Fourth Sunday of Lent
10:00 AM Service March 26, 2023
GATHERING
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Ringing of the Bell
Confession and Forgiveness
P: In the name of the Father, and of the +Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen
P: God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen
(Silence is kept for reflection)
P: Most merciful God,
C: We confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
P: God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By the grace you have been saved. In the name of +Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith.
C: Amen.
Hymn # 666 “What Wondrous Love Is This”
L: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ; the love of God, and the communion
of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.
L: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
L. For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
L: For the peace of the whole world, for the well being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
L: For the holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
L: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
L: Let us pray:
All: Almighty God, your Son came into the world to free us all from sin and death. Breathe upon us the power of your Spirit, that we may be raised to new life in Christ and serve you in righteousness all our days, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
WORD
First Reading Ezekiel 37: 1—14 Pg. 1345
R: Word of God, Word of life. C: Thanks be to God.
Psalm Psalm 130 Pg. 969
Refrain:
PS 130:1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
PS 130:2 O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
Refrain:
PS 130:3 If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?
PS 130:4 But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.
Refrain:
PS 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.
PS 130:6 My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Refrain
PS 130:7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing
love and with him is full redemption.
PS 130:8 He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.
Refrain
(Please rise for the Gospel)
After the Gospel is announced, we sing
Gospel Reading John 11: 1—45 Pg. 1668
(After the reading of the Gospel, we sing)
(Please be seated)
Sermon Deacon Andrew More (Please Stand)
Hymn # 333 “Jesus Is a Rock in a Weary Land”
L: Together with the whole church, we confess our faith:
All: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
God’s only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
He is seated at the right hand of the Father,
And he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen
The Prayers
L: . . .Lord, in your mercy, C: Hear our prayer.
Sharing of the Peace
L: The peace of Christ be with you always.
C: And also with you!
L: Let us share Christ’s peace with one another.
Offering
Offering Hymn #629 “Abide with Me”
(As the last verse is sung, please stand as the offering is brought forward.)
L: Let us pray.
All: Gracious God, all goodness flows from you. You bless us and you call us to be a blessing to a world in need. Accept these offer-ings as a sign of our whole lives returned to you through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer: (Sung)
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
SENDING
Blessing
Hymn #886 “Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing”
L: Go in peace. Serve the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.
Postlude
Our thanks to those who serve as our worship leaders today:
Our Reader—Michelle Johnson
Our Liturgist—Don Gillett
Organist—Ed Workmon
Hand Bell Director—Wendy Kuenemann
Guest Preacher—Deacon Andrew More