FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series III
* CALL TO WORSHIP
Do not avoid the light of God but expose yourself to it. Come to
the light so that it will be clear that God is involved in all
the good things that you do.
* PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Ruler of our enemies and our allies, adversary of evil
everywhere, Savior of all who put their trust in you, we confess
that we do not always turn your light on ourselves as carefully
as on the behavior of others. We are too prone to spotlight the
failures and injustices of other societies than our own. In our
private lives we have been subject to the whims of our sensual
natures convinced that the natural is always good, ignoring your
prohibitions against what is hurtful to both others and
ourselves. Forgive our incomplete obedience to your prompting
and save us from our sins by your grace in Jesus Christ. Amen.
* DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! God is rich in mercy, for the great love he
bore us, brought us to life with Christ even when we were dead in
our sins; it is by his grace that you are saved. Friends,
believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
* EXHORTATION
Devote yourselves to the good deeds for which God has designed
you.
* PRAYER OF THE DAY
Divine descendant from heaven, human ascendant from earth, let
the light of love from your cross continue to shine in our world
so that all who look to you in faith may live, no longer under
judgment, but in grateful allegiance to you. Amen.
* PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Gracious Sovereign, we praise the mercy that you have shown to
your rebel subjects who have returned to live under your loving
rule. Divine treasurer, we are thankful for all the resources of
your grace that enrich our lives. Divine designer, we celebrate
the handiworks you have created, retooling us to accomplish the
purpose of your realm. You have brought
us out of death into life, out of subservience to evil, into the
freedom of all that is godly and good. How great is your
kindness to us in Jesus Christ. Amen.
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
No sanctuary is worthy of you, O God, but we bring our offerings
not only to furnish this house of prayer, but to manifest to the
world the gift of salvation that you freely offer in Jesus
Christ. Amen.
* PSALM 107:1-3, 17-22
O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
those he redeemed from trouble
and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
Some were sick through their sinful ways,
and because of their iniquities endured affliction;
they loathed any kind of food,
and they drew near to the gates of death.
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress;
he sent out his word and healed them,
and delivered them from destruction.
Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to humankind.
And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices,
and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.
Do not avoid the light of God but expose yourself to it. Come to
the light so that it will be clear that God is involved in all
the good things that you do.
* PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Ruler of our enemies and our allies, adversary of evil
everywhere, Savior of all who put their trust in you, we confess
that we do not always turn your light on ourselves as carefully
as on the behavior of others. We are too prone to spotlight the
failures and injustices of other societies than our own. In our
private lives we have been subject to the whims of our sensual
natures convinced that the natural is always good, ignoring your
prohibitions against what is hurtful to both others and
ourselves. Forgive our incomplete obedience to your prompting
and save us from our sins by your grace in Jesus Christ. Amen.
* DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! God is rich in mercy, for the great love he
bore us, brought us to life with Christ even when we were dead in
our sins; it is by his grace that you are saved. Friends,
believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
* EXHORTATION
Devote yourselves to the good deeds for which God has designed
you.
* PRAYER OF THE DAY
Divine descendant from heaven, human ascendant from earth, let
the light of love from your cross continue to shine in our world
so that all who look to you in faith may live, no longer under
judgment, but in grateful allegiance to you. Amen.
* PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Gracious Sovereign, we praise the mercy that you have shown to
your rebel subjects who have returned to live under your loving
rule. Divine treasurer, we are thankful for all the resources of
your grace that enrich our lives. Divine designer, we celebrate
the handiworks you have created, retooling us to accomplish the
purpose of your realm. You have brought
us out of death into life, out of subservience to evil, into the
freedom of all that is godly and good. How great is your
kindness to us in Jesus Christ. Amen.
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
No sanctuary is worthy of you, O God, but we bring our offerings
not only to furnish this house of prayer, but to manifest to the
world the gift of salvation that you freely offer in Jesus
Christ. Amen.
* PSALM 107:1-3, 17-22
O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
those he redeemed from trouble
and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
Some were sick through their sinful ways,
and because of their iniquities endured affliction;
they loathed any kind of food,
and they drew near to the gates of death.
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress;
he sent out his word and healed them,
and delivered them from destruction.
Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to humankind.
And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices,
and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.
