Leading Us in Worship Today
Minister of Word and Sacrament Rev. Jaci Smith Patman
Liturgist Marta Steane
Organist/Director of Music Dr. Heather Ankerbrand
Prelude My Faith Looks Up to Thee Lowell Mason/Karl Osterland
Welcome and Announcements
Opening Prayer & Gathering #829 My Faith Looks Up to Thee, vs. 1
My faith looks up to thee, thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray; take all my guilt away; O let me from this day be wholly thine!
Call to Worship (based on Psalm 121:1-2)
I lift up my eyes to the hills--
from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord;
He made heaven and earth.
Opening Hymn #37 Let All Things Now Living
(Please remain standing through the sung response)
Call to Confession
We need God’s help. Therefore, let us approach God’s throne of grace, and honestly confess, all that keeps us from right relationship.
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, as we wander through the wilderness this Lent, we are aware of our need for your presence, your love, your guidance on life’s journey. Forgive us for turning away from you. Forgive the doubt and uncertainty that leads us to place our faith in worldly comforts that don’t run deep enough, and don’t last. We come to your well this Lent, desperate and thirsty for Christ’s living water. Quench our thirst, we pray. Grant us your forgiveness and your grace. Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness and Exchange of Peace (from John 3:17)
“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Know that you are forgiven in Jesus Christ and be at peace.
May the peace of Christ be with you; And also with you.
Please exchange the peace of Christ with your neighbors.
Sung Response #438 Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me, vs. 2
Not the labors of my hands can fulfill thy law's demands. Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone. Thou must save, and thou alone.
Sermon for Faith Builders
Children are invited to go to Children’s Worship with our Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Ms. Marisa. They will return during the final hymn.
Prayers of the People
Call to Offering
Offertory Amazing Grace Walker's Southern Harmony/Carl Schalk
Sung Response #612 We Praise You, O God, vs. 3
With voices united our praises we offer and gladly our songs of thanksgiving we raise.
With you, Lord, beside us, your strong arm will guide us.
To you, our great Redeemer, forever be praise!
Prayer of Dedication
Hymn #435 There's a Wideness in God's Mercy
Scripture Reading Gen. 12:1-4
Anthem #225 Sing My Tongue the Glorious Battle
V. H. Fortunatus/J. M. Neale/C. F. Schalk
[All sing vs. 5]
Sermon The Lavish Embrace of Christ: Just Plain Grace Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
Sacrament of Communion
This table is open to all who seek to follow Jesus in faith, repentance, and love.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God: You made a covenant with our ancestor Abraham, promising to make of him a great nation, and a blessing to all the families of the earth.
Therefore, we praise you, joining the song of the universal church and the heavenly choir: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might; heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior: Out of your great love for the world, you sent Jesus, not to condemn, but to save, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish, but have eternal life, born again from above by water and the Spirit.
Remembering your goodness and grace, we offer ourselves to you with gratitude as we share this joyful feast. Great is the mystery of faith: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ shall come again.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this bread and cup; make us one in the body and blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. By faith, make us children of Abraham and Sarah, justified by the righteousness and grace of Christ, so that we may share the blessings of your covenant people. Through the Lord Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory, now and forever. Amen.
Words of Institution
Sacrament Given and Received
Prayer after Communion and The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn #51 To Abraham and Sarah
Benediction
Postlude Allegro Maestoso from Sonata II Felix Mendelssohn
