The Fourth Sunday of Lent

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2 The Fourth Sunday of Lent April 3, :30 a.m. Welcome to worship at First Presbyterian Church! We are delighted to have you as part of our worshiping congregation. A couple of things that may help to make your worship experience more meaningful: Childcare for infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers is available in the education wing. Hymn numbers refer to the blue Presbyterian Hymnal in the pew rack. Journeys in Worship is a worship-education program for children in Kindergarten and First Grade. Children are invited to attend, following the Children s Moment. They will return to worship during the closing hymn. Following worship, please join us for refreshments and conversation in the Fellowship Hall, directly behind the Chancel. Use the door on either side of the Chancel to enter Fellowship Hall. *Let those who are able, stand at this sign. THE PRELUDE THE WORDS OF WELCOME The Greetings Among the People of God The Concerns of the Church WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD THE CHORAL INTROIT Create In Me A Clean Heart, O God Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me with Thy free Spirit. H. Willan THE CALL TO WORSHIP *THE HYMN... no. 483 Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above Mit Freuden Zart *THE PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in unison) Great God, above all gods, we confess that we have made idols of our rules and ways, our possessions and activities, our nation and our loved ones. We have tried to capture you in a tame and predictable religious system in which we come out on top and others are put down. We resist your Saving Presence as you break into our usual patterns. We turn our backs on your love and refuse to take the risks of caring and trusting. Help us, O God, to recognize our sin and to turn away from it. Give us the courage to change. 2

3 *THE SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION *THE KYRIE (sung by the Choir) Kyrie from Responses Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. R. Shephard *THE ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS *THE RESPONSE... no. 462 (verse 3) Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies Visit then this soul of mine, pierce the gloom of sin and grief; Fill me, radiancy divine, scatter all my unbelief; More and more Thyself display, shining to the perfect day. Ratisbon THE PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING THE ANTHEM Psalm 23 WE HEAR GOD S WORD The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters. He revives my soul and guides me along right pathways for his name s sake. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; For you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; You have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over. Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. THE CHILDREN S MOMENT Following the Children s Moment, those in Kindergarten and First Grade are dismissed to Journeys in Worship. They will return to the Sanctuary during the closing hymn. THE MORNING LESSON John 9:1-41 Jesus heals a man born blind and begins a conflict. THE SERMON What Do Religious Folk Do? 3

4 A TIME OF INTENTIONAL SILENCE WE GIVE THANKS FOR GOD S GOODNESS *THE HYMN... no. 436 We Are Your People Whitfield *THE AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (in unison) In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. from A Brief Statement of Faith Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) THE MORNING OFFERING The Words of Invitation The Offertory The Presentation of Our Offerings... no. 592 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. *The Prayer of Dedication The Choral Response The Lord Now Bless The Lord now bless from heaven above, and shine on you with radiant face; The Lord who heaven and earth has made illumine you with peace and grace. THE MORNING PRAYERS The Spoken Prayers The Silent Prayers The Lord s Prayer (sung by the Choir) 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. Old Hundredth R. Nicholls R. Shephard 4

5 THE PEACE One The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be always with you. All And also with you. WE LEAVE TO SHARE GOD S GOODNESS *THE HYMN... no. 423 Jesus Shall Reign Where er the Sun All verses 1 and 2 Choir verse 3 All verses 4 and 5 Duke Street *THE CHARGE AND BLESSING *THE CHORAL RESPONSE Anen in C C. Saltzman *THE POSTLUDE Leading worship this morning: Pastor Kevin Scott Fleming Liturgist Elesha Downs Director of Music Robert Nicholls The Choir of First Presbyterian Church Sound Technician Matt Qualls 5

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