Worship - March 30, 2014

Worship Order for Sunday

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
March 30, 2014
Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:10am

Fourth Sunday of Lent

“One thing I do know, that though I was blind,
now I see.” (John 9:25)

Beginning with Praise (9:50 am) "Holy, holy, holy!" 120
Announcements
Video Prelude "Creed" Rich Mullins

Call to Worship

*Hymn "Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing" 110

*Opening Prayer

Unison Scripture Psalm 23 814

Sharing a joy, a concern, a word of testimony or praise
(please be brief, and aware of God's listening presence)

Prayer Hymn "Gentle Shepherd" 352

Pastoral Prayer

From the Visual Bible John 9:1-41

Song "Open my eyes, that I may see" 517
(children leave for craft time as we sing)

Message "…but now I see"

Hymn (vs. 1-2) "Amazing grace" 143

Responding with our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory Video "Passing on the gift" Heifer International
(Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

*Hymn (vs. 3, 6) "Amazing grace" 143

*Benediction

*Postlude "Jesu, joy of man’s desiring" Schop/Bach

*Rise in body or in spirit

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship

On our journey through Lent this year, we have traveled with Jesus into the wilderness following his baptism, noting that temptation and testing are part of a life of faith. We also have heard the midnight questions of Nicodemus and how belief is more than just words. Trusting with heart, soul, and mind involves a radical rebirth, even for those who think they know everything. Last week, we witnessed the encounter between Jesus and a nameless woman at a well in Samaria and, like her, we were challenged to deeply drink and then share the Living water of the good news.

Today, we will not only hear, but also see the story of a man who was born blind. The questions we may ask ourselves in response involve the ways in which we might be blind, in need of Christ to shed light upon our path through the valley of the shadow. We thus, by an ever deepening faith, make our way toward Easter… “I believe what I believe,” sang Rich Mullins. “It’s what makes me what I am. I did not make it, no it is making me…”

On this journey of faith, we are taking a break this morning from all musical instruments except for the human voice. So, please rise in body or spirit, and let your voice be heard. “Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise,” #110 in your hymnal, or the words projected upon the screen.

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus,
         blind I am, do thou enlighten me;
         naked I am, do thou clothe me;
         wounded, do thou heal me;
         dead, do thou quicken me.
I know of no light,
         no physician,
         no life, except thee. AMEN

Hymnal #700
by Menno Simons, 16th c., "Meditation on the 25th Psalm,"
from The Complete Writings of Menno Simons,
translated by Leonard Verduin, ed. J.C. Wenger,
© 1956 Herald Press, Scottdale, PA 15683.

Unison Scripture
Psalm 23

             Let’s allow a familiar scripture to become a passage for us to travel deeper into where God leads. Instead of quickly reading through the 23rd Psalm, I invite you to follow the words as they are projected upon the screen (not how it is presented in the hymnal). Let us read slowly, pausing after each line,
                                                                                        making space (pause)
                                                                                        for the words (pause)
                                                                                           to sink in.     (pause)
            Just follow my lead. Shall we journey through Psalm 23 together?

The Lord
is my shepherd,
I shall not want;
he makes me
lie down
in green pastures.
He leads me
beside still waters;
he restores my soul.

He leads me
in paths
of righteousness
for his name's sake.

Even though I walk
through the valley
of the shadow
of death,
I fear no evil;
for thou
art with me;
thy rod & thy staff,
they comfort me.

Thou prepares
a table
before me
in the presence
of my enemies;
thou anointest
my head with oil,
my cup overflows.

Surely
goodness
and mercy
shall follow me
all the days
of my life;
and I shall dwell
in the house
of the Lord
forever.

Hymnal #814
from the Revised Standard Version.
Copyright 1946, 1952, 1959, 1973
by the Division of Christian Education of
the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Pastoral Prayer

written closer to the time (if not at the moment)

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul wrote the following:

“For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Sleeper, awake!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

Let us wake up to God’s challenge to pass along the gift we have received, whether in the words we speak or the good works we do. One such is our Lenten offering focus upon Heifer International. What follows is a video we couldn’t show two weeks ago about this ministry which began among the Brethren. May it inspire you to ponder what your eyes are being opened to see, other needs to be addressed here and now.

Ushers, please assist us in responding with our tithes and offerings.

Ephesians 5:8-14 from The New Revised Standard Version,
copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Offertory Video

While the offering is collected, we'll show an abridged (3minute) version of “Passing on the gift" (14minute). The full 30 minute version of this 2013 resource is also available from Heifer International as part of their "Fill the Ark" emphasis.

Benediction

Go now and live as children of the light.
Seek what is pleasing to the Lord.
Expose the unfruitful works of darkness,
and commit yourselves to the works of God who sends you.

And may the Lord be your shepherd and be all that you need.
May Christ open your eyes and guide you along sure paths.
May the Spirit Holy revive your spirits
and tend you with goodness and love
every day of your life.