We welcome everyone to our In-Person and Virtual Worship Service for the fourth Sunday in Lent.
Thank you to the Rev. Shaun Fryday for leading us in worship this morning.
If you know anyone who wants to register for the virtual services, they can signup at https://portwallisunitedchurch.ca/virtual as everyone logging in needs their own registration. ALL are welcome!
Masks/vaccinations are highly encouraged for in-person services
The bulletins are dedicated to the glory of God and in loving memory of Joy Demings from the Demings Family.
Service Documents to view/print at home.
Lent 4 19 March 2023
Port Wallis United Church
is an open Congregation that affirms you as a child of God,
made in God’s Image, and loved by God.
WELCOME / BIENVENUE / FAILTE / PJILA’DIK
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF LAND
CALL TO WORSHIP
People of God, let us gather to walk with Christ.
God is with us and God will guide us.
The journey may be difficult, but….
God is with us and God will guide us.
As a community of faith,
God is with us and God will guide us.
Faithful is our God.
INTROIT (3 X singing)
In the midst of darkness the light of Christ is shining,
Faithful, faithful is our God!
In the midst of darkness the light of Christ is shining,
Faithful, faithful is our God.
PRAYER FOR THE PRESENCE OF GOD’S LIGHT
Eternal God, let the Light of Christ shine before us:
as a Map, guiding our journey,
as a Lighthouse, piercing through life’s storms,
and as a Porchlight, welcoming us home.
This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who taught our souls to sing of your Glory in these words:
THE LORD’S PRAYER
( # 960 in Voices United)
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Page 2
God of all Time, and present at this time,
may the Holy Spirit open our hearts and minds
as we open the pages of Scripture.
This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
OPENING OF THE BIBLE (3 X singing # 840 in Voices United)
“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.”
Your Word. Music written by Michael W Smith, arr. Keith Phillips. Music Copyright 1984 Meadowgreen Music Co., Bug and Bear Music. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted with permission under License # A-734202. All rights reserved.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Gospel Lesson: John 9: 1 – 41
Psalm 23
God watches over me and cradles me in care.
The LORD is my shepherd, I will lack for nothing.
God makes a peaceful place of peace for me,
I lie down in green pastures.
God leads me to pools of quiet water
away from the fast flowing streams of life.
God watches over me and cradles me in care.
God restores my soul.
Of the many paths that I could take,
God leads me in the right path.
God has promised to do this.
Even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, through the darkest places in my life,
I will fear no evil, for You, my God, are with me;
with your rod and your staff you protect me,
your stick beats the bushes where danger hides
and your shepherd’s crook reaches to save me
when I fall through the cracks of life.
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
God watches over me and cradles me in care.
You prepare a banquet table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
the oil of blessing and healing, my cup of blessings overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
God watches over me and cradles me in care.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end, Amen.
First Testament: 1 Samuel 16: 1 – 13
Epistle Lesson: Ephesians 5: 8 – 14
LEARNING TIME
In peace, dear God, I come to You
through Jesus Christ who makes me new
And while I run or play or rest, be with those whom I love best,
Guide me in your Holy Way, as You walk with me each day, AMEN.
ANTHEM ~ NEAR THE RIVER
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Eternal God,
who opens the eyes of those blind to injustice
and who chooses those overlooked by the world
and who gently shepherds us through the choices we must make;
forgive our sins against others
as we would wish them to forgive our sins against them.
Restore what is broken,
remold what must be remade,
and reform us into your image.
All this we ask through Christ our Lord, Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION and ASSURANCE OF PARDON
HYMN # 95 (MV) HOW DEEP THE PEACE
How deep the peace, the confidence,
of those whose wrongs are forgiven,
How deep the peace, the confidence
of those whose hearts are healed.
How Deep the Peace. Words: Lynn Bauman, 2000 Music: Linnea Good, 2004. Words copyright © 2000 Lynn Bauman, from Ancient Songs Sung Anew: the Psalms as Poetry.
REFLECTION on the BIBLICAL LESSONS
OFFERTORY HYMN # 196 (MV)
We will take what you offer, we will live by your word;
We will love one another and be fed by you, Lord.
We will take what you offer, we will live by your word;
We will love one another and be fed by you, Lord.
We Will Take What You Offer. Words and music: John L. Bell, 1998. Words and music copyright © 1998 by WGRG, Iona Community, Scotland, admin. GIA Publications, Inc., excl. N. American agent.All Rights Reserved. Reprinted with permission under License # A-734202. All rights reserved.
PASTORAL PRAYER
Our prayers are interspersed with the singing of the following response.
It reminds us that God is already answering our prayers even as we pray.
Glory to You, forever and ever.
Grâce soit rendu à Toi, Seigneur Jésus.
HYMN # 371 (VU) OPEN MY EYES THAT I MAY SEE
COMMISSIONING and BENEDICTION
EXTINGUISHING OF THE TABLE CANDLES
Mention someone’s name and hold them in your heart.
CHORAL PARTING PRAYER (VU #298)
When you walk from here, when you walk from here
Walk with Justice, walk with mercy,
and with God’s humble care. Linnea Good 1991
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE CHURCH COMMUNITY