FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
5th Week of Lent
March 17, 2024
PRELUDE Near the Cross, arr. Don Hustad
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-FLOWERS IN FRONT are in memory of Bob Bartling
-WORSHIP COMMITTEE meets next Sunday, March 17 after worship service.
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP meets at 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House.
- PIECES AND PRAYERS will meet on Tuesdays at 1:30 PM at the FPC Quilting Room.
-WEDNESDAY LENTEN LUNCH & WORSHIP will be held at the First Lutheran Activity Center at 11:30AM—Pastor Cassandra Lamb from University Lutheran Center will provide the message following the meal. More information is on the bulletin board.
-LENTEN SOUP SUPPER will be held on March 20 at 5:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Christian Ed and Fellowship Committee will be supplying the meal—come and enjoy! A short program by Christian Ed will follow the meal.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY at 9:30 AM in the FPC Center Meeting Room.
-SISTERHOOD will meet Thursday, March 21 at 11:30 AM at the First Lutheran Mission Coffee House.
-MEN’S BROTHERHOOD will meet Thursday, March 21 at 5:30 PM at the church lounge.
- LILIES AND SPRING FLOWERS FOR EASTER--we are accepting monetary donations for flowers to grace and beautify our sanctuary. If you prefer, you may bring your own flowers or Flowers on Main (Eileen) will deliver flowers purchased there. Names of those honored or remembered will be included as always in the Easter PowerPoint. Please sign-up (sheet on the office counter) by Thursday, March 21.
–‘ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING’ SPECIAL OFFERING- donations are being accepted February 14 through March 31. Please use the envelopes by the offering plates or write ‘One Great Hour’ on check memo. Thank you for your generosity!
CALL TO WORSHIP
Lent calls us to journey, following Jesus wherever he leads us.
Lent calls us to faithful living as we journey with God.
Lent calls us to worship together and to tell future generations the good news.
Let us worship God, who walks with us, this and every day.
*OPENING HYMN #182 (Red) I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me and rest;
lay down, O weary one, lay down your head upon my breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was, so weary, worn, and sad;
I found in him a resting place, and he has made me glad.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give
the living water, thirsty one; stoop down and drink and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life-giving stream;
my thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in him.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s light;
look unto me, your morn shall rise, and all your day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found in him my star, my sun;
and in that light of life I’ll walk till traveling days are done.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Loving God, when we resist your call to change our hearts and allow a deepening of our relationship with you, we ask for mercy. When we fail to recognize that the sacrifice of a single man, Jesus Christ is life changing for us, we ask for mercy. Forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we can walk in your way to your glory. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*GLORIA PATRI (on screen)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
And ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
HYMN (remain seated) #462 (Red) I Love to Tell the Story
I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story because I know ‘tis true;
it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story; 'twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story; ‘tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet!
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word. [Refrain]
I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
'twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long. [Refrain]
CHILDREN’S SERMON
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Gracious God, open our ears, our minds, and our hearts to hear your word, to consider your word, and to live your word. Amen
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 119:10-16 (read responsively)
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
do not let me stray from your commandments.
11 I treasure your word in my heart,
so that I may not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes.
13 With my lips I declare
all the ordinances of your mouth.
14 I delight in the way of your decrees
as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts,
and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
Gospel of John 12:20-33
20Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
23Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
27“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say — ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”
30Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.
This is the word of God for the people of God. Amen
SERMON “Beyond the Thunder: Hearing and Responding to The Word”
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- (from the Scots Confession of 1560) (in unison)
We confess and acknowledge one God alone, to whom alone we must cleave, whom alone we must serve, whom only we must worship, and in whom alone we put our trust. Who is eternal, infinite, immeasurable, incomprehensible, omnipotent, invisible; one in substance and yet distinct in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #697 (Red) Take My Life
Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise,
let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love;
take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.
Take my voice and let me sing always, only, for my King;
take my lips and let them be filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold;
take my intellect and use every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.
Take my will and make it thine; it shall be no longer mine;
take my heart, it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour at thy feet its treasure store;
take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Our homebound or in care members:
Richard C (Dolores as caregiver), Bob & Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne as caregiver), Bob O (Nancy as caregiver), Delores K, Rose P, Joyce R, Steve VB, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Steve & Carrie VB, Dee W, Skip W
Those Who Mourn: The family/friends of Bob Bartling and all who have lost loved ones
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, Amen.
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
*DOXOLOGY (on screen)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN (Insert) I am Thine O Lord
I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine. [Refrain]
O, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend! [Refrain]
There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee. [Refrain]
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
.
POSTLUDE Were You There?, Gordon Young
ORDER OF WORSHIP
5th Week of Lent
March 17, 2024
PRELUDE Near the Cross, arr. Don Hustad
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-FLOWERS IN FRONT are in memory of Bob Bartling
-WORSHIP COMMITTEE meets next Sunday, March 17 after worship service.
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP meets at 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House.
- PIECES AND PRAYERS will meet on Tuesdays at 1:30 PM at the FPC Quilting Room.
-WEDNESDAY LENTEN LUNCH & WORSHIP will be held at the First Lutheran Activity Center at 11:30AM—Pastor Cassandra Lamb from University Lutheran Center will provide the message following the meal. More information is on the bulletin board.
-LENTEN SOUP SUPPER will be held on March 20 at 5:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Christian Ed and Fellowship Committee will be supplying the meal—come and enjoy! A short program by Christian Ed will follow the meal.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY at 9:30 AM in the FPC Center Meeting Room.
-SISTERHOOD will meet Thursday, March 21 at 11:30 AM at the First Lutheran Mission Coffee House.
-MEN’S BROTHERHOOD will meet Thursday, March 21 at 5:30 PM at the church lounge.
- LILIES AND SPRING FLOWERS FOR EASTER--we are accepting monetary donations for flowers to grace and beautify our sanctuary. If you prefer, you may bring your own flowers or Flowers on Main (Eileen) will deliver flowers purchased there. Names of those honored or remembered will be included as always in the Easter PowerPoint. Please sign-up (sheet on the office counter) by Thursday, March 21.
–‘ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING’ SPECIAL OFFERING- donations are being accepted February 14 through March 31. Please use the envelopes by the offering plates or write ‘One Great Hour’ on check memo. Thank you for your generosity!
CALL TO WORSHIP
Lent calls us to journey, following Jesus wherever he leads us.
Lent calls us to faithful living as we journey with God.
Lent calls us to worship together and to tell future generations the good news.
Let us worship God, who walks with us, this and every day.
*OPENING HYMN #182 (Red) I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me and rest;
lay down, O weary one, lay down your head upon my breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was, so weary, worn, and sad;
I found in him a resting place, and he has made me glad.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give
the living water, thirsty one; stoop down and drink and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life-giving stream;
my thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in him.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s light;
look unto me, your morn shall rise, and all your day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found in him my star, my sun;
and in that light of life I’ll walk till traveling days are done.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Loving God, when we resist your call to change our hearts and allow a deepening of our relationship with you, we ask for mercy. When we fail to recognize that the sacrifice of a single man, Jesus Christ is life changing for us, we ask for mercy. Forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we can walk in your way to your glory. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*GLORIA PATRI (on screen)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
And ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
HYMN (remain seated) #462 (Red) I Love to Tell the Story
I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story because I know ‘tis true;
it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story; 'twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story; ‘tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet!
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word. [Refrain]
I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
'twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long. [Refrain]
CHILDREN’S SERMON
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Gracious God, open our ears, our minds, and our hearts to hear your word, to consider your word, and to live your word. Amen
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 119:10-16 (read responsively)
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
do not let me stray from your commandments.
11 I treasure your word in my heart,
so that I may not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes.
13 With my lips I declare
all the ordinances of your mouth.
14 I delight in the way of your decrees
as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts,
and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
Gospel of John 12:20-33
20Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
23Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
27“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say — ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”
30Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.
This is the word of God for the people of God. Amen
SERMON “Beyond the Thunder: Hearing and Responding to The Word”
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- (from the Scots Confession of 1560) (in unison)
We confess and acknowledge one God alone, to whom alone we must cleave, whom alone we must serve, whom only we must worship, and in whom alone we put our trust. Who is eternal, infinite, immeasurable, incomprehensible, omnipotent, invisible; one in substance and yet distinct in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #697 (Red) Take My Life
Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise,
let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love;
take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.
Take my voice and let me sing always, only, for my King;
take my lips and let them be filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold;
take my intellect and use every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.
Take my will and make it thine; it shall be no longer mine;
take my heart, it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour at thy feet its treasure store;
take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Our homebound or in care members:
Richard C (Dolores as caregiver), Bob & Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne as caregiver), Bob O (Nancy as caregiver), Delores K, Rose P, Joyce R, Steve VB, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Steve & Carrie VB, Dee W, Skip W
Those Who Mourn: The family/friends of Bob Bartling and all who have lost loved ones
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, Amen.
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
*DOXOLOGY (on screen)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN (Insert) I am Thine O Lord
I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine. [Refrain]
O, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend! [Refrain]
There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee. [Refrain]
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
.
POSTLUDE Were You There?, Gordon Young