Gathering

Silent Prayer of Preparation

Gracious God:  you sent your Son to be the light of the world.  As his light shines on us, show us anew what pleases you, and how we may live in truth and goodness, serving Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray.  Amen.

Chimes

Organ Prelude           “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”            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

Our greeting on Communion Sunday is:

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

   Choral Introit

* Call to Worship     [Matthew 4:4]

Let us worship God.  Our Savior once said, ? “I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, ? But will have the light of life.”

* Hymn     RED Hymnal #287         “The Light of the World is Jesus”             [vv. 1,2]                 

Call to Confession and Confession of Sin

O God our faithful guide along life’s way:  we confess the sin that comes between us and you.  We have been blind to the faults in ourselves, but alert to the faults in others.  We have prized appearance and credentials, but have not seen the heart.  We have been attracted to the glitz of temptation, but have not recognized what is right and good.  God of light, shine on us and expose our sins, that we may confess and turn from them, seeking your forgiveness, and imploring your grace to lead a new life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Choral Response                             “Lord, Have Mercy upon Us”            kyrie eleison

Assurance of God's Forgiveness

* Congregational Response                  “Glory Be to the Father”                     Glori patri

The Word

Prayer for Illumination

Gospel Reading                              John 9:1-41, selections                     Pew Bible, p. 871

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

Children’s Moment                                                                               Patty Neidert, DCE

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.

Sermon                                              “Now I Can See!”                                        Dr. Nash

Moment for Mission                                                                                    Isabelle Witner

Presentation of Tithes and Offerings

Call for the Offering and Prayer of Dedication

Offertory Anthem      “Shelter In The Storm” arr. by Joel Raney      Chancel Choir

 

 

Holy Baptism and Presentation of the 2008 Children’s Communion Class

Today it is our great joy to welcome  Stephen & Austin  Garber into the Baptized membership of the church!

·         Presentation of Those to be Baptized & Congregational Promises

·         Promises of Parents & Profession of Faith    “Apostles’ Creed”        TRADITIONAL

·         Thanksgiving over the Water & Baptism

·         Welcome:

With joy and thanksgiving, we welcome you to share with us, in the ministry of Christ; for we are all one in Him.

·         Presentation of the 2008 Children’s Communion Class

It is our delight to receive the following children at the Lord’s Table, signifying their completion of a Children’s Communion Class:  Austin Garber, Ciera Hooser, Hannah Lauro, Max Long, Xane Long and Holly McAnlis 

Invitation to the Lord’s Table

* Hymn    Printed                        “Shine, Jesus, Shine”        [vv. 1,3]             woodworth

Great Thanksgiving and Lord’s Prayer

   The Lord be with You. ? And also with you.

Lift up your hearts. ? We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. ?  It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is truly right and our greatest joy….  Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with choirs of angels, with prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and with all the faithful of every time and place, who forever sing to the glory of your name:

Choir:                                      “Holy, Holy, Holy”                                     sanctus

You are holy, O God of majesty….  Great is the mystery of faith:

Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again! 

Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit….  Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty Father.

Amen.  Our Father who art in heaven…[See Blue Hymnal page 16, “Traditional”] 

   Breaking of the Bread

   Choral Response                                 “O Lamb of God”                                  AGNUS DEI

   Communion of the People

All baptized persons are welcome to commune, including baptized children.

Today we receive Communion by coming forward for intinction.

Prayer after Communion

Eternal God:  we give you thanks for this holy mystery, in which you have given yourself to us.  Now grant us grace by your Spirit to go into the world and give ourselves for others; in the name of Jesus Christ our Redeemer.  Amen. 

Sending

* Lenten Hymn   Blue Hymnal #371      “Lift High the Cross”      [vv. 1,2]            crucifer

* Pastoral Blessing and Choral Response

Organ Postlude                         “A Trumpet Tune”                     Yvonne Barnes, Organist

 

Offertory Anthem- “Shelter In The Storm”

There’s a shelter in the storm.  There’s a light in the darkest night. 
There’s a rock that will stand through the ages.  There’s a shelter in the storm. 
Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, help me stand; I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.  Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light. 
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home. 
Take my hand, be my shelter, lead me home, lead me home!

 

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 Marilyn Curtis