ORDER OF WORSHIP -MARCH 15TH, 2026

Union Church
2 hours ago
3 min read

10:30 AM

4TH SUNDAY IN LENT

**Kindly stand if you are able

PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR PHONE before Worship Service unless NECESSARY for medical reasons.

PRELUDE “The Glory of God in Nature” - Ludwig Van Beethoven

John Coates

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Ephesians 5)

LEADER: For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light.

PEOPLE: Live as children of light — 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.

PEOPLE: Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

LEADER: For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible.

PEOPLE: Therefore it says, “Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

INVOCATION

Lord, be present with us as we gather here to worship and praise. Let your Holy Spirit fill our hearts with joy.

**OPENING HYMN “Just As I Am, without One Plea” Red #445

CALL TO CONFESSION

We are all sinners and we are all called to come to Christ with an open heart to offer our sincere confession.

PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING

O God of love, we have built up walls to protect ourselves from our enemies, but those walls also shut us off from receiving your love. Break down those walls. Help us to see that the way to your heart is through the reconciliation of our own hearts with our enemies. Bless them and us, that we may come to grow in love for each other and for you, through Jesus Christ.

(A moment for silent personal confession)

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

No person is ever lost from Christ. If salvation is desired, come to Christ and it will be given.

**GLORIA PATRI Avery & Marsh (Back of the Red hymnal)

**HYMN OF PRAISE “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” Red #638

**PASSING OF THE PEACE

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from the Apostles’ Creed)

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.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Just as the body lives on food and water, the spirit lives on the word of God. Let us

listen to the word and fill our spirit.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

GOSPEL John 9: 1-41 Cathy McCarty

SERMON MESSAGE “Restoring My Soul” James Phillips

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

And Lord we pray for those in our own hearts whose names you already know, for their own healing and comfort, in your name and that of our redeemer Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray, saying:

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.

OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS

Let us return to God the offerings of our life and the gifts of the earth. May our gifts be a blessing to those who receive them. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

OFFERTORY “All Things Are Yours” Red # 657

DOXOLOGY Avery & Marsh (Back of the Red hymnal)

PRAYER OF THANKS

We thank you, our Lord for those gifts to us that we send to you for your work and ours in congregation, community, and culture. Guide us in good use as we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

HYMN OF PARTING “God Be with You” Red #840

BENEDICTION

Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion, against

injustice and lying and greed.

-William Faulkner

POSTLUDE “I Will Sing of My Redeemer” Red #492