Sunday March 19, 2023
Call To Worship: 4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)
John 9:1-12
As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, 7 saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. 8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am he.” 10 But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”
Songs:
In Christ Alone
Verse 1
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light my strength my song
This Cornerstone this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love what depths of peace
When fears are stilled when strivings cease
My Comforter my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
Verse 2
In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
Verse 3
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
Verse 4
No guilt in life no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
How Deep The Father’s Love For Us
Verse 1
How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
Verse 2
Behold the Man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
Verse 3
I will not boast in anything
No gifts no pow’r no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
God Has Smiled On Me
Chorus 1
God has smiled on me
He has set me free
God has smiled on me
He's been good to me
Verse 1
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now I'm found
Was blind but now I see
Verse 2
When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun
Chorus 1
God has smiled on me
He has set me free
God has smiled on me
He's been good to me
Wonderful Merciful Savior
Verse 1
Wonderful merciful Savior
Precious Redeemer and Friend
Who would have thought that a Lamb
Could rescue the souls of men
Oh You rescue the souls of men
Chorus 1
You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh our hearts always hunger for
Verse 2
Counselor Comforter Keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts
Have hopelessly lost the way
Oh we hopelessly lost the way
Verse 3
Almighty infinite Father
Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh we're falling before Your throne
Teaching: “Seeking God’s Kingdom First: Kings”
Hospitality Team’s 4 Main Functions:
Worship:
Make Communion Bread
Read Benediction at the end of Worship
Set Up & Tear Down
Arrive at 8:45 to finish the set up
Lead the clean up after worship
Welcome & Greet
Greet people at the door as they come in
9:20 close front door
Welcome/Security
Sit in the back so you can see the door
if people come in late, welcome them and help them find where to go.
Think of the Hospitality Team as welcoming someone into your home. How do you want them to feel and to be received in your home?
Saul and David discussion:
Judges 21:25
“In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes.”
1 Samuel 15:22-23
“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obedience to the voice of the Lord? Surely, to obey is better than sacrifice and to heed than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is no less a sin than divination, and stubbornness is like iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”
1st Time of Prayer & Discussion
First Discussion Question: How have you seen “religious activity,” (Spiritual disciplines, worship, etc.) as a “box checking” activity? Something done simply for the purpose of the activity itself?
Second Discussion Question: When have those same religious activities been life giving activities that drew you nearer to God?
Third Discussion Question: What was the difference?
Pray this prayer together: “Jesus, we desire a deeper relationship with you. When we enter into moments of worship, spiritual disciplines, service and more, help those to be places where your Holy Spirit draws us nearer to you.”
1 Samuel 16:7
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him, for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
Psalm 51:1-12
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.”
2nd Time of Prayer, Discussion & Communion
First Discussion Question: Where are you seeing the character of God in the people around you?
Second Discussion Question: In what ways do you want to see more of the character of God in yourself?
Pray This Prayer Together: “Jesus, we humbly ask you to continue to enter the spaces of our hearts that need to be shaped more into the character of God. Help us be people who fully embody grace, mercy, steadfast love, patience, forgiveness, justice, and faithfulness this week.”
Communion:
After you finish the times of discussion and prayer, Head up and take communion together.
Benediction:
Our Father in heaven,
May your name be revered as holy.
May your kingdom come.
May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.
May the strength of God pilot us;
May the wisdom of God instruct us,
May the hand of God protect us,
May the word of God direct us.
Be always ours this day and for evermore.
Amen