Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 19, 2023 | 10:00am
Rev. Jeremy Campbell, Guest Minister | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: “Vision is the art of seeing the invisible.” — Jonathan Swift
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude: Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us | arr. Fettke
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Opening Sentences
The Lord be with you
And also with you!
We come to sanctify ourselves.
We come seeking to be worthy of our call.
The Lord looks not at our outward selves,
but seeks to know what is in our hearts.
Let us learn what is pleasing to the Lord,
that we might live as children of the Most High.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: Arise, Your Light Is Come
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
God of compassion and mercy,
we sometimes fail to see
what you are doing in the world.
We want you to act in ways we predict,
but we forget:
you do what is good, not what is expected.
Forgive us when we do not recognize your miracles.
Forgive us when we doubt the wisdom of your actions.
Most of all, forgive us
when we do not respond to your call,
ignoring what we need to do
to show the world your love and grace.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Jesus restores our souls
and leads us in right paths for his name’s sake.
Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow us all the days of our lives,
and we will dwell in the house of the Lord
our whole lives long.
The Law of God:
*Gloria Patri | #579
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.
*Commitment to Peace Keeping and Peace Seeking
One: May the peace of Christ be with you!
All: And also with you!
Share a sign of peace with one another. After sharing the peace, let us all sing together:
Together, by grace, we witness and work, remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong. Together we serve in Spirit and truth, remembering love is the strength of our song.
THE WORD OF GOD
Anthem The Lord is My Shepherd | Lau
Children’s Message
Prayer for Illumination
Gracious God, our way in the wilderness, guide us by your Word through these forty days, and minister to us with your Holy Spirit, so that we may be reformed, restored, and renewed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: Open My Eyes That I May See
Gospel Reading: John 9:1-41
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “Eyes Opened” | Rev. Campbell
Silent Reflection
THE RESPONSE TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come to judge the living 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.
Offering Cleft for Me | arr. Hayes
Prayer of the People (ending with Lord’s Prayer)
In Christ Jesus, we have a great high priest
who knows our weakness and suffering;
therefore, with boldness, let us seek God’s grace.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With boldness, we pray for the church . . .
By your grace, make us children of light,
reflecting the glory of our Savior—
Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With boldness, we pray for the earth . . .
Renew in us a vision of the world restored,
shining with the splendor of your glory,
unstained by the sin of human greed.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With boldness, we pray for all nations . . .
Raise up new leaders among us,
new shepherds who will defend the weak
and lead us all in paths of peace.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With boldness, we pray for this community . . .
Help us to notice our neighbors in need.
Give us the courage and compassion
to see them all as your beloved children.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With boldness, we pray for loved ones . . .
Accompany those who walk in darkness;
protect those who are facing danger;
comfort those who live in fear. (names read)
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
To you, O God, we entrust these prayers,
knowing that you alone can provide
grace to help in our time of need;
in the name of our great high priest
who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus Christ, our Sovereign and Savior.
In Jesus’ Name, we pray as you taught us…
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.
SENDING
Hymn: Rejoice, Rejoice Believers
Benediction
Postlude: Postlude on “St. Theodulph” | arr. Wagner
DEAR FRIENDS
Welcome to worship here at Peapack Reformed Church! If you are visiting with us, welcome! If you are a member, welcome back! Our mission is to be a congregation called by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. This mission is the catalyst for all that we do, and is our aim for who we want to be.
If you are visiting with us via Facebook Live and would like more information about our church, send us a message on Facebook or email office@peapackreformed.org and we will be in touch with you. Even under these odd and anxious circumstances, we would love to be your church home. Our virtual doors are always open wide and our hearts are always ready to welcome new faces into our fellowship.
FOOD PANTRY NEWS
Many thanks for all those who have shared their abundance with neighbors in need.
Our church refrigerators have plenty of space to hold even more!
Mark your calendars now to pick up these important items
and bring to church by the dates listed:
Sunday, March 5 - gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, March 12 - eggs
Sunday, March 19 - gallon(s) whole milk
UPCOMING EVENTS
Peapack Reformed Church is a congregation called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
CALLED • EMPOWERED • COMMITTED