NEWCASTLE UNITED CHURCHMarch 14, 2021 10:30 a.m.

Fourth Sunday in Lent“As followers of Christ, we are called to be a worshipping and learning, receiving and giving

community of faith, hope and love.” – Newcastle United Church Mission Statement

Surely God is in this place. Help me notice.We Approach God

Welcome

Lighting the Christ and Lenten Candle

The season of Lent is about repentance, reflection and renewal. We take time to seek out God’s forgiveness, and that of others, even of ourselves, for the wrongs and hurts we have done during the past year. We reflect on who and whose we are and how we want to change and grow from our experiences. And we use the time to renew our relationships with God, self and others.We light the Christ candle, as we do each week, to remind us that God is always with us, shining in the Light of Christ. Today we light four of our Lenten candles. When we make a commitment to change

it is a covenant. The covenants we make at Lent are between us and God. God has made covenants with God’s people, over and over again. The rainbow was the first symbol of covenant. Each week as we light our candles, we will also create a rainbow of colour to keep us focused on our Lenten covenants. With our first three candles, we added the colours purple, blue, and green. Today we add yellow.Yellow is the colour thought of for fear, cowardice, anxiety. Yellow is also the colour of sunny days and starry nights. We see it in fireworks and the warmth of flames in the fireplace and bonfire. Yellow is the colour of sunshine which brings life, warm and hope to our days. Yellow, a colour of healing through covenant as it reminds us of God’s healing acts throughout history, bringing warmth, light and hope back to the world and its people. We light our fourth Lenten candle.

A Time of Centring – “Spirit Of Life” # 381(Words and music Copyright 1981 by Carolyn McDade)

Spirit of Life, come unto me.Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion.Blow in the wind, rise in the sea; move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.Roots hold me close; wings set me free;Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me.

Below is the service I have created for this Sunday. I hope this is something you can use for personal/family worship. We are all worshiping together, no matter where we are. If you are joining us online for this service, then you may want to have this resource with you so you

have the words to the responses and hymns at your fingertips in case you can’t see the screen or the sound goes wonky.

Rev. Mary-JaneThe words provided for the hymns are done with permission under One License # A-727596.

Call to Worship (Responsive)

Light and warmth are returning to the world around us.Jesus calls us to live in the light. Light overcomes darkness when we live with faith.Jesus calls us to live in the light.Light shines on our Lenten path, wherever it may take us.Jesus calls us to live in the light.Light, the Christ light, shines within and around us.Jesus calls us to live in the light.

Hymn of Praise “Come, O Fount Of Every Blessing” # 559(Word alterations copyright 1993 The Pilgrim Press)

Come, O Fount of every blessing,tune my heart to sing your grace;

streams of mercy, never ceasingcall for songs of endless praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet,sung by flaming tongues above.

Praise the mount; I'm fixed upon it,mount of God's unfailing love.

Here I pause in my sojourning,giving thanks for having come,

come to trust, at every turning,God will guide me safely home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,wandering from the fold of God,

came to rescue me from danger,precious presence, precious blood.

O, to grace how great a debtor daily I am drawn anew!

Let that grace now, like a fetter,bind my wandering heart to you.

Prone to wander, I can feel it,wander from the love I've known:

here's my heart, O, take and seal it,seal it for your very own.

Prayer of Approach (Unison)

Like our Israelite ancestors, we sometimes forget, O God, that you are with us, in the good and in the difficult. Your ways are not our ways, but if we follow you, we come through the wilderness healthy and whole. Walk with us this day and always, Loving God. Amen.

We Hear God’s WordHymn “Jesus Bids Us Shine” # 585

Jesus bids us shine with a pure, clear light,like a little candle burning in the night.In this world is darkness, so let us shine,you in your small corner, and I in mine.

Jesus bids us shine first of all for him;well he sees and knows it if our light grows dim:Jesus walks beside us to help us shine,you in your small corner, and I in mine.Jesus bids us shine, then, for all around;many kinds of darkness in the world are found:sin, and want and sorrow; so we must shine,you in your small corner, and I in mine.

A Time To Be Children

This week’s gospel passage has one of the best-known verses in it. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3:16) This verse tells us something very important about God and us. It tells us how God feels about the world, and how God feels about us. How does God feel about us? God loves us!This verse tells us what God did because God loves us. God sent Jesus. He was born a baby, just like us. He grew up, just like us. And when Jesus was older, he showed people love, and how to love. He tried to teach everyone he met about God, and God’s love. He used stories, he healed the sick, and he taught his closest friends, the disciples, so that everyone would understand about how God loves us.We know that not everyone believed him, or followed him, even with all he did. He was arrested, suffered, and died on the cross. He did everything so that we could know how much God loved us.Sometimes just saying that God loves us, that Jesus loves us, isn’t enough. Sometimes we need to show it. We can use sign language to share the good news with those who cannot hear. A friend of mine uses sign language a lot to help those who cannot hear. He speaks to them with his hands so they will not miss the message others speak. Below are the three signs for Jesus – loves – me.

Sometimes, talking about things helps others understand and believe, but an even better way to share the message is to do it. Not just by using sign language, although that can help us remember that sharing Jesus’ love means doing something active. It is all the little things we do each day which show people they are worth our time and effort, that they matter, and that we care. These are the things that help share Jesus’ message of God’s love. When we know we are loved by God, we can love others. That’s the best way for others to see God’s love – when we live it.

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 those that trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,for ever and ever. Amen.

Numbers 21:4-9 The bronze serpent – God’s healing covenant.

Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 God’s steadfast love endures forever. # 831 Parts 1 & 2

Sung Response: O give thanks to God for steadfast love.

O give thanks, for God is gracious;God's steadfast love endures for ever.Let the redeemed of God say so, those redeemed from trouble,whom God gathered in from the lands,from the east and the west,from the north and the south. RSome lost their way in desert wastes, finding no place to settle;hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.Then they cried to you, God, in their trouble;you rescued them from their distress.You led them by a straight path,till they reached a place to settle.Let them thank you, O God, for your steadfast love,for the wonders you do for us.For you satisfy the thirsty,and fill the hungry with good things. RSome suffered because of their sinful ways,afflicted on account of their wrongdoing.They loathed every kind of food;they came close to the gates of death.Then they cried to you, God, in their trouble.You rescued them from their distress.You gave the word and healed them;you saved them from the grave.Let them thank you, God, for your steadfast love,for the wonders you do for us.Let them offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving,and tell of your deeds with shouts of joy. R

John 3:14-21 Light and darkness. This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Hymn “Jesus, Saviour, Pilot Me” # 637

Jesus, Saviour, pilot meover life's tempestuous sea;

unknown waves before me roll,hiding rock and treacherous shoal;

chart and compass come from thee,Jesus, Saviour, pilot me.As a mother stills her child,thou canst hush the ocean wild;

boisterous waves obey thy will

when thou biddest them 'Be still.'Wondrous sovereign of the sea,Jesus, Saviour, pilot me.When at last I near the shore,and the fearful breakers roar

'twixt me and the peaceful land,still supported by thy hand,

may I hear thee say to me,'Fear not, I will pilot thee.'

Message

If a jogger runs at the speed of sound, can he/she still hear the music on his/her phone? If swimming is good for your shape, then why do the whales look the way they do?

The are many ways of worshipping God – of thanking God for the love we are given – for the gift of Jesus – for giving us the opportunity to live new lives, for the promise of eternal salvation. The apostle, Paul, tells us that we were as good as dead due to our behaviour, but now as believers, we are alive in Christ. That the life we have is to be full of light rather than darkness. It is to be an abundant life full of seriousness and laughter, joy and somberness. It is a life which overcomes death.

Humour - humour that is clean and joyful, is part of any full life. It not only makes us feel good to laugh; it makes others feel good. Humour is medicinal - good for us - and for others, so much so that a colleague wrote a proverb many years ago about it. That proverb is this: "if you don't laugh, you don't take life seriously enough." That’s food for thought!

Centuries ago, King Solomon said: "A merry heart is good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones". He also wrote, "He that is of a merry heart has a continual feast." So, this week, I want to share the gospel, the good news, with you with using a series of stories, stories in which I think, the nature of the life that God gives us through Christ are revealed.

Gracie Allen once received a small live alligator as a gift from a fan. Gracie didn't know what to do with the ‘gator so she put it in her bathtub and left for an appointment. When she returned home, she found this note from her maid. "Dear Miss Allen. Sorry. But I had to quit. I don't work in houses where there is an alligator. I'd a told you this when I was hired, but I never thought it would come up."

God never leaves us - or gives up on us. No matter what we do God makes provision for the alligators in our lives, God has a plan for dealing with our sins.

God is a bit like the guest preacher who stepped up to the pulpit and addressed the congregation with these words: As I understand it, my job is to preach, and your job is to listen. If you finish before I do, please let me know." (Most every preacher thinks about that!)

God hears the cries of God’s people and in love - answers them. That is the meaning of both the Old Testament and the gospel readings this week. God cares - and reaches out in forgiveness to heal those who turn to God those who believe in God, those who repent.

The people of Israel when they sinned in the wilderness, had Moses pray to the Lord to take away the snakes that were afflicting them. And in answer to that prayer, they were given a sign by which they could be saved if they but gazed upon it. As followers of Christ, we too are given a sign, by which we are saved, when we look upon it and believe. Of course, without that looking and the repentance it implies, without faith, without an attempt to walk by the light, the grace of God is of little use to us.

There is a story told of three men who showed up at the gates of heaven one day. To their surprise there was a guard at the gate. They immediately asked what was going on as they had thought Saint Peter would be there to meet them.

"Heaven has a new policy", replied the guard. "Before entering heaven everyone must pass a spelling test." "OK", said the first man. "If that is what God wants, that is what I will give him." "Spell the word GOD", the guard asked him. "G O D", replied the man. The gate opened and in he went. The second man stepped forward,

a smile on his face. The guard glanced at his bright sunny face and asked if he was ready. "Most certainly", replied the man, "I only hope that you will not be too hard on me." "No problem", replied the guard. “Spell GOD." "G O D", replied the man and the gate opened and in he went. The third man watched all this with increasing irritation. "This is ridiculous", he said to the

guard. "Who ever heard of something this stupid! Whoever dreamed it up is an idiot. I worked hard all my life - and I have to face this when coming to my rest. As soon as I get in, I'm going to register a complaint."

"I'm sorry", said the guard, "but the rules are the rules. Are you ready to spell your word?" "Of course I am" the man snapped. "I've got nothing else to do with my time. Ask away." "Very well", said the guard, "spell Czechoslovakia." Jesus came to give life, and give it abundantly, now and for eternity. In return, he simply asks

that we follow him wholeheartedly, that we turn our lives over to his care completely, holding nothing back.

There was a man who worked for the Department of National Revenue back in the 70s, it was his job to read all the letters that came into the department and decide who should receive them. Several times it was his pleasure to read letters from people who had just given their lives to the Lord, and who wished to start their new lives with a clean slate by paying back money that they had cheated the government out of. Commenting on this marvel of repentance and new life to one of his co-workers, he was told that the tax department officials didn't quite know what to do with a letter that they had received a couple of years earlier. A man had written to explain that he hadn't been able to sleep well since 1960 when he cheated on his income tax. Enclosed in the letter were five $100 bills. The man concluded the letter by saying that if he didn't sleep better now, he would send the rest."

“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world may be saved through him.” God sent Jesus to rescue us from ourselves. Those who believe in him, will live forever - in God's kingdom. None of us knows just what that kingdom is like, but we believe that in it there will be no more suffering, no tears, no scorching heat, nor anything else that is unpleasant.

A suburban lady who was not only disagreeable, but a bit of snob, was chatting over the fence with a neighbour. "We are going to

be living in a better neighbourhood soon", she said. "So are we", replied the neighbour. "Oh, are you moving too?", the snob wanted to know. "No", said the neighbour, smiling sweetly. "We're staying right here." In heaven we will not be afflicted by those who work evil, nor will we have to deal with those

who walk in darkness. Meanwhile, right here and now, we do have to deal with them. A good way of doing so is by not taking their insults too seriously, by turning the other cheek when we can, and speaking the truth in love to all whom we meet.

Perhaps we can take a lesson from the Captain of a ship who was approached by a sailor who said, "I have a special message from the Admiral, Captain. It is to you personally."

"Read it to me", snapped the Captain. The sailor read, "Of the blundering, stupid, idiotic morons, you take the cake." "Have that message decoded at once," ordered the Captain. When dealing with difficult people, it helps to have a divine view of things; to recall for example

that in biblical days it was considered a miracle for an ass to speak (yep, it’s in there, Balaam and his talking donkey), and that now it often requires a miracle to keep one quiet.

Which reminds me of an old story of the atheist who asked the preacher, "Do you honestly believe that Jonah spent three days and nights in the belly of whale?"

The preacher replied, "I don't know sir, but when I get to heaven, I will ask him." "But suppose he isn't in heaven?", the atheist responded. "Then you ask him!" said the preacher. Remember too, that when people who never go to church defend their lack of faith by insisting

that they are just as good as half the folks who do, they rarely specify which half. But it is not up to us to judge.

Remember as well, when you are being annoyed by someone who attacks you for your faith the preacher's answer to the heckler who said, "Christianity hasn't done much good. It's been in the world for two thousand years and look at the mess we're in." His answer - "Soap has been in the world longer than that and look at the dirt on your hands."

You might also want to remember that the person who tries to prove that there is no hell, generally has a personal reason for doing so.

But all in all, friends, let’s remember this, that for us there is no hell. There is no hell for us because Jesus has given us the keys to the kingdom of heaven. He has invited us in and that all he asks is that we believe; that we follow him, trusting in his word, and relying upon his love, a love which comes from God, and which gives light to all who turn toward it.

By grace you are saved through faith. We are surrounded by the Light and need only look up. This grace and life is not your own doing, it is the gift of God. Amen

We Respond To God’s WordOffering InvitationWe come with the work of our hands and hearts. We bring what we have. We bring our Lenten intentions. We bring our devotion, dedication and service. We celebrate what we have received, and we offer ourselves to God…

The Offertory (#506 v. 1)

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, all for thee; take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Dedication Prayer (Unison)These gifts of our hands and hearts are signs of our covenant with you, O God. May they grow in abundance for the world of creation, as you would have them help increase your love in the world. Amen.

Prayers of the People

Most loving God, we thank and praise you for the gift of the Christ Light, through whom our eyes are opened to see your glory on every side. The Light of Christ makes the sun shines brighter, the moon glow, and the midnight stars beckon more kindly. Music of creation is all the more majestic in the Light. When seen through

this Light, our loved ones are more precious, strangers become lovable, and our enemies are made worthy of respect. When his Light shines in us prayer is a pleasure, the Scriptures are opened up to us, and your guiding hand becomes more discernible. When the church works through is Light it is constantly renewed, our gifts become more serviceable, and the talents of others are our joy as well as theirs. When the Christ Light shines, all things are possible, no loving deed is ever wasted or lost, and the mysterious heaven becomes a home to our hearts.  

Today, among others we pray especially for those people for whom we hold scant respect. The ones we tend to write off as lost, without

hope. We pray for them because God loves each one of them just as much as each of us, and it is not God’s desire that even the worst should perish. 

God of the whole human family, we pray for drug addicts, dealers, alcoholics, gamblers, those who cheat and rob their own families, and those who mug vulnerable passers-by.

We pray for violent teenage gangs, for rebellious kids who run away for good homes, those who milk the social

welfare system, and respectable businessmen who cheat the elderly out of their life savings.

We pray for terrorists in many lands, for underworld bosses, minders and hit men; for rapists, stalkers, seducers, and those who commit domestic violence.We pray for bank robbers and tax evaders, shop lifters and vandals, con-men, pickpockets, computer criminals, and burglars who bash the elderly in their homes.We pray for people who gravely abuse their positions of trust or power: corrupt lawyers, doctors, politicians, teachers, police officers, prison officers and ministers of religion.We pray for these, God, because we know that while we may not see them as worthy of prayer and hope, you always wish the best for your children, whether they look to you or not.  In your mercy, gracious God, hear our prayers.We pray for all those we are holding in our hearts: those who up lift us, who help and care for us, who spend their days in faithful service and ceaseless praise, those who are in stark contrast for others we have already lifted in prayer. Hear the prayers within our hearts, O God, for those who need your presence this day… 

Through Jesus, the Light of the Word, speak to us that we might live abundantly. Speak to our hearts that we may experience a joy beyond all other pleasure. Speak to our wills that we may possess a discipline beyond human effort. Speak to our souls that we may treasure a likeness beyond human compare. Through Jesus, speak to us that our lives may declare your glory. Amen.(Inspired by and adapted from Bruce Prewer. Used with permission.)

Closing Hymn “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” # 333

Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven to earth come down,

fix in us thy humble dwelling,all thy faithful mercies crown.

Jesus, thou art all compassion,pure, unbounded love thou art;

visit us with thy salvation,enter every trembling heart.

Come, almighty to deliver;let us all thy grace receive;

suddenly return, and never,nevermore thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing,serve thee as thy hosts above,

pray, and praise thee, without ceasing,glory in thy perfect love.

Finish, then, thy new creation;pure and spotless let us be;

let us see thy great salvationperfectly restored in thee,

changed from glory into glory,till in heaven we take our place,

till we cast our crowns before thee,lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Commissioning and Benediction

As we return to the world, go refreshed and renewed.Walk in the Light that Christ casts before you.Be guided by that Light in all you do.And may the grace of Christ attend you, the love of God surround, the Holy Spirit keep each one of you now and always. Amen.

Sung Blessing “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go” # 658 v.1

O Love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee; I give thee back the life I owe, that in thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be.

And online we end together (wait for folks to get their mics unmuted)And the people say:

Amen

Minute for Mission

March 21 - Rural & Homeless – Gary’s Story

In rural communities, poverty can be hard to spot. People rarely ask for money on the street. There are no downtown cores to gather in and few, if any shelters, to turn to. Lack of public transit and nearby resources means that too often people are left to suffer alone. Gary would have starved or frozen to death without House of Lazarus, a Mission & Service partner, stepping up to help. This story highlights the unique face of poverty in rural communities and the many ways your Mission & Service gifts are making a difference.

Our Life & Work

Please note: Rev. Mary-Jane is based in her home office but available by email to either newcastleunitedchurch@bellnet.ca or revmj@hotmail.ca (her personal confidential email) and by phone at all times (905-244-8453).

Daylight Savings – 2AM March 14 – clocks go ahead one hour

Stewards Meeting – Monday, March 15 at 3:30 pm via Zoom. Please contact the office if you have not received the link.

Trustees Meeting – Thursday, March 18 at 7 pm via Zoom. Please contact the office if you have not received the link.

Our church YouTube channel, is where you can find recordings of weekly worship services and Music to Wash Dishes By. Here is the link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpPUnPABHPlOJzAJ7uXvHoA

Bible Study – Our weekly, Wednesday morning online Bible Study starts at 10 am on Zoom. If you would like to join in, please e-mail the church office and we will send you the link: newcastleunitedchurch@bellnet.ca

Cheese Campaign! The Stewards offer this popular fundraiser running until today, March 14. Delivery will be March 24. This delicious cheese is from Empire Cheese & Co-op in nearby Campbellford. Although prices are not included on the order form (below), they are comparable to those in grocery stores. Profits from the sales go to the operating expenses of our church. Hard copies of the order form are available in the Emily Street entrance.Please send your form to Janet O’Neill: janetloneill@hotmail.com or call 905 987 9862. Thank you for your support.

During this time, and as you are able, your church offering can continue in these ways:

Mail your donation to the church: 84 Mill St. South, Newcastle, ON L1B 1H2 Envelope drop-off in the Emily Street entrance while Lorna is in the office Fridays 9-11AM Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR) – monthly donation debited from your bank account on or

about the 20th of each month. Changes can be made at any time. Please e-mail Lorna: le.mcswan@bell.net for the PAR authorization form.

E-transfers can be made to: nucetransfer@gmail.com. Security answer “Givings”. CanadaHelps: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/newcastle-unted-church/ through this

link or the link on our website: www.newcastleunitedchurch.org “Donate” page.

Thank you to all who continue to support the work of our church, even though we are not able to be together in person.

Newcastle United Church