Leading Us in Worship Today

Minister of Word and Sacrament Rev. Jaci Smith Patman

Liturgist Lee Bowen

Organist/Director of Music Dr. Heather Ankerbrand

Prelude O Spirit of Life Geistliche Kirchengesänge/Marilyn Biery

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

As children of God, we dwell in the Spirit, and the Spirit dwells in us.

We are alive in the Spirit through the righteousness of God in Christ.

In humility and faith, we come to worship the One who gives us life, hope, and healing.

God has brought us to this moment and will guide us still. Praise the Lord!

Opening Hymn #407 Spirit Divine, Attend Our Prayers

(Please remain standing through the sung response)

Call to Confession

Christ is nearer to us than we can imagine. Jesus’ power is not just for a distant past and a far-off future. Jesus is here for us here and now. Because there is forgiveness with God, let us call upon the Lord.

Prayer of Confession

God of resurrection, we know the power of death. We have seen its works; we have felt its sting. We have been to the valley of despair and felt like there was no chance for life. We have failed to believe in your power to resurrect and in your power to redeem our pain. Help us to believe that you can fashion something beautiful out of our suffering in this world. Forgive us. We cry from the depths—however faint our call may be, hear our voice, we pray.

Assurance of Forgiveness and Exchange of Peace

Thus says the Lord: You shall know that I am the Lord when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people.

I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live.

We believe the good news! Thanks be to God.

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 and the Lord’s Prayer

Call to Offering

Offertory Christ, Who Is My Life Melchior Vulpius/Johann Gottried Walther

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 #250 In the Bulb There Is a Flower (Hymn of Promise)

Scripture Reading Ezekiel 37:1-14

Anthem #797 We Cannot Measure How You Heal Trad. Scottish/J. Bell/G. Maule (All sing vs. 3)

Sermon Fifth Sunday in Lent: Life! Romans 8:6-11

Affirmation of Faith - Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Closing Hymn #53 O God, Who Gives Us Life

Benediction

Postlude On Eagle's Wings Michael Joncas/Charles Callahan