Fifth Sunday In Lent
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series VI, Cycle C
Theme: Do Not Cling To The Past
Call To Worship
Leader: God was our help in ages past.
People: He is our hope for years to come.
Leader: God is our guide while life shall last.
People: He will be our eternal home.
Leader: Come, let us worship the God of all times.
Collect
Everlasting God, who changes not but is the same yesterday, today, and forever, keep us from dwelling on the past, fix our attention on your will for us today, and give us hope and vision for tomorrow. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, we have all been guilty of dreaming of the "good old days," of resisting change because we are comfortable with the way we have always done things in the past. Forgive our shortsightedness, we pray, and open our minds and hearts to try new things to help us accomplish your will. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
O God, we are your people and we sing your praises. With these gifts we offer our prayers of thanksgiving and present ourselves to be used by you in carrying out your will on earth. Amen.
Hymns
"God Hath Spoken By The Prophets"
"Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus"
"O God Who Shaped Creation"
Fifth Sunday In Lent
Second Lesson: Philippians 3:4b-14
Theme: Keep Striving
Call To Worship
Leader: As we gather to worship, let us clear our minds of former things.
People: We will not dwell on things of old.
Leader: The Lord is doing a new thing; do you not perceive it?
People: We will press on to make God's goal our own. Amen.
Collect
O God, our Father, we gather to worship you not because we believe our ceremonies will gain righteousness for us, but because we would draw nearer to you. We seek the strengthening of our faith in Christ, that we might experience the power of his resurrection, and in the hope that we, too, may be raised from death to life. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, we know that we are far from perfect, and that simply trying to keep your commandments and observing the ceremonies of your Church will not bring us the righteousness we seek. Help us to forget what is past and to strive toward the goal that we might find that righteousness that is given through faith in Christ. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
Heavenly Father, we do not bring these offerings simply to keep the law, but because of our love for you and our commitment to the work of your Church. Accept them, we pray, and use them to your glory. Amen.
Hymns
"Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus"
"Forward Through The Ages"
"Filled With The Spirit's Power"
Fifth Sunday In Lent
Gospel Lesson: John 12:1-8
Theme: Anointing The Feet Of Jesus As A Sign Of Our Love
Call To Worship
Jesus washed his disciples' feet as a sign of his love and as an example of his servanthood. Mary washed Jesus' feet as an expression of her love and devotion to his ministry.
We are called upon to be prepared to wash the feet of those we are to serve in the name of Christ.
Come, let us worship the Lord, who has shown us God's love, and set us an example of a ministry of service.
Collect
Almighty God, this house of worship has been set aside as a costly ointment through which we might anoint you with our worship, our service, and our love for you. May the sweet perfume of our lives dedicated to doing your will go forth from these walls to permeate the earth, bringing your love to those who have never heard the message of your redeeming love. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Father God, sometimes we wonder about the money that is spent on buildings that we call churches. The needs of the world are so great that we are tempted to believe we have no need to spend vast sums on brick and mortar. Then we remember that our churches stand as beacons in the community, bearing testimony to your love and concern for all your children everywhere. They are the ointment by which we show our love for you, and the perfume we carry from being with you goes with us as we reach out to the community to serve your people. Thanks be to you, O God. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
Lord, accept these gifts of money as tokens of our allegiance to the building of your kingdom. Use them to alleviate the physical and spiritual hunger of the world. We pray in Jesus'Êname. Amen.
Hymns
"My Jesus, I Love Thee"
"I Love To Tell The Story"
"Jesus Is All The World To Me"
Call To Worship
Leader: God was our help in ages past.
People: He is our hope for years to come.
Leader: God is our guide while life shall last.
People: He will be our eternal home.
Leader: Come, let us worship the God of all times.
Collect
Everlasting God, who changes not but is the same yesterday, today, and forever, keep us from dwelling on the past, fix our attention on your will for us today, and give us hope and vision for tomorrow. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, we have all been guilty of dreaming of the "good old days," of resisting change because we are comfortable with the way we have always done things in the past. Forgive our shortsightedness, we pray, and open our minds and hearts to try new things to help us accomplish your will. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
O God, we are your people and we sing your praises. With these gifts we offer our prayers of thanksgiving and present ourselves to be used by you in carrying out your will on earth. Amen.
Hymns
"God Hath Spoken By The Prophets"
"Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus"
"O God Who Shaped Creation"
Fifth Sunday In Lent
Second Lesson: Philippians 3:4b-14
Theme: Keep Striving
Call To Worship
Leader: As we gather to worship, let us clear our minds of former things.
People: We will not dwell on things of old.
Leader: The Lord is doing a new thing; do you not perceive it?
People: We will press on to make God's goal our own. Amen.
Collect
O God, our Father, we gather to worship you not because we believe our ceremonies will gain righteousness for us, but because we would draw nearer to you. We seek the strengthening of our faith in Christ, that we might experience the power of his resurrection, and in the hope that we, too, may be raised from death to life. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, we know that we are far from perfect, and that simply trying to keep your commandments and observing the ceremonies of your Church will not bring us the righteousness we seek. Help us to forget what is past and to strive toward the goal that we might find that righteousness that is given through faith in Christ. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
Heavenly Father, we do not bring these offerings simply to keep the law, but because of our love for you and our commitment to the work of your Church. Accept them, we pray, and use them to your glory. Amen.
Hymns
"Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus"
"Forward Through The Ages"
"Filled With The Spirit's Power"
Fifth Sunday In Lent
Gospel Lesson: John 12:1-8
Theme: Anointing The Feet Of Jesus As A Sign Of Our Love
Call To Worship
Jesus washed his disciples' feet as a sign of his love and as an example of his servanthood. Mary washed Jesus' feet as an expression of her love and devotion to his ministry.
We are called upon to be prepared to wash the feet of those we are to serve in the name of Christ.
Come, let us worship the Lord, who has shown us God's love, and set us an example of a ministry of service.
Collect
Almighty God, this house of worship has been set aside as a costly ointment through which we might anoint you with our worship, our service, and our love for you. May the sweet perfume of our lives dedicated to doing your will go forth from these walls to permeate the earth, bringing your love to those who have never heard the message of your redeeming love. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Father God, sometimes we wonder about the money that is spent on buildings that we call churches. The needs of the world are so great that we are tempted to believe we have no need to spend vast sums on brick and mortar. Then we remember that our churches stand as beacons in the community, bearing testimony to your love and concern for all your children everywhere. They are the ointment by which we show our love for you, and the perfume we carry from being with you goes with us as we reach out to the community to serve your people. Thanks be to you, O God. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
Lord, accept these gifts of money as tokens of our allegiance to the building of your kingdom. Use them to alleviate the physical and spiritual hunger of the world. We pray in Jesus'Êname. Amen.
Hymns
"My Jesus, I Love Thee"
"I Love To Tell The Story"
"Jesus Is All The World To Me"
