March 20th Worship
Introit: We Are Called
Haas
Betsy Hammond
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Isaiah 55]
Listen! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;
and you that have no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk, without money and without price.
Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts;
Let us return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on us,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Let us worship the LORD!
Guide Us, O Thou Lord Almighty
Williams/Hughes
Guide us, O Thou Lord Almighty, pilgrims through this barren land;
We are weak, but Thou art mighty; hold us with Thy powerful hand;
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
Feed us till we want no more, feed us till we want no more.
Open now the crystal fountain, whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar lead us all our journey through;
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
Be Thou still our strength and shield, be Thou still our strength and shield.
When we tread the verge of Jordan, bid our anxious fears subside;
Death of death, and hell’s destruction, land us safe on Canaan’s side;
Songs of praises, songs of praises
We will ever give to Thee, we will ever give to Thee.
Confession
Merciful God, your invitation is expansive. You call us to hear you, to eat and be satisfied. Then, others we do not know will gather as well. Forgive us when we do not feel qualified for your work and leave ministry to those we consider “professional.” As we listen to you, quicken our desire for a more fruitful life. Help us become more fully who you intend us to be, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Silence
Song of Gratitude: Restore In Us, O God
Carl Daw Jr./Hopson
Restore in us, O God, the splendor of your love;
Renew your image in our hearts, and all our sins remove.
Bring us, O Christ, to share the fullness of your joy;
Baptize us in the risen life that death cannot destroy.
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Children’s Message
O God of Every Nation (Hymn 289)
Welsh folk melody/Reid
O God of every nation, of every race and land,
Redeem the whole creation with your almighty hand;
Where hate and fear divide us and bitter threats are hurled,
In love and mercy guide us and heal our strife-torn world.
From search for wealth and power and scorn of truth and right,
From trust in bombs that shower destruction through the night,
From pride of race and station and blindness to your way,
Deliver every nation, Eternal God, we pray.
Lord, strengthen those who labor that all may find release
From fear of rattling saber, from dread of war’s increase;
When hope and courage falter, your still small voice be heard;
With faith that none can alter, your servants undergird.
Keep bright in us the vision of days when war shall cease,
When hatred and division give way to love and peace,
Till dawns the morning glorious when peace on earth shall reign
And Christ shall rule victorious o’er all the world’s domain.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Katriel Starbuck
Old Testament: Isaiah 55:1-9
Link Here
New Testament: Luke 13:1-9
Link Here
Sermon: Deciding to lean into our vocation in Christ
Focus: Instead of waiting for “leaders” and “professionals” to get their act together for us, we are to offer Christ-transformative leadership for the world!
Response: Ukrainian National Anthem
Mykhailo Verbytsky, arr. Dannis Janzer
(Music freely provided by The Leupold Foundation for use in a religious worship service.)
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.
Giving our Gifts to God
Kathy Sandusky
Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world.” -John 18:36a
Musical Offering: Song of the Morning
Elgar
Leonard Byrne, ophicleide
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: Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty
LOBE DEN HERREN/Dahl
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