Sunday March 17, 2024 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

PRELUDE — Prelude & Fugue in E Minor — J.S. Bach    
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.

SILENT MEDITATION
“In a civilization that glorifies success and happiness and is blind to the sufferings of others, people’s eyes can be opened to the truth if they remember that at the centre of the Christian faith stands an unsuccessful, tormented Christ, dying in forsakenness.”  – Jürgen Moltmann, German theologian, b.1926

CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP — Part of the Plan — Natalie Sleeth                                                                                                                                          

PRAISE AND ADORATION

*LENTEN HYMN #221 — O Sacred Head, Now Wounded — PASSION CHORALE
(*Please stand if you are able)                                                                                                   

CALL TO CONFESSION             

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Living Christ, with whom we journey to the cross, we confess that we are always looking for an easier way. We long for the fullness of life with you, but we are slow to abandon the comforts of the life we know. We seek the fruit of new life, but we are not willing to die to ourselves. You call us to life in community, but we stubbornly cling to “me and mine.” Yet you offer the grace of life abundant, even and especially when our best efforts fall short. Transform us, renew us, and free us from our attachment to what was, so that you might bring us into the glory of what will be…

SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION AND PETITION

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

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                 

*HYMN #649 — Amazing Grace — AMAZING GRACE                                                                                                                                          

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

ANTHEM (11:10) — How Majestic Is Your Name — Mark Patterson

TIME FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON — Jeremiah 31: 31-34    page 642 of the pew Bible
The Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God!

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.

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD

THE GOSPEL LESSON — John 12: 20-36  — page 875 of the pew Bible  
The Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God!

SERMON — “We Wish to See Jesus” — Dr. Zieman

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH — from The Heidelberg Catechism, Q & A 43
Q:        What further benefit do we receive by the sacrifice and death of Christ on the cross?
A:        Through Christ’s death our old selves are crucified, put to death, and buried with him, so that the evil desires of the flesh may no longer rule us, but that instead we may dedicate ourselves as an offering of gratitude to him.

*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 — Beside the Still Waters — John Turner                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

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

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Gracious God, it is our joy to return the gifts of our lives to you. May our offerings this morning forever bring glory to your name, and may we continue to work tirelessly for the well-being of your whole creation. Amen.

*HYMN OF DEDICATION #450 — Be Thou My Vision — SLANE

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION — ST. PATRICK’S BREASTPLATE
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me,

Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

*POSTLUDE — Fugue in B-flat — J.S. Bach