Sunday March 10, 2024 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

PRELUDE — Have Mercy Upon Me, O Lord — J.S. Bach             
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.

SILENT MEDITATION
“God never tires of forgiving; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy.” – Pope Francis

CALL TO WORSHIP — Psalm 107:1-3, 21-22
O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good; for God’s steadfast love endures forever.
       Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those God redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
Let them thank the Lord for God’s steadfast love, for God’s wonderful works to humankind.
       And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices, and tell of the Lord’s deeds with songs of joy.

PRAISE AND ADORATION

*LENTEN HYMN #224 — When I Survey the Wondrous Cross — ROCKINGHAM
(*Please stand if you are able)                                                                                                   

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                                                 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Holy God, giver of all that is good, we rejoice that you are the source of all that is. The breath of life is a gift from your generous hand. The food we eat is grown in the world you sustain. The community that supports us is called into being by your saving activity. Everything we have is a gift from you. Why, then, do we complain as though the manna, raining down from heaven for us even now, is not enough? Why do we worry that your well of living water will someday run dry? It is surely our sin that causes us live as though we do not trust your goodness. Forgive us, we pray. Teach us again to put all our trust in your promises that never fail. Remind us that we are always in your loving care. Fill us with grace, so that our lives might show forth the fullness of your love for all people…

SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION AND PETITION

KYRIE ELEISON (#417) — Lord Jesus, Think on Me — SOUTHWELL

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                  

*HYMN #214 — You Are My Refuge, Faithful God — MORNING SONG                                                                                                                      

WELCOME              
During the welcome, children are invited to come forward for a time with Dr. Zieman

TIME FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES 

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON — Numbers 21: 4-9 — page 122 of the pew Bible
The Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MOMENT FOR MISSION — Kathy Moore, for Agape for All

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 — O Love’s Redeeming Sacrifice — Edward Elgar
O Love’s redeeming sacrifice who opens wide the gates of heaven: from those who threaten us with death, o give us strength, grant us thy aid. Sing to the one eternal God, unending praise unto Thy Name, for we are heirs of grace through Thee providing us eternal life. Amen.

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD

THE GOSPEL LESSON — John 3: 14-21 — page 864 of the pew Bible  
The Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God!

SERMON — “Come to the Light” — Dr. Zieman

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH — from The Confession of 1967
God’s reconciling act in Jesus Christ is a mystery which the Scriptures describe in various ways. It is called the sacrifice of a lamb, a shepherd’s life given for his sheep, atonement by a priest; again, it is a ransom of a slave, a payment of a debt, vicarious satisfaction of a legal penalty, and victory over the powers of evil. These are expressions of a truth which remains beyond the reach of all theory in the depths of God’s love for humankind. They reveal the gravity, cost, and sure achievement of God’s reconciling work.

*SANCTUS (#1) — Holy, Holy, Holy — NICAEA
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

RECEPTION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY — Wondrous Love — Eric Nelson

*DOXOLOGY (#711) — Lord of All Good — TOULON

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Gracious God, from the overflowing of your love, we have been given abundance upon abundance. Receive, we pray, our offerings and bless them. May we be blessed by their work, as we see your reign among us, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

*HYMN OF DEDICATION #749 — Come! Live in the Light! — WE ARE CALLED

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION                      

POSTLUDE — Toccata in C  José António Carlos De Seixas