ORDER OF WORSHIP, MARCH 23, 2025
- John T. Redman, CRE
- Mar 19
- 4 min read
ORDER OF WORSHIP
MARCH 23, 2025 10:30 AM
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE Mary Lee Farris, Organ
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
EXTNGUISHING LENTEN CANDLES 1, 2 & 3
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 63)
Leader: O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
PEOPLE: So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.
Leader: So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.
PEOPLE: My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips
Leader: for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
PEOPLE: My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
INVOCATION
Dearest Lord, we come to you in this Lenten season to praise you, to be nearer to you, and to thank you for our joys and blessings even amidst the trials of our daily lives. This we pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “There is a Balm in Gilead“ Red #611
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 our Lord and the work to be done. Center us as we come together in prayer.
PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING
Glorious God of Creation, we come to you in reverent devotion, again asking your understanding and forgiveness as we struggle and stumble through our own lives, in this season of Lent and often forgetting that we belong to you. Help us to know the strength you hold for us and to feel the warmth of your grace enfolding us in the breath of your wisdom. May we continue in building our 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 is merciful. Our Lord is generous. Our Lord is eternally forgiving us. As we seek a greater
understanding, we are both blessed and forgiven. Amen
**GLORIA PATRI (Avery & Marsh, back cover of the Red Hymnal)
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- Apostle’s Creed (Adapted by John Redman)
I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was born of a young peasant woman, trained as a carpenter, and baptized by His cousin John. He taught many, He healed many, and He angered many. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He defeated death and He offers us grace and love in the name of God the Father Almighty; from that time through all time to come. I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit; the universal Church of Christ; the Communion of sharing our gifts with others; the forgiveness of our sins; the Grace of God’s love, and that each soul may have life everlasting. Amen.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “Stand Up and Bless the Lord” Red #41
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 Isaiah 55: 1-9 Cathy McCarty
NEW TESTAMENT READING 2 Corinthians 3: 1-6
GOSPEL READING Luke13: 10-17
SERMON MESSAGE
Oh, You Hypocrites! 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 “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God”
**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 “Give to the Winds your Fears” Red #618
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “Come Down, O Love Divine!” 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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