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A Service of Song, Word, & Table
FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
March 10, 2024
* Please rise in body or spirit.
WELCOME
PRELUDE Dr. Dan Cummings, piano
* CALL TO WORSHIP
Lenten travelers, the journey is long. Let us take a moment to rest and breathe.
Only in God do we find our rest.
Sometimes the road is easy, and we bask in the warmth of the Light who guides us.
Other times the road is hard, and we hide from the Light, afraid for our actions to be made known in public.
Somedays we delight in the joy of journeying together on this road.
Other days we struggle with the temptation to judge and condemn one another as we travel this path.
Today, let us come into the Light together as we learn to love God and one another through the twists and turns of our Lenten journey.
Come, let us worship God together! Amen.
* HYMN Love Divine, All Loves Excelling UMH 384
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
*A READING FROM THE GOSPEL John 3:14-21
This is the Word of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to God.
Anthem
8:30 O Rest in the Lord Felix Mendelssohn Dr. Karen Marrolli, mezzo-soprano
11:00 God So Loved the World John Stainer Chancel Choir
HOMILY “At-one-ment”
MUSICAL RESPONSE Breathe on Me, Breath of God UMH 420
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
When we offer God our confession, we join the beautiful work of reconciliation, which begins with our reconciling with God. Trusting in our Partner in grace, let us make our confession, first in silent prayer.
Offer prayers of silent confession
Gracious and loving God, open our hearts
so that we are able to admit to you the fullness of our lives –
that which is beautiful and good, and that which is hurtful and hateful.
We confess that we do not follow Jesus in all that we do.
We love with condition.
We judge and condemn.
We cast the first stone and keep the logs in our own eyes.
We do not turn to You as the source of our healing.
Forgive us, we pray. Forgive our sin and empower us to be imitators of Christ in love and service. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Friends in Christ, know this: the mercy of God is from everlasting to everlasting, and I remind you of this surpassing grace – in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.
* PASSING OF THE PEACE
* REGATHERING HYMN Blessed Assurance (vs 1) UMH 369
INVITATION TO OFFERING
OFFERTORY PRAYER
God of unwavering love, you have held nothing back in your love for us, not even your Son. How we marvel at that kind of love, and how we long to reflect a portion of that devotion back to you. As we dedicate our offerings to you, lead us away from our tendency to hold back and worry that there will not be enough. Help us to live as the people of love and abundance you have called us to be. In Christ, we pray. Amen.
OFFERTORY Dr. Dan Cummings, piano
* DOXOLOGY Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow UMH 95
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING TFWS 2257 b,c,d
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blest is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.
And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.
Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church,
all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father (God), now and forever.
Amen. Amen, Amen. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.
LORD’S PRAYER
SHARING THE BREAD AND THE CUP
MUSIC AT COMMUNION
8:30 Dr. Dan Cummings, piano
11:00 O Rest in the Lord Felix Mendelssohn Dr. Karen Marrolli, mezzo-soprano
INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
* SENDING HYMN This Little Light of Mine Spiritual
Words for screen:
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
Ev'rywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine!
Ev'rywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine!
Ev'rywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine!
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine!
Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine!
Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine!
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
* BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Dr. Dan Cummings
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