Shaped by New Birth
Sunday March 19, 2023
The Fourth Sunday of Lent
Worship Participants
Worship Leader: Keith
Speaker: Gary
Song Leader: Harry
Accompanist: Sharon
Gift of Music: Phyllis
Technician: Dave
Lenten Theme: Shaped by New Birth
Order of Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Call to worship (based on Psalm 23)
Leader: The Lord is our shepherd.
People: We shall not want.
Leader: God makes us lie down in green pastures.
People: We shall not want.
Leader: God leads us beside quiet waters.
People: We shall not want.
All: Restore us through your Holy Spirit, the love of Jesus Christ, and the comfort of your presence.
Gift of Music
Hymns: VT #660 The Lord’s My Shepherd
Confession
Leader: Lord, we long for light, but all is darkness, and we walk in deep shadows.
We have driven back justice.
Truth has stumbled in the streets,
and thick darkness is over the people.
We confess our sinful deeds.
We confess to the Lord . . .
(silent prayer)
Leader: As everything exposed to the light becomes visible, we walk from darkness into light.
All: Open our eyes, Jesus, that our lives may radiate your glory. Amen.
Extinguishing the Candle
God meets you where you are and calls you forward, moment by moment, guiding you slowly but surely toward transformation.
(Silent Time)
As we extinguish this light, we acknowledge the darkness and pain caused by the lack of basic needs - lack of food, of shelter, of education, of healthcare, of love.
(A candle is extinguished.)
Let us pray:
All: Loving God, we thank you that you are with us, and that we may call upon you no matter where we are, or what we are feeling. Keep us mindful of your presence and trusting in your promise - that you are working with us in the moment-by-moment unfolding of our lives. Amen
Hymn: VT #732 Open My Eyes (Abre mis ojos)
Scripture: John 9:1-11
Message: Called to the Light
Hymn of Response VT #715 Longing for Light
Congregational Prayer
Offering
Gift of Music
Sending VT #793 Siyahamba (We Are Marching)
Benediction
Leader: Go forth and shine, for the Light has come,
People: and the glory of the Lord rises upon us.
Leader: Surely goodness and love will follow us all the days of our lives,
All: and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.