Service for 4th Sunday in Lent

                                                   March 14, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.

 

                                                   GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

 

IN SILENCE                                                                     attributed to Stephen Grellett (1773-1855)

                                            I shall pass through this world but once;

                                                 any good thing therefore I can do,

                                      or any kindness I can show to any human being,

                                                              let me do it now,

                                                   let me not defer it or neglect it,

                                                for I shall not pass this way again.

 

PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP                                                                  from Psalm 32: 7 & 5

 

            God, you are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble;

                 You surround me with glad cries of deliverance.

            I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my guilt;

                 I said, “I will confess my sins to the Lord,”

                 and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

 

PRELUDE                                      The Old Rugged Cross                      G. Bennard/L. Larson

                                                               In the Garden                                 A. Miles/M. Hayes

 

WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, REGISTRATION

 

CHIMES & CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP

             LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                   from Psalm 32 (The Message)

 

            Count yourself blessed. How glad you must be—

            You get a fresh start, your slate’s wiped clean.

                 Count yourself blessed—God holds nothing against you

                 and you’re holding nothing back from God.

            When we kept it all inside, our bones turned to powder,

                 our words became daylong groans.

                 When we let it all out, saying,

“I’ll make a clean breast of my failures to God.”

            Suddenly the pressure was gone—

                 my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared.

 

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 101                                   When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

 

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                                                              on Luke 15/wrl

 

The child who broke with family prepared a confession before going home:

                 “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you;

                 I am no longer worthy to be called your child;

                 Treat me as one of your hired hands.”

 

                 Forgive us, Lord, for leaving the home you give us,

                 for making foolish and selfish decisions with your gifts,

                 for traveling far from you and your ways.

                 Forgive our rehearsed prayers too, Lord,

                 for the sake of your better child, our brother Jesus Christ.

                                        (time for silent, personal confession) Amen.

 

*ASSURANCE OF WHOSE WE ARE & THE PEACE

            The Psalmist writes, “Count yourself blessed.  How glad you must be—

            You get a fresh start, your slate’s wiped clean.”

                 We count ourselves blessed—that in Jesus, God holds nothing against us.

 

            The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

                 Peace be with you.

                          (worshipers share words and gestures of the peace of Christ)

 

                                                   PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

 

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON                                                    Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32 (NRSV)

                                                                                                                          Pew Bible pg. 73

 

ANTHEM                                     The Wayfaring Stranger                          arr. S. Caracciolo

 

WORD WITH THE YOUNG

 

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON                                              Deuteronomy 21: 15-22:4 (NRSV)

                                                                                                                         Pew Bible pg.170

 

SERMON                                                                                          “When is he home…free?”

 

                                                 RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

CALL TO OFFER OURSELVES

            OFFERTORY              Shall We Gather at the River?                              arr. J. Carter

 

PRAYER, DEDICATING, THANKING AND ASKING GOD,

            THE LORD’S PRAYER (traditional)                                                       Hymnal p. 16

 

                                                        GO IN GOD’S NAME

 

*HYMN # 172                                                                    My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

 

*CHARGE & BLESSING

 

CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE

 

POSTLUDE                                            Joy Eternal                                                  G. Parker

                                  (Note that some will be seated and others depart in joy and silence.)

 

                                                        WORSHIP LEADERS

Liturgists

Rev. Michael Ludwig, Charlie Lemon

Sermon

Rev. William R. Leety

Word with Children

Rev. Michael Ludwig

Musical Leadership

 Celebration Singers

Chancel Choirs

Sarah Shaffer, Choirmaster 

Nancy Deeth, Organist/Pianist

Greeters

Walt & Joyce Beauvais, Elaine Barnum, Carol Bessey, Mike Johnson

Concerned Deacon

Carrol Aylesworth

Head Usher

Peggy Lemon