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Worship: Lent 1A, 3.13.11

Our worship centers on Matthew 4:1-11, the temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness.  Special music is provided by the Sanctuary Choir and Denise Walters.
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Lent?
Lent is the period preceding Easter that in the Christian Church is devoted to fasting, abstinence, and penitence in commemoration of Christ’s fasting in the wilderness. In the Western Church it runs from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday and so includes forty weekdays.The word “Lent” means lengthening of the day, an indication that we are moving from winter into spring.
Lent at Tabernacle? Why are there pictures of dirt?

This year Tabernacle’s Lenten theme embraces the hopefulness of the word “Lent.”  The sanctuary is a garden. The first week of Lent we began with the bare dirt of a garden.  Many of us share a common love of gardening, for us the sight of well-prepared bare dirt is an exciting and welcome sight.
We can envision many beautiful plants growing in the dirt, flowers, vegetables or trees. There are many pictures of  “dirt” in the hymns racks.  The congregation is actually sitting in the middle of a wonderful field of dirt ready to be planted. In the front of the sanctuary there is a garden box full of dirt.  On the choir rail there is a winter picture of trees waiting patiently for the warmth of spring to allow them to sprout leaves.
The first Sunday of Lent found the dirt and the trees as barren and empty as the wilderness in which Jesus finds himself in the Gospel Lesson for the day (Matt. 4:1-11).  In the following weeks the Gospel readings share stories of Jesus as he encounters various people who ask questions and explore a relationship with him.  The garden, with the help of our children, will slowly grow over the weeks as we ask questions and explore our relationship with Jesus and with each other.  The garden will reach its full glory on Palm Sunday when we will welcome “King” Jesus to Jerusalem.
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Worship:Transfiguration Sunday, 3.6.11

The focus of our worship centers on Matthew 17:1-9, the Transfiguration of Jesus.  Communion is led by Rev. Joel Ingram and special music is provided by The Ler Htoo and Lay Htoo Children.  Our worship concludes with a large circle around the Sanctuary with lit candles and special music presented by the Choir.

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Worship: Epiphany 8a: 2.27.11

The focus of our worship centers on Matthew 6:24-34. Jesus challenges his followers to trust God, release worry, and follow the charge he has given us in the Sermon on the Mount. Worship leadership is provided by Andrew, Denise and Ben Walters, Jessica Corbitt, Bob and Helen Davidson.

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Worship:Epiphany 7a, 2.20.11

The focus of our worship centers on Matthew 5:38-48.  Rev. Amanda Miller, one of our own, offers a prophetic sermon based on Jesus challenging words about turning the other cheek, carrying the pack an extra mile, and confronting one’s accuser in court. Special music is provided by an ensemble and scripture is read by Khan Naw, one of our newest family members from the Kachin State (Burma).

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Worship: Epiphany 6a, 2.13.11

Our worship centers on Matthew 5:21-37. Jesus offers series of antitheses, “You have heard it said……but I say”, focused on our relationships with one another.  Jesus wants more from us because he wants more for us.  The scripture readers in the service are Sai Lat and Gail Welstead. Special music is offered by the Sanctuary Choir and a ladies ensemble. The service concludes with a special presentation to Rev. Joel Ingram and bread for the journey is offered to the Strong Family.

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Worship: Epiphany 5a, 2.6.11

Our worship centers on Matthew 5:13-20.  Special music is provided by the Sanctuary Choir and Communion is led by Rev. Ben Lucas.  Jesus doesn’t ask, plead, or command us to be salt and light. Rather, he lifts up the church…….”you ARE salt…..you ARE light.”

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Worship: Epiphany 4a, 1.30.11

The focus of our service falls on Matthew 5-7, The Sermon on the Mount. The complete lesson is read aloud by numerous church members at various points in the service and is undergirded by Ryan Corbitt on the piano.