March 2, 2025
Prelude: How Fair and How Pleasant Are Thou
Dupre
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 99]
The Lord is king; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness.
O Lord our God, you answered your people; you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of wrongdoings.
Extol the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy.
Let us worship the LORD!
Come, Christians, Join to Sing (Hymn 150)
Spanish folk melody/Bateman
Come, Christians, join to sing Alleluia! Amen!
Loud praise to Christ our King; Alleluia! Amen!
Let all, with heart and voice, before his throne rejoice;
Praise is his gracious choice; Alleluia! Amen!
Come, lift your hearts on high; Alleluia! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky; Alleluia! Amen!
He is our guide and friend; to us he’ll condescend;
His love shall never end; Alleluia! Amen!
Praise yet our Christ again; Alleluia! Amen!
Life shall not end the strain; Alleluia! Amen!
On heaven’s blissful shore his goodness we’ll adore,
Singing forevermore, Alleluia! Amen!
Confession
God of growing things, you have generously sown the seed of your Word in our lives. Forgive us when our worries and fears choke out new growth. Forgive us when our enthusiasm dries up in the heat of hardships. Help us when we do not understand your teaching and fail to hold onto the truth. In your mercy, soften our hearts and open our ears. Recondition us into good soil to receive your Word and produce a harvest of love, peace, kindness, and joy. Amen.
Silence
There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy (Hymn 298)
Faber/NETTLETON
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in God’s justice, which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows are more felt than up in heaven;
There is no place where earth’s failings have such kindly judgment given.
For the love of God is broader than the measures of the mind;
And the heart of the eternal is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more faithful, we would gladly trust God’s Word;
And our lives reflect thanksgiving for the goodness of our Lord.
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.
God of Compassion, in Mercy Befriend Us (Hymn 261)
Moment/Paris Antiphoner
God of compassion, in mercy befriend us;
Giver of grace for our needs all-availing,
Wisdom and strength for each day do Thou send us,
Patience untiring and courage unfailing.
Wandering and lost, Thou hast sought us and found us,
Stilled our rude hearts with Thy word of consoling;
Wrap now Thy peace, like a mantle, around us,
Guarding our thoughts and our passions controlling.
How shall we stray, with Thy hand to direct us,
Thou who the stars in their courses art guiding?
What shall we fear, with Thy power to protect us,
We who walk forth in Thy greatness confiding?
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Karen Bart
Old Testament: Joshua 9:1-21
New Testament: Mark 4:1-20
Homily: Muddy the Truth
Scott Starbuck
Focus: “The True Self is not our creation, but God's. It is the self we are in our depths. It is our capacity for divinity and transcendence.” -Sue Monk Kid
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Music: Seed, Scattered and Sown
Feiten
Refrain:
Seed, scattered and sown; wheat, gathered and grown;
Bread, broken and shared as one, the living bread of God.
Vine, fruit of the land; wine, work of our hands;
One cup that is shared by all, the living cup, the living bread of God.
Communion Prayer
Call to Stewardship
But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today.” -Genesis 50:19-20
Offering: Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain
Horn, arr. Burkhardt
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: Song Without Words (Faith)
Mendelssohn
OneLicense# A-727502
CCLI# 283345
