Sunday April 6, 2025 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m.

Gathering in God’s Name

Prelude — Lord Jesus, Think on Me J. Bert Carlson
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.

Silent Meditation                                                                                                         
“Resurrection means that the worst thing is never the last thing.” —  Frederick Buechner

Call to Worship — from Psalm 126
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
       we were like those who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter,
       our tongues with songs of joy.
It was said among the nations,
       The Lord has done great things for them.
The Lord has done great things for us,
        and we are filled with joy.  Let us worship God!

Praise and Adoration

*Opening Hymn #53 — O God, Who Gives Us Life — NOEL   
(*Please stand, if you are able)

Confession and Pardon

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession
Ever-Present God, you offer us restoration and wholeness, yet we resist you. We reduce the purpose of this life to the amount of stuff we can retain, and we disregard the damage done to our planet, our neighbors, and to ourselves in the process. We confess that we would rather remain as we are than risk the change that results from your presence in our lives. In this season of Lent, help us to realize just how much we depend on one another. Guide us to reorient our lives towards your goodness and your joy.

Silent Prayers of Confession and Petition

Confessional Response (#417) — Lord Jesus, Think on Me — SOUTHWELL

Assurance of Pardon

*Welcome                
During the welcome, children are invited to come forward for their time with Dr. Zieman.

Time for Young Disciples

*Hymn #212 — Alas!  And Did My Savior Bleed — MARTYRDOM

Announcements

Fellowship of Prayer

Joys and Concerns

Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Anthem  —  Lamb of God Most Holy — Robert Pearsall

Proclamation of God’s Word

Scripture Lesson — John 12: 1-11 — page 874 of the pew Bible

Sermon —  “The Costly Fragrance of Love” —  Dr. Zieman

Our Response to God’s Word

*Affirmation of Faith — from A Brief Statement of Faith (1991)
In life and death, we belong to God.  Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.

In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace.  In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, Come, Lord Jesus!

*Sanctus (#569) — Holy, Holy, Holy — SANCTUS (Oliver)

Presentation of Tithes and Offerings

Offertory — My Jesus, I Love Thee — arr. Paul Sjolund      

*Doxology (#608) — Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow — PRAISE GOD (Hopson)

*Prayer of Dedication
God of all gifts, we are grateful for the many ways you continue to provide for us. As we offer a portion of these gifts today, we ask you to receive them and transform them. Allow these gifts to become acts of restoration and hope, both in our community and beyond, that all of your children might live into the abundance and the joy that you offer us.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

*Hymn of Dedication #440 — Jesus, Lover of My Soul  —  ABERYSTWYTH

*Charge and Benediction                              

Postlude — Jesus, Lover of My Soul — Ashley Grote