Order of Worship
March 30th, 2025
(The Fourth Sunday in Lent)
10:00 AM
*If you are able, please stand.
Prelude: “Here I Am” Alison Willis
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
MISSION STATEMENT: (Let us say our Mission Statement together)
“To welcome and inspire All through faith, love, and fellowship according to Christ’s example.”
Introit: “Listen to Your Savior Call” William Cowper/Richard Redhead
*Call to Worship (Responsive)
Leader: How blessed we are that God forgives us and loves us!
People: Even when we become self-absorbed, we are still God’s beloved children.
Leader: Remember the eternal love of God which has been poured out for you through Christ.
People: Our hearts rejoice at the wondrous ways in which God loves and forgives us.
Leader: Remember that in all your ways you can trust in God’s compassion.
People: Let us open our hearts to the peace and joy of God. AMEN.
*GATHERING HYMN: “Softly and Tenderly” #340
PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Loving and eternal God, welcome us into your love as we worship together today. Draw closer to us, that we might trust your promises and follow your ways. Ever-healing and ever-creating God, welcome us home when we wander from you. Restore us with your compassion and mercy. Transform us with your grace, that we might become renewed to become what you envision us to be. Strengthen us with the power of your Holy Spirit, that we might offer others the same welcome, grace, and love that you have offered us. In hope and faith, we pray. Amen.
Let us pray as Christ taught us to pray. 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
STATEMENT OF FAITH: We believe in God known to us in three persons: Creator of all, resurrected Christ, and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God’s love in the world.
We believe that each person is unique and valuable.
We believe that we are called to welcome each person who is on a
spiritual journey, no matter who they are or where they are on that
journey.
We believe that the persistent search for God produces an authentic
relationship with God, one that engenders love, strengthens faith,
dissolves guilt, and gives life purpose and direction.
We believe we are a people of possibility.
We believe we have the breathing room to explore and to hear our call. We believe that God is still speaking…
*SERMON HYMN: “Just as I Am, Without One Plea” #339
WORD OF GOD: Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32 (pp. 908-909 in Pew Bible)
15 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 So he told them this parable:
Luke 15:11-32
11 Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the wealth that will belong to me.’ So he divided his assets between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant region, and there he squandered his wealth in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that region, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that region, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to his senses he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ’ 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate, 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his elder son was in the field, and as he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf because he has got him back safe and sound.” 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command, yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” 31 Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’ ”
Sermon Title: “Gracious Welcome Home” Rev. Norman Michaud
JOYS AND CONCERNS OF THE PEOPLE: (Please share by phone, text, or email at [email protected] or 603-812-1161 before the service.)
CALL TO PRAYER:
Pastor: May God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer:
Gracious and Loving God, we celebrate this time in which we can offer our help and our substance for the work of your world in helping others. God of all, we share our hopes and aspirations and share our prayer requests and our silent prayers. Bring us to the understanding of the joys and concerns we share all with others and with you. We reach out to others and to you in compassion and love as you have done for us. We hear the words of scriptures about the people who had wandered long in the wilderness in your care. God fed his people and provided for them so that they could learn to provide for themselves. Please help us to realize that you have given us all that we need to be those who would bring peace and hope to others. Let us place our trust in you so that our sharing reflects your forgiving and reconciling love. In Jesus Christ, we offer this prayer. AMEN.
Prayers for Joyce’s friend who has been affected by federal cuts at University Hospital in Worcester. Pray for Joyce’s friends, Chris and Robert, as they travel to Italy and all those who travel in the days and weeks to come. Prayers for Joanie who has begun treatment. Prayers for those who are and will be traveling.
Choral Response: “Jesus Stand Among Us” William Pennefather/Friedrich Filitz
CALL TO GIVING: In gratitude for all that God has done for us and as faithful disciples of Christ, let us share our gifts with God and God’s world.
Offertory Music: “I Will Sing of My Redeemer” Lisa Hockstra
Offertory Music is dedicated to Women’s History Month during March 2025.
Doxology: (Tune: Old Hundredth)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ the Word in flesh born low;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
One God, Triune, whom we adore.
*Prayer of Dedication: (Unison) With happy hearts, we offer our gifts to you, O God. Transform our gifts with the power of your Holy Spirit, that our shared time, talent, and bounty may bring forth new life. May our offering transform others’ lives into the new creation you promise to all. Amen.
*HYMN OF DEPARTURE: “God of the Sparrow, God of the Whale” #70
Benediction: Created anew in Christ, we go to proclaim new life to the world. Transformed by God’s love and grace, may we bring love and grace to all.
Postlude: “The Care the Eagle Gives Her Young” Philip M