ORDER OF WORSHIP FOR
THE FAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH
215 MIDDLE ROAD, HAZLET, NJ 07730
(* indicates to stand if you are able)
Sunday, March 14; Fourth Sunday in Lent
VOTUM AND SALUTATION
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 107)
Leader: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
People: His steadfast love endures forever.
Leader: Let the redeemed of the Lord say so – those he has redeemed from trouble and gathered from many lands.
People: From the east and from the west; from the north and from the south.
Leader: Some were sick with sin, and endured affliction;
People: They would not eat, and were close to the gates of death.
Leader: Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
People: And he saved them from their distress.
Leader: He sent out his Word and healed them;
People: The Lord delivered them from destruction.
Leader: Thank the Lord for his steadfast love!
People: And for his wonderful works to humankind!
Leader: And make offerings of thanksgiving,
All: Let us tell of his deeds with songs of joy!
PRAYER OF PRESENCE
All: Holy God of peace and mercy, hear our prayer. We gather together this morning in your holy name. Through the fog and chaos of our world you offer a beacon of hope. As we wander twisting paths of darkness, your holy Word is a lantern to guide our feet. In all things you bring us into enlightenment. We come together to worship your majesty; to give thanks for your grace; and to share the glory of your holy name. We pray for your blessing this morning as we pray for all things; through the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE “Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts” (verses 1, 2 & 5)
(hummed – not sung)
Jesus, thou joy of loving hearts,
Thou fount of life, thou light of all,
From the best bliss that earth imparts,
We turn unfilled to heed thy call.
Thy truth unchanged has ever stood;
Thou savest those that on thee call;
To them that seek thee thou art good,
To them that find thee all in all.
O Jesus, ever with us stay,
Make all our moments calm and bright;
Chase the dark night of sin away,
Shed o'er the world thy holy light.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
(Please remain in place, and greet your nearest neighbors with a wave and a blessing of peace)
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (adapted from Daniel 9:4-5, 17-19)
All: Great and almighty God, you keep covenant and steadfast love with those who love you and keep your commandments. But we have sinned and done wrong, acted wickedly, and turned away from your law. Listen to your people in our confession, and hear us according to your mercy. Forgive us, Lord, and let your face shine upon us. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.
(Responsive Hymn #817 – to be hummed, not sung) - Hear our prayer O Lord. Hear our prayer O Lord. Incline thine ear to us, and grant us Thy peace. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE (Matthew 11:28-30)
All: [At that time, Jesus said], “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, from I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
*Gloria Patri: Glory be to The Father (hummed – not sung)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
World without end, Amen, Amen.
SUMMARY OF THE LAW (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
Now all has been heard, here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
HYMN FOR ILLUMINATION (seated) “Spirit of the Living God” Verse 1 (hummed – not sung) Hymn #297
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me;
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SERMON HYMN “There's a Wideness in God's Mercy”
(Hummed- not sung)
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in his justice which is more than liberty.
There is welcome for the sinner and more graces for the good;
There is mercy with the Savior; there is healing in his blood.
For the love of God is broader than the measure of our mind;
And the heart of the Eternal is the most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more simple, we would take him at his word,
And our lives would be illumined by the presence of our Lord.
SCRIPTURE READINGS – Numbers 21:4-9
John 3:14-21
THE MORNING MESSAGE - “The Answer to Everything“
*OFFERTORY PRAYER AND DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*APOSTLES CREED
I believe in God the Father, almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord;
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
Born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, dead, and buried.
The third day he rose from the dead
He ascended into heaven
And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The holy catholic church,
The communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
And the life everlasting. Amen.
JOYS & CONCERNS – MORNING PRAYER – THE LORD'S PRAYER
(Lord’s Prayer – “…sins / …those who sin against us…”)
*CLOSING HYMN “I Then Shall Live” (verses 1 & 3)
(hummed – not sung)
I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven;
I’ll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.
I know my name is clear before my Father;
I am his child, and I am not afraid.
So greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive another;
The law of love I gladly will obey.
Your kingdom come around and through and in me;
Your power and glory, let them shine through me;
Your hallowed name, O may I bear with honor,
And may your living Kingdom come in me.
The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor,
And may you feed a hungry world through me.
*CLOSING PRAYER & BENEDICTION
*CHORAL POSTLUDE: "Lord, Dismiss Us with your Blessing"
(hummed – not sung)
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
Let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace;
O direct us and protect us, traveling through this wilderness.
THE FAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH
215 MIDDLE ROAD, HAZLET, NJ 07730
(* indicates to stand if you are able)
Sunday, March 14; Fourth Sunday in Lent
VOTUM AND SALUTATION
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 107)
Leader: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
People: His steadfast love endures forever.
Leader: Let the redeemed of the Lord say so – those he has redeemed from trouble and gathered from many lands.
People: From the east and from the west; from the north and from the south.
Leader: Some were sick with sin, and endured affliction;
People: They would not eat, and were close to the gates of death.
Leader: Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
People: And he saved them from their distress.
Leader: He sent out his Word and healed them;
People: The Lord delivered them from destruction.
Leader: Thank the Lord for his steadfast love!
People: And for his wonderful works to humankind!
Leader: And make offerings of thanksgiving,
All: Let us tell of his deeds with songs of joy!
PRAYER OF PRESENCE
All: Holy God of peace and mercy, hear our prayer. We gather together this morning in your holy name. Through the fog and chaos of our world you offer a beacon of hope. As we wander twisting paths of darkness, your holy Word is a lantern to guide our feet. In all things you bring us into enlightenment. We come together to worship your majesty; to give thanks for your grace; and to share the glory of your holy name. We pray for your blessing this morning as we pray for all things; through the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE “Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts” (verses 1, 2 & 5)
(hummed – not sung)
Jesus, thou joy of loving hearts,
Thou fount of life, thou light of all,
From the best bliss that earth imparts,
We turn unfilled to heed thy call.
Thy truth unchanged has ever stood;
Thou savest those that on thee call;
To them that seek thee thou art good,
To them that find thee all in all.
O Jesus, ever with us stay,
Make all our moments calm and bright;
Chase the dark night of sin away,
Shed o'er the world thy holy light.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
(Please remain in place, and greet your nearest neighbors with a wave and a blessing of peace)
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (adapted from Daniel 9:4-5, 17-19)
All: Great and almighty God, you keep covenant and steadfast love with those who love you and keep your commandments. But we have sinned and done wrong, acted wickedly, and turned away from your law. Listen to your people in our confession, and hear us according to your mercy. Forgive us, Lord, and let your face shine upon us. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.
(Responsive Hymn #817 – to be hummed, not sung) - Hear our prayer O Lord. Hear our prayer O Lord. Incline thine ear to us, and grant us Thy peace. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE (Matthew 11:28-30)
All: [At that time, Jesus said], “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, from I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
*Gloria Patri: Glory be to The Father (hummed – not sung)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
World without end, Amen, Amen.
SUMMARY OF THE LAW (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
Now all has been heard, here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
HYMN FOR ILLUMINATION (seated) “Spirit of the Living God” Verse 1 (hummed – not sung) Hymn #297
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me;
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SERMON HYMN “There's a Wideness in God's Mercy”
(Hummed- not sung)
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in his justice which is more than liberty.
There is welcome for the sinner and more graces for the good;
There is mercy with the Savior; there is healing in his blood.
For the love of God is broader than the measure of our mind;
And the heart of the Eternal is the most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more simple, we would take him at his word,
And our lives would be illumined by the presence of our Lord.
SCRIPTURE READINGS – Numbers 21:4-9
John 3:14-21
THE MORNING MESSAGE - “The Answer to Everything“
*OFFERTORY PRAYER AND DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*APOSTLES CREED
I believe in God the Father, almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord;
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
Born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, dead, and buried.
The third day he rose from the dead
He ascended into heaven
And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The holy catholic church,
The communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
And the life everlasting. Amen.
JOYS & CONCERNS – MORNING PRAYER – THE LORD'S PRAYER
(Lord’s Prayer – “…sins / …those who sin against us…”)
*CLOSING HYMN “I Then Shall Live” (verses 1 & 3)
(hummed – not sung)
I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven;
I’ll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.
I know my name is clear before my Father;
I am his child, and I am not afraid.
So greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive another;
The law of love I gladly will obey.
Your kingdom come around and through and in me;
Your power and glory, let them shine through me;
Your hallowed name, O may I bear with honor,
And may your living Kingdom come in me.
The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor,
And may you feed a hungry world through me.
*CLOSING PRAYER & BENEDICTION
*CHORAL POSTLUDE: "Lord, Dismiss Us with your Blessing"
(hummed – not sung)
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
Let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace;
O direct us and protect us, traveling through this wilderness.