March 9, 2025
Prelude: Savior, When in Dust to You
Parry/Manz
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 100]
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Know that the Lord is God.
It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name.
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Let us worship the LORD!
Praise the Lord! O Heavens Adore Him
The Foundling Hospital Collection/Haydn
Praise the Lord! O heavens, adore him; praise him angels in the height;
Sun and moon, bow down before him; praise him, shining stars of light.
Praise the Lord, for he hath spoken; worlds his mighty voice obeyed;
Laws which never shall be broken for their guidance he has made.
Praise the Lord, for he is gracious; never shall his promise fail;
God has made his saints victorious; sin and death shall not prevail.
Praise the God of our salvation; hosts on high, his power proclaim;
Heaven and earth, and all creation, laud and magnify his name.
Confession
Shepherding God, you desire to gather and care for your scattered people, but sometimes we are not ready to be gathered. When human leaders seek to divide and turn us against one another, help us hold on to our common humanity. Forgive us when we are fearful of not receiving what we need and turn away from others in need. Open our eyes to recognize your beloved family, even across our differences. Restore us to continue your work of healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and giving release to those imprisoned by fear, failure, and fatigue. Amen.
Silence
The Lord’s My Shepherd
Townend
The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want; He makes me lie in pastures green.
He leads me by the still, still waters, His goodness restores my soul.
(Chorus)
And I will trust in You alone. And I will trust in You alone.
For your endless mercy follows me – Your goodness will lead me home.
He guides my ways in righteousness, and He anoints my head with oil,
and my cup, it overflows with joy – I feast on his pure delights. (Chorus)
And though I walk the darkest path, I will not fear the evil one –
for You are with me, and your rod and staff are the comfort I need to know. (Chorus)
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.
Come Now, You Blessed, Eat at My Table
Duck/Sam
“Come now, you blessed, eat at my table,”
Said Jesus Christ to the righteous above.
“When I was hungry, thirsty, and homeless,
sick and in prison, you showed me your love.”
When did we see you hungry or thirsty?
When were you homeless, a stranger alone?
When did we see you sick or in prison?
What have we done that you call us your own?
“When you gave bread to earth’s hungry children,
when you gave shelter to war’s refugees,
When you remembered those most forgotten,
you cared for me in the smallest of these.”
Christ, when we see you out on life’s roadways,
looking to us in the faces of need,
Then may we know you, welcome, and show you
love that is faithful in word and in deed.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Alida Gowan
Old Testament: Jeremiah 23:1-4
New Testament: Matthew 25:31-46
Sermon: Staying Earthly Good
Scott Starbuck
Focus: “This is our great challenge and consolation. Jesus comes to us in the poor, the sick, the dying, the prisoners, the lonely, the disabled, the rejected. There we meet him, and there the door to God’s house is opened for us.” Henri Nouwen
Response: My Song Is Love Unknown
Ireland/Callahan
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, and deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Call to Stewardship
Ann Hall
But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.” Jacob said, “No, please; if I find favor with you, then accept my present from my hand; for truly to see your face is like seeing the face of God—since you have received me with such favor.” -Genesis 33:9-10
Sending Song: Come! Live in the Light!
Haas
Come! Live in the light! Shine with the joy and the love of the Lord!
We are called to be light for the kingdom, to live in the freedom of the city of God.
Refrain:
We are called to act with justice; we are called to love tenderly;
We are called to serve one another, to walk humbly with God.
Come! Open your heart! Show your mercy to all those in fear!
We are called to be hope for the hopeless so hatred and violence will be no more. (refrain)
Sing! Sing a new song! Sing of that great day when all will be one!
God will reign, and we’ll walk with each other as sisters and brothers united in love. (refrain)
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: Lamb of God, Pure and Holy
Pachelbel
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