Order of Worship
March 23rd, 2025
(The Third Sunday in Lent)
10:00 AM
*If you are able, please stand.
Prelude: “I Bind Unto Myself Today” John Hebden Schaffner
“I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” Sarah MacDonald
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: We have come this day to learn about what God expects of us.
People: Sometimes we really don’t want to know what God wants. We are afraid to make the commitments God seeks.
Leader: God is persistent. God will not lead us to stray from our purpose.
People: We may feel that we have failed to follow Christ’s call to love one another and ourselves, but you continue to show your love for us.
Leader: Open your hearts to receive forgiveness and healing. Listen to God. Be ready to work with God for hope, peace, justice and love.
All: Loving Creator, remain steadfast with us. Bring us peace so that to see you, serve you, and remain witnesses to your Great Love. AMEN.
*GATHERING HYMN: “Just as I Am, Without One Plea” #339
PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Gracious and eternal God, you call us into a new way of being, and give us so many second chances in life. May your love wash over us, as we turn toward you rather than turning from you. Mold us as your people in new and powerful ways, that we may be true disciples of your Beloved Child, Jesus Christ , in whose name 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: “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” #73
WORD OF GOD: Isaiah 55: 1-9 and Luke 13:1-9
Isiah 55: 1-9 (page 635 in Pew Bible)
Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
3 Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.
4 See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples.
5 See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.
6 Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; 7 let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Luke 13:1-9 (page 906 in Pew Bible)
13 At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. 4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”
6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7 So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ 8 He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”
Sermon Title: “We Feel Fortunate, Till We Don’t” 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:
Loving Creator of all, you have invited and encouraged us through this Lenten journey. You remind us of struggles and hope. You ask us to let go of the things that bind us from serving others and ourselves and the love we are called to share. Your infinite grace informs our futures.
We find it hard to release the hurt, fear, and pain. On this journey, remind us again of your healing love, your forgiving power. Please help us to trust the goodness and potential for good that you have placed in all of us. We have come to this place and time to hear your word, praise your grace in our lives, and find hope in the resurgence of Spring. Look carefully and see the trees begin to bud and the resilient crocuses rise to flower from the growing warmth and light you provide to all the earth. We can witness your ever-creating power in our lives, even when it seems gloomy and dark. Enable us to find the courage to believe in you, that your healing love may permeate our souls and prepare us for faithful witness, for we ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
Choral Response: “Jesus Stand Among Us” William Pennefather/Friedrich Filitz
CALL TO GIVING: God of grace, you have fed our spirits and nourished our souls. You have supported us in every possible way. May the gifts we bring this morning be an offering of our gratitude, and may they be a promise to share what we have received from your hand. Amen.
Offertory Music: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” Arr. Faye Lopez
*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) People of God, listen that you may live. We offer what we can in Your Name. May we witness all that is offered in our lives and share our time, talents, and bounty. As our souls have been fed by the Holy Spirit, so may we share our gifts and our blessings with others.
*HYMN OF DEPARTURE: “Amazing Grace!” # 546
Benediction: God has called you to bear witness to hope and goodness. Know that you have been healed of all that prevents you from serving God. Go forth with God’s love and blessing to bring Good News to this hurting world. AMEN.
Postlude: “Meditation” Zoe Dixon