In Search of Life-Giving Water
Sunday March 12, 2023
9:45 am
The Third Sunday of Lent
Worship Participants
Worship Leader: Bev
Speaker: Maurice
Song Leader: Harry
Gifts of Music: Natan
Lenten Theme: Shaped by New Birth
Order of Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Gift of music: Fill My Cup
Call to worship (based on Psalm 95:6–7)
Leader: Come; let us bow down in worship.
People: Let us kneel before the Lord our maker;
Leader: for the Lord is our God,
People: we are the people of God’s pasture,
All: we are the flock under God’s care.
Hymn: VT #49 All Who Are Thirsty
Old Testament reading: Exodus 17:1-7
Hymn: VT #563 Come, Thou Fount
Prayer of Confession (based on Psalm 95:8-10)
Leader: Lord, we long for living water. We thirst for life.
And yet
We have drunk deeply of resentment;
We have savored self-centeredness.
We confess to the Lord . . .
(silent prayer)
Leader: Today, O God, let us hear your voice.
All: Give us this living water so we may never thirst again. Amen.
In Lent we journey to the parts of ourselves known only to God, beneath the clamor. Let the story of Jesus reach us there. Let it teach us wisdom in our secret hearts.
(Silent time)
As we extinguish this light, we acknowledge the darkness and pain of violence in the world and to the Earth.
(A candle is extinguished)
Let us pray:
All: Draw us together in love, our God. May our restless hearts not resist you, but continue to search until they find their rest in you. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen
Words of Assurance: Romans 5:1-11 (selections)
Hymn: You Are All We Have VT #701
Gospel reading: John 4:5-18
Message: In search of life-giving water
Hymn of Response: VT #668 Oh, Have You Not Heard
Congregational Prayer VT # 994
Offering
Gift of music - Natan
Sending Hymn: VT. #606 Guide Me, Oh Thou Great Jehovah
Blessing
Leader: Like water poured out on a thirsty land,
People: may the Lord pour out the Holy Spirit on us.
Leader: May we blossom with new life.
All: May we bring refreshment and joy to others.