Welcome to ICYMI Worship! ICYMI stands for In Case You Missed It; our ICYMI series gives a brief snapshot of worship each week so that you can worship in your home, on the road, or wherever life takes you.
At Cross of Christ, our basic worship order is based on worship patterns from Hebrew traditions and biblical accounts of the earliest Christians: We GATHER with songs and prayer, We HEAR God’s word, We SHARE a meal of bread and wine, We are SENT into the world to love and serve. Let us know how this format works for you.
TODAY IS THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
GATHERING SONG
“Holy Holy Holy”
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Gracious God, look upon us with kindness as we make our Lenten journey. Open our eyes to see you at work in our lives, in our church, and in our world. Amen.
THIS WEEK’S READINGS
THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL
PASTOR DAVE’S SERMON SNAPSHOT:
“Divine Detectives: God Revealed Through Art and Music”
God is, in God’s very essence, creative. We call God Creator not just as a statement of faith about how the universe and all that is in it came into being – as we pondered last Sunday and Wednesday – but also because God’s greatest creation – humans – continue to reflect God’s image when we create.
Indeed besides rising to God’s level when we love as much like God as we can – unconditionally, unendingly, with no strings attached – humans are probably most like the God in whose image we were created when we create, especially when we use our creative gifts and skills to use to glorify God.
SONG OF THE DAY
“When In Our Music God is Glorified”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Coming soon!
COMMUNION SONG
“You Are My All in All”
On the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. All are welcome to receive Christ’s Body and Blood in the Bread and Wine of the Eucharist.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE INVITED TO THE “PRAY-GROUND” – This special space in the Sanctuary is designed for our youngest worshippers and their families. Children age 8 and under are welcome to color, play games, enjoy age-appropriate books, and just have their own space in the back of the transept – the southeast corner of the Sanctuary. We LOVE having children in worship! We hope this special place helps make them and their families feel both welcome and comfortable.
SPRING BRUNCH & “SPRINGO” – You are invited to the Narthex and Library following worship today for a light Spring Brunch with bagels, scones and other breakfast pastries, fruit parfaits, juice, coffee and tea. We’ll also be playing a few rousing rounds of “Springo” – a seasonal take on Bingo with Spring-themed prizes. Join the fun!
DIVINE DETECTIVES NOTEBOOKS – If you haven’t picked one up yet, notebooks are available at the Information Desk in the Narthex. Keep them with you to jot down notes, record clues, and capture “God Sightings” during Lent. Each Sunday and Wednesday until Palm Sunday we’ll be collecting these for our “Evidence Board” on the Art Wall in the West Wing. Join others as we keep our eyes open for God at work all around us.
NO ADULT FAITH FORMATION TODAY – We will continue our study of the action-packed book of Acts next week. Pastor Dave is our guide between services, 10:15 to 10:55 am, in the Library.
NO CHILDRENS’ SUNDAY SCHOOL TODAY– We will be off today and next week as well and will resume Sunday School on April 14. Kids age 4-10 are welcome to the Youth Room 10:15 to 10:55 am. Join Miss Kristie for a fun time of learning about God’s love for you!
CHRIST IN OUR HOME DEVOTIONALS – for April, May and June are available while supplies last at the Information Desk in the Narthex.
EASTER FLOWER DONATIONS – Help us prepare to celebrate Easter, April 21, with lilies and other flowers for the Sanctuary. Dedication forms are available at the Information Desk in the Narthex. To donate, fill out the form and place it in the offering basket, along with your check, by Monday, April 15. Thank you.
SOUP SUPPERS AND WEDNESDAY LENTON SERVICES – Lenten Midweek Worship continues this Wednesday. Soup Suppers begin the evening from 6 to 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall, followed by 45-minute worship services in the Sanctuary. We’re trying a new “soup strategy” this season. This Wednesday we’re asking the “youngin’s” to provide soups – all members 50 and younger. For the final Lenten Midweek, April 10, our elders (50 plus) are asked to bring soups. Each week we will also need setup and cleanup helpers – anyone can sign up for any week. We need a minimum of four soups each Wednesday, each of which to serve 10 or more people, to be brought in by 5:45 pm. Thanks for volunteering to help continue this well-loved Cross of Christ tradition. Sign up at the Information Desk in the Narthex.
TIME TO TEE IT UP GOLFERS – The first outing for the Cross of Christ golfing group is set for April 11 at 10:15 am at Snoqualmie Falls Golf Course. All are welcome – p ros to duffers! Make plans to join the fun!
PAGETURNERS BOOK CLUB – will meet on Monday, April 1, at 3 pm at Hildegard Schmidt’s house (425-747-5249). Our book this month is Madeleine L’Engle’s “A Wrinkle in Time.” Anyone is welcome.
WELCA BIBLE STUDY LEADERS THURSDAY – Pastor Dave helps Circle leaders prepare to lead this month’s Bible Study, 10-11:15 am, in the Conference Room. Bring your April copy of “Gather” magazine, your Bible, and your note-taking supplies.
PRAYERS CHAIN BECOMES PRAYER NET – As part of her Caring Ministries leadership, Pastor Judy is in the midst of making a few changes to the Prayer Chain. The first change is the name – it will now be called the “Prayer Net” – think ‘network’ that connects people or a ‘net’ that catches or holds things. The Prayer Net will be an e-mail list for requests for public prayers. For example, if someone is having hip replacement surgery and they ask to be in the public prayers on Sunday, this will also be communicated by email to the Prayer Net. Folks who had been on the old Prayer Chain e-mail will be moved over onto the Prayer Net (unless you’d like to come off, in which case just let Pastor Judy know). If you’d like to be added to the Prayer Net e-mails, just inform Pastor Judy. However, we know that there may be situations when people would like to be prayed for, but are not ready to be in the public prayers of the congregation and that’s okay. When you communicate your desire for prayers, Pastor Dave or Pastor Judy will make sure to clarify if you’d like your concerns to be for the wider Cross of Christ community or to have these concerns kept private. We want you to know that we respect your wishes and will keep these prayers confidential. If you have any questions about this change, please contact Pastor Judy. Thank you!
LECTORS NEEDED – It adds so much to our worship services to hear the Word of God read by many voices. Thanks to all who have signed up to be a lector. Recently, however, we have had a lot of open opportunities unfilled for this valuable role, especially for our 11 am Mosaic Service. To sign up, visit the Cross of Christ website at www.crossofchristbellevue.org and clicking on the “Volunteer” link.
PARKING LOT HOSPITALITY – As a reminder, we have three parking spots reserved for “Courtesy and Visitor Parking.” These are intended for those who might need them most – like those with temporary mobility limitations, families with young children, and expectant mothers. Please help “Welcome All’ by not parking in these spaces if you are able to walk a few steps farther. Also, please remember that all spaces marked as reserved for handicapped can only be used by those with authorized handicap license plates or rear-view mirror placards. These spaces are occasionally monitored by Bellevue Special Parking Enforcement. Thanks for practicing parking lot hospitality!
NAME TAGS ARE SIGNS OF WELCOME – You’re encouraged to wear your Cross of Christ name tag to worship each Sunday. This simple act helps people get to know one another, is welcoming for guests, and is greatly appreciated by the pastor (who, try as he might, occasionally temporarily forgets names!). If you have misplaced your name tag, Office Administrator Judy Giseburt would happily make you a new one. Contact Judy in the office at 425-746-7300 or at office@cofclc.net.
SPRING LUNCHEON: SAVE THE DATE – Saturday, April 27, 11:30 am. The theme this year is “Empowering Girls Education” (Days for Girls). Join us as we hear from two women involved in educating girls in numerous African countries. A signup sheet is available at the Information Desk. More information to come.
PRAYERS FOR HOMEBOUND MEMBERS – Ed and Phyllis Hahn, Doris Lundquist, Ruth Huehnerhoff, Bill and Betty McConnell, Mary Moen, Marlys Paulson, Jane Pittenger, Norman Stromer, and Marilyn Van Brero.
SENDING SONG
“Come to Us, Creative Spirit”
By God’s grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to
Worship God
Grow in Faith
Share the Gospel
Serve others, and
Welcome all.
Thanks be to God!
