ORDER OF WORSHIP, April 6, 2025
- John T. Redman, CRE
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
ORDER OF WORSHIP
APRIL 6, 2025 10:30 AM
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE Prelude # 1 by Johann Sebastian Bach Mary Lee Farris, Piano
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
EXTNGUISHING LENTEN CANDLES 1 – 5
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 126)
Leader: When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
PEOPLE: Then our mouths were filled with laughter, and our tongues with shouts of joy; then
it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has
done great things for us and we rejoiced.
Leader: Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negev.
PEOPLE: May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
ALL: Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, will come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.
INVOCATION
Gracious God, we come nearer to the end of our Lenten journey as we thank you for this time of
introspection and discovery. Direct us in the coming weeks, guiding us through your death and
resurrection, finding these new things, bringing us home to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “O Love, How Deep, How Broad“ Red #193
CALL TO CONFESSION
We all journey in faith, but we often wonder if that is enough. We often fool ourselves with thoughts
that distract our focus from our Lord and the work to be done. Let us together.
PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING
God of wilderness and water, your Son was baptized and tempted as we are. Guide us through this Lenten season, so that we may not avoid struggle, but open ourselves to blessing, that we see ourselves the way you see us, through the cleansing depths of understanding and the freeing words of the Spirit, as your son Jesus told us: “you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.” Amen.
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Our Lord knows us better than we know ourselves. Our Lord looks upon each of us as a precious
child. Our Lord understands us even as we seek to understand. In Jesus’ name, Amen
**GLORIA PATRI (Avery & Marsh, back cover of the Red Hymnal)
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- Apostle’s Creed (Adapted by John Redman)
I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was born of a young peasant woman, trained as a carpenter, and baptized by His cousin John. He taught many, He healed many, and He angered many. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He defeated death and He offers us grace and love in the name of God the Father Almighty; from that time through all time to come. I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit; the universal Church of Christ; the Communion of sharing our gifts with others; the forgiveness of our sins; the Grace of God’s love, and that each soul may have life everlasting. Amen.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” Red #45
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Creator God, you prepare a new way in our wildernesses and your grace waters our deserts. Help us to recognize your hand in everything and open our hearts to be transformed by this new thing you are doing, in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 43: 16-21 Dan Olson
NEW TESTAMENT READING Philippians 3:4b-14
GOSPEL READING John 12: 1-8
SERMON MESSAGE Extravagance! John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE CHURCH
And Lord we pray for those in our own hearts whose names you already know, for their own healing and comfort, in your name and that of our redeemer Jesus Christ, who taught to pray, saying:
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
COMMUNION HYMN “As We Gather Around the Table” Red # 770
Invitation to the Table
Communion Liturgy of Thanksgiving. (See insert)
Words of Institution
Prayer after Communion
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS:
Let us all consider what we have been blessed with and how we can best share it with those in greater need, even as we gift our church for its greater work to the Glory of God and the undying love of Jesus.
OFFERTORY “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
**DOXOLOGY Traditional
** PRAYER OF THANKS
Gracious God, accept our gifts that they may be used wisely in your service for those who hunger, or thirst, or merely seek a greater understanding of your love. This we gratefully pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
HYMN OF PARTING “Give to the Winds your Fears” Red #618
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “Clair de Lune from Suite Bargamasque” by Claude Debussy Mary Lee Farris,
Piano
Candles in Our Worship Service: A bit of History: The seven-light candelabra are symbolic of the seven days of the week, meaning we ‘worship’ God every day, not just on Sunday. The two altar candles symbolize that Jesus is both God and Man, and the Christ candle is symbolic of Christ being the Light of the World.
The Christ candle is lit first and extinguished last. The ushers leave its light with the other candles during worship, and when extinguished after worship, the ushers carry the light out into the world.
The reason the Christ candle is larger and placed by the pulpit, is that in the past, it also provided light for reading!
Blessings! JTR |
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954
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