Covenant Presbyterian Church

Fourth Sunday in Lent

March 19, 2023 – 10am

  Covenant is an accepting, welcoming community sharing the glory of God’s love with all.

PRELUDE   “Be Not Afraid” arr. Forrest

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Candle

CALL TO WORSHIP  

Leader: Scripture is full of questions...

People: Where are you?

Leader: Am I my brother’s keeper?

People: Whom shall I send?

Leader: Who do you say that I am?

People: Who sinned?

Leader: How many times shall I forgive?

People: If God is for us, who can be against us?

Leader: Scripture is full of questions,

so just like those in our scriptures, may we bring our full curiosity and wonder into this space. 

People: Let us ask and seek after our merciful God.

*HYMN #31 “Let Us with a Gladsome Mind”  (verses 1-4) Ribbon

1 Let us with a gladsome mind

praise the Lord who is so kind:

for God's mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

2 God, with all-commanding might,

filled the new-made world with light:

for God's mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

3 All things living God does feed;

with full measure, meets their need:

for God's mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

4 Let us with a gladsome mind

praise the Lord who is so kind:

for God's mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

CALL TO CONFESSION 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION & WORDS OF FORGIVENESS 

Who here has sinned?

We have sinned. We put our heads in the sand. We ignored people in need. We make false assumptions and fail to be kind. We are in need of forgiveness.

Good news! Our God is a merciful God. God does not punish, hold grudges, or keep score. When you suffer, God weeps. When you sin, God forgives. When you lose your way, God comes running. 

Thanks be to God for a love like that.

Have you sinned?

I have sinned. I put my head in the sand. I ignore people in need. I make false assumptions and fail to be kind. I, too, am in need of forgiveness.

Good news! Our God is a merciful God. God does not punish, hold grudges, or keep score. When you suffer, God weeps. When you sin, God forgives. When you lose your way, God comes running.

Thanks be to God for a love like that. Amen.

HYMN #581 “Glory Be to the Father” Ribbon

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,

world without end.

Amen, amen.

PASSING OF THE PEACE

The peace of the Lord, be with you all. And also with you.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Cross

THE GOSPEL READING John 9:1-41 (NRSVUE)

The Gospel of the Lord.  Praise to you, O Christ.

PRAYER OF THE DAY †

Creator and Healer, 

root of all goodness, 

working your Sabbath will 

in the chaos of our life: 

teach us the insight 

that gives true judgment 

and praises you 

wherever you are found, 

making miracles 

from spit and mud; 

through Jesus Christ, the Son of earth. 

Amen.

SERMON “Seeking: Who Sinned?”  

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven… (Hymnal p. 35. We say “debts & debtors.”)

*HYMN #792 “There is a Balm in Gilead” (verses 1-3) Ribbon

Refrain:

There is a balm in Gilead

to make the wounded whole;

there is a balm in Gilead

to heal the sin-sick soul.

1 Sometimes I feel discouraged,

and think my work’s in vain,

but then the Holy Spirit

revives my soul again. [Refrain]

2 Don’t ever feel discouraged,

for Jesus is your friend,

and if you lack for knowledge,

he’ll not refuse to lend. [Refrain]

3 If you cannot preach like Peter,

if you cannot pray like Paul,

you can tell the love of Jesus

and say, “He died for all.” [Refrain]

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING

You can give online to Covenant by scanning this QR code or

Text “Donate123” to 1-888-364-GIVE (4483).

OFFERTORY                 “We Walk by Faith” by McDonald

*DOXOLOGY #606      Ribbon 

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

praise God, all creatures here below;

praise God above, ye heavenly host;

Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost.  Amen.                                            

*Prayer of Dedication Cross 

*HYMN #314 “Christ, Be Our Light” (verses 1-3, 5) Ribbon

1 Longing for light, we wait in darkness.

Longing for truth, we turn to you.

Make us your own, your holy people,

light for the world to see.

Refrain:

Christ, be our light!

Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness.

Christ, be our light!

Shine in your church gathered today.

2 Longing for peace, our world is troubled.

Longing for hope, many despair.

Your word alone has power to save us.

Make us your living voice. (Refrain)

3 Longing for food, many are hungry.

Longing for water, many still thirst.

Make us your bread, broken for others,

shared until all are fed. (Refrain)

5 Many the gifts, many the people,

many the hearts that yearn to belong.

Let us be servants to one another,

making your kingdom come. (Refrain)

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE           “Longing for Light, We Wait in Darkness (Christ, Be Our Light!)” arr. Hayes

Unless otherwise noted, prayers by Rev. Sarah A. Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org

† From Prayers for an Inclusive Church by Steven Shakespeare. New York: Church Publishing, 2009

Assisting in Worship Today:

Mary Hemmer–Liturgist

Allie Garner–Vocalist

Christa Perry-Flute

Peter Okyere–Guest Preacher

Cherie Brooks – Director of Music & Technology 

Katie Wynkoop–Organist/Pianist & Assistant Director of Music 

Erin Wise – Director of Children’s & Youth Ministries

Brian Biller – Media Production Specialist

Rev. Joel A. Esala–Pastor

"Insight"

by Lisle Gwynn Garrity

Inspired by John 9: 8-41

Silk painting with digital drawing and collage