Fourth Sunday in Lent
We Gather as the Body of Christ
WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS,
and FUNNY STORY
Pastor Bob
CENTERING WORDS
(Psalm 23, Ephesians 5)
Pastor Bob
Be Thou our vision, O God. Be our eyes. Be our hearts. Be the grace that flows through our lives. Only with your eyes can we see clearly.
OPENING PRAYER
(Psalm 23, Ephesians 5)
Responsive Reading Sharon Stewart
Light of all lights, be our vision this day. Open our eyes to behold your glory. Open our hearts to the warmth of your love. Open our minds to the flame of your truth. Open our souls to the glory of living as children of light, that others may see in our living the sacred mystery of your kingdom. Amen.
HYMN: Be Thou My Vision
UMC Hymnal #451
EPISTLE READING
Ephesians 5: 8-14 Sharon Stewart
CHILDREN'S TIME with Pastor Bob
PREPARATION to PRAYER
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
UMC Hymnal #349
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
PASTORAL PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER
We Attend to the Word
HYMN: Open My Eyes, That I May See
UMC Hymnal #454
GOSPEL READING
John 9: 1-41 (NLT)
SERMON Pastor Bob
Here’s Mud in Your Eyes
We Gather at Christ's Table
INVITATION to the OFFERING
Pastor Bob
God gives us steadfast love and abundant mercy. Now, we are invited to bring our gifts to God as tokens of our thanksgiving and praise.
OFFERTORY Erin Tellier
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow
UMC Hymnal # 94
BLESSING OF THE OFFERING
(Unison) Pastor Bob
Loving and gentle Savior, we give thanks this day and we offer you our gifts this day. Through our offering, may others be blessed,
as we have been blessed from your hand. Amen.
HYMN:
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
vs. 1 & 3 UMC Hymnal # 206
We Are Sent in Ministry to the World
BENEDICTION (Ephesians 5, John 9)
Responsive Reading Pastor Bob
Go forth in the light of God.
We will walk as children of the light.
Go forth in the warmth of Christ’s love.
We will travel as children of love.
Go forth in the flame of God’s Spirit.
We will live as children of the Most High.
SENDING FORTH HYMN
Let There Be Peace on Earth
UMC Hymnal #431
DEPART IN PEACE...SHALOM!
Worship Liturgy is taken from two sources: Lectionary Liturgies and the Abingdon Worship Annual 2023.