April 6, 2025
Prelude: Ah, Holy Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended?
Crüger/Brahms
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 126]
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
Let us worship the LORD!
God, Our Help and Constant Refuge (Ps. 46) (Hymn 192)
Anderson/Howells
God, our help and constant refuge, ever present in our need!
Though the earth be ever changing, though it fall into the sea,
Rock secure, ever sure through all tumult you endure.
Holy river of God’s city, healing flows within your streams,
Giving strength within our crisis, firm and steady like a beam.
Nations rage, wars to wage. God will still protect this age.
God, the Lord of Hosts, is with us. Come behold these mighty deeds:
Wars are ended, spears are broken, at this voice the world takes heed.
Come, O lord, break the sword. Bring us peace as Your reward.
Living Lord of Hosts, be with us. Come, and fill us with Your power.
You, the hope of all the nations, be exalted in this hour.
God Most High, lest we die, give us hope and hear our cry.
Confession
God who sends light into dark places, we struggle to work for peace in a world full of violence. Forgive us for preferring safety over engagement and measurable success over the messiness of real life. Forgive us when we seek power without compassion, or strength without gentleness. Help us find motivation in love, not fear or retaliation. Give us courage to expose any darkness in our hearts to your light, and trust that you are near. Amen.
Silence
Hear the Good News of Salvation (Hymn 355)
Native American (Dakota)/Wyeth’s Repository of Sacred Music
Hear the good news of salvation: Jesus died to show God’s love.
Such great kindness! Such great mercy! Come to us from heaven above.
Refrain:
Jesus Christ, how much I love you! Jesus Christ, you save from sin!
How I love you! Look upon me. Love me still and cleanse within.
All the sins I have committed to my Savior now I bring.
I bow down with tears of anguish; Christ forgives and so I sing: (Refrain)
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Ah, Holy Jesus (Hymn 93)
Crüger/Heermann
Ah, Holy Jesus, how have you offended,
that mortal judgment has on you descended?
By foes derided, by your own rejected, O most afflicted!
For me, dear Jesus, was Your incarnation,
Your mortal sorrow, and Your life’s oblation,
Your death of anguish and Your bitter passion, for my salvation.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Tina Russell
Old Testament: Isaiah 53:4-6, 8-9, 11
New Testament: Mark 12:1-11
Homily: God’s Answer to the Lust for Violence
Scott Starbuck
Focus: “Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Music: What Wondrous Love
American folk hymn/Walker’s Southern Harmony
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul!
When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul!
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing,
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb who is the great I AM,
while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing;
while millions join the theme, I will sing!
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be,
And through eternity, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And through eternity I’ll sing on.
Communion Prayer
Call to Stewardship
Ruth Seignemartin
Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.
-Proverbs 15:16
Sending Hymn 101: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Mason/Watts
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my God;
All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.
Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: Ah, Holy Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended?
Crüger/Walcha
OneLicense# A-727502
CCLI# 283345
