Gathering of the People

Prelude

Gathering Hymns:
     “Humble Yourself” - NS 17
     “Soften My Heart” - NS 47

Call to Worship: Joel 2:1, 12-17

In the times of the Old Testament a silver trumpet or a shofar (animal horn) was blown to call the people to worship at special times, especially on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). For this call to worship from Joel, you may use a trumpet, the trumpet registration of the organ or keyboard or a recording of the shofar. Two sources for a recording of this are: http://www.piney.com/Shofar.html (may be downloaded onto a CD) or the CD recording by SAVAE, San Antonio Vocal Arts Ensemble: “Ancient Echoes - Music from the time of Jesus and Jerusalem's Second Temple,” World Library Publications, 3825 N. Willow Rd., Schiller Park, IL 60176-2093, 1-800-566-6150, www.wlpmusic.com

Trumpet - One long blast

Reader 1:  Blow the trumpet in Zion;

Reader 2: Sound the alarm on my holy mountain!

Reader 1: Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near.

Trumpet – Several short blasts

Reader 1:  Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; Rend your hearts and not your clothing.

Reader 2: Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord, your God?

Trumpet - One long blast

Reader 1:  Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people.

Reader 2: Sanctify the congregation; assemble the aged; gather the children, even infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her canopy.

Reader 1:  Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep. Let them say, "Spare your people, O Lord.”

Trumpet - One long blast

*Hymn “Hosea” - NS 15
OR “Lord, Thy Mercy Now Entreating” - HS 114

*Prayer of Invocation

Responsive Reading: Season of Sacrifice and Contrition

Reader: The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. —Psalm 51:17

People: We come to you Lord, in humility, bringing our broken and sinful selves.

Reader: And behold I have given you the law and the commandments of my Father, that ye shall believe in me, and that ye shall repent of your sins, and come unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.  — III Nephi 5:66

People: We come to you Lord. Recognizing where we have fallen short of obedience to your law of love, we come believing.

Disciples’ Generous Response

Consider having the congregation come forward to offer their gifts.

As we come to God with our offerings of humility, repentance, and contrition, may we also be mindful of our blessings. Let us respond without hesitation, to God’s goodness by our generous gifts.

Hymn: “O Christ, My Lord, Create in Me” - HS 174
OR “Lord, Lead Me by Your Spirit” - HS 183

Silent Meditation

Season of Confession

Place a clear jar or vase filled with ashes where it is visible to the congregation.

Ashes are an ancient symbol of deep internal examination, contrition, and sorrow. They remind of us of the temporary status of our human lives. Yet they may also be a reminder of the hope we have for eternal life through the living Christ.

Brushfires strip and burn away old growth, leaving mineral rich ash that makes for fertile soil and room for new growth to thrive. We, too, can burn away the old undergrowth that keeps our lives suffocated and in darkness.

Through the fires of confession and repentance we can develop a spiritually rich and nurturing environment in which to draw closer to the light of God’s grace and mercy.

By looking forward to the promise of the crucifixion and resurrection we become willing to confess in humility our humanity, our shortcomings, our sin.

Ask two or three persons to offer prayers of repentance and confession. This time of prayer may also be opened to the congregation.

Hymn: “Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive” - HS 108
OR “Forgive Us, Lord” - HS 103

Season of Affirmation

Select several readers seated in the congregation to read aloud verses from II Corinthians 5:20— 6:10, 7:1.

*Hymn: “The Love of God” - HS 107
OR “Lord, Let Thy Blessing Rest” - HS 490

*Benediction

*Sending Forth:

As you go forth to begin the journey on the path to the cross and the empty tomb, may you be filled with the grace and mercy of our Lord, Jesus Christ.