ORDER OF WORSHIP FOR
THE FAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH
215 MIDDLE ROAD, HAZLET, NJ 07730
(* indicates to stand if you are able)
Sunday, March 7; Third Sunday in Lent
VOTUM AND SALUTATION
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 19)
Pastor: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
People: Day unto day he speaks to us; night after night he reveals his knowledge.
Pastor: There is no speech; there are no words. No voice is heard.
People: Yet voice and word go out through all the earth, to the ends of the world.
Pastor: The law of the Lord is perfect, and revives the soul.
People: The decrees of the Lord are certain, and give wisdom to the simple.
Pastor: The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.
People: The commandments of the Lord are clear, and enlighten the eyes.
Pastor: Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you, O Lord.
All: For you are our rock and our redeemer!
PRAYER OF PRESENCE
All: Holy God, grant us your blessing as we enter your house. Help us to worship you in spirit and in truth. Free us from all vain thoughts and wrong desires. Speak to us through your holy Word. And let us worship together, as one people, united in your faith, for your glory. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE “When Morning Gilds the Skies” (verses 1, 3 & 4)
(hummed – not sung)
When morning gilds the skies, my heart awaking cries, may Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer, to Jesus I repair, may Jesus Christ be praised!
The night becomes the day, when from the heart we say, may Jesus Christ be praised!
The powers of darkness fear when this sweet chant they hear, may Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this, while life is mine, my canticle divine, may Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this th'eternal song through all the ages long, may Jesus Christ be praised!
PASSING OF THE PEACE
(please stand, but remain in place, and greet your nearest neighbors with a wave and a blessing of peace)
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
All: God of mercy, you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost. We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We are misled by our own pride and vanity. We have failed in love, neglected justice, and ignored your truth. Have mercy on us, O God, and forgive our sin. Return us to paths of righteousness through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
(Responsive Hymn – 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 (Ephesians 1:7-8a)
All: “In [Jesus Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace, that he lavished on us.”
*Gloria Patri: Glory be to The Father Hymn #805 (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 – The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17)
HYMN FOR ILLUMINATION (seated) “Spirit of the Living God” Verse 1 (hummed – not sung)
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 “O God, Who Gives to Humankind”
– Hummed, not sung
O God, who gives to humankind a searching heart and questing mind:
Grant us to find your truth and laws and wisdom to perceive their cause.
In all our learning give us grace to bow ourselves before your face;
As knowledge grows, Lord, keep up free from self-destructive vanity.
Sometimes we think we understand all workings of your mighty hand;
Then through your Son help us to know those truths which you alone can show.
Teach us to joy in things revealed, to search with care all yet concealed,
As through Christ's light your truth we find and worship you with heart and mind.
SCRIPTURE READINGS – John 2:13-22
THE MORNING MESSAGE - “Temple of God / Body of Christ“
*OFFERTORY PRAYER AND DOXOLOGY
*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.
CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Let us break bread together on our knees; Let us break bread together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord have mercy on me.
Let us drink wine together on our knees; Let us drink wine together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord have mercy on me.
Let us praise God together on our knees; Let us praise God together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord have mercy on me.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Holy and right it is, and our joyful duty
to give thanks to you at all times and in all places,
O Lord our Creator,
almighty and everlasting God!
You created heaven with all its hosts and the earth with all its plenty.
You have given us life and being,
and preserve us by your providence.
But you have shown us the fullness of your love
in sending into the world your Son, Jesus Christ,
the eternal Word, made flesh for us and for our salvation.
For the precious gift of this mighty Savior who has reconciled us to you
we praise and bless you, O God.
With your whole Church on earth and with all the company of heaven
we worship and adore your glorious name.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest!
Most righteous God,
we remember in this Supper
the perfect sacrifice offered once on the cross by our Lord Jesus Christ
for the sin of the whole world.
In the joy of his resurrection and in expectation of his coming again,
we offer ourselves to you as holy and living sacrifices.
Together we proclaim the mystery of the faith:
Christ has died!
Christ is risen!
Christ will come again!
Send your Holy Spirit upon us, we pray,
that the bread which we break and the cup which we bless
may be to us the communion of the body and blood of Christ.
Grant that, being joined together in him,
we may attain to the unity of the faith
and grow up in all things into Christ our Lord.
And as this grain has been gathered from many fields into one loaf,
and these grapes from many hills into one cup,
grant, O Lord, that your whole Church
may soon be gathered from the ends of the earth into your kingdom.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Brothers and sisters,
since the Lord has now fed us at his Table,
let us praise God’s holy name with heartfelt thanksgiving!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits--
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion for his children,
so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him,
who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all,
and will also give us all things with him.
Therefore shall my mouth and heart show forth the praise of the Lord,
from this time forth forevermore. Amen.
JOYS & CONCERNS – MORNING PRAYER – THE LORD’S PRAYER
(Lord’s Prayer – “sins / those who sin against us”)
CLOSING HYMN “Through the Love of God Our Savior”
(hummed – not sung)
Through the love of God our Savior, all will be well;
Free and changeless is his favor, all, all is well;
Precious is the blood that healed us, perfect is the grace that sealed us,
Strong the hand stretched out to shield us, all must be well.
Though we pass through tribulation, all will be well;
Ours is such a full salvation, all, all is well;
Happy still in God confiding, fruitful, if in Christ abiding,
Holy through the Spirit's guiding, all must be well.
We expect a bright tomorrow, all will be well;
Faith can sing through days of sorrow, all, all is well;
On our Father's love relying, Jesus every need supplying,
Or in living or in dying, all must be well.
*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 7; Third Sunday in Lent
VOTUM AND SALUTATION
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 19)
Pastor: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
People: Day unto day he speaks to us; night after night he reveals his knowledge.
Pastor: There is no speech; there are no words. No voice is heard.
People: Yet voice and word go out through all the earth, to the ends of the world.
Pastor: The law of the Lord is perfect, and revives the soul.
People: The decrees of the Lord are certain, and give wisdom to the simple.
Pastor: The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.
People: The commandments of the Lord are clear, and enlighten the eyes.
Pastor: Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you, O Lord.
All: For you are our rock and our redeemer!
PRAYER OF PRESENCE
All: Holy God, grant us your blessing as we enter your house. Help us to worship you in spirit and in truth. Free us from all vain thoughts and wrong desires. Speak to us through your holy Word. And let us worship together, as one people, united in your faith, for your glory. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE “When Morning Gilds the Skies” (verses 1, 3 & 4)
(hummed – not sung)
When morning gilds the skies, my heart awaking cries, may Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer, to Jesus I repair, may Jesus Christ be praised!
The night becomes the day, when from the heart we say, may Jesus Christ be praised!
The powers of darkness fear when this sweet chant they hear, may Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this, while life is mine, my canticle divine, may Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this th'eternal song through all the ages long, may Jesus Christ be praised!
PASSING OF THE PEACE
(please stand, but remain in place, and greet your nearest neighbors with a wave and a blessing of peace)
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
All: God of mercy, you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost. We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We are misled by our own pride and vanity. We have failed in love, neglected justice, and ignored your truth. Have mercy on us, O God, and forgive our sin. Return us to paths of righteousness through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
(Responsive Hymn – 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 (Ephesians 1:7-8a)
All: “In [Jesus Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace, that he lavished on us.”
*Gloria Patri: Glory be to The Father Hymn #805 (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 – The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17)
HYMN FOR ILLUMINATION (seated) “Spirit of the Living God” Verse 1 (hummed – not sung)
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 “O God, Who Gives to Humankind”
– Hummed, not sung
O God, who gives to humankind a searching heart and questing mind:
Grant us to find your truth and laws and wisdom to perceive their cause.
In all our learning give us grace to bow ourselves before your face;
As knowledge grows, Lord, keep up free from self-destructive vanity.
Sometimes we think we understand all workings of your mighty hand;
Then through your Son help us to know those truths which you alone can show.
Teach us to joy in things revealed, to search with care all yet concealed,
As through Christ's light your truth we find and worship you with heart and mind.
SCRIPTURE READINGS – John 2:13-22
THE MORNING MESSAGE - “Temple of God / Body of Christ“
*OFFERTORY PRAYER AND DOXOLOGY
*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.
CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
- INVITATION
- COMMUNION HYMN – “Let Us Break Bread Together”
Let us break bread together on our knees; Let us break bread together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord have mercy on me.
Let us drink wine together on our knees; Let us drink wine together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord have mercy on me.
Let us praise God together on our knees; Let us praise God together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord have mercy on me.
- COMMUNION PRAYER
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Holy and right it is, and our joyful duty
to give thanks to you at all times and in all places,
O Lord our Creator,
almighty and everlasting God!
You created heaven with all its hosts and the earth with all its plenty.
You have given us life and being,
and preserve us by your providence.
But you have shown us the fullness of your love
in sending into the world your Son, Jesus Christ,
the eternal Word, made flesh for us and for our salvation.
For the precious gift of this mighty Savior who has reconciled us to you
we praise and bless you, O God.
With your whole Church on earth and with all the company of heaven
we worship and adore your glorious name.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest!
Most righteous God,
we remember in this Supper
the perfect sacrifice offered once on the cross by our Lord Jesus Christ
for the sin of the whole world.
In the joy of his resurrection and in expectation of his coming again,
we offer ourselves to you as holy and living sacrifices.
Together we proclaim the mystery of the faith:
Christ has died!
Christ is risen!
Christ will come again!
Send your Holy Spirit upon us, we pray,
that the bread which we break and the cup which we bless
may be to us the communion of the body and blood of Christ.
Grant that, being joined together in him,
we may attain to the unity of the faith
and grow up in all things into Christ our Lord.
And as this grain has been gathered from many fields into one loaf,
and these grapes from many hills into one cup,
grant, O Lord, that your whole Church
may soon be gathered from the ends of the earth into your kingdom.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
- WORDS OF INSTITUTION
- CELEBRATION OF COMMUNION
- PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Brothers and sisters,
since the Lord has now fed us at his Table,
let us praise God’s holy name with heartfelt thanksgiving!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits--
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion for his children,
so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him,
who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all,
and will also give us all things with him.
Therefore shall my mouth and heart show forth the praise of the Lord,
from this time forth forevermore. Amen.
JOYS & CONCERNS – MORNING PRAYER – THE LORD’S PRAYER
(Lord’s Prayer – “sins / those who sin against us”)
CLOSING HYMN “Through the Love of God Our Savior”
(hummed – not sung)
Through the love of God our Savior, all will be well;
Free and changeless is his favor, all, all is well;
Precious is the blood that healed us, perfect is the grace that sealed us,
Strong the hand stretched out to shield us, all must be well.
Though we pass through tribulation, all will be well;
Ours is such a full salvation, all, all is well;
Happy still in God confiding, fruitful, if in Christ abiding,
Holy through the Spirit's guiding, all must be well.
We expect a bright tomorrow, all will be well;
Faith can sing through days of sorrow, all, all is well;
On our Father's love relying, Jesus every need supplying,
Or in living or in dying, all must be well.
*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.