Worship Leader:  Barb DeJeet, LLWL                                         Music Director:  Tim Hallman, B.Mus.,B.Ed.

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, MARCH 16, 2025

Stand firm in the Lord. God’s love is a mighty fortress of strength and grace!
 
WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS/BIRTHDAYS

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
As we gather, we take a moment to remember that the land we call Elizabeth /Kitley Township, Christ United Pastoral charge, Village of Lyn, Ontario, is the territory of the Indigenous peoples. We seek to learn about past wrongs, act with justice in the present, and pray for a better future together in the spirit of truth and reconciliation.

LIGHTING OF CANDLES:   Christ Candle and The Candle of Peace for Lent

On the second Sunday of Advent, we light a candle to remind us that we are called to be a people of
PEACE. We rest in the glow of that candle now. (silence)
As we reflect upon the wars and conflicts that are raging in many parts of our world today,
We acknowledge how we have fallen short of our commitment to seek non-violent solutions to our problems with one another as neighbours in community.
We grieve our inability to get along with each other in lasting ways, as we seek refuge in tools and ways that will only cause more harm to those who are already hurting.
As we gaze upon this candle representing peace,
we feel as if we are still so far away from the harmony and right relationship, we know we are capable of, it is hard to believe that peace is still possible.
As the shadow of Lent comes closer, we extinguish our candle of peace, just for today as we seek to fully and faithfully make the dream of peace a reality for all and for all times.

HYMN:  VU 108 “Throughout These Lenten Days and Nights” (vs1 x2)

PASSING OF THE PEACE:
Sisters and brothers, we are light for one another, even as Christ is light for each of us. Let’s share signs of Christ’s light and love, as we pass the peace with one another.

CALL TO WORSHIP:
God our light and our salvation, calls us to worship
We gather in faith, confidence and praise.
Come; seek the face of God;
God’s face shines upon us with grace and love.
Be strong, my friends, for God is hope.
Thanks be to God for this wonderful gift.

OPENING PRAYER:
Mighty God, we come into your presence from many different places and situations. Light our way in this time of worship. Calm our hearts, focus our thoughts, and strengthen our faith, as we pray and praise this day. AMEN

ANTHEM:  “I See the Love of God”

HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

SCRIPTURES:
Philippians 3:17-4:1 “My dear friends, my joy, my crown, hold firm in God.”

Luke 13: 31-35 “Jesus cries over Jerusalem as a hen over her chicks”

REFLECTION:

THE FOX IN THE HENHOUSE
Please pray with me: Mother Hen, thank you for gathering us unto you, under your wings, close to your heart. Keep us there and let us feel your comfort, even in the midst of trouble or pain. You are our help, our shield and our protector. Remind us that you love us and that you will never leave. Teach us to walk in your way. Bless these works today. AMEN

“Herod is going to kill you. You need to get out of here.” I don’t know about you, but that would be enough to get me moving!


However, this does not deter Jesus. He knows he is here for a specific mission and not even death will keep him from it. Jesus basically says, “I will move on when I decide to. I know my death is coming and I must make it to Jerusalem before that happens.”

I imagine Jesus sharing his decision with some force, or at the very least strong conviction. Then he kind of changes his tone. He pulls out this feminine metaphor of a mother hen. This is not the typical image we have of Jesus, and it certainly wouldn’t be what Jewish audience would have wanted or expected to hear. They had expected the Messiah to be someone who would save them from Roman occupation by the only way they knew – force. A powerful warrior, who would come and save the day by destroying their enemies.

Jesus just doesn’t play by the world’s rules. He likens himself to a mother hen who is looking to protect the poor and marginalized from the deception and exploitation of the powerful. Jesus is willing to stand in between the fox and his chicks. Like the mother hen who probably would lose her life in the attempt to protect them from harm. There probably is nothing a mother hen can do to actually protect the livelihood of her chicks. But she will be with them in the battle. She will not forsake them or leave them to fend for themselves. THIS IS WHO WE HAVE IN JESUS! 

A presence who will not leave us, no matter how threatening the situation; no matter how real the threat. We have a God who loves us enough to stay in the fight with us.

There is a little boy named Bobbie, 6 years old, likes to run and play, but Bobbie has a problem with his ears. It wasn’t a problem the doctors could help him with. Bobbie’s problem was, he didn’t like to listen when he should. When his mother would call him, he would pretend not to hear her, and keep on doing what he was doing.

Well, one day and unexpected visitor arrived at Bobbie’s house – his uncle, who wanted to take him to the circus. Bobbie’s mother called him 3 times, but as usual, Bobbie didn’t pay attention because he thought she wanted him to do something. His uncle waited as long as he could and he left. Bobbie missed out on going to the circus. Imagine what Bobbie missed.

A few days later, his dad came home from work early and planned to take the family to a Kanas City Chief’s game – the first game of the season. Bobbie’s brother went to tell him to come home so they could go to the football game. Bobbie didn’t believe his brother; the family left, and Bobbie came home to a baby sitter. He missed out again, because he didn’t believe or listen.

His grandparents, who hadn’t seen Bobbie in many years, made an unexpected visit. His mother called him, but he was at a friend’s house watching TV; he hadn’t told his mother where he was.

Grandparents could only stay a little while, because they were only passing through. Bobbie came home too late and missed out on something special again.

Bobbie had a difficult time believing that people wanted to do some nice things for him. He couldn’t believe that his uncle wanted to take him to a circus, or his father wanted to take him to a football game and then he wasn’t around to receive a very special visit from people who loved him a lot – grandparents. This is a sad story, a sad story about a boy who wouldn’t believe in love that everyone wanted to give to him.

As sad as this story about Bobbie is, there is still a sadder story, about the people of Israel who wouldn’t believe in the love that God had for them, and the sad story about the people TODAY who won’t believe in the love that God has for them.

In the gospel reading, Jesus laments over the failure of the people of Israel to heed the call of God in their lives.

Jesus says, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not.!!”

God, through the prophets came to the people of Israel with his message of salvation, with his gospel of love. But time after time, the people would not listen. They were like Bobbie, they couldn’t believe that God could love them that much. Prophets came and told the people of God’s great love, told them to turn from their evil ways, to obey God, to gather under his love, but they wouldn’t listen. God tried many times but they turned a deaf ear to him.

So, God decided that if the people would not listen to the messengers, then He would come to earth himself and speak to the people. We all know the outcome of that initiative, don’t we. Some listened, but more did not. In fact, they became upset by God’s presence in their lives, they killed him. They could not understand such love; they couldn’t accept such willingness on the part of God to love them, that they fought against it and killed God.

They could not believe that God did not want something from them. God wanted to only, to give blessings and his love.

If we feel sad for the Jewish people of Jesus day, how much sadder are we today for those people how know the whole story and still do not believe or trust God.

I said we know the whole story, but do we? Do we really understand the story of God’s love; the story of Jesus coming to save us from our sins? If you were questioned about this whole story by someone who didn’t know about it, could you explain it to them?

GOD IS LOVE!!

 Bottom line. He wants us to be happy in our lives, show love to others, help those who need help; to be kind to all; to love everyone.

God is calling us to leave our life that is self-centered; leave the life where we are tossed to and fro by the demands of our culture, or mass media, or “everyone else is doing it” syndrome. God wants to protect us under his wings from all the influence of this world, and accept his mercy, forgiveness, acceptance as a whole person because of the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf on the cross. God calls us to let him help us steer our lives in the right direction, partners on this journey of life.

Would you like to feel the comfort of God’s wings protecting you from all that FOX IN YOUR HEN HOUSE- evil in your world? Don’t be afraid to ask him to give you love and peace in your life.  AMEN

RESPONDING HYMN:   VU 356 “Seek Ye First the Kingdom”

INVITATION FOR GIVING:

As the ancients brought goats and doves to honor and bless God, we are invited to bring our gifts of earthly treasure to honor and bless God. Whether we offer coins, or dollars or checks of electronic donations, all gifts honor and bless God. Knowing this, may we share our treasure as generously with God as God has shared earthly treasure with us.

OFFERING HYMN:  VU 541 “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”

OFFERING PRAYER:
Mighty God, bless these gifts that they might bring strength to our faith, love to your world, and comfort to the forsaken. In your holy name, we pray. AMEN

PREPARE OUR HEARTS FOR PRAYER: VU 400 “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying”

PRAYERS OF PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER (sung VU 960):
Mothering God, we often feel scattered and lost, separated from you and from one another. Gather us in. Comfort us in our loneliness; dispel our fears; correct our wayward feet and strengthen our faith, that we might hear your voice, trust your promises, and stand firm in your ways in your light and love.
Guide us great God, as we travel on this journey of life. In our weaknesses be our strength. In our fears, hold us safe in the shadow of your wings. Be the bread for the journey. Be life on the way. Be our Good Shepherd. Guide us, O Great God.
 Bless those who are heavy on our hearts. Those in homes, hospitals, hospices, jails and prisons of all kinds. The addicts, the homeless, the jobless, the abused the grieving. Hold them all under your wings and keep them safe.
We think of our governments at all levels. Guide all decisions made for your people. Bless our great United Church as we celebrate this 100th year. May our leaders, and those that share your teachings be ever mindful of your presence with them.
 We bring all these in the name of the one who saved us and taught us to say and sing “Our Father”

CLOSING HYMN:  VU 567 “Will You Come and Follow Me” (vs. 1,2,5)

COMMISSIONING:
With God as our guide, we go into the world. With Christ as our companion,
we go strengthened for the journey and led with love.

BENEDICTION

CHORAL BLESSING:  “Go Now in Peace”

 

 

 

         "A Village Church With A Heart For The World"

Christ United Church

12 Perth St., Lyn, ON, K0E 1M0
(613)498-0281 (Phone)   (613)498-2589 (Fax)

 lynunitedchurch@cogeco.net               www.lynunitedchurch.com               Follow on Twitter:  @Ch1United