Bulletin – Sunday, March 22, 2020

Sunday, March 22, 2020
Fourth Sunday in Lent

Approach

Welcome, lighting the candle and announcements

Lighting the Lenten Candle Response

One:

Give us eyes to see you clearly,
Make us children of your light;
Give us hearts to live more nearly
As your gospel shining bright,
As your gospel shining bright.

All:

Gentle Jesus, mighty Spirit,
Come inflame our hearts anew,
We may all your joy inherit
If we bear the cross with you,
If we bear the cross with you.

Call to Worship

One: In the darkest valley,
All: in the brightest of lights;

One: in the hard work of life,
All: during those moments of ease;

One: in our day-to-day reality,
All: at times set aside-life this time, now-

One: time for worship, for listening, for paying attention;
All: with every step we take: with every prayer we speak, with every song that we sing, God is with us. Let us come and worship God this day.

Prayer of Approach and Confession

In the beauty of this light filled place, we come to pray, to worship, to receive healing and hope. We come from the struggles and triumphs of the week, needing to feel the soothing presence of God. Loving God be with us today. Calm and soothe our souls. Yet God of love and grace, we often come to you as stiff-necked people. We come to this place filled with hope, but regularly distracted. As we gather in your presence today, help us to stay focused on being the people you call us to be. Help us to become aware of those around us, noticing the full complexity and diversity of your creation. Soften our hearts so that we might faithfully search for you in all the places in our lives and live out your call to each one of us. Amen.
(adapted from Heather Tober and Eric Herbert-Daly, Gatherings Lent/Easter 2020, pages 34-35)

Words of Assurance

The Word

Scripture Reading:

Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church
Thanks be to God!

Meditation – “The Edge of Darkness”

The Response

Prayers of the People

One: God in your mercy.
All: Hear our prayer.

Commissioning / Benediction