March 5, 2023
Prelude: Etude No. 1 in A-flat Major, op. 25
Chopin
YunJoung Park, piano
Introit: Lord, When I Came Into This Life
Kaan/American Folk Tune
Lisa Phillips, soprano; Shirley Backlund, Betsy Hammond, handbells
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 121]
We lift up our eyes to the hills— from where will our help come?
Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
Let us worship the LORD!
O Praise the Gracious Power (Hymn 471)
Doran/Troeger
O praise the gracious power that tumbles walls of fear
And gathers in one house of faith all strangers far and near;
We praise you, Christ! Your cross has made us one!
O praise persistent truth that opens fisted minds
And eases from their anxious clutch the prejudice that blinds:
We praise you, Christ! Your cross has made us one!
O praise the word of faith that claims us as God’s own,
A living temple built on Christ, our rock and cornerstone:
We praise you, Christ! Your cross has made us one!
O praise the living Christ with faith’s bright songful voice!
Announce the gospel to the world and with these words rejoice:
We praise you, Christ! Your cross has made us one!
Confession
Gracious God, you called Abraham to journey to an unknown place, and you call us to do your work in a world full of uncertainty, confusion, and pain. Forgive us when we do not want to leave what we know in order to take the next step with you. We are often weary and afraid. In our Lenten waiting, teach us patience and endurance in hope. Strengthen us by your Spirit to be a blessing to those around us. Amen.
Silence
Have Thine Own Way, Lord
Pollard/Stebbins
Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will, while I am waiting yielded and still.
(repeat)
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
Give to the Winds Thy Fears (Hymn 286)
Howard/Gerhardt
Give to the winds thy fears; hope and be undismayed:
God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears, God shall lift up thy head.
Through waves and clouds and storms God gently clears the way;
Wait patiently; so shall this night soon end in joyous day.
Leave to God’s sovereign sway to choose and to command;
So shalt thou, wondering, own God’s way, how wise, how strong God’s hand!
On God the Lord rely, and safe shalt thou go on;
Fix on God’s work thy steadfast eye, so shall thy work be done.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Jim Rose
Old Testament: Genesis 12:1-4a
New Testament: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
Homily: To Live by Faith
Focus: What has happened to our ability to dwell in unknowing, to live inside a question and coexist with the tensions of uncertainty? Where is our willingness to incubate pain and let it birth something new? What has happened to patient unfolding, to endurance? These things are what form the ground of waiting. And if you look carefully, you’ll see that they’re also the seedbed of creativity and growth—what allows us to do the daring and to break through to newness. . . –Sue Monk Kidd
Communion
Communion Music: Look Who Gathers at Christ’s Table!
Troeger/Corzine
Lisa Phillips
Communion Prayer
Call to Stewardship
Judy Stafstrom
If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me. -Matthew 19:21
Offering Our Gifts: If You Will Trust in God to Guide You
Neumark/Pepping
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: If You Will Trust in God to Guide You
Neumark/Bach
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CCLI# 283345
