ORDER FOR WORSHIP
PRELUDE: O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß J.S. Bach
SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
* PASSING OF THE PEACE
* SANCTUS (pew card)
* CALL TO WORSHIP Sarah White
O Jesus, like the seed fallen to the ground, you suffered death. United to you, our lives will bear much fruit.
We praise you, O Lord.
O Christ, you went down to the lowest point of the human condition; you remain close to all who are abandoned.
We praise you, O Christ.
In your love you took upon yourself our sins; innocent, you accepted death to free us from death.
We worship you, O Lord.
By your love you conquered evil and hatred, and you live forever at the Father’s side.
We worship you, O Christ.
You listen to us in your goodness, and you visit us in our misfortune; fill our hearts to overflowing by revealing to us the light of your face.
Amen.
* HYMN No. 559 Make Room within My Heart, O God
PRAYER OF CONFESSION Dana Chan
Lord, we have denied you by refusing to know you.
We have betrayed you by keeping our distance.
We have mocked you by pretending we are not yours.
Lord, we are lost; let your forgiveness find us.
Welcome us into your strong, forgiving arms.
(Prayers of Silent Confession)
Kyrie (sung): Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/WISDOM FOR LIFE
In our baptisms, we have been adopted by God.
We are God’s beloved children, and brothers and sisters to one another.
In our baptisms, we have been washed by Jesus Christ.
We are forgiven; our shame and guilt are wiped clean.
In our baptisms, we have been anointed with God’s Spirit.
We are temples of the Holy Spirit and signs of God’s restorative work.
In our baptisms, we have been called to God’s mission.
We are disciples, followers of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, called to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.
JUNIOR SERMON
ANTHEM: O Jesus Christ, My Life and Light J.S. Bach
O Jesus Christ my life and light,
my help, my strength, my rock of might,
on earth naught am I but a guest,
by sin's great burden sore oppressed.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Congregational Response:
The Lord is my light and my salvation,
of whom should I be afraid,
of whom should I be afraid?
Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
* HYMN No. 216 Beneath the Cross of Jesus
Prayer of Illumination Margret Dougherty
Lord Jesus, we walk with you
through the valley of the shadow of death.
Let us find our life in you, O Lord.
We come to hear you speak of your love for us.
You have the words of eternal life. Amen.
SCRIPTURE PASSAGES:
Psalm 119:9-16 p. 493
John 12:20-33 p. 875
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON Living, Dying, and Bearing Fruit Rev. Dr. Jill Ver Steeg
* CONFESSION OF FAITH:
Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 88-90
Q. What is involved in genuine repentance or conversion?
A. Two things: the dying-away of the old self, and the rising-to-life of the new.
Q. What is the dying-away of the old self?
A. To be genuinely sorry for sin and more and more to hate and run away from it.
Q. What is the rising-to-life of the new self?
A. Wholehearted joy in God through Christ and a love and delight to live according to the will of God by doing every kind of good work.
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
Offertory: Prayer to Jesus John Ness Beck
Lord Jesus, think on me
and purge away my sin;
From selfish passions set me free
and make me pure within.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
by anxious thoughts oppressed;
Let me your loving servant be
and taste your promised rest.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
nor let me go a-stray;
Through darkness and perplexity
point out the heavenly way.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
that when this life is past,
I may the eternal brightness see,
and share Thy joy at last.
Amen
* The Doxology (pew card)
* Prayer of Dedication
* HYMN No. 43 A Mighty Fortress is Our God
* BENEDICTION
Response: May the Grace of Christ Our Savior
May the grace of Christ our savior
and the Father's boundless love,
with the Holy Spirit's favor,
rest upon us from above. Amen.
POSTLUDE: Etude Op 10 No 4 Chopin
Our guest speaker is Rev. Dr. Jill Ver Steeg, who serves as the Director for Transformation Engagement for the RCA. She earned her Doctorate of Ministry (DMin) from Fuller Theological Seminary and her Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Western Theological Seminary.
Announcements
MARCH 18, 2018
YPF Casserole Sale, Sunday, March 25, during coffee hour.
The young people will be selling home-cooked casseroles to fund their mission trip. Please support our youth.
Lenten Offering Envelopes
The special Lenten offerings will be given to the refugee family that COTH has adopted in this season of Lent. This family has arrived and settled in New Jersey.
Adult Sunday School Opportunity
Sunday mornings, 9:45-10:30 a.m., Library
Adults are invited to join a Sunday morning class entitled, "Ripped from the Headlines - Integrating your Faith with Current Events!" Led by seminary intern Carlos Rivera, the class will extend through the end of April with a new headline discussed every few weeks. Begins again on April 8.
No Bible Study on Tuesday, March 20.
Prayer List
Remember the following individuals in your daily prayer:
Bermudez family, Diane Blagburn, Jose, Gracinda and David Cerqueira, Rosemarie Dappio, Dombrowski family, William Duchemin, Joan Dwyer, Angela Edward, Lynne Johnson, Kathy Kissane, Jason Knese, Ginny Marsico, Ann McCaffrey, Alda Muyskens, Denise Moran, Stacey Muller, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Megan Peters, Isabelita Rueda, Kook Ryo, Debra & Greg Sparrow