water

Refrain:

Wade in the water, wade in the water, children,
Wade in the water, God’s a-gonna trouble the water.

See that host all dressed in white,
God’s a-gonna trouble the water.
The leader looks like the Israelite,
God’s a-gonna trouble the water.

See that band all dressed in red,
God’s a-gonna trouble the water.
Looks like the band that Moses led,
God’s a-gonna trouble the water.

Look over yonder, what do I see?
God’s a-gonna trouble the water.
The Holy Ghost a coming on me,
God’s a-gonna trouble the water.

If you don’t believe I’ve been redeemed,
God’s a-gonna trouble the water.
Just follow me down to Jordan’s stream,
God’s a-gonna trouble the water.

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE:  Go with God

Go with God, go with God.
As you leave this place, go with God.
God will direct your way, God will light every day.
As you leave this place, go with God.

 

*POSTLUDE          “The Church Triumphant”                               William J. & Gloria Gaither