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WORSHIP MARCH 26 2017
11 A.M. WORSHIP
THE GATHERING Anna Miles
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
THE PRELUDE Oh, Sacred Head Now Wounded arr. Mac Frampton
Mac Frampton, guest organist
*THE CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light
People: for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true.
Leader: Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
People: For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light.
All: Therefore it says, “Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” -Ephesians 5: 8-14
*THE PROCESSIONAL HYMN 483 Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above MIT FREUDEN
THE CALL TO CONFESSION
*THE PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Holy God, we are blind. Your grace is active all around us, reconciling broken lives, broken relationships, broken communities, and broken worlds. But we are more interested in keeping score, eager to impress you with our righteousness by reminding you just how crooked others are. We have lived for so long in the darkness of mistrust and despair at the reality of the brokenness that we struggle to imagine anymore that you are actively working at this very moment and at every moment for the healing of your creation. We, indeed, are blind and we need your healing touch.
We confess the sin of our pride and our mistrust. We confess that we are more interested in being right than in being loving. Heal us, we pray and restore our sight. Help us to once again see your grace in our lives, in others’ lives, in the miracle of your creation. And having glimpsed your grace once again, kindle our imperfect faith to accept it.
THE ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Leader: So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away, see, everything has become new.
People: All this is from God, who reconciled us to God’s self through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
Leader: Believe the promise of the Gospel:
People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! -2 Corinthians 5: 17-18
*THE CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (Hymn 76)
Sometimes they strew his way, and his sweet praises sing, resounding all the way Hosannas to their king. Then “Crucify!” Is all their breath, and for his death they thirst and cry.
*THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Leader: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all!
People: And also with you.
THE CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH
(Visitors and members are invited to sign the blue friendship register pad and pass it down the pew.)
THE MINUTE MESSAGE Mimi Kiser, Interfaith Health Program, Emory University
THE PSALTER LESSON Psalm 23 (page 474 in the pew Bible, OT)
THE ANTHEM When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Gilbert Martin
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast save in the death of Christ, my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood. See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown? Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; Love, so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all! Amen! (text: Isaac Watts)
THE GOSPEL LESSON John 9: 1-41 (page 97 in the pew Bible, NT)
THE SERMON “That The Works of God Might Be Manifested” John Blevins
*THE HYMN He Healed the Darkness of My Mind TALLIS CANON
1. He healed the darkness of my mind the day he gave my sight to me: It was not sin that made me blind; it was no sinner made me see.
2. Let others call my faith a lie, or try to stir up doubt in me: look at me now! None can deny I once was blind and now I see.
3. Ask me not how! But I know who has opened up new worlds to me: this Jesus does what none can do I once was blind, and now I see. (text: Fred Pratt Green)
*CONFESSING OUR FAITH
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
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.
THE OFFERTORY Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery Marty Haugen; arr. Julie Stitt
The Handbell Choir; Jeff Peters, director; Jane McRae, violin
*THE DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION OLD HUNDREDTH
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host: Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*THE HYMN 411 Arise, Your Light is Come FESTAL SONG
*THE CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
THE CHORAL RESPONSE Were the Whole Realm Gilbert Martin
THE POSTLUDE Liam Mac Frampton
*(The asterisk indicates parts of the worship when the congregation is invited to stand as they are able.)
