Worship for March 30, 2025

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Service of Worship March 30, 2025
Fourth Sunday in Lent

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Lighting of the Candles

Ringing of the Bell

Welcome                           Rev. Dr. Diane Weible                                                         

* Call to Worship (Psalm 34)             Nalyn Ang

Leader:      I will bless the Lord at all times
People:     God’s praise shall continually be in my mouth!

Leader:      My soul makes its boast in the Lord.
People:     Let the humble hear and be glad.

Leader:      O magnify the Lord with me,
People:     And let us exalt God’s name together.

* Hymn #417: This Is a Day of New Beginnings

* Invocation                                              Nalyn Ang

In poverty and in plenty, we look to you, O God, the source of all good things. You have accepted us even when we cannot accept ourselves and have loved us when we are most unlovable. Help us in this hour to let go of all that separates us from you. Amen.

Please be seated

 WE SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem: Lead Kindly Light                  Nina Buchanan
                                                                        Peter Braun
                                                                        Kayleen Yuda

Time with the Children                       Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21      Nalyn Ang
From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’

 So he told them this parable:

Then Jesussaid, ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’” So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.

 ‘Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.”’

Sermon: New Creation                          Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

WE RESPOND IN WORD AND DEED

Pastoral Prayer                                      Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

The Lord’s Prayer                                 
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 and ever. Amen

* Hymn #202: O God, How We Have Wandered

Call to Offering                                        Nalyn Ang

As stewards of all God has entrusted to our care we bring our offerings with a deep concern that they accomplish God’s will in the world. We hold one another accountable in our mutual service, and struggle together to discern more clearly the mission to which God calls us. Let us rededicate ourselves this morning with these offerings of love and gratitude.

Offertory: Breathe on Me, Breath of God   Kayleen Yuda

* Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost – Amen

* Offertory Prayer                                 Nalyn Ang

How grateful we are, O God, that you have claimed us and provided for us. In thanksgiving for your compassion, and in recognition of needs among your children that you call us to address, we bring our best in these offerings. Make us useful in your service. Amen.

*Hymn #476: My Life Flows on in Endless Song

Announcements             Rev. Dr. Diane Weible                                                         

Benediction                                              Rev. Dr. Diane Weible

Postlude: Trumpet Tune and Air      Kayleen Yuda

* Please stand if you are able.

Refresh My Heart, O God
Robert J. Powell
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

This Is a Day of New Beginnings
Brian Wren, 1978
Tune: BEGINNINGS
Carlton R. Young, 1987
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Lead Kindly Light
John Henry Newman
Public Domain

O God, How We Have Wandered
Lyrics by Kevin Nichols, 1980
Tune PASSION CHORALE by Hans Leo Hassler & J. S. Bach
Public Domain
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Breathe on Me, Breath of God
Nancy Folkerts
Tune: © Lorenz Corporation
(Administered by Music Services)
All Rights Reserved. ASCAP Text: © 2024
Lorenz Corporation
(Administered by Music Services)
All Rights Reserved. ASCAP
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

My Life Flows on in Endless Song
Attrib. to Robert Lowry, 1869
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Trumpet Tune and Air
Martin Ellis
Tune: © 2024 Lorenz Corporation
(Administered by Music Services)
All Rights Reserved.
ASCAP Text: © 2024
Lorenz Corporation (Administered by Music Services)
All Rights Reserved. ASCAP
Streamed by permission ONELICENSE A-735890

Important Dates

Wednesdays, 5-6:30 p.m. – Lenten Conversation Series in the Meeting Room (download the PDF file of the Worship Bulletin for more information)