Fourth Sunday in Lent
UMCOR Sunday
PRELUDE
“Amazing Grace”
[Arr. by John Ness Beck]
Rebecca Nelson
WELCOME FROM THE PULPIT
Jan Everhart Hartliff, Pastor
OPENING PRAYER (unison)
Becky Cameron, Liturgist
God of immeasurable grace, you meet us in our time of need and cause your face to shine upon us. You sent your Son into the world, that we might be healed; and you fashioned us into vessels of your love and light. Redeem us this day, O God, that we may embrace the one who came to bring us life. Amen.
HYMN
“Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy” verses 1 and 4 UMH #340
[Joseph Hart; harm. Charles Webb]
Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
full of mercy, love, and power.
I will arise and go to Jesus,
he will embrace me with his arms;
in the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.
Let not conscience make you linger,
nor of fitness fondly dream;
all the fitness he requireth,
is to feel your need of him.
I will arise and go to Jesus,
he will embrace me with his arms;
in the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.
CHILDREN’S TIME
Alan Cook
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE….PASTORAL PRAYER….LORD’S PRAYER
Our God in heaven, your name is holy. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us where we have harmed creatures or creation, as we forgive those who have harmed us. Lead us not to tempting idols, but deliver us from evil, for yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
PRAYER RESPONSE
“Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy”
[Joseph Hart; arranged by Julie Hanney]
Amy Wheeler, Cello; playing four parts
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Becky Cameron, Liturgist
Numbers 21:4-9 From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is not food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.” Then the LORD sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD to take away the serpents from us.” And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it on a pole and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.
John 3:14-17 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Humanity be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Reader: The word of life.
People: Thanks be to God.
SERMON
“Weary of the Wilderness”
Jan Everhart Hartliff
WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Today in addition to our regular tithes we have the opportunity to participate in the annual special offering to support the work of United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the disaster response arm of our worldwide church. UMCOR aid in the form of volunteers, staff, and funds often arrives before any other agencies after a hurricane, earthquake, or fire. Relief through UMCOR is for all people regardless of religion or creed.
OFFERTORY
“There Is a Balm In Gilead”
[arr. Mark Hayes]
Ric Campero, Tenor
Rebecca Nelson, Piano
PRAYER OF DEDICATION AND SENDING FORTH
POSTLUDE
“The Lord Bless You and Keep You”
[By John Rutter]
Rebecca Nelson, Piano