Fourth Sunday of Lent
March 30, 2025 | 10:00am
Rev. Jeremy Campbell, Temporary Minister | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: How does one image the transformation we experience in Christ? I began with this verse: “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (2 Cor. 5:17, NRSV) -Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude Solemn Melody | Davies
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Opening Sentences
God’s reach is endless.
God’s mercy is unstoppable.
God’s grace is lavish.
God’s love is constant.
God’s wisdom is vast.
God’s hope is stubborn.
God’s presence is here—
with us, among us, moving through us.
Breathe easy. Breathe deeply.
We are in God’s house.
Let us worship the One who welcomes us home.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy
Call to Confession
If you ask any parent with a teenager what it’s like to wait up for their child to meet curfew, they will tell you—they’re standing at the door. The porch light is on. No one can sleep until that child is home safe. Friends, I think God is like that for us. The porch light is on. The door is unlocked. We might be late for curfew, but God is just so glad we’re home. So let us pray the prayer of confession together, trusting that no matter what we do or what we leave undone, the porch light is always on. Let us pray.
Prayer of Confession
The prodigal son isn’t given a name, but we know his name. It sounds like ours. And we know his story. It sounds like ours. For who among us hasn’t burned a bridge? Who among us hasn’t forgotten that we belong to one another? Who among us has not ached for home? The prodigal son isn’t given a name, but we know his name. Forgive us God. We want to come home.
Assurance of Pardon
Family of faith, the word ‘prodigal’ can be defined as wasteful or imprudent, hence the name, “Prodigal Son.” However, ‘prodigal’ can also be described as extravagant and excessive. Friends, we worship a prodigal God—a God who is extravagant in mercy and excessive in grace. For no matter how many times we run, no matter how far we go or how lost we get, God is standing at the end of the driveway waiting for us. The doors are open. The feast is for you. This grace is extravagant.
Thanks be to God, amen
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 Grace | arr. Hayes
Prayer for Illumination
God of open doors, we often long to come home to you, to love, and to ourselves, but we aren’t always sure how to get there. We know that we need you, but the road back to you is heavy with distractions. So if we can dare to be so forward, we pray—reach into the cacophony of our hearts and minds and make yourself known. Quiet everything but your Word for us today. Leave us awestruck. Drown out the distractions. Come as thunder or come as a still, small voice; we don't care which, we just pray that you will come. Turn on the light. Speak through these words. Find the parts of us that are lost. With hope we pray, amen.
First Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
*Hymn: There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
Second Reading: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “Prodigal grace” | Rev. Campbell
Silent Reflection
THE RESPONSE TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith
We believe in a God who waits in the driveway for us.
We believe in a God who leaves the porch light on and throws a feast when we are found.
We believe in a God who doesn’t stop looking for us when we get lost. We believe in a God of prodigal grace—
excessive, extravagant, over-the-top grace.
In response to this grace, we hold tighter to each other.
We remember that humans are not meant to go through life alone;
so we look for ways to welcome each other in, to live like we are family, and to lead with grace—excessive, extravagant, over-the-top grace.
We believe that this is our call. Let it be so. Amen.
Offering Take Up Your Cross | arr. Helvey
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen!
Prayer of Dedication
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with the Lord’s Prayer)
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 Amazing Grace How Sweet the Sound
Benediction
Postlude Sortie | Titcomb
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!
Please consider making a weekly donation of eggs or milk to the P-G Food Pantry.
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