Worship March 14, 2021

10:00 am Virtual Service 

ORDER OF WORSHIP 

CENTERING PRAYER 

Almighty God, through Jesus Christ you bring salvation to the world. Eph. 2: 10 Give us strength to believe in him that we may share in his victory over the power of death and fulfill the purpose for which you have made us, for he dwells with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. 

PRELUDE    Passacaglia and Chorale on “Angel’s Story”      Fruedenburg 

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS 

CALL TO WORSHIP 

We worship in the season of Lent, a time to examine our hearts and our lives and journey with Christ through the suffering of the world. Let us watch for the coming sign of God’s power, a humble servant lifted up on a cross. God has marked us as beloved dust and called us together to worship.

 † HYMN      “God is Here”      Hymnal #409

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 By the gift of your grace we are saved, O God, from all that separates us from you. Still, we would rather believe that we can earn your love. Still, we would rather believe that we are in ultimate control. Forgive us when we do not recognize the radical gift of your grace; have mercy when we fail or refuse to share that grace with another. Forgive us, O God, and wash us in your mercy. Forgive us, O God, and free us to try again. (Silent Confession) 

ASSURANCE OF GRACE 

† SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST 

The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

SCRIPTURE       John 3:1-21 

SERMON “Backward Bicycles: Knowledge Does Not Equal Understanding” 

Rev. MP Panco 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 

From a Brief Statement of Faith 11.1-11.6 In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve

OFFERING 

SPECIAL MUSIC      Take the World But Give Me Jesus      Schackley 

Patty Livesay, soloist 

† THE DOXOLOGY 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

† HYMN      “Amazing Grace”     Hymnal #649 

† CHARGE AND BLESSING 

† BENEDICTION RESPONSE      “Shalom to You”      Eslinger 

POSTLUDE      My Song is Love Unknown      Ireland

†You are invited to stand, as you are able.