ORDER OF WORSHIP, MARCH 30, 2025
- John T. Redman, CRE
- Mar 26
- 4 min read
ORDER OF WORSHIP
MARCH 30, 2025 10:30 AM
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE Mary Lee Farris, Organ
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
EXTNGUISHING LENTEN CANDLES 1 - 4
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 32)
Leader: Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
PEOPLE: Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Leader: Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.
PEOPLE: You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.
Leader: Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the LORD.
PEOPLE: Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
INVOCATION
Heavenly Father, in the glory of springtime we come to thank you for this day to gather, to worship and to praise your Holy name in this Lenten Season. In the name of Jesus our Savior, Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens“ Red #54
SPECIAL PRESENTATION TO JOLEE DUBOIS recognizing her 25 years of service
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. Let us together.
PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING
Creator God, we lower our heads before you as we attempt to understand the workings and wonders of your universe. Sometimes we carry on our lives as if there were no God and we fall short of being a credible witness to You. As we ask for your strength, hold us to You and build 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 knows us better than we know ourselves. Our Lord looks upon each of us as a precious child. Our Lord understands us even as we seek to understand. In Jesus’ name, Amen
**GLORIA PATRI (Avery & Marsh, back cover of the Red Hymnal)
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- Apostle’s Creed (Traditional)
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.
**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 Joshua 5: 9-12 Libby Szymanowicz
NEW TESTAMENT READING 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
GOSPEL READING Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
SERMON MESSAGE
Prodigals, One and All 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 “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
**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 “God, You Spin the Whirling Planets” 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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