Worship

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5th Sunday of Lent

3/26/23

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CENTERING MUSIC Jesus Walked this Lonesome Valley Spiritual
Arr. Dale Wood

MOMENT OF HOPE

CALL TO WORSHIP

One: Sometimes we say that we are a people of dry bones; we are a people without hope.

People: God says that we shall be raised from our living graves and we shall be filled with Spirit.

One: Sometimes we say that we are cut off from one another, and our sources of joy are dried up.

People: God says that we shall be at home with one another and we shall live with celebration.

One: Sometimes we come to worship aimless and fearful.

People: Then God reveals wondrous works of love and we come to know God.

*HYMN #757 “Today We Are Called”

Today we all are called to be disciples of the Lord, to help to set the captive free,

make plowshare out of sword,

To feed the hungry, quench their thirst, make love and peace our fast,

To serve the poor and homeless first, our ease and comfort last.

God made the world and at its birth ordained our human race

To live as stewards of the earth, responding to God’s grace.

But we are vain and sadly proud; We sow not peace but strife.

Our discord spread a deadly could that threatens all of life.

Pray justice may come rolling down as in a mighty stream,

With righteousness in field and town to cleanse us and redeem.

For God is longing to restore an earth where conflicts cease,

A world that was created for a harmony of peace.

May we in service to our God act out the living word,

and walk the road the saints have trod till all have seen and heard.

As stewards of the earth may we give thanks in one accord

To God who calls us all to be disciples of the Lord.

PRAYER CONFESSING OUR NEED FOR GOD’S GRACE

Eternal and Almighty God, you have long sought us and we have sometimes fled. You have offered us an easy yoke, and we have sometimes tied ourselves down with cares and burdens. You have forgiven us, and we have sometimes complained against our sisters and brothers. Give us a new sight that helps us to see the light: teach us to live in love, lead us into the Way and guide us through the valley of the shadow of death. Call us to follow Christ and in his Way to live all our days.

SILENT PRAYER

SONG OF RENEWAL #740 Lead Me, Guide Me (chorus only)

Lead me, guide me, along the way, for if you lead me, I cannot stray.

Lord, let me walk each day with thee. Lead me O Lord, lead me.

CELEBRATION OF GOD’S GRACE

Our God is there to guide and to aid us. Our God is here to love and to nurture us. Our God is with all of us to help us to grow and learn and develop into the best we can be.

Thanks be to God! Amen.

ANTHEM The Wondrous Cross Austin C. Lovelace

BLESSING THE CHILDREN AND SINGING TO GODLY PLAY

This Little Light of Mine

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

Today’s Story “Jesus the King” With Kathleen Krentz & Jane Moseley

Leader: And as we continue our worship…

Congregation: May God be with you there.

Children: May God be with you here.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Leader: God in your Grace,

People: Hear our prayer

PASTORAL PRAYER

THE LORD’S PRAYER

As we pray together the Lord's Prayer, you are invited to say this in whatever version is most comforting and meaningful to you. Here is one possible version (ecumenical version) that you can use:

Our Father, who is in heaven, holy 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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Psalm 98:7-9

Matthew 25:31-46

RESPONSE

Reader: The Word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION, from Psalm 19 - responsively

Pastor: May the words of my mouth

People: And the meditations of our hearts

All: Be acceptable in your sight, O Lord,

Our rock and our redeemer. Amen.

SERMON The Last Judgment?

MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION

Hymn #69 “Here I Am, Lord”

I, the Lord of sea and sky

I have heard my people cry

All who dwell in dark and sin

My hand will save.

I who made the stars of night

I will make the darkness bright

Who will bear my light to them

Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord

Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night

I will go, Lord

If you lead me

I will hold your people in my heart.

I the Lord of snow and rain

I have borne my people's pain

I have wept for love of them

They turn away.

I will break their hearts of stone

Fill their hearts with love alone

I will speak my word to them

Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord

Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night

I will go, Lord

If you lead me

I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of wind and flame,

I will tend the poor and lame.

I will set a feast for them.

My hand will save.

Finest bread I will provide

Til their hearts be satisfied.

I will give my life to them.

Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord

Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord,

If you lead me

I will hold your people in my heart.

MOMENT OF THANKS

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

OFFERTORY Were You There? Spiritual

Arr. Fred Bock

*DOXOLOGY Old Hundredth

From all the dwell below the skies

Let faith and hope with love arise

Let beauty, truth and good be sung

Through every land, by every tongue. Amen.

*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Gracious God, in these troubled and challenging times we offer thanks for our continued community and our continued connection to one another. Help us to serve your people even as we walk this time of isolation. Help us to give all of who we are to loving you and your people, even as we strive to live by the new mandates. In Christ’s name we pray.

Amen.

*CLOSING HYMN #192 “Shine, Jesus, Shine” vs. 1, 3

Lord, the light of your love is shining, in the midst of the darkness, shining;

Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us;

Set us free by the truth you now bring us.

Shine on me; shine on me.

Shine, Jesus, shine; fill this land with the Father’s glory.

Blaze, Spirit, blaze; set our hearts on fire.

Flow, river flow; flood the nations with grace and mercy.

Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light.

As we gaze on your kingly brightness, so our faces display your likeness;

Ever changing from glory to glory, mirrored here may our lives tell your story.

Shine on me; shine on me.

Shine, Jesus, shine; fill this land with the Father’s glory.

Blaze, Spirit, blaze; set our hearts on fire.

Flow, river flow; flood the nations with grace and mercy.

Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light.

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*PASSING THE PEACE

Leader: The peace of Christ be with you.

People: And with you also.

Leader: Let us pass the peace of Christ.

People: The peace of Christ be with you. (To one another)

*POSTLUDE Postlude in C J. G. Sachs