March 17, 2024
Prelude: Prelude in Bb minor
Bach
Introit: Andante tranquillo
Vaughan Williams
Karen Bart, cello
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 119]
Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.
May we seek you with a whole heart; do not let us stray from your commandments.
Our soul clings to the dust; revive us according to your word.
Let your steadfast love come to us, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise.
Let us worship the LORD!
We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight (Hymn 399)
McFarland/Alford
We walk by faith and not by sight; no gracious words we hear
From Christ, who spoke as none e’er spoke; but we believe Him near.
We may not touch His hands and side, nor follow where He trod;
But in His promise we rejoice, and cry, “My Lord and God!”
Help then, O Lord, our unbelief; and may our faith abound
To call on You when You are near and seek where You are found:
That, when our life of faith is done, in realms of clearer light
We may behold You as You are, with full and endless sight.
Confession
O Lord of creation, we know that unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains a single grain. We want to sprout, to grow, to produce an abundant harvest. However, transformation requires us to be vulnerable. We are more likely to pray, “Save us from this hour,” than “Father, glorify your name.” Forgive us for our fears and for the ways we try to stay in control. Forgive us when we reach for power and hold onto privilege. Teach us to let go in ways that serve you, and help us trust that your kingdom extends beyond what we can see in this world. Amen.
Silence
Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days
Hernaman/American folk melody
Lord, who throughout these forty days for us did fast and pray,
Teach us with you to mourn our sins and close by you to stay.
Abide with us, that through this life of doubts and hope and pain,
An Easter of unending joy we may at last attain!
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Gloria Patri (Hymn 579)
Greatorex
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
Word without end. Amen, Amen.
Children’s Message
O God of Earth and Altar (Hymn 291)
Chesterton/Welsh folk melody
O God of earth and altar, bow down and hear our cry;
Our earthly rulers falter, our people drift and die;
The walls of gold entomb us, the swords of scorn divide;
Take not your thunder from us, but take away our pride.
From all that terror teaches, from lies of pen and voice,
From all the easy speeches that make our hearts rejoice,
From sale and profanation of honor and the sword,
From sleep and from damnation, deliver us, good Lord!
Awaken us to action and forge us into one,
Defying sect and faction; O God, your will be done!
Oppressive systems snare us; our apathies increase.
Great God, in mercy spare us for justice and for peace!
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Gary Guenther
Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:31-34
New Testament: John 12:20-33
Sermon: Honor, Power, and Glory Given, not Grasped
Focus: As Christians, we always confuse the work of Christ on earth as a sign of an earthly kingdom.
Response: He Comes to Us as One Unknown
Dudley-Smith/Parry
Carollen Ryan
He comes to us as one unknown, a breath unseen, unheard;
As though within a heart of stone, or shriveled seed in darkness sown,
A pulse of being stirred, a pulse of being stirred.
He comes when souls in silence lie and thought of day depart;
Half-seen upon the inward eye, a falling star across the sky
of night within the heart, of night within the heart.
He comes in love as once he came by flesh and blood and birth;
To bear within our mortal frame a life, a death, a saving name,
For every child of earth, for every child of earth.
He comes in truth when faith is grown; believed, obeyed, adored:
The Christ in all the Scriptures shown, as yet unseen, but not unknown,
Our Savior and our Lord, our Savior and our Lord.
Pastoral 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.
Call to Stewardship
Jeannie Lemm
Sponsored by the Missional Outreach Ministry Unit
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
-Hebrews 13:16
Offering: Glorify Your Name
Adkins
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.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: Meditation on Repton
Parry, arr. Hobby
"He Comes to Us as One Unknown"
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