Bulletin for March 19, 2023 Worship Service
Livestream at 9:00 a.m.

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

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

SILENT MEDITATION
Repentance is not an emotion. It is not feeling sorry for your sins. It is a decision. It is deciding that you have been wrong in supposing that you could manage your own life and be your own god; it is deciding that you were wrong in thinking that you had, or could get, the strength, education, and training to make it on your own; it is deciding that you have been told a pack of lies about yourself and your neighbors and your world. And it is deciding that God in Jesus Christ is telling you the truth. Repentance is a realization that what God wants from you and what you want from God are not going to be achieved by doing the same old things, thinking the same old thoughts. Repentance is a decision to follow
Jesus Christ and become his pilgrim in the path of peace. – Eugene Peterson

CALL TO WORSHIP
The 23rd Psalm
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

PRAISE AND ADORATION

*OPENING HYMN
#440 Jesus, Lover of My Soul ABERYSTWYTH
(*Please stand, if you are able.)

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of Mercy, we often live our lives in the dark forgetting to lend a helping hand to those need, wasting our time with petty grievances and concentrating on selfish gain. Forgive us and help us live into the light ushered in by Christ. Jesus taught us to help others, to be champions of peace, to stand for justice and to choose the good. Let us live into those teachings transforming the world through your love.

SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

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

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*LENTEN HYMN
#212 Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed MARTYRDOM

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

A MOMENT FOR THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Rock Sumner, Business Manager

ANTHEM
“Wherefore My Trust Is All in Thee“ (9:00) John Dowland; arr. K. Lee Scott

NEW TESTAMENT READING
Ephesians 5: 8-14 page 951 of the pew Bible

FELLOWSHIP OF PRAYER

JOYS AND CONCERNS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
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

SCRIPTURE READING
John 9: 1-41 page 871 of the pew Bible

Pastor: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

SERMON
“Do You Also Want to Become His Disciple?” Dr. Zieman
Jesus heals the man born blind.

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
from a Brief Statement of Faith (1991)
We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community. But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God’s commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God’s condemnation.

Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still.

*SANCTUS
(#1) Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! 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
“Loving Shepherd of Thy Sheep“ (9:00) K. Lee Scott

* DOXOLOGY
(#711) “Lord of All Good” TOULON

PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Almighty God, with faith and hope, we offer these gifts. Use them, as you use us, to accomplish your purposes in Jesus Christ, the head of the church and the Lord of our lives. Amen.

*HYMN OF DEDICATION
#223 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross HAMBURG

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE
“Finale” Georg Muffat

Read Announcements for the week of March 19, 2023