First Presbyterian Church

636 Park Avenue West ? Barberton, Ohio 44203 ? 330-745-2161

churchmail@fpcbarberton.org ? www.fpcbarberton.org

 

Gathering

Silent Prayer of Preparation

Almighty God:  bless us with Abram and Sarah to hear and heed your call to journey to a new place and life; and grace us in Christ to be born again in his image; in whose name we pray.  Amen.     

Chimes

Organ Prelude                                                                              Yvonne Barnes, Organist

* Gathering Song     Blue Hymnal #438          “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”           dennis

Blest be the tie that binds  Our hearts in Chris-tian love:

The fel-low-ship of kin-dred minds  Is like to that a-bove. 

* Greeting One Another, Welcome and Concerns of the Church

   Choral Introit

   Call to Worship     [Genesis 12:1-2, alt.]

As the Lord said to Abram, the Lord also says to us:  Go out from your country and your familiar places to the land that I will show you.

And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you.

I will make your name known in this way:

That you will be a blessing to others.

Praise the Lord. ? The Lord’s name be praised!

* Hymn     Blue Hymnal #488        “The God of Abraham Praise”                                 Leoni

Choir sings verse 1 alone; congregation joins on vv. 2 & 3.

* Our Vision     (Unison)

We are followers of Jesus Christ ? Sharing God's Word

Showing God's Love ? Serving God's creation

Striving to glorify God ? Always!

Call to Confession and Confession of Sin

God of our life:  through all our years, you give us so many reasons to trust in you.  Yet we still question your call, and wonder how we can possibly respond.  Forgive our lack of faith we ask you; and open our minds and hearts anew to your living presence; that we may know you are faithful, and entrust our lives willingly to answer your call.  Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.   [Silent Meditation]   

Declaration of God's Pardon

* Response       Blue Hymnal #579                “Glory Be to the Father”              gloria patri

 

The Word

Prayer for Illumination

First Reading                                     Genesis 12:1-4                                  Pew Bible, p. 8

The Word of the Lord. ? Thanks be to God!

Gospel                                                John 3:1-17                                    Pew Bible, p. 863

The Gospel of the Lord. ? Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Choral Anthem  “Surely, He Hath Borne Our Griefs” by Victor C.  Johnson  Chancel Choir

Children’s Moment                  Dr. Nash & Mrs. Nediert                                                           

Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world:  red and yellow, black and white,

they are precious in his sight; Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Two Reflections                           “Called to New Life”

The Rev. Reford Nash, Pastor ? Mrs. Patricia Nediert, DCE/Youth Director 

* Hymn  Blue Hymnal #426      “Lord, Speak to Me That I May Speak”           canonbury

* Affirmation of Faith    Blue Hymnal, p. 14 – “Apostles’ Creed”                 ecumenical

Prayers of the People  After each petition: “Hear us, O God, ? For your mercy is great.”

Lord’s Prayer  Blue Hymnal, p. 16                                                               ecumenical

Presentation of Tithes and Offerings

  Offertory                                                                                Yvonne Barnes, Organist

*Response Blue Hymnal #592                                                                           doxology

*Prayer of Dedication

 

Sending

* Lenten Hymn  Blue Hymnal #448        “Lead On, O King Eternal”           llangloffan

* Pastoral Blessing

Organ Postlude                                                                            Yvonne Barnes, Organist

 

Choral Anthem

“Surely, He Hath Borne Our Griefs” arr. by Victor C. Johnson

Surely, He hath borne our griefs.

Surely, He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.

(Repeat)

He was wounded for our transgressions.

He was bruised for our iniquities.

The chastisement of our peace was upon Him,

And with His stripes we are healed!

(Repeat)

 

HAVE YOU HEARD God's CALL?

?  God always speaks when God's Word is read and preached.  How has God spoken to you this morning?  To what is God calling you? 

? If God is calling you to be part of a church home, we warmly welcome new members!  Please do one of the following, and your journey into membership will begin:  (1) check the appropriate box on the register of friendship; (2) tell the pastor at the door; or (3) call the church office – you can leave a message 24/7. 

? Christ needs you as an active, committed disciple.

 

Today’s Liturgical Color

Today’s liturgical color is violet or purple – a deep color, calling us to renewal at the depth of our souls. 

 

Liturgist

Elder Grace Duncan