Sunday, April 19th, 2020

God Gathers Us

Call to Worship - Psalm 63:1-5

To be read aloud by someone in your home

Psalm 63:1-5

1 You, God, are my God,
    earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
    my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
    where there is no water.

2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
    and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
    my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
    and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
    with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

Opening Prayer

  • Take a moment to think or talk together about the power and glory of God. What stories from the Bible demonstrate God’s power and glory? What aspects of His character do you think of when you think of God’s power and glory?

  • Pray a prayer of thanksgiving, praising God for His power, glory and love.

God Saves Us

Penney Families - First Question

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 if these would be a help to you:

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.

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 - John 1:1-13

Read aloud this morning’s Scripture reading:

John 1:1-13

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Sermon: Introducing Jesus

Easter Sunday

God Gathers Us

Call to Worship

To be read aloud by someone in your home

John 20:1-9

1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

Opening Prayer

  • Pray a prayer of thanksgiving, thanking God for the saving work of Jesus on the cross, the triumphant hope of His resurrection where He triumphed over death, and the promise of eternal life that He gives to all who trust in Him.

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 is a video you can use, provided by the Mahar family and the Stevens family.

Easter testimony

This fall, Marissa Paquette was one of four people baptized at Penney, proclaiming her faith in Christ. We were planning on having Marissa share her testimony this Easter – and then social distancing efforts went into effect making everything … difficult.

But thanks to the technology of Zoom (and the efforts of John and Christine McEwan and Marissa!) Marissa was interviewed and her testimony edited and prepared, so we can share it with you.

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 - John 20:24-31

Read aloud this morning’s Scripture reading:

Jesus Appears to Thomas

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Sermon: The Story of His Scars, the Challenge of His Life

Closing Song

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