Prelude
Be Still and Know That I Am God
Welcome
Call to Worship
In this season of Lent, we are on the way to shalom and getting closer to the cross.
We remember the steps that led Christ down the path before us: betrayal and fear, justice and peace, healing and love, doubt and brokenness.
In this season of Lent, as we follow Christ down this path, we admit the mixed bag of feelings we hold.
We are grateful that no feeling is final and that the name of God is mercy.
So, today, let us stay on the sacred path, putting one foot in front of the other. Let us do the next thing right, which is to worship God.
Opening Hymn No. 421 verse 1, 4, & 5
Have Mercy, God, upon My Life
Call to Confession
God is gracious and merciful and knows our needs before they even reach our lips. Still, we engage in confession, admitting to God all that rests uneasily in our hearts. Confident of God’s mercy and love, let us make our confession, first in silent prayer.
Prayer of Confession
Gracious and vulnerable God, in whom we live and move and have our being: Accept us as we are and not as we ought to be this morning. We are slowly emerging out of a profoundly difficult time. Each of us has burdens to carry. Forgive us, God, for what we’ve done and left undone, what we’ve said and left unsaid, in the past week. Help us forgive ourselves, and our families, friends and neighbors who’ve hurt us. Remind us that we belong to one another. By your grace, heal and transform us. Fill us with sturdy compassion. Empower us with gritty hope. Touch us with your steadfast love. We are yours, ready to your will, whatever comes our way in the days ahead. Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness
Friends, nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. The only thing that can separate you is the thought that you are separate. Rejoice in compassion. Rejoice in hope. Rejoice in steadfast love. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Choral Response
Change My Heart, O God
Change my heart, O God and restore my soul
Change my heart, O God; make it as your own.
You are the Author of true shalom.
Where peace and justice are made at home. (new lyrics by Rev. Laura Sherwood)
Peace of Christ and Common Life
Scripture Reading - Isaiah 58:6-12
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
Sermon Rev. Jeff Lehn
Hymn of Response No. 769 verses 1, 4, & 5
For Everyone Born
Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer
Call for Offering
In this season of Lent, we are invited to participate in God’s kingdom emerging all around us. May we offer ourselves to God with glad and generous hearts, freely giving our tithes and offerings to the ministry of this congregation. In lieu of passing the plate, we invite you to give through our church website, our smartphone app, by texting the word “Wilmette” to the number 77977, or by sending a check to the church office. As we gather our gifts together and offer them to God, may we do so in gratitude and praise.
Congregational Response - The Doxology (OLD HUNDREDTH - Hymn 606)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication
Sending Hymn
Your Peace Will Make Us One
American Folk Song, new lyrics by Audrey Assad
Charge and Benediction
Postlude
Be Thou My Vision
arr. Adnerson/Kramlich
Worship Leaders:
Rev. Jeff Lehn, preaching
Rev. Laura Sherwood, pastoral liturgist
Greg Korak, liturgist and postlude bell soloist
Jordan Roulo, hymn soloist
Chancel Choir, response and Doxology
