Growing in faith, serving with love
Order for Worship - 4th Sunday in Lent
March 22, 2020
GATHER
Take a deep breath as you bring yourself into a place of worship. Leave behind the worries and responsibilities you face today and come into the presence of the Lord. Invite God into this space by praying the following:
 
Lord, we welcome you into this time. We welcome you into our lives. We welcome you into our hearts, minds, and souls. Meet us here today, and take us by our hand as we worship you. Speak to us in a way that is undeniable. Receive our worship, today, and transform us with your amazing love!
   
CONFESS
Lent is a time to acknowledge our weaknesses in order to proclaim God’s strength. With full assurance of forgiveness that follows, let us confess where we have fallen short by praying the following:
 
Lord, your love for us is selfless. Throughout scripture, we see your repeated acts of grace and kindness to those who did not deserve it. You gave us your Son, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for all of us. Even though you have shown us the way of selflessness, we are still a selfish people. We struggle to sacrifice our convenience, our finances, or our time for the sake of others.
 
Forgive us when our selfishness hinders our ability to love others. Help us to give ourselves for others as your Son has given himself for us. Show us your way of selfless love so that we can love others in the same way!
 
RECEIVE PEACE
Family, receive this Good News. God’s love is given to us constantly and abundantly! In that love is forgiveness as well as peace. Be at peace with God and one another, for in Christ, we are all forgiven!

CHILDREN’S SERMON
PRAYER REQUESTS
If you would like to share a joy or prayer concern, please email Pastor Dan at dan@tequestapres.org and your request will be shared in next week’s worship packet.
 
  • For all impacted by the COVID-19 virus. For our medical professionals, paramedics, firefighters, and police officers.
  • Our leaders at every level, for wisdom and discernment as they make difficult decisions.
  • Our Session and deacons.
  • For those burdened with stress and anxiety during this time. For those who face financial uncertainty
  • Mia Villegas, a 17-month girl in Tequesta who is recovering from emergency surgery and beginning cancer treatment.
 
READ GOD’S WORD
Genesis 45:4-15
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer. He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8 So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 9 Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. 10 You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. 11 I will provide for you there—since there are five more years of famine to come—so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.’ 12 And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. 13 You must tell my father how greatly I am honored in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” 14 Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.
 
Matthew 6:9-13
“Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.
 
EDUCATION
Why do we say “debts & debtors” instead of “trespasses?”
The simple answer to this question is “That’s what the Bible says!” In the Gospel passage we have been using for our sermon series, the original Greek language uses the word “ opheilema” (literally translated as “debt”) when referring to what is to be forgiven. As early as 300 C.E. the Early Church understood “debts” as personal sin, which is why the term “trespasses” began to be used. Today, different traditions say “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” for this reason. We say “debts & debtors” today because it is more in line with the original translation, and also to proclaim that forgiveness is a part of building relationships with others, just as God seeks to build a relationship with us.
 
SERMON
 LORD’S PRAYER
 
GIVE
We are all blessed with God’s generosity. With gratitude, let us return to the Lord a portion of what God has given us. You can give by clicking the “give online” button or by mailing a check to our church office at:
 
FPC Tequesta
482 Tequesta Drive
Tequesta, FL 33469 
Please remember that we rely on your continued generosity to be the church Christ calls us to be, especially in this unique season.
 
CHARGE & BENEDICTION
As we continue to physically isolate ourselves from one another, let us continue to find ways to care for one another. Call someone who is lonely. Write a letter to someone who is in need of encouragement. Pray for and with others as often as possible.
 
As we receive and seek forgiveness in all our relationships, may the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit guide and sustain us until the day Christ comes again. Amen!
First Presbyterian Church | 561-746-5161 | office@tequestapres.org | www.tequestapres.org