* Denotes all are invited to stand.
Bold text indicates portions of the service to be spoken or sung by the congregation.
March 30, 2025
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Music for Gathering:
Brian Jay
Organist
Welcome & Announcements:
Rev. Cindy Harvey, Parish Associate
Minute for Mission:
Jeff Koerten – Habitat for Humanity
Call to Worship:
Do you feel it? God’s kingdom is beneath our feet.
We live in the new creation shaped by God out of our brokenness.
Do you know it? God’s reconciling love in Christ has shattered our ways of viewing people.
No longer do we label our sisters and brothers, we welcome them with open arms.
Do you believe it? God has made everything, including us, new,
and sends us forth to share this good news with everyone!!
* Hymn 442 “Just as I Am, without One Plea”
Please see screens for lyrics.
Confession of Sin:
Chuck McGavren, Worship Leader
On this very day, Waiting God, we admit all the lengths to which we go so we might avoid you. You offer us that kingdom of joy and wonder, yet we would hide in places where temptation waits. You invite us to feast on your grace and peace, but we stubbornly refuse, because you also welcome those we call ‘outsiders.’ We are quick to see all the mistakes that those around us make, but hope you will ignore our foolish choices. Celebrating God, before we come to our senses, we find you running towards us, sweeping us up in your arms, tears of grace mingling with our cries of confession, a mighty river washing away our sinful ways to restore us to new life. In Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we find no limitations on your grace, no reservations about your love, but a feast that overflows with wonder, a place we can finally call home.
Silence for personal confession
* Assurance of Pardon:
God rolls away everything that stands in our way – our past, our sin, our pain, our hesitation, and reshapes us into new people living in the new creation. What wonderful grace. We are forgiven!
Broken, we are made whole; lost, we are brought home; empty, we are filled with songs of gladness.
We rejoice and give thanks to God who has graced us with mercy. Amen.
* Song of Praise #695 “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”
Please see Sanctuary screens for lyrics.
* Passing the Peace
Prayer for Illumination:
Chuck McGavren, Worship Leader
First Scripture:
Psalm 32
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Anthem:
“Be Not Afraid”
PCM Chancel Choir
Second Scripture:
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Time for the Children:
Kathy Egr
Sermon:
Rev. Cindy Harvey
* Hymn 418 “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling”
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 #74 “When God Restored Our Common Life”
Please see screens for lyrics.
* Charge & Blessing
God sends us forth,
to be reconcilers of the broken and oppressed.
Jesus, our Brother, sends us to welcome everyone.
We will embrace the prodigals with joy, we will make a feast for all of God’s people.
The Spirit sends us with arms full of healing.
We will go to bring hope to all we meet.
* Music for Departing