March 12, 2023

March 12, 2023 

Prelude 

Welcome and Announcements  

Introit 

Call to Worship        Exodus 17:1-6. 

A Liturgy for Lent   Liturgy by The Rt. Rev. Dr. Kay Ward; used with permission

We come to worship as we are Lord, full of those feelings which would keep us from loving ourselves and others.

Receive us as we come and may our hearts be turned away from those feelings.

MBW Hymn 762 Tune: WOODWORTH

Just as I am, without one plea, 

but that thy blood was shed for me,

And that thou bidd’st me come to thee, 

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thy love unknown

Has broken every barrier down;

Now to be thine, yea, thine alone,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Our misunderstandings often lead us to make snap judgements of others.

Our fear and uncertainty make us build walls to keep others from getting near us.

O Lord, help us to understand the kind of love that can break every barrier down – each wall that would separate your people.

Help us to be givers and receivers of that kind of love.

Red Hymnal Hymn 484 Tune: ALMSGIVING 8.8.8.4

Thou, Lord, didst once for all atone;

Thee may both Jew and Gentile own

Of their two walls the Cornerstone,

Making them one.

Join high and low, join young and old

In love that never waxes cold;

Under one shepherd, in one fold,

Make us all one.

Even though we are persons with walls built against our neighbors, may we meet them as friends, as we all come before your grace and mercy.

Join us, O Living Christ, by becoming the cornerstone of our lives.

Just as you overturned the tables of old, O Lord, overturn the barriers that we place between ourselves as your people.

Make the stranger like a friend, the widow and widower like a mother and father, the convict like a child and the hero like a neighbor.

We struggle with our difference.  Our world is wounded, O Lord, and we need your passion to be a sign for us.

The wounded world is in need of your balm.  Help us to be healed.  May our barriers be overturned as we minister in your home.

MBW Hymn 672 Tune: HERRNHUT [11 A]

By thy reconciling love every stumbling block remove;

Each to each unite, endear; come and spread they banner here.

Let us each for others care, each the other’s burden bear.

To thy church a pattern give, showing how believers live.

May it to the world appear that we thy disciples are

By our loving mutually, by our Christian unity.

Amen.

Prayers of the People  

Pastoral Prayer/Lord’s Prayer 

Sharing our Offerings 

Offertory Hymn #819 “For the Life that You Have Given”. 

Joyful Noise  

Scripture   John 4:5-26     Karen Kahle and Josh Follweiler, readers.   

Sermon   “Can I get you a Drink?”   Janel Rice 

Hymn 331 Jesus, Refuge of the Weary (verses 1 and 3)

Benediction  

Postlude