Front Royal Presbyterian Church
March 23, 2025, 10:30 am
Liturgist – Usi Mix
Minister - Rev. Jaci Smith Patman
Prelude Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound
Southern Harmony/Robert Hobby
Welcome and Announcements
Opening Prayer & Gathering
#249 O Lord, Make Haste to Hear My Cry, vs. 1 (Ps 141)
O Lord, make haste to hear my cry.
To You I call, on You rely.
Incline to me a gracious ear,
And when I call, in mercy hear.
Call to Worship (inspired by Psalm 32)
In times of trouble, in days of fear,
Steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.
When we are lost and lonely, not sure of our place,
Steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.
When we struggle to believe God’s promise of redemption,
Steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.
Together we look to God to teach us the way we should go.
Steadfast love surrounds us, as together we place our trust in the Lord.
Opening Hymn #2137 Would I Have Answered When You Called
(Please remain standing through the Response to God’s Grace)
Call to Confession
Scripture promises us that no matter how far we stray from God’s ways, when we make the decision to return to God, God runs to greet us with open arms. Trusting in the never-failing mercy of the Lord, let us turn to God together by confessing our sins.
Prayer of Confession (Book of Common Worship)
Almighty and merciful God, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Forgive those who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to the world in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O merciful God, for his sake, that we may live a holy, just, and humble life to the glory of your holy name.
Assurance of Pardon
Psalm 32 says: “Blessed are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are those blessed people whose sins have been forgiven. Believe in the good news of the gospel and rejoice!
Response to God's Grace
#223 O My Soul, Bless Your Redeemer, vs. 2 (Ps 103)
God forgives all your transgressions,
All diseases gently heals;
God redeems you from destruction,
And with you so kindly deals.
Sermon for Faith Builders
Children may join Ms. Marisa, our Children's Worship Leader, to stay for our prayer time, and then leave the sanctuary for Children's Worship. They will return during the final hymn.
Prayers of the People & The Lord's Prayer
Call to Offering
Offertory My Song is Love Unknown, Setting 2
John Ireland/Robert J Powell
Doxology Now Blessed Be the Lord Our God [to McKEE] (Ps 72)
Now blessed be the Lord Our God, the God Israel,
for He alone does wondrous works in glory that excel.
Prayer of Dedication
Hymn #384 O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go
Scripture Reading Psalm 119:67-76
Anthem Father, Long Before Creation
Anon. Chinese/Francis P Jones/David Hugh Jones
Father, long before creation
Thou hadst chosen us in love;
And that love, so deep, so moving,
Draws us close to Christ above.
Still it keeps us, Still it keeps us,
Firmly fixed in Christ alone.
Though the world may change its fashion,
Yet our God is e'er the same;
His compassion and His covenant
Through all ages will remain.
God's own children, God's own children,
Must forever praise His name.
God's compassion is my story,
Is my boasting all the day;
Mercy free and never failing
Moves my will, directs my way.
God so loved us, God so loved us,
That His only Son He gave.
Loving Father, now before Thee
We will every praise Thy love;
And our song will sound unceasing
Till we reach our home above,
Giving glory, Giving glory,
To our God and to the Lamb. Amen.
Scripture Reading Luke 15:8-10, 11-32
Sermon Do You Know How to Be Found?
Affirmation of Faith (A Brief Statement of Faith)
We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God.
Jesus proclaimed the reign of God:
preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives,
teaching by word and deed and blessing the children,
healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted,
eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners,
and calling all to repent and believe the gospel.
In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit,
we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks
and to live holy and joyful lives,
even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth,
praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
Closing Hymn #396 O for a Closer Walk with God
Benediction
Postlude Lift High the Cross
Sidney Hugo Nicholson/Michael Burkhardt
