FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
If you have individual prayer requests, please write them on prayer cards in the pews and bring them up or give them to an usher during the prelude.
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE “Ottorino Respighi” Organ Prelude
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 107)
Leader: O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.
PEOPLE: the redeemed of the LORD say so, those he redeemed from trouble
Leader: gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
PEOPLE: Some were sick through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities endured affliction;
Leader: he sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction.
PEOPLE: Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.
Leader: And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices,
PEOPLE: and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.
INVOCATION
Dear God our Creator, you call us to love and serve you and our sisters and brothers with hearts, minds and spirits. Open our hearts in compassion and our minds to focus on your message of love and hopefulness and help us we look to the needs of the church and the world. This we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” Red #558
CALL TO CONFESSION
In this season of Lent, let us remember the constant search for understanding in our lives of faith and the unending breadth and depth of God’s love. Let us pray together.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Eternal God, we are quick with doubt and impatience, and we find it difficult to have faith and trust. We want to believe your promises, but the here-and-now problems of daily life consume our focus and erode our faith. Open our eyes to your light. Open our hearts to your love. Open our minds to your possibilities. Speak to us today, forgive our sins, and strengthen our faith, that we, too, may know the everlasting power of your love. Amen
(moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
God’s steadfast love has the power to heal our brokenness, calm our fears, and make
us whole. There is always forgiveness and healing with God. Amen
**GLORIA PATRI (Red Hymnal # 805)
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (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 “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” Red #522
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
God, source of all light, by your Word you give light to the soul. Pour out on us the spirit
of wisdom and understanding that our hearts and minds may be opened Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING Numbers 21: 4-9 Dan Olson
EPISTLE READING Ephesians 2: 1-8
GOSPEL READING John 3: 14-21
SERMON MESSAGE Darkness and Light John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
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:
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
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
May what we offer here be of our own hearts and dedicated to the service of our faith and our mission to others as they become the blessings and hope that others need and pray for in their own lives. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen
OFFERTORY “Beneath the Cross of Jesus “ Red #216
**DOXOLOGY Traditional Red #809
PRAYER OF THANKS
Lord God, we thank you for these gifts. As we follow in faith, may we find ways to honor you by giving of our treasure, our time and our talents to glorify you and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
**CLOSING HYMN “Lord, Let Us now Depart in Peace” Red #842
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE: “Wonder of Wonders, Here Revealed” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955
Yorumlar