* Denotes all are invited to stand.
Bold text indicates portions of the service to be spoken or sung by the congregation.
March 23, 2025
Third Sunday in Lent
Music for Gathering:
Brian Jay
Organist
Welcome & Announcements:
Rev. Aaron J. White, Pastor
Minute for Mission:
Cleveland Evans – One Great Hour of Sharing
Call to Worship:
Come, all you who are thirsty, and drink deeply of God’s grace.
We come to the living water, to be refreshed and renewed.
God’s love is richer than we can imagine, and freely given to all.
We come to listen, to seek, and to follow in God’s ways.
So let us worship with open hearts, trusting in the One whose ways are higher than our ways.
Let us worship God together!
* Hymn 65 “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”
Please see screens for lyrics.
Confession of Sin:
Michael Osborn, Worship Leader
Loving God, You invite us to come close, but sometimes we keep our distance. You call us to share freely, but sometimes we hold back. You ask us to trust You, but sometimes we rely on our own strength. Forgive us, Lord. Teach us to live as neighbors to one another, to listen for Your voice, and to walk in Your ways. Help us to love as You love, to give as You give, and to trust that Your grace is always enough. In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Silence for personal confession
* Assurance of Pardon:
…We are loved! We are made new!
Thanks be to God!
* Song of Praise #695 “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”
Please see Sanctuary screens for lyrics.
* Passing the Peace
Prayer for Illumination:
Michael Osborn, Worship Leader
First Scripture:
Isaiah 55:1-9
1 “All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, buy food and eat! Come, buy wine and milk, without money, without price!
2 Why spend your money for what is not bread, your wages for what fails to satisfy? Heed me, and you will eat well, you will delight in rich fare;
3 bend your ear and come to me, listen, that you may have life: I will make an everlasting Covenant with you—in fulfillment of the blessings promised to David.
4 See, I have made of you to be a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of the nations.
5 See, you will summon nations you never knew, and nations that never knew you will come hurrying to you—for the sake of [Adonai], the Holy One of Israel, who will glorify you.
6 Seek me, [Adonai], while I may still be found, call upon me while I am near!
7 Let the corrupt abandon their ways, the evil their thoughts. Let them return to [Adonai], and I will have mercy on them; return to God, for I will freely pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways, my ways,” says [Adonai].
9 “As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.”
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Anthem:
PCM Chancel Choir
Second Scripture:
Ephesians 6:10-20
10 Finally, draw your strength from Christ and from the strength of that mighty power.
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand firm against the tactics of the Devil.
12 Our battle ultimately is not against human forces, but against the sovereignties and powers, the rulers of the world of darkness, and the evil spirits of the heavenly realms.
13 You must put on the armor of God if you are to resist on the evil day and, having done everything you can, to hold your ground.
14 Stand fast then, with truth as the belt around your waist, justice as your breastplate,
15 and zeal to spread the Good News of peace as your footgear.
16 In all circumstances, hold faith up before you as your shield; it will help you extinguish the fiery darts of the Evil One.
17 Put on the helmet of salvation, and carry the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Always pray in the Spirit, with all your prayers and petitions. Pray constantly and attentively for all God’s holy people.
19 Pray also for me, that God will open my mouth and put words on my lips, that I may boldly make known the mystery of the Good News—that mystery
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may have courage to proclaim it as I ought.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Time for the Children:
Katie Petersen & Kathy Sutula
Sermon:
Rev. Aaron J. White
* Hymn “Jesus, Teach Us to Be Neighbors”
Please see screens for lyrics.
Pastoral Prayer:
Congregation Response: Hear our prayer.
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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Invitation to Discipleship:
* Hymn #816 “If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee”
Please see screens for lyrics.
* Charge & Blessing
* Music for Departing