ORDER OF WORSHIP
MARCH 16, 2025 10:30 AM
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE Mary Lee Farris, Organ
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
EXTNGUISHING LENTEN CANDLES 1 & 2
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 27)
Leader: The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
PEOPLE: The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Leader: I seek: to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the
LORD
PEOPLE: For he will hide me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock.
Leader: Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
PEOPLE: I will sing and make melody to the LORD.
Leader: Teach me your way, O LORD,
PEOPLE: and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
INVOCATION
Artist of souls, you sculpted a people for yourself out of the rocks of wilderness and fasting. Help us as we take up your invitation to prayer and simplicity, that the discipline of these forty days may sharpen our hunger for the feast of your holy friendship and whet our thirst for the living water you offer through Jesus Christ. Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation“ Blue #417
CALL TO CONFESSION
We all journey in faith, but we often wonder if that is enough. We often fool ourselves with thoughts that distract our focus from you and your work to be done. Let us pray together.
PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING
Heavenly Father, we lower our heads before you to confess that we have too often forgotten that we are yours. Sometimes we carry on our lives as if there were no God and we fall short of being credible witnesses to You. We ask for your strength, in holding us to You to build a greater relationship with You and with those You have given us here on earth. Amen.
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Our Lord knows our failings. Our Lord shares our pain. Our Lord brings us joy. And our Lord always
understands and forgives us in infinite love and grace. Amen
**GLORIA PATRI (Avery & Marsh, back cover of the Red Hymnal)
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- Nicene Creed (Abridged)
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. Spoken through the Prophets, worshipped and glorified with the Father and the Son. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sin. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the eternal life to come. Amen.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “Swiftly Pass the Clouds of Glory” Blue #73
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Guide us, O God, by your Word, and Holy Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover peace; through Christ our Lord, Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING Genesis 15: 1-12 Theresa Cotanche
NEW TESTAMENT READING Philippians 3: 17-21
GOSPEL READING Luke 13: 31-35
SERMON MESSAGE And on the Third Day I Finish My Work John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORDS PRAYER
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 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 all consider what we have been blessed with and how we can best share it with those in greater need, even as we gift our church for its greater work to the Glory of God and the undying love of Jesus.
OFFERTORY “Lead Me, Guide Me”
**DOXOLOGY Traditional
** PRAYER OF THANKS
Gracious God, accept our gifts that they may be used wisely in your service for those who hunger, or thirst, or merely seek a greater understanding of your love. This we gratefully pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
HYMN OF PARTING “God Be with You Till We Meet Again” Blue #540
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “O Wondrous Sight, O Vision Fair” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
Candles in Our Worship Service: A bit of History: The seven-light candelabra are symbolic of the seven days of the week, meaning we ‘worship’ God every day, not just on Sunday. The two altar candles symbolize that Jesus is both God and Man, and the Christ candle is symbolic of Christ being the Light of the World.
The Christ candle is lit first and extinguished last. The ushers leave its light with the other candles during worship, and when extinguished after worship, the ushers carry the light out into the world.
The reason the Christ candle is larger and placed by the pulpit, is that in the past, it also provided light for reading!
Blessings! JTR |
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954
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