Third Sunday in Lent
Gathering in God's Presence
Prelude
Lord, help me to relax.
Take from me the tension that makes peace impossible. Take from me the fears that do not allow me to venture. Take from me the worries that blind my sight. Take from me the distress that hides your joy.
Help me to know that I am with you, that I am in your care, that I am in your love, that you and I are one.
~ written by David Adam in “The Open Gate” SPCK 1994.
*Call to Worship
Please stand in body or spirit as we come together in worship:
The Lord is our shepherd, our leader and provider.
The Lord leads us in the right path,
showing how to live centered on God. The Lord is our shepherd, guiding us even in darkness.
Surely goodness and mercy will pursue us as we follow God’s way.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray:
We cry out to you, O God, waiting for you, hoping in your word. Hear our voice, for we call day and night! We trust in your steadfast love, so we will follow your way.
We continue to call out to God – in our need, in our trust of God’s provision, and in our praise – we sing together hymn # 276, Great Is Thy Faithfulness
*Hymn of Praise #276 Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Call to Confession
Please be seated.
(Pause)
God’s love has been poured into our hearts
through the gift of the Holy Spirit. The proof of God’s amazing love is this:
While we were sinners Christ died for us. Because we have faith in him,
we dare to approach God in confidence.
So let us boldly come to the throne of God,
where we will find grace and mercy.
Let us pray first in silence, and then together aloud -
Silent Prayer of Confession
(count to 15 slowly)
Corporate Prayer of Confession
Let us pray together:
Holy Jesus,
we confess that we fail to question our own sightlessness.
Being so sure that we “see,”
we miss the truths you would teach us.
With the poultice of your love, cure this blindness.
Forgive us.
Open our eyes to our own misunderstandings,
our own failures and our own faults.
Make our “shadow side” known to us
and help us to diminish it with the light of your grace.
For it is only when we see ourselves clearly
that we can worship you truly.
In the name of Jesus, we pray…
Assurance of Forgiveness
If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins
and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [1 John 1:9]
(pause)
Hear then Christ's word of grace to us:
Your sins are forgiven.
Thanks be to God!
Sharing the Peace of Christ
Since God has made peace with us in Christ,
let us greet one another in Christ’s peace
The peace of the Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
Song of Praise Gloria Patri
The Word
Prayer for Illumination (unison)
Draw us close, Holy Spirit,
as the Scriptures are read and the Word is proclaimed.
Let the word of faith be on our lips and in our hearts,
and let all other words slip away.
May there be one voice we hear today —
the voice of truth and grace. Amen.
First Scripture Reading 1 Samuel 16:1-13
For the Word of God in Scripture
For the Word of God among us,
For the Word of God within us,
Thanks be to God
Second Scripture Reading John 9:1-41
For the Word of God in Scripture
For the Word of God among us,
For the Word of God within us,
Thanks be to God
RESPONDING TO GOD'S WORD
*Declaration of Faith Apostles' Creed
Prayers of the People/Pastoral Prayer
Lord, in your steadfast love,
Hear our prayer.
Lord's Prayer
Offertory
Doxology
*Prayer of Dedication (unison)
You call us to be
your light in the darkness, your voice in the wilderness, your hope for the hopeless. You give us strength in our weakness, peace and gentleness, words and boldness, to proclaim more of you and of us, less.
*Hymn of Sending Precious Lord, Take My Hand
Choral Benediction