WE GATHER AS GOD’S PEOPLE

A TIME FOR GATHERING AND QUIET MEDITATION

Welcome. We are so glad you have joined us for worship today. Please fill out our Friendship Pad, located at the end of your pew, so we can get to know you. Prayer cards are also available in the pew pockets. If you would like to have your prayer shared in worship, please fill out the card and hand it to an usher during the Passing of the Peace.

We worship using the liturgy printed in your bulletin and two songbooks: the Glory to God hymnal (GTG), and The Faith We Sing (FWS). Please silence electronic devices before the service. Nursery care is available for children ages birth through 3 years and Godly Play is available for children ages 4 through middle school.

 *Please stand in body or in spirit.

PRELUDE             Luke Arnold                                     

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS  Rev. Seth Thomas

*CALL TO WORSHIP                    Lindsay Anderson, Lector

We are called to follow—

to walk in the way of justice and righteousness, 

for we are children of God!

We are called to serve—

to be Christ with and for one another,

for we are the salt of the earth!

We are called to shine—

to be beacons of hope and witnesses to truth, 

for we are the light of the world!

Come, you who are claimed as children of God, 

salt of the earth and light of the world.

Let us worship the Lord

*HYMN OF PRAISE    

"O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing" - GTG #610                 

CALL TO CONFESSION  Rev. Seth Thomas

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Lover of justice, Giver of mercy,

you call us to share our bread with the hungry 

and to open our homes to the homeless,

to care for the poor

and to satisfy the needs of those who suffer. 

Some of your commandments are easy to follow;

others require so much of us!

How can we break the chains of injustice 

and untie the cords of oppression?

Amen.

ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE

INVITATION TO GODLY PLAY      Tracy Caruso

*THE PEACE

The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

And also with you.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

CHORAL ANTHEM           

"Come with Me" by Williams/Drennan    

SERMON     

"Marks of Vitality: Authentic Evangelism" Rev. Seth Thomas                     

*HYMN OF RESPONSE     "What Wondrous Love Is This" - GTG #215  

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S INVITATION TO DISCIPLESHIP

JOYS AND CONCERNS

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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.

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING

OFFERTORY  

"There is a Redeemer" arr. Bechner, St. James Bell Choir                                                                             

*DOXOLOGY 

For the life that you have given, for the love in Christ made known,

With these fruits of time and labor, with these gifts that are your own: Here we offer, Lord, our praises; heart and mind and 

strength we bring; Give us grace to love and serve you, living 

what we pray and sing.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*HYMN OF COMMITMENT    "I, the Lord of Sea and Sky" - GTG #462           

 WE GO INTO THE WORLD AS GOD’S AMBASSADORS

*BLESSING & CHARGE  Rev. Seth Thomas

POSTLUDE        Luke Arnold 

GODLY PLAY: FACES OF EASTER I 

Lent is the season we prepare for Easter.  This lesson helps children prepare for the Mystery of Easter.  We move toward the Mystery by hearing the stories of Christ’s journey toward the Lent is the season we prepare for Easter.  This lesson focuses on the face of Christ as a newborn child.

BRINGING GODLY PLAY HOME

Ask your student what item they chose to go with the picture of the Christ Child.

LENTEN SOUP AND STUDY!   

Join us Wednesdays in Lent 5:30-7:00pm.  Our next meeting is March 11th, in the Horizon Room. We will begin each session with a soup dinner and then follow with a discussion from the 7 Marks Bible Studies of Vital Congregations.

ST. PATRICK COMMUNITY MEAL SEEKS VOLUNTEERS

On Sunday, March 15th, we will be preparing and serving the Southside Community Meal at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1720 Harris Ave, at 5:00 pm.  This is a community meal that is served monthly and open to all. We need several people to help with set-up, food prep and cooking, serving and clean-up.  Please sign up in the Horizon Room

ST. JAMES BOOK CLUB FOR MARCH

The St. James Book Club meets the third Monday of the month, March 16th, at 7:00pm in the Lounge. The current book is “In the Midst of Winter” by Isabel Allende. Copies of the book are available in the office.

2020 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

It is time to register for VBS!  St. James is partnering again with First Presbyterian and St. Paul’s Episcopal to hold Anchored: Deepening Faith in God Vacation Bible School June 28th through July 3rd, 9:00am-Noon. Registration is open for just the partnering churches until April 15th then it will be open to the public, last year we filled up before the end of April so get your registration in fast!  You can register at tinyurl.com/anchored20.  We are also in need of volunteers for that week!  Please let Tracy know if you are able to help that week.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE ST. JAMES GARAGE SALE

This year the St. James Garage Sale is scheduled for Friday, April 3rd and Saturday, April 4th. Details coming soon.