ORDER OF WORSHIP - MARCH 22ND, 2026

Union Church
9 hours ago
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ORDER OF WORSHIP

MARCH 22ND, 2026 10:30 AM

FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT

**Kindly stand if you are able

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

PRELUDE “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” - Charles C. Converse

John Coates

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 130)

LEADER: Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD.

PEOPLE: Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my

supplications!

LEADER: If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?

PEOPLE: But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.

LEADER: I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;

PEOPLE: O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.

INVOCATION

Whenever we worship or pray we can be sure that the spirit of our Living God is with us. Let it be with us today as we offer praise.

**OPENING HYMN “Spirit of the Living God” Red #297

CALL TO CONFESSION

It is only by confessing to our sins that we can find forgiveness. If we call out to God, he will hear us.

PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING

Dear God, we come to you knowing that soon we will remember the ultimate

sacrifice of your Son, Jesus. We confess that we do not always live in accordance to your will. We ignore those in pain. We dismiss those who are suffering. We humbly ask for your patience and strength to help us act more as you would have us live.

(A moment for silent personal confession)

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

The Lord guides us towards salvation with the light of the Holy Spirit. All who ask for God’s grace will be granted a home in the life everlasting.

**GLORIA PATRI “Glory Be to the Father” Red #807

**HYMN OF PRAISE “Breathe on Me Breath of God” Red #295

**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

Dear Lord, we ask for your help to understand your word. Let your spirit open our

hearts and minds so that we may feel and learn your will. Help us to put this word into practice as taught by your Son, Jesus.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

GOSPEL John 11: 1-45 Libby Szymanowicz

SERMON MESSAGE “Supporting Characters” 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 “Take My Life, Lead Me, Lord“ Red # 566

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

May misfortune follow you all the days of your life

And never catch up.

POSTLUDE “Now Thank We All Our God” Red #374