Lent III with Nancy Campbell and Elizabeth Waller

CALL TO WORSHIP:
ONE: Thank you, God, for Your gift of the Holy Spirit.
ALL: Like the wind that blows across our land, we can't control it.
ONE: But like a ship on the sea, we can lift our sails and journey with it.
ALL: By Your mercy, Lord, move us.

OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD'S PARYER:

Almighty God, You know that in this world we are under great pressure. At times, we cannot cope. We yield to temptation and fall into sin. Stiffen our resolve and make our faith strong, so we may dig in against temptation and, by Your power, overcome it. And now as Jesus taught us: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom came, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
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Offertory Prayer:        
Gracious God, accept these gifts, and with them our lives, to be used in Your service, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

CHILDREN'S TIME:   

​ "What Is The Bible?" (not available at this time)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION: Creator God, forgive our moments of ingratitude, the spiritual blindness that prevents us from appreciating the wonder that is this world; the endless cycle of nature, of life and death and rebirth. Forgive us for taking without giving, reaping without sowing. Open our eyes to see, our lips to praise, and our hands to share. May our feet tread lightly on the path we tread, and our footsteps be worthy of following, for they lead to You. This we ask in Your name. Amen.

HE WORD OF GOD:
The Word Of God
The Bible is truly a miracle. There are a total of 66 books, 39 in the
Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. The Bible was written by
over 36 different people, and over a period of about 1500 years. The
authors come from many different backgrounds and professions. There
were fishermen, farmers, politicians, teachers, doctors, tentmakers and
even kings. It would be impossible for so many different people over so
many years to write with such accuracy if it were not for the Holy Spirit.
God told these people what to write.
The Bible is more than words communicated to us from God; the
Bible is the Word Of God. Unfortunately, there are people in this world,
in the country and even in our own community, who think the Bible is
just another long, boring book. But all of us gathered here this morning
know that the Bible was given to us from God to Jesus as our Saviour.
All Scripture came from God. The Holy Spirit inspired the writers.
Scripture is used for teaching, rebuking, correcting, training and
equipping. Anyone who doesn't understand the Bible doesn't have the
Holy Spirit to guide them.
Let us pray: Dear Lord, many among us are guilty of trying to get
through life with reading the manual for life. Help us, Lord, to remedy
this. Thank you. Lord, for giving us clear, set directions for our life. Help
us to make more time to be with You in Your word. Amen.

This morning we are going to demonstrate just how useful the
Bible can be. Let's begin by singing "There Is A Book" found in your
bulletin. The tune is the familiar children's song, B-I-N-G-O.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:While singing this song, the * replaces a letter and represents a single hand clap. 

 
VERSES
There is a book that has Good News, the Bible is its na-me.
B.. I.. B.. L.. E.. B.. I.. B.. L.. E.. B.. I.. B.. L.. E.. the Bible is its na-me.
There is a book that is our guide, the Bible is its na-me.
*.. I.. B.. L.. E.. *.. I.. B.. L.. E.. *.. I.. B.. L.. E.. the Bible is its na-me.
There is a book that gives new life, the Bible is its na-me.
*.. *.. B.. L.. E.. *.. *.. B.. L.. E.. *.. *.. B.. L.. E.. the Bible is its na-me.
There is a book that has the truth, the Bible is its na-me.
*.. *.. *.. L.. E.. *.. *.. *.. L.. E.. *.. *.. *.. L.. E.. the Bible is its na-me.
There is a book that gives us wisdom, the Bible is its na-me.
*.. *.. *.. *.. E.. *.. *.. *.. *.. E.. *.. *.. *.. *.. E.. the Bible is its na-me.
There is a book that talks of Jesus, the Bible is its na-me.
B.. I.. B.. L.. E.. B.. I.. B.. L.. E.. B.. I.. B.. L.. E.. the Bible is its na-me.

The Skit : Cover 2 cover!!!!!!!

SKIT - Cover 2 Cover
© 2010, Sharon Kay Chatwell
SKIT – COVER 2 COVER

[CURTAIN OPENS with SALESMAN and SALESWOMAN standing or seated behind desk.

SPECTATOR ENTERS from STAGE RIGHT.]
SALESWOMAN
(Speaking to SPECTATOR) Good Morning, and welcome to Cover 2 Cover... How may I help you?

SPECTATOR
I was just walking by and noticed your sign. Cover 2 Cover... What kind of store is this?

SALESWOMAN

Oh, this is a wonderful store!

SPECTATOR
I’m sure it is. But what do you sell here?

SALESWOMAN
Oh, we don’t sell anything here. The things we have are free to everyone!

SPECTATOR
That sounds good to me! But what do you give away for free?

SALESWOMAN
Cover 2 Cover is a place where people can get what they really need. Just watch and see!

[WORRIED PERSON ENTERS and speaks to SALESMAN.]
PERSON #1 (Worried Person)
Can you help me? I am so worried! I am afraid of what happen in the future. What if I lose my job? And if I lose my job, what will happen to my family? Or what if I get sick? Or what if my dog runs away? Anything could happen!! Please can you tell me what will happen in the future?

SALESMAN
No, I can’t tell you the future. But I know the One who holds the future in His hands. And He has some words for you.
(Calling loudly) Matthew 6:31-34 and 1 Peter 5:7!

[MATTHEW 6:31-32 and MATTHEW 6:33-34 ENTER and say their verses]

MATTHEW 6:31-32
So do not worry saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

MATTHEW 6:33-34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

1 PETER 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on (GOD) because he cares for you.

[PERSON #1 and BIBLE VERSES EXIT TOGETHER.]

SPECTATOR
Hey, what kind of place is this?

SALESWOMAN
Cover 2 Cover is a place where people can find wisdom to help them with their problems. Just watch and see...

[PERSON #2 ENTERS]

SALESMAN
Hello, may we help you?

PERSON #2 (Relationship Issues)
Please help me. I don’t know where else to turn. My family is a mess. My marriage is in trouble. And my children won’t talk to me. I just want to run away and hide. There is this very nice person at work who seems to like me a lot. Is it wrong to run away from such trouble at home? I don’t know what to do. Can you help me? Can you fix my
problems?

SALESMAN
No, I can’t. But I know the One who has made all things: He gives wisdom freely to anyone who asks. He has some words for you.

(Calling loudly.) PSALM 127:1 and PROVERBS 3:5-6!!

[PSALM 127:1 and PROVERBS 3:5-6 ENTER and say their verses.]

PSALM 127:1
Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.

PROVERBS 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

SPECTATOR
Hey, what kind of place is this, anyway?

SALESWOMAN
Cover 2 Cover is place where people can find answers to their questions. Just watch and see!

[PERSON #3 ENTERS]

SALESMAN
Hello, how may we help you?

PERSON #3 (Unsaved Person)
Can you help me, please? I seem to be lost! I have no direction in my life and no reason for living. Sometimes I don’t even want to go on, but I am afraid of what will happen when I die. Can you help me? Can you tell me what will happen to me after I die?

SALESMAN
No, I can’t. But I know the One who will someday judge the living and the dead. And He has some words for you.

(Calling loudly.) John 11:25-26 and John 14:6! 

[JOHN 11:25-26 and JOHN 14:6 ENTER and say their verses]

JOHN 11:25-26
Jesus said... I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even thought he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.

JOHN 14:6
Jesus said... I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

[PERSON #3 and BIBLE VERSES EXIT TOGETHER.]

SPECTATOR
Hey, what kind of place is this anyway?

SALESWOMAN
Cover 2 Cover is a place where people can get what they really need, gain wisdom for their problems, and find answers to their questions.

SPECTATOR
Is this the only store you have?

SALESWOMAN
No, we have many locations all over the world!

SPECTATOR
And when are you open?

SALESWOMAN
We are open anytime your Bible is open! God’s Word is found in the Bible 24/7…365! 

SPECTATOR
The Bible!!

SALESWOMAN
Yes, the Bible. It is where you can get what you really need, gain wisdom for your problems, and find answers to your questions. In it you will find the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

SPECTATOR
That sounds great. Can I take some of these verses home with me?

SALESMAN
Sure, you can take them all!

(Calling loudly.) ALL VERSES!

[ALL VERSES ENTER and say 2 Timothy 3:16-17. They may break up the following verse if you like.]

ALL VERSES (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

SPECTATOR
(To SALESWOMAN) You were right. This is a wonderful store. Come on verses...

Let’s go!
ALL
Good-bye!

(SPECTATOR AND ALL VERSES EXIT WAVING. SALESWOMAN AND SALESMAN EXIT.)
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THE END