Sunday March 16, 2025 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m.

Gathering in God’s Name

Prelude — An Wasserflüssen Babylon, BWV 653 — 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
Our community of faith encourages us to follow Christ.        from Philippians 3
       Let us imitate each other and follow their example of faith.
Our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
       All things are subject to his will.  He is transforming us as we stand firm in our faith. 
       Let us worship God!

Praise and Adoration

*Opening Hymn #829 — My Faith Looks Up to Thee — OLIVET

Confession and Pardon

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession
God, we come in prayer today with guilty hearts knowing that we have failed to live as disciples of Christ.    Even though Jesus has revealed the depth of your love, we have allowed ourselves to forget the significance of his sacrifice.  Instead, we allow negative energy to occupy our minds and actions, and we forget about your call to love one another.  Forgive us.  Help us take up the cross by living in harmony with one another and doing your will.   Create in us a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within us. 

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

Announcements

Moment for Mission — Patty Ritchie, for Agape for All

*Hymn #213 — In the Cross of Christ I Glory — RATHBUN

Fellowship of Prayer

A Lesson from the Psalms — Psalm 27 — page 437 of the pew Bible

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 — Away, Vain World — Bob Chilcott
From St. John Passion

Proclamation of God’s Word

Scripture Lesson — Luke 13: 31-35 — page 849 of the pew Bible

Sermon — “Fierce, Courageous Love” — Dr. Zieman

Our Response to God’s Word

*Affirmation of Faith — Hebrews 12:1-3
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.                                       –

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

Presentation of Tithes and Offerings

Offertory — The Road Home — Stephen Paulus

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

*Prayer of Dedication
God of grace, you provide for us in amazing ways. As we make our offerings to you this week, may our gifts provide for others and be used to further Christ’s ministry and mission across our city and across the world. Amen.

*Hymn of Dedication #766 — The Church of Christ Cannot Be Bound — MCKEE

*Charge and Benediction                              

Postlude — Holy, Holy, Holy — Jeffrey Blersch