Good Friday 2020

Today is Good Friday, the day in Holy Week on which Jesus Christ was condemned, beaten and mocked, and executed as a criminal, through the shame and pain of crucifixion.

On this day, we aren’t providing any videos. Instead, I would encourage you to put aside screens for a while, and seek some quiet and reflection. First, and most important, I would encourage you to read at least one of the gospel accounts of the crucifixion, slowly, allowing your mind to picture the details and the events these eyewitness accounts describe. Listen to the words spoken, and especially the words of Christ.

Then, there is a prayer to guide in further mediation on the meaning of the cross. One is a beautiful old prayer from the book of collected prayers called “The Valley of Vision”. The prayer is called “Love Lustres from Calvary” – and don’t let the older language keep you from considering the words. “Lustres” is an older English word for “shines”, and the rest of the words are quite straightforward. The prayer is a rich mediation on the way in which on this darkest of days, the love of God shone the brightest.

On this day Christians remember the worst of acts, and yet we call the day “Good” – for we find our hearts strangely warmed and filled with hope. For in the darkness, the Light shines. And the darkness did not – and CANNOT – overcome it.

Grace and peace in Christ,

Pastor Justin

Scripture Reading - The Crucifixion Accounts

  • Matthew 26:36 - 27:61

  • Mark 14:32 - 15:47

  • Luke 22:39 - 23:56

  • John 18:1 - 19:42

“Love Lustres at Calvary”

My Father,

Enlarge my heart, warm my affections, open my lips,

supply words that proclaim “Love lustres at Calvary.”

There grace removes my burdens and heaps them on thy Son,

made a transgressor, a curse, and sin for me;

There the sword of thy justice smote the man, thy fellow;

There thy infinite attributes were magnified, and infinite atonement was made;

There infinite punishment was due, and infinite punishment was endured.

Christ was all anguish that I might be all joy,

cast off that I might be brought in,

trodden down as an enemy that I might be welcomed as a friend,

surrendered to hell’s worst that I might attain heaven’s best,

stripped that I might be clothed,

wounded that I might be healed,

athirst that I might drink,

tormented that I might be comforted,

made a shame that I might inherit glory,

entered darkness that I might have eternal light.

My Saviour wept that all tears might be wiped from my eyes,

groaned that I might have endless song,

endured all pain that I might have unfading health,

bore a thorny crown that I might have a glory-diadem,

bowed his head that I might uplift mine,

experienced reproach that I might receive welcome,

closed his eyes in death that I might gaze on unclouded brightness,

expired that I might for ever live.

O Father, who spared not thine only Son that thou might spare me,

All this transfer thy love designed and accomplished;

Help me adore thee by lips and life.

O that my every breath might be ecstatic praise,

my every step buoyant with delight, as I see my enemy crushed,

Satan baffled, defeated, destroyed,

sin buried in the ocean of reconciling blood,

hell’s gates closed, heaven’s portal open.

Go forth, O conquering God, and show me the cross,

mighty to subdue,

comfort

and save.

Maundy Thursday 2020

Maundy-Thursday-Slide.jpg

Scripture Reading

Read aloud Luke 22:7-27

Luke 22:7-27 (NIV)

The Last Supper

7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”

9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.

10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.”

13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

Palm Sunday, April 5th, 2020

God Gathers Us

Prelude - Judy Mank

Call to Worship - Luke 19:28-40

  • To be read aloud by someone in your home

  • Luke 19:28-40

    28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

    32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”

    34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

    35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

    37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

    38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

    “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

    39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

    40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Opening Prayer

  • Take a moment to think about (or talk together) about what it means that Jesus is the King who saves us. How does the coming of Jesus as a Savior give us help and hope with what you are facing today?

  • Pray a prayer of thanksgiving, thanking God for sending His Son, and praising Jesus for coming to save us.

God Saves Us

Congregational Singing

  • We encourage you to sing - make a joyful noise! If you play an instrument, play! If you have some favorite hymns or choruses, pick one or two and sing! Or make use of other technology to play some music, and listen and sing along.

  • Below are some hymns you can also use, including one played by our own Brendan Wilson.

Congregational Prayer

  • When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, His model prayer (what we call the Lord’s Prayer) included this request: “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”. Jesus was not speaking of monetary debts, but rather those wrongs that we have committed against God and against others.

  • In other words, Jesus taught us to regularly consider how we have been living and confess our sins to God, asking for His forgiveness. AND Jesus taught us that in light of God’s forgiveness of us, we should forgive others.

  • If you are able (in light of the children you may have with you!), take a few moments of silence, considering your week and asking God to show you any area of sin you need to confess to Him, or any actions you need to take to make things right with others.

  • Then, pray asking for God’s forgiveness, and thanking God for His promise to forgive us when we ask.

  • 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Offering

During this time when we can't gather on Sundays, we can still receive your offerings a couple of ways:
you can drop your offering in the locked mailbox outside the church office entrance
or
you can mail them to the church at 393 Water Street, Augusta ME  04330.

Thank you for your continued support of Penney and its ministries.

Scripture Reading - Luke 22:39-46

  • Read aloud this morning’s Scripture reading:

    Luke 22:39-46

    39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

    45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

Sermon: King Jesus - Our Example & Our Hope

Benediction

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Sunday, March 29, 2020

God Gathers Us

Call to Worship - Psalm 25:1-7

  • To be read aloud by someone in your home

  • Psalm 25:1-7

    In you, Lord my God,
        I put my trust.

    2 I trust in you;
        do not let me be put to shame,
        nor let my enemies triumph over me.
    3 No one who hopes in you
        will ever be put to shame,
    but shame will come on those
        who are treacherous without cause.

    4 Show me your ways, Lord,
        teach me your paths.
    5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
        for you are God my Savior,
        and my hope is in you all day long.
    6 Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
        for they are from of old.
    7 Do not remember the sins of my youth
        and my rebellious ways;
    according to your love remember me,
        for you, Lord, are good.

Opening Prayer

  • Take a moment to talk together about the things you are thankful for from this week. How has God blessed you and taken care of you this week?

  • Pray a prayer of thanksgiving, thanking God for His character and care.

God Saves Us

Congregational Singing

  • We encourage you to sing - make a joyful noise! If you play an instrument, play! If you have some favorite hymns or choruses, pick one or two and sing! Or make use of other technology to play some music, and listen and sing along.

  • Below are some hymns you can make use of, including one played by our own Brendan Wilson.

Congregational Prayer

  • As we all know, these are difficult days, with many difficult decisions required. Take a few moments to list out some of the local and national leaders who have hard decisions to make in the coming days and weeks.

  • These are also challenging days for churches across Maine and across the country and across the world. Take a few moments to think of some of the other church communities you know of in the Augusta area and beyond.

  • And then think of your household as well, and the needs that you have, the decisions you have to make.

  • Now, take some time to pray for these you have thought of, asking God for His wisdom for all of these leaders and situations, and for God to humble and strengthen leaders, to depend on the Lord and to stand strong in doing what is right.

Offering

During this time when we can't gather on Sundays, we can still receive your offerings a couple of ways:
you can drop them in the locked mailbox outside the church office entrance
or
you can mail them to the church at 393 Water Street, Augusta ME  04330.

Thank you for your continued support of Penney and its ministries.

Scripture Reading - Luke 13:1-5

  • Read aloud this morning’s Scripture reading:

    Luke 13:1-5

    1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Sermon: Questioning God

Sunday, March 22, 2020

God Gathers Us

Call to Worship - Psalm 40:1-5

  • To be read aloud by someone in your home

  • Psalm 40:1-5

    1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
        he turned to me and heard my cry.
    2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
        out of the mud and mire;
    he set my feet on a rock
        and gave me a firm place to stand.
    3 He put a new song in my mouth,
        a hymn of praise to our God.
    Many will see and fear the Lord
        and put their trust in him.

    4 Blessed is the one
        who trusts in the Lord,
    who does not look to the proud,
        to those who turn aside to false gods.
    5 Many, Lord my God,
        are the wonders you have done,
        the things you planned for us.
    None can compare with you;
        were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
        they would be too many to declare.

Opening Prayer

  • Take a moment to pause and pray a prayer of thanksgiving, thanking God for who He is and what He has done)

God Saves Us

Congregational Singing

  • We encourage you to sing - make a joyful noise! If you play an instrument, play! If you have some favorite hymns or choruses, pick one or two and sing! Or make use of other technology to play some music, and listen and sing along.

  • And if a suggestion helps, below are a couple songs you could use.

Congregational Prayer

  • Take a few moments to think about some of the others in the church body who you worship with each week. List them by name, either writing them down or sharing the names with others. You may want to scroll through the church directory if you have one.

  • Remember all those in our church and in our community who are working in the medical profession and their families. Again, if you think of particular names, write them down or share them with others.

  • Remember those who may be particularly vulnerable at this time - either physically vulnerable, or vulnerable to loneliness, anxiety, or temptation.

  • Now, take some time to pray for these you have thought of, and any others who the Holy Spirit brings to mind, thanking God for His care and for these precious brothers and sisters and lifting them up to the Lord.

Scripture Reading - Genesis 16:7-16

  • Read aloud this morning’s Scripture reading:

    Genesis 16:7-16

    7 The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. 8 And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?”

    “I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered.

    9 Then the angel of the Lord told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” 10 The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.”

    11 The angel of the Lord also said to her:

    “You are now pregnant
        and you will give birth to a son.
    You shall name him Ishmael,
        for the Lord has heard of your misery.
    12 He will be a wild donkey of a man;
        his hand will be against everyone
        and everyone’s hand against him,
    and he will live in hostility
        toward all his brothers.”

    13 She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” 14 That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered.

    15 So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne. 16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.

Sermon: where is god in this mess?

God Sends Us

Benediction

Romans 15:13 - “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”